But you are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
His own special people,
that you may proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light;
who once were not a people
but are now the people of God,
who had not obtained mercy
but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV
Notice that the chosen generation referred to in this passage could not have existed before the foundation of the world. Whoever they were, they were called out of darkness into light...made into a people of God and obtained mercy because of some event in time. That the word "chosen" appears in a verse of scripture should not trigger some proof-texting sense of glee in a calvinist's heart that negates the rest of what is being said.
Throughout the Old Testament and the Gospels, the term "generation"** is used frequently to refer to disobedient and stubborn fools who know what the Bible says but join forces with Satan in mocking God and demanding their own way. In contrast (Psalm 14:5, etc.), the word "generation" is also used to describe those who are followers of God and choose to live according to the relationship they have with Him. From a New Testament perspective, the relationship we have with God is based on our decision to believe in the free gift of salvation that Jesus provided at a specific place and specific time. At the cross.
God is not the kind of person that plays games with people and establishes His judgment on nebulous conditions. He gives specific instructions and provides clear procedures for getting what He wants (the words, "God's will" sometimes lose their meaning as religious terms and we forget that the will of God is simply - what God wants). Salvation is easily understood as believing in Jesus; accepting Him into your heart. God wants people to be saved. Most of all, he wants children to be saved. He does not establish foolishness that children cannot understand as the basis for their salvation. The complex nonsense of calvinists who demand pre-creation credentials and satisfying the legalistic demands of human clergy dangerously defies the command of Jesus, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:14-15.
Little children of any age (there are no "adults of God" in the Bible) must beware of those who want evidence of salvation that is none of their business. Jesus is perfectly capable of judging the human heart. He knows who has accepted Him as savior. He knows who has viewed the cross from afar and who has splinters in their hands from clinging to it. Accept the gift of Jesus.
Come to Jesus.
Come to the Cross.
** e.g., Deuternomy 32:5, Psalm 12:7, Proverbs 30:11-14, Jeremiah 7:29, Matthew 12:39, Matthew 24:34 Mark 9:19, Luke 11:32, Acts 2:40.
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
His own special people,
that you may proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light;
who once were not a people
but are now the people of God,
who had not obtained mercy
but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV
Notice that the chosen generation referred to in this passage could not have existed before the foundation of the world. Whoever they were, they were called out of darkness into light...made into a people of God and obtained mercy because of some event in time. That the word "chosen" appears in a verse of scripture should not trigger some proof-texting sense of glee in a calvinist's heart that negates the rest of what is being said.
Throughout the Old Testament and the Gospels, the term "generation"** is used frequently to refer to disobedient and stubborn fools who know what the Bible says but join forces with Satan in mocking God and demanding their own way. In contrast (Psalm 14:5, etc.), the word "generation" is also used to describe those who are followers of God and choose to live according to the relationship they have with Him. From a New Testament perspective, the relationship we have with God is based on our decision to believe in the free gift of salvation that Jesus provided at a specific place and specific time. At the cross.
God is not the kind of person that plays games with people and establishes His judgment on nebulous conditions. He gives specific instructions and provides clear procedures for getting what He wants (the words, "God's will" sometimes lose their meaning as religious terms and we forget that the will of God is simply - what God wants). Salvation is easily understood as believing in Jesus; accepting Him into your heart. God wants people to be saved. Most of all, he wants children to be saved. He does not establish foolishness that children cannot understand as the basis for their salvation. The complex nonsense of calvinists who demand pre-creation credentials and satisfying the legalistic demands of human clergy dangerously defies the command of Jesus, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:14-15.
Little children of any age (there are no "adults of God" in the Bible) must beware of those who want evidence of salvation that is none of their business. Jesus is perfectly capable of judging the human heart. He knows who has accepted Him as savior. He knows who has viewed the cross from afar and who has splinters in their hands from clinging to it. Accept the gift of Jesus.
Come to Jesus.
Come to the Cross.
** e.g., Deuternomy 32:5, Psalm 12:7, Proverbs 30:11-14, Jeremiah 7:29, Matthew 12:39, Matthew 24:34 Mark 9:19, Luke 11:32, Acts 2:40.
No comments:
Post a Comment