The Hopeless Gospel

 

 

Limited Atonement

 

Hopefully, you have never heard of this point of Calvinism.  If you have, then hopefully you don’t think that God brought certain people into this world just to have the pleasure of cooking them in Hell.  Even worse, I hope that you don’t think that you are one of those people, and that there is no hope for you.

 

 

 

God desires that all be saved

 

1 Timothy 2:3-4

³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

 

2 Peter 3:9-10

⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

 

Romans 5:8

⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

John 1:12

¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- ¹³children born not of natural descent,^[3] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

 

There is another doctrine that makes people think that their case is hopeless:  Maybe you believe that once you commit apostasy, that you cannot return to God.  However, Christ’s prodigal son parable illustrates the opposite:   That repentance is offered to any willing soul.

 

 

 

Repentance offered to all

 

The first step to getting off the road to destruction is repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  This requires you to follow the bible instead of your own sinful self:

 

Luke 13:3

But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

 

Acts 3:19

¹⁹Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

 

Peter and Jesus told people to repent.  The decision is thiers.  Yes, there are many who refuse, and reject God’s law, or blaspheme the Holy Spirit (the unpardonable sin).  But that is their decision to continue in this sin.  Just because God has foreknowlege of their decision does not mean they can blame Him for their choice. 

 

 

 

Hopeless Theology

 

Don’t use bad theology to excuse your learned helplessness.  Repent and obey the Gospel.  It is the right thing to do even if you were doomed (and I don’t believe you are). 

If you don’t know what I’m talking about.  Good.  Just know that God will accept you if you come to Him on His terms:  Obeying the Gospel.  He’s more concerned with where you want to go then where you have been.  Will you follow Him?