Predestination is a big word that means that God has eternally chosen those who He wants to save. That you cannot do anything about it because God has already chosen who He will save.
The believers of this doctrine love to cite the verse from today's Gospel, John 10:26 "But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep."
See, it's right there. If you are not His sheep then you won't believe. If you're from His flock then you will believe & will be saved. So if God has not chosen you then you won't be saved no matter what you do. Simple logic right?
Well, that's logical if you read only that specific verse. And Bible study is all about CONTEXT.
Let's see who was Jesus talking to by reading the two verses before 10:26
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. - John 10:24-25
Jesus was speaking to the Jews. So if Jesus tells the Jews that "you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep" does that mean there's another flock of sheep aside from them?
Yes!
That's why Jesus says in John 10:16, "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, & they will hear my voice, & there will be one flock, one shepherd."
The goal of Jesus is to save both types of sheep so that "there will be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10:16) Jesus came "so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life" (John 3:16). John 3:16 says "everyone who believes" & not this type of sheep only.
The first flock of sheep (John:26) were the Jews. Some of them believed but some didn't. The second flock (John 10:16) were another type of sheep that were not the Jews & it says that "they will hear my voice" too. These were the Gentiles. That includes most of us. But do all Gentiles believe Jesus? Nope. Like the Jews some of them believe & others didn't.
This simply means that believing & following Jesus is not about being a Jew or a Gentile or whatever clan, tribe, group, denomination you're with. Because believing God is all about a CHOICE THAT YOU MAKE.
Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."
God always gives us the freedom to choose. That's what LOVE is!
If you want to be a part of Jesus' flock then CHOOSE JESUS. If you want Jesus to be your good shepherd, CHOOSE JESUS. If you want Jesus to be your defender then CHOOSE JESUS.
May we all be united in Christ because we all have the same Father who loves us.
My friend, choose Jesus always. Every time. All the time. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment