For years, I’ve been taught that only a select few will be chosen to be saved; that “all are called” to get saved, “but only a few are chosen.” Now, I know how false this is.
[Calvinist/Reformed]

I’ve also heard the notion, that we chose of our own “free” will to be saved. That anyone, if they can “get their minds” to the right place, that they can understand Christs sacrifice, and accept it, and that then, and only then, can they be saved (from eternal punishment in hell).
[Arminian]

Now, I know each of these cannot be true, for neither are supported by scripture.

For (1), we cannot conjure up in our own minds or hearts to believe, but only by the Spirit can we be convicted of our sins and be *given faith (John 6:44). And (2), for in the idea that God only selects a few chosen beings to be saved indicated God is partial (that he likes some people over others), which is false (Romans 2:11). If these ideas were true, God would be evil, and He most definitely is good.

So, what now?

“He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.”
James 1:18 

God is sovereign, and has chosen a few to be the “first-fruits” of His Kingdom. He has called all, but yes, a chosen few are brought to salvation here and now in order to bring His Kingdom to earth here and now. We can’t say we know who these are, and we can’t say those He doesn’t “chose” here and now are punished for not accepting Him here and now, for He loves them. But we can say He will, and has, chosen all to be reconciled to Himself; He has chosen all the be saved from death and our sin nature.

But, there is a second-fruit harvest — this “of ALL He created”. We are the first-fruits out of all creation that will enter the Kingdom and be brought into right relationship with God!

So yes, God is sovereign. And yes, we have a free will to choose how we are going to live our lives here and now. But, in the end, those “second-fruits” (the rest of all creation) will be harvested into the Kingdom of grace and love; all creation will be restored!

And this I believe with all my heart.

Let us have faith that these things stand true, and that God will have all to be reconciled to His love and life.

This evening, at approximately 12pm, starting Christmas day, I finished one of the most life-altering, hope-building books I’ve read so far. Hope Beyond Hell by Gerard Beauchemin. It was very timely, since it’s Christmas.

The story of Christ coming to earth, so humbly and so beautifully, is such an incredible story. Within a small child, the whole earths fate laid. The beginning of salvation came through those tiny hands and brown eyes. Homeless and poor Jesus was brought into this world; humble means with a mother whose life resembled such innocence and purity, with faith so strong.

The story of the salvation of the whole world from the Creator of our whole existence came through this One child. Through this baby, God showed and proved His incredible love and plan to bring us back into full relationship with Himself. A story of Hope for ALL He created.

“…Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” // Luke 2:10-11

This is amazing. From the very beginning of Jesus’ life, He was the “good news” for the world; “great joy” that would fill the earth; He was the “Savior” “for all people”, “Christ the Lord”, the new born King.

At the beginning is one of the most important parts. To see these words only confirm the hope that is in me; that our heavenly Father sent His Son to be Savior of the whole world.

This is the story of the Christ. This is the story of Gods salvation for His people, the world. This is a story of hope, way beyond death.

Merry Christmas.

Much of my life, up until the last year, I believed Christ died for all, but that only a few would be saved. Only a few select people would actually be saved from their sins, and only a few would have their sins washed away by the blood of Christ on the cross.

I was taught that to be saved, I had to believe upon the name of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, and I had to confess I was a sinner, and in need of a Savior. Then, and only then, I would be saved from an eternal hell, and given the promise of eternal life in heaven some day.

Now, it’s all changed. And here is where I’d like to begin to share the reason why I believe Christ is the Savior of the whole world, and that one day, in due time, all will be reconciled to God, and given the right to become children of God.

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2

This verse speaks two things, and I’ll leave it simply spoken.

1. Jesus is the propitiation (“to appease”) for sins.

“The word propitiation carries the basic idea of appeasement, or satisfaction, specifically towards God. Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to them.”[1] Propitiation is that “by which it becomes consistent with his character and government to pardon and bless the sinner.” (Theopedia - www.Theopedia.com/propitiation)

Propitiation is the “appeasing” of Gods wrath towards sins. Christ took all the wrath of God, that was meant for us, on Himself, and satisfied the wrath of God through His sacrifice.

2. “And not for ours only”.

The apostle John was speaking to the Church in this passage. So he spoke directly to Christians (all those who are or will enter into the salvation and life of Christ here on earth) saying it was not only for us (Christians - those believing)… Now here is the biggest part —-

For the WHOLE WORLD.

John is making a statement that says Christ appeasing sacrifice on the cross (that satisfied Gods wrath) was not only for our (Christians - those believing) sins only, but a protitiation for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD.

This is huge. This changes everything. Christ, appeasing the wrath of God, for all the world, all creation, everyone!

The part that gets me is this. “Propitiation” is not only to satisfy the wrath of God, but to end in the reconciliation of the sinner to God. And this is not just for us, Christians, it is “for the whole world!”

And so thata is where I begin…