To correctly understand; in the fullness of time who is truly saved is important. I do believe there is something to "election" as God will repeatedly pursue those who are "His sheep". I also believe that God is patient with the wicked every day ( 2 Peter 3:9; but also has a plan for the end of the wicked ( Proverbs 16:4). Again; referring earlier to my post on those who appear friendly but in fact are tares in our midst needs to be factored in here. Oftentimes the focus is on people who never heard the Gospel; in fact they will be judged less harshly than those who know the law ( Luke 12:47-8; Matt. 11:24-25). Overall there will no doubt be some surprises in heaven for the few last minute conversions that we may see. But here I am warning about those we assume believe but in reality don't.
Clearly we approach everyone as though they are potential candidates to receive truth and therefore impartially; as I have brought out. Whether we look at it as people predestined as individuals to be saved or as a general plan for salvation; of course the same theory could be those predestined for destruction. God's plan will eventually commence either at death or when He judges the world in the Tribulation and beyond.
In knowing for whatever reason that some will respond and others not helps us; particularly for those we have time after time witnessed to but just don't get it-again I have seen people who for YEARS attended family Bible studies; gone to church etc but never had a genuine testimony of faith in Christ; OR their fruit was all bad and their lifestyle showed that they were in the catagory of habitual unrepentant sinners. This becomes clearer after some time is passed. Also God's favor or election ISN'T something we should expect those not yet converted to get and we should NOT preach to them that if they are elect they will be saved. Until they are saved we preach repent and believe as they don't know Christ.
To correctly understand; in the fullness of time who is truly saved is important. I do believe there is something to "election" as God will repeatedly pursue those who are "His sheep". I also believe that God is patient with the wicked every day ( 2 Peter 3:9; but also has a plan for the end of the wicked ( Proverbs 16:4). Again; referring earlier to my post on those who appear friendly but in fact are tares in our midst needs to be factored in here. Oftentimes the focus is on people who never heard the Gospel; in fact they will be judged less harshly than those who know the law ( Luke 12:47-8; Matt. 11:24-25). Overall there will no doubt be some surprises in heaven for the few last minute conversions that we may see. But here I am warning about those we assume believe but in reality don't.
Clearly we approach everyone as though they are potential candidates to receive truth and therefore impartially; as I have brought out. Whether we look at it as people predestined as individuals to be saved or as a general plan for salvation; of course the same theory could be those predestined for destruction. God's plan will eventually commence either at death or when He judges the world in the Tribulation and beyond.
In knowing for whatever reason that some will respond and others not helps us; particularly for those we have time after time witnessed to but just don't get it-again I have seen people who for YEARS attended family Bible studies; gone to church etc but never had a genuine testimony of faith in Christ; OR their fruit was all bad and their lifestyle showed that they were in the catagory of habitual unrepentant sinners. This becomes clearer after some time is passed. Also God's favor or election ISN'T something we should expect those not yet converted to get and we should NOT preach to them that if they are elect they will be saved. Until they are saved we preach repent and believe as they don't know Christ.
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