God's Great Desire

I Wonder: "Why do drugstores make the sick walk to the back of the store for prescriptions, while healthy people buy cigarettes up front?"

Great Quote: "The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it." --William James

"God is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).

Some believe that God has elected and predestined certain people to be saved from their sins and inherit eternal life, and that others not so chosen have no chance at salvation. However, here are some passages that prove, with certainty, that God's love and grace is universal and his salvation is available to every human being.

"For God so loved the world (every person) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV).

"For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile -- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone (anyone) who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:12-13 NIV).

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations (all people), baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).

If God's gift of salvation were not available to all, why would Jesus send us out to make disciples of all people? Why would Jesus say that "God so loved the world?" Why would the Bible say that God's great desire is for all people to come to repentance?"

Another issue for some is they view the depths of their sin as just too great for them to deserve God's love, grace, and forgiveness. If you have ever felt this way, or know someone who does, remember:

"All (everyone) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 NIV). "For the wages (what we have earned) of sin is death (eternity in Hell separated from God), but the gift of God is eternal life in (through faith in) Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23 NIV).

"God demonstrated his own love for us in this? While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NIV).

"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9 NIV).

"For it is by (God's) grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not of yourselves, it is a gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:8-10 NIV).

God's great desire is that all people come to him in repentance and receive His gift of salvation. We Christians can rejoice that our salvation was performed by an infinitely powerful, loving, and merciful God and nothing can ever separate us from His love. God also desires that every Christian live in a close, loving, joyful, and serving fellowship with Him.

Love, Jerry & Dotse