Did God really die for only a select few?

There has been an ongoing debate for years now over the effects of the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When I say "effects," what I mean is the people for whom Christ died? Did Jesus's blood really open the opportunity for everyone to receive salvation or was it for only a select few. This is better known as the Calvinist v. Arminian debate. But who is right. To be honest, is there a right side? Does it even matter? Or can we even know the right answer or is it something mysterious that God does not want us to know. I have heard people in my life say comments such as, "I don't know which side is right. I guess we will just have to wait until we get to Heaven to find out." But here is the thing. We will have to give an account for how well we stuck to the Word of God when we get to Heaven. Taking the position of the person who made the above quote does not sound like a good position once you think about it, now does it. Here is the great thing. Through careful study and observation of the entire Word of God, the Old and New Testaments, one can find the definite answer to this plague that has hit the body of Christ.

First of all, to answer the question, yes God died for each and every person. Everyone has a chance to receive salvation and no one is predestined to Heaven or Hell. First of all, I would like someone to tell me where in the Bible it says that God predestines people to Heaven or Hell in those exact words. It doesn't say it. But I can tell you where in the Bible says that salvation has been brought to all men in those words. Titus 2:11 says, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men." (NASB) Without even getting into heavy Scripture that applies directly to this subject, we can prove that Calvinism is inconsistent with the teachings of the Word of God.
One such example is this. The purpose of the Bible is to equip us for the calling that God has on our lives and to make us more like Christ. The character that God requires of us in the Bible is the character that is like His. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture in inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (NASB) So it is safe to say that the Bible instructs us to have character that mirrors that of God. So if Calvinism is true, then it is in direct contradiction to the Word of God in James chapter 2. This chapter talks about how showing partiality, or favor to one over another, is a sin. (see James 2:9) Basically, this passage is telling us that being nice to the people we like and mean to the ones we don't like is wrong. Now tell me how predestination is in line with that passage. If God predestined people to Heaven and Hell, He would be showing favor to one over another. Since when can God exhibit a double standard. He can't. The Word of God is designed so that our character will be like His. And according to James chapter 2, predestination is unBiblical because God would be showing favoritism which according to the Word is a sin. To go along with this passage, 1 Peter 1:17 further tells us that God is not a God who shows favoritism. This verse says, "If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth." This verse is further proof that God does not show favoritism to one over another or predestines people, but He judges impartially according to each one's work without showing favoritism. I have not even come close to touching all the Scriptures that prove that God died for each and every person, but I hope this will give you a foundation to build off of. God bless you!

God's calling on your life is to be a missionary!

One of the great things about the body of Christ is the diversity in it. We have blacks, whites, reds, and yellows. We have Hispanics, Scottish, Canadian, Chinese, Japanese, and Phillipino brethren. We have got every color of the rainbow in the body of Christ and that is a good thing. It's also great that God has different callings on each of our lives. Some are called to be teachers, others pastors, musicians, professional athletes, full time missionaries, or daycare managers. Whatever the calling is, pursue it with all your heart because no calling is higher than any other and our reward is based on faithfulness. But there is one thing we are all called to be and that is missionaries. The difference between this type of missionary and the one noted earlier is that the latter one is a missionary as their primary occupation. But each and every person is called to be a missionary despite the "career calling" that God has on their life if you will. Mathew 28 is a very popular passage and rightfully so. This is when Jesus issued the Great Commission. Notice it is called the Great Commission, not the Great Suggestion. Mathew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (NASB) These words are the very words of Jesus and He is commanding us to reach the lost of this world throughout the entire world. That means in Africa, Asia, China, and the US of A. That means right here where you and I are. We are called to be witnesses in our day to day lives at work, in school, at church, and in the marketplace. So when you wake up in the morning, instead of saying, "oh, I have to go to work," say, "Thank you Lord for another day that I have to tell someone about Jesus." I guarantee you that your attitude will change real quickly. It is about time we get serious about witnessing because if the Christians don't witness, do you really think that the non Christians are going to? No, of course not. It is up to the Christians to change the face of this earth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But remember that we serve an awesome and loving God that does make us go out into this dangerous world all alone. No, not at all. If you read on into the next verse of that passage in Mathew 28:20, it says, "teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NASB) What an awesome promise from the Savior of this world. He is saying I will be with you no matter where you go . Jesus was saying that we have no reason to fear because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. (see 1 John 4:4) So all that's left to do is be a light to a dark world. The brighter you let your light shine, the brighter you will appear in the eyes of the lost. God bless you!

Disciplining Ourselves for What?

With all of the modern technologies that we have available to us in this day and age, it is very easy to get distracted in our day to day lives with the things of this world. It is a constant struggle for the Christian to daily devote time to the study of God's Word, prayer, fasting, and other forms of worship to the Almighty. But something the Christian has to remember is that this devotion to God daily is essential; even so more than EVERYTHING else that comes in our lives daily. This must take first priority in the Christian's life if he or she expects to leave a mighty impact for the name of Jesus Christ. But here poses another problem. Most Christians do not realize that daily devotion is necessary to be an impacter. They think that going to church once a week or reading a verse a day is going to cause them to leave a legacy like Billy Graham's. This mentality is none other than a lie straight from the pits of hell authored by "it's number one tenant." A Christian cannot just be a person who knows every Scripture in the Bible but does not have a relationship with God through prayer. A Christian can't be a person who can pray a prayer that causes the hair on your head to stand and then turn around and cuss out his fellow bretheren. A Christian has to be a follower of Christ who strives to be like Christ with all of his heart and soul. 1 Timothy 2:6 says, "But have nothing to do with the worldly fables fit for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." A Christian's main goal each and every day for his or her walk with Christ should be to discipline themself even more for the purpose of godliness. This is not an event that happens every Sunday. It is a lifestyle that happens everyday. There is a reason that the Muslim faith is spreading like wildfire through the world and the United States. They are devoted to their faith. If Christians would only develop that same passion for Christ, the true Messiah, then we could turn this world upside down. If Christians would realize being a Christian is a lifestyle and not an event, then they would do things that they never dreamed for God. Remember, God is looking for availability, not ability. If you will discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness everday, then God will equip you to do great things. God bless you!