Why does He not make everybody willing?
It may be better to re-state why someone believes. They believe only because they were chosen by God’s free will and were redeemed by the sin offering of His Son and later called to His flock. Their redemption was of God and salvation by God. But any that does not believe are condemned by their sins. Yes, they were not redeemed by the Savior. Yes, they remain blind to wander as goats. But when this man dies in this condition it is not his nature or God’s choice that will be punished but his sins. Their unbelief is a result of their works and freewill.
"I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Even so, Father, for this was your good pleasure." (Matthew 11:25-26)
At the winding up of this world's drama, God will be glorified in the men that shut their eyes against his grace, as well as in the men whose eyes are opened to receive it.
The sounds of Heaven will sing higher and sweeter in contrast to the screams of Hell.
The Light will illuminate that much brighter when placed against the backdrop of darkness.
Mercy will be that much more gracious compared to the justice we deserve.
We can only appreciate grace if it is given by His will.
If one of His sheep discovers that their wisdom is dashed to pieces and they depend wholly on the sovereignty and grace of God, He is glorified. If a goat having heard the gospel is to wise to believe it, His justice is done and He is glorified as the avenger of His gospel. In either case God is glorified, and in either case Christ devoutly gives thanks.
We see the fact that God does not threat or look at everyone a like (Rom 9:5). Is it not fear, do you murmur at God for it; God forbid. C.H. Spurgeon said “to kick against this fact is only to kick against pricks with naked feet, you hurt only yourself and not the thorn.”
(Rom 9:20-23) “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”
posted by Eric Wilson @ 3:09 PM
