Churchwork
12-15-2008, 04:35 AM
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth" (2 Thess. 2.13).
Being chosen to salvation does not mean that one has been predestined to heaven. All mankind has been "chosen to salvation" by the God who would "have all men to be saved..." (1 Tim. 2.4). If all have been chosen to salvation, why are not all saved? For the same reason Jesus chose 12 disciples, but through his own choice Judas did not fulfill that calling.
Though "chosen to salvation," the means of salvation is not the choosing by God but "sanctification of the Spirit" by the individual's "belief in the truth."
Wesley said, "All...being present to him at once...But observe; we must not think they are, because He knows them. No; he knows them, because they are."
Our choices "are". God foreknows those choices, some of which "believe in the truth" by individuals who are then "sanctified of the Spirit".
Being chosen to salvation does not mean that one has been predestined to heaven. All mankind has been "chosen to salvation" by the God who would "have all men to be saved..." (1 Tim. 2.4). If all have been chosen to salvation, why are not all saved? For the same reason Jesus chose 12 disciples, but through his own choice Judas did not fulfill that calling.
Though "chosen to salvation," the means of salvation is not the choosing by God but "sanctification of the Spirit" by the individual's "belief in the truth."
Wesley said, "All...being present to him at once...But observe; we must not think they are, because He knows them. No; he knows them, because they are."
Our choices "are". God foreknows those choices, some of which "believe in the truth" by individuals who are then "sanctified of the Spirit".