I am sure that after discovering the Lord’s secret … you will love Him more,
worship Him more, praise Him more, and thank Him more … both now and forever!
First, perhaps we should review some basic fundamental Truths …
The deplorable condition of the human race
Our whole Christian experience is based upon this fundamental truth:
● Our ancestors chose to follow Satan and sin against God …
so He gave them a sin nature, which was passed down through the generations.
And this made them unacceptable to live with God in heaven after their death.
1) ● Many NT verses describe our inherited sin nature.
E.G. “… all people are under the power of sin.” (Romans 3:9)
E.G. Jesus called His 12 disciples “evil” (Matthew 7:11, Luke 11:13)
Those who are unredeemed are enemies of God …
E.G. “You (Christians) were His enemies (in the past),
separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions.” (Colossians 1:21)
Are enemies of God likely to be open to believe in Jesus and the Gospel?
2) ● Many NT verses reveal that non-believers are captives of Satan.
E.G. “… they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” (2 Timothy 2:26)
E.G. “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.
They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Jesus says man is UNABLE to believe without God’s help
John 6:44 ● “No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him …”
John 6:65 ● “… no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
The results of man’s inability to believe
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Jesus’ disciples asked: “Who then can be saved?” And Jesus replied:
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:25-26)
For the above reasons, God chose to intervene and save some of us
Jesus said to His disciples, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you
and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit …
I chose you out of the (unbelieving) world …” (John 15:16-19)
Isn’t this true of everyone who becomes a believer in Jesus?
But, are people chosen because they believe, or were they chosen first?
“God, who called you to Himself …” (Galatians 1:6)
“But even before I was born, God chose me and called me …” (Galatians 1:15)
Did God call people because they believe the Gospel, or were they chosen first?
Now, for the Lord’s “secret”
God gives FAITH to some people so they can believe, but it is not given to others!
This is kept more-or-less a secret because of its’ unpopularity.
But, the Truth has been given to us in a few verses such as these …
“… the faith which comes through Him …” (Acts 3:16)
“… and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers.” (Acts 13:48)
Certain people are chosen first … before they become believers.
“… all those I have called to be mine” (Acts 15:17)
“… the Lord opened Lydia’s heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.” (Acts 16:14)
Does God open everyone’s heart so they can believe?
“This faith was given to you …” (2 Peter 1:1)
Many Christians insist that belief and faith are the same thing.
worship Him more, praise Him more, and thank Him more … both now and forever!
First, perhaps we should review some basic fundamental Truths …
The deplorable condition of the human race
Our whole Christian experience is based upon this fundamental truth:
● Our ancestors chose to follow Satan and sin against God …
so He gave them a sin nature, which was passed down through the generations.
And this made them unacceptable to live with God in heaven after their death.
1) ● Many NT verses describe our inherited sin nature.
E.G. “… all people are under the power of sin.” (Romans 3:9)
E.G. Jesus called His 12 disciples “evil” (Matthew 7:11, Luke 11:13)
Those who are unredeemed are enemies of God …
E.G. “You (Christians) were His enemies (in the past),
separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions.” (Colossians 1:21)
Are enemies of God likely to be open to believe in Jesus and the Gospel?
2) ● Many NT verses reveal that non-believers are captives of Satan.
E.G. “… they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” (2 Timothy 2:26)
E.G. “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.
They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Jesus says man is UNABLE to believe without God’s help
John 6:44 ● “No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him …”
John 6:65 ● “… no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
The results of man’s inability to believe
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Jesus’ disciples asked: “Who then can be saved?” And Jesus replied:
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:25-26)
For the above reasons, God chose to intervene and save some of us
Jesus said to His disciples, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you
and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit …
I chose you out of the (unbelieving) world …” (John 15:16-19)
Isn’t this true of everyone who becomes a believer in Jesus?
But, are people chosen because they believe, or were they chosen first?
“God, who called you to Himself …” (Galatians 1:6)
“But even before I was born, God chose me and called me …” (Galatians 1:15)
Did God call people because they believe the Gospel, or were they chosen first?
Now, for the Lord’s “secret”
God gives FAITH to some people so they can believe, but it is not given to others!
This is kept more-or-less a secret because of its’ unpopularity.
But, the Truth has been given to us in a few verses such as these …
“… the faith which comes through Him …” (Acts 3:16)
“… and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers.” (Acts 13:48)
Certain people are chosen first … before they become believers.
“… all those I have called to be mine” (Acts 15:17)
“… the Lord opened Lydia’s heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.” (Acts 16:14)
Does God open everyone’s heart so they can believe?
“This faith was given to you …” (2 Peter 1:1)
Many Christians insist that belief and faith are the same thing.
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