Christ Died For All, But Not Everyone Gets Into Heaven

It was difficult for me to put a title to this article. It is really a mixture of issues relating somewhat to Calvinism, and somewhat to eternal security, and then also about the fact that many will never see heaven. Perhaps at a later stage I will make two or three articles of this. Here goes:

Calvinism in its pure form, as far a I can understand, says that some are chosen to go to heaven and some to hell. Furthermore, Christ did not die for all men, but rather those who were elected to heaven. Man cannot even choose God because of his depravity. Also, if God comes to you, He cannot be resisted. There are a few other issues, but I can perhaps go into them in another article.

One must remember that some things in the Bible appear contradictory. I believe those things BECAUSE God said it was so!

What about the following: (Classic Calvinism)

Acts 13:48  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Acts 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

 

John 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

 

John 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

I remember hearing this explanation somewhere: Many (Biblical) truths run parallel to one another throughout history. They converge at the throne of God!

So, I must BELIEVE what God has said, because he CANNOT lie! Also for John 6:44 and John 12:32, you must remember that just because God draws people, it does NOT mean that they will accept Him!

So remember: Two TRUTHS cannot be contradictory ! (GOD's word is truth! :John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. )

Misc Verses:

Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The above speaks of those who will - there is a CHOICE. Water is also used as an illustration: It is FREE, NECESSARY, EASY TO DRINK (Salvation not difficult). Water is also abundant all over the earth - so the grace of God is GREATER than ANY sin you may have.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  [[ You must CHOOSE]]

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [[ Only if you REJECT Jesus Christ are you condemned! ]]

We come now to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross:

As in John 3:16 above, Christ died for ALL, but it is up to each individual to choose before they become the "elect of God"

Heb 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Gal 3:22  But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

We must remember that all who are not saved are under the wrath of God:

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Rom 3:9  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Those of us who have REPENTED (turned AWAY from sin) and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our saviour (from the WRATH of God) are now JUSTIFIED  (price for sin is paid) freely:

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Luke 24:47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

1Th 1:9  For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

We therefore have that man MUST : (1) CHOOSE Jesus Christ (2) Repent of our sins (3) Accept His gift of salvation (4) Do not carry on wilfully sinning - strive toward the goal of being as close to the character of Jesus as is possible. (" Would Jesus have done that?")

Just in case a "hyper" Calvinist says that faith is a work and says that by choosing by faith you have done "works", look at the definition of faith and works: :

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Rom 9:32  Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

FAITH   IS   NOT   WORKS !!!!!

There is much more than I have not even touched on as yet, but I think I have shown that you have a choice of either accepting or rejecting Christ. I have not even mentioned the famous Romans 8 passage on election, but if you look at the context (vesrse 28), it is for those who have already accepted Christ.

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Back