One day....
Php 2:10; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
Php 2:11; and
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Rom 14:11; For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.”
One day everyone will give God praise, EVERY knee WILL bow.
On the meantime God's will is to see who will do it voluntarily.
Luke 13:34;
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!
Was this because God (Jesus) didn't want them to, or because they chose not to? "would not have it".
Rev 2:21;
I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.
Was this because God didn't want them to repent, or because they did not want to repent?
Rev 3:20;
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
If the door never gets opened, is it because Jesus didn't want it to be opened, or because you didn't open it?
1Tim 2:3; This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1Tim 2:4; who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It says here God desires all men to be saved. Will all be saved?
2 Pet 3:9; The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
It says here He doesn't want any to perish. Will all be saved?
Matt 7:21; “
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but
he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven
will enter.
Matt 7:22; Many will say to Me on that day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
Matt 7:23; And then I will declare to them,
‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
It seems Jesus is saying here.. not everyone will do "the will of My Father". If they aren't doing God's will, who's will are they doing?
Luke 13:23; And someone said to Him, “Lord,
are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them,
Luke 13:24;
“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Matt 7:13;
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
Matt 7:14; For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
So if 1Tim 2, and 2Pet3 says God wants everyone to be saved, why isn't everyone saved? Is Matt 7 and Luke 13 wrong?
Is it because God's will over-rides ours? Or is it because it's God's will is to see where our heart really is?
*warning* - this is a secular website. ...
If You Love Something, Set It Free
I agree with hardly anything on this website, however it does explain why you have to let people make their own choice.
1 Cor 13:5; says loves "does not seek it's own way". It seems God loves us enough to let us choose our own path, even if that path is not His path.
Some people try to say sovereignty is tied to free will. I disagree. It has been argued by great theologians over the years.
Which is the greater God? One that requires you to do His will in order to remain God, or One who remains God no matter what you do?