"It is not God's will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance". This means that (like in the prodigal son) the Father seeks out for the lost. His love is so great that He will continue to reach out His hand (especially to those who have NOT hardened their hearts yet).
[i wish i had learned the greek language....it's a real loss for me.]
that verse in Peter is a misunderstood one, imo.
it comes from Peter, and his letters are specifically addressed TO THE ELECTION. when used outside monergism and election, it says God is unable to save all men though He wants to. this is unacceptable to me because i believe first and foremost in the Sovereignty of God and His Will to utterly save whom He will.
i do not believe He fails AT ALL.
there's no question whatsoever we are called and must endure the tension between the ALREADY/NOT YET and obey His counsel and be transformed. i simply can not reach any other conclusion from a) my personal salvation experience (NOT IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER MY OWN DOING, IT WAS LIKE THE WIND), and b) my reading of Scripture with confirmation by The Holy Ghost.
anyway.....re Peter's comment concerning NOT WILLING THAT
ANY PERISH .....look at Peter's greeting and introduction to this letter:
2 Peter 1
Greeting
1Simeon
a Peter, a servant
b and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Make Your Calling and Election Sure
3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of
him who called us toc his own glory and excellence,
d 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
e and virtue with knowledge,
6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
8For if these qualities
f are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
10Therefore, brothers,
g be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
11For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.
13I think it right, as long as I am in this body,
h to stir you up by way of reminder,
14since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
15And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
2 Peter 3:9
English Standard Version (©2001)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
International Standard Version (©2008)
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness,
but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent.
~
now look what Paul says about the election and calling:
Romans 11:29
New International Version (©1984)
for God's gifts and
his call are irrevocable.
New Living Translation (©2007)
For God's gifts and
his call can never be withdrawn.
English Standard Version (©2001)
For the gifts and
the calling of God are irrevocable.
~
re: the repentence passage in Hebrews 6: i personally believe it refers to the repentence UNTO salvation, which is granted as a gift by God, not
professions of "repentence/regret" as in the following:
2 Corinthians 7:1
New International Version
(©1984)
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
New Living Translation (©2007)
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
English Standard Version (©2001)
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
we all know that through sanctification we are convicted and scourged and pruned, which is repentence also....i do not think that is what is addressed in Heb 6. again, the translations are an issue.
z