Dorothy Mae
Member
- May 23, 2020
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This verse is a very curious one for those who tend to believe that we cannot miss the purpose or call of God. What will are usually offered is a long list of those in the scripture who were called for a purpose and fulfilled that purpose and from that it is assumed that all who are saved are called and cannot miss that calling. Of course, if you look at WHAT they were called to do, it is never to be saved and that is it. They are not even called to be saved, frankly speaking. But never mind that one, this verse says that these kinds missed or rejected the purpose of God for themselves.
Why did they miss it? Because at that point in history, these ones described did not receive the teaching of John the Baptist and repented and submitted to that teaching in baptism. They rejected the Word of God to the people at that point in time. They did not receive it. When one humbles oneself, one receives grace and those who had received and submitted received grace as a result. Hence when Jesus came, they could recognize and receive his message. But those who had refused to receive that humbling message, did not have the grace to receive and missed God's purpose for themselves, it says. Did this depend upon God? No, it depended upon their refusal to humble themselves and receive the truth.
How do we know it was their choice and not God's? When these came to John to be baptized he said, "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:" Matt 7:3 You see they wanted the security but were unwilling to receive the teaching of repentance that God requires. (The ceremony is nothing, the heart is everything.) So we see it is their lack of receiving the whole teaching of repentance from sin. That was their choice, not God's.
The easiest way to think of these things is that we have our vital but insufficient part and God has his mightier and necessary part. God does not do it all and neither do we. It is called relationship and it is there from the first step.
Why did they miss it? Because at that point in history, these ones described did not receive the teaching of John the Baptist and repented and submitted to that teaching in baptism. They rejected the Word of God to the people at that point in time. They did not receive it. When one humbles oneself, one receives grace and those who had received and submitted received grace as a result. Hence when Jesus came, they could recognize and receive his message. But those who had refused to receive that humbling message, did not have the grace to receive and missed God's purpose for themselves, it says. Did this depend upon God? No, it depended upon their refusal to humble themselves and receive the truth.
How do we know it was their choice and not God's? When these came to John to be baptized he said, "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:" Matt 7:3 You see they wanted the security but were unwilling to receive the teaching of repentance that God requires. (The ceremony is nothing, the heart is everything.) So we see it is their lack of receiving the whole teaching of repentance from sin. That was their choice, not God's.
The easiest way to think of these things is that we have our vital but insufficient part and God has his mightier and necessary part. God does not do it all and neither do we. It is called relationship and it is there from the first step.
