Saturday, October 30, 2010

Getting The L Out of Here.13


One thing that is always surprising but should never be is the arrogance with which the flesh rebels against God. The bible clearly states that God desires all to be saved, 1 Timothy 2:4, but all are not saved. Our Lord has not seen fit to explain this in his word so the flesh wants to fill in the blanks, make things up and generally put words in God’s mouth.

Romans 9:13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” ESV

First we have an as it is written here. We have another place to look to see what this phrase means.

Malachi 1:2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’” 5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!” ESV

So we have a clue it is due to pride that God hates Esau. Or more specifically Edom his descendents. But were not the children of Israel proud? Yes but God never looks at the person or his or her behaviour for a choosing but rather it is a choosing of grace. That is the whole point of the prophecy of MalachI is that Israel has been rejecting God all along. Fallen and finite humans by nature reject God and are his enemies who do not see the love and care he has for us.

Second we are to understand what Jesus said about the scriptures testify of him. John 5:39. God told Abraham that in Isaac his seed shall be called but there were twin boys born to Isaac. Esau was first so by law and tradition he should have inherited the blessing and all else. Our Lord can operate under his law or no law at all if he so desires. So in this way the elder will serve the younger which is Christ. When the emphasis is moved off Jesus and on to the sinners involved all bets are off. This is how we end up with a horrible doctrine that teaches Jesus died for less than all humanity which leaves us to wonder if we are died for individually.

Romans 11:32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. ESV

The above verse puts an end to speculation on for whom Christ died and wants to save. This is close context and aids in understanding what came before. Jesus died for all and wants all to be saved. We cannot have it both ways where on one hand some are died for and the rest are unwanted and un died for. What a horrible thing with which to subject yourself and others. Behold the Lamb slain for the world from before the foundation of the world. Believe this good news and live in the peace that it delivers through the means of grace.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. †

1 comment:

Shenton Research said...

Not a bad article for a stinkie Lutheran.

It is good news that God died for sinners. Also it is a good that God commands us to repent and believe.

It is also true that men fail to answer that call to repentance because they choose to do so (Doctrine 1, article 5, Canons of Dordt.

That all will come is because God has determined it, for all men fell in Adam and only God circumcising their hard heart makes men willing to come. So the glory is of God not in man in answering the call. because it is God that saves and not the call this precious atonement, although sufficient for all men i.e. sufficient to all men, it is limited by God''s decree. The only men that will come is those God has chozen in eternity. But the call is to all, it is more than a call it is a command to all. The prblem is they choose not to come and (Doctine 2, articles 6, C. of D.)bring damnation on their own heads.

A pax on you.

Saint John