1 Timothy 2:4, “…who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
What would you say if I told you there are actually some Christians that believe God doesn’t love the whole world? But only loves the elect, the ones He choses and thus doesn’t really want all people to be saved? How would your views concerning God’s holy and merciful character change? I know that I could not see God in the same light if this false belief were true.
His perfect and merciful nature would be overshadowed by a “Hitler-like” love that only shows kindness to one kind of people (Arians), but total destruction and hate to another people (Jews) simply based on His own so-called “sovereign choice.” This kind of love would be even worse because men’s eternal souls would suffer without ever having a chance of salvation. They would have been born just to be damned forever in hell by God’s eternal decree.
Believe it or not, the theological belief system of “Calvinism,” founded by John Calvin in the 1500’s, actually teaches that God chose some people for salvation and others for eternal damnation. Therefore, both the saved and damned were chosen or rejected totally by God’s own desires. However, the above verse is a direct contradiction to the false teaching of Calvinism and thus should give all Christians comfort to know that God promises to every creature a true desire for his or her salvation- Praise God!
What this means is that when you pray for a lost soul, you don’t have to wonder if God has already predetermined their damnation, but rather you can have total confidence that no matter who they are- God desires their salvation and has made it possible for them to be saved. Paul also went on to declare in 1 Timothy 4:14, “… that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.”
Therefore, the belief system of Calvinism is totally false and anti-Bible. As a result, let God be true and every man a liar! This precious verse gives us a look at the very heart and character of God. He is the Savior of the world by making salvation possible for all mankind. However, He only will save (or bring into salvation) those who believe and call on Jesus’ name.”
Therefore, we should pray for all people to be sent a true Gospel preacher so that the Word of God can be preached to them, Romans 10:14. And for all those who hear the Word of God to put their faith in Christ and be saved!
Reflection
Action
- Prayerfully seek God to have Him reveal His loving and saving character to you.
- Think about the people in your life who are not saved.
- Pray with confidence for their salvation because God, “wants all men to be saved.”
