God's Desire for All

"For this is good and acceptable to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3-4). God desires all to be saved from death, judgment, and everlasting punishment. God sent His Son into the world to make the one and only sacrifice which is sufficient to save sinners (Romans 3:23; 5:8).

God desires all to trust in Christ. None who sincerely trust in Christ will be turned away (John 6:37). No one who believes in Him will be disappointed (Romans 10:11). God's call to salvation is for all nations, Jew and Gentile (Romans 1:16; Acts 1:8). The gospel of Christ is freely offered to all people.

God desires all to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; 17:30). This speaks of our responsibility. Those who refuse to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are responsible for their own just condemnation (Luke 13:3, 5). All who repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ will be saved (John 3:36; Acts 2:37-39).

God desires all to come to "the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Jesus said, "I am the truth" (John 14:6). The Spirit of truth uses the word of truth to bring us to the one who is the truth (John 16:13; 17:17). God will not save anyone who rejects the truth. Those who reject the truth, believe the lie. They perish, "because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

What Is Foreknowledge?

God's foreknowledge includes his people in Christ. He foreknows us as justified and glorified in Christ. God foreknows our salvation as done. In Romans 8:28-30, God's purpose in salvation is a prolepsis (i.e., to see before). God foreknows all who shall be in Christ (1 Peter 1:2).

Although God foreknows us in Christ, everyone is commanded to repent and believe the gospel (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 16:31). However, only those who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. As believers, we experienced the gospel in power with assurance. That was the Holy Spirit working in our hearts (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

God foreknows us justified by grace through faith in Christ. We are justified through the death of Jesus Christ for our sins. Justification is by faith in the power of his resurrection. Justification means all our sins are taken away through the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7). God declares us justified by faith in Christ. "It is God who justifies" (Romans 8:33).

God foreknows us glorified in the image or likeness of Christ. Glorification is salvation complete. "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). What is future for us as believers is now in the foreknowledge of God. Therefore, God foreknows us as glorified in the very image and likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Two Sides of Election

The Bible doctrine of election has two sides. There is the divine side and the human side. God chose His people in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-6). However, the believer makes his calling and election sure in time (2 Peter 1:10).

God chose the elect before He created time. The elect are born again at a certain point in time. God chose the time of their conversion, but they must respond to His grace through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:15; 2:20).

The debate over election continues, as some look at the doctrine from God's perspective, and others look at it from man's view. If you begin with God, election is unconditional. If you begin with man, election is conditional. If you begin with God, election is certain to all the elect. If you begin with man, election is always contingent upon the response of repentance and faith. Jesus said, "unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

The two sides of election are based upon God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. God chose His elect in Christ before time began. Yet, we are responsible to receive Jesus Christ by faith (John 1:11-12). We must make our calling and election sure, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:10; 3:18).

If We Confess Our Sins

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). God promises to forgive our sins and cleanse us. God forgives us according to His word of promise. Confess your sins to God and be forgiven and cleansed from all sin.

God forgives all who agree that they have sinned (1 John 1:8-10). However, we never need to beg God to forgive us. Our faith is based upon the faithfulness of God to forgive us. He has clearly promised to forgive and cleanse us.

God forgives all who believe His written word. All the covenant promises of the Bible are made by the sworn oath of God to His people. The New Covenant (Testament) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provides a sacrifice at the cross which removes all of our sins (1 John 1:7).

God has sworn with a covenant promise to forgive you. "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Hebrews 8:12). God forgives sinners. It's based upon God's covenant oath.

God is faithful to forgive you. He is sure to forgive and cleanse you from all sin. As a believer, you can know that you are clean before God. It is based upon what Christ did for you at the cross (1 John 1:7). He took your sins away (John 1:29). God will forgive you and cleanse you from all sin. He is faithful to His covenant word to perform it.

God's Grace for You

The apostle Paul often began his New Testament letters with the words grace and peace. For example, notice Romans 1:7, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Knowing God as Father through our Lord Jesus Christ is by grace alone. Grace for you is peace from God. 

God's grace for you is never earned. Grace comes as unmerited favor received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). It comes to you as the gift of God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace comes as God's unmerited favor in your heart and life.

God's grace for you is confirmed with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). That includes peace. "And the peace of God that passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). You experience peace through grace. It defies explanation to those who have never experienced it. Only the Holy Spirit can make God's peace real to you. It's a fruit of God's Spirit working grace in your heart and mind (Galatians 5:22).

God's grace for you changes your heart. It happens within you. That's in your mind, will, and emotions. Peace confirms it. God's presence in your life brings love, joy, and peace, through the Holy Spirit. That's grace for you.