For Calvinists: Struggling with Matthew 22:14

Tania11

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I know God didn't have to save any. I'm still getting saddened over the fact that not many are going to be saved and are unable to respond because of their nature. John 3:16 used to comfort me but after reading Matthew 22:14, I'm kind of in the dumps.

How do I get out of this?
 

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...Matthew 22:14, I'm kind of in the dumps.

How do I get out of this?

I am not a Calvinist, but I think you just have to accept the truth that not all are righteous and not all want to live righteously with God. I believe it is best, if only righteous live eternally.
 
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Tania11

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I am not a Calvinist, but I think you just have to accept the truth that not all are righteous and not all want to live righteously with God. I believe it is best, if only righteous live eternally.
All don't want to live with God unless He regenerates them.

Romans 3:11
there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.

Romans 3:10
As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

Faith is a gift according to Ephesians 2:8-10. It's not something we can muster up.

I'm just struggling with the thought of "why few are enabled to believe".
 
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GodsGrace101

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All don't want to live with God unless He regenerates them.

Romans 3:11
there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.

Romans 3:10
As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

Faith is a gift according to Ephesians 2:8-10. It's not something we can muster up.

I'm just struggling with the thought of "why few are enabled to believe".
I fail to understand why this bothers you.
I hear Calvinists say that it's just great that God saves SOME since ALL deserve to go to hell.

So, He's saving SOME.
So why are you bothered by this?
 
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GodsGrace101

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I'm not trying to be argumentative about Calvinism or would ever try to tell someone how to feel when they're struggling. I just want to accept God for who He is. I don't want to keep questioning so I need some advice.
Hi Tania....
I'm not being mean. I hope my post didn't come off that way.

I'm asking an honest question...I don't know why you're disturbed by the parable of the Wedding Banquet.

I'm not calvinist, but I believe we're sisters in Christ even though our theology is different.

Jesus Himself said that the gate to salvation would be narrow and the road to perdition would be wide...
Matthew 7:13-14

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. 14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.


There are not many that find the narrow gate.
If you're asking why God saves so few,,,,then that gets into theology and I'm not sure you want to discuss that.
 
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Tania11

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I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take your post the wrong way. My response was kind of crabby too. I apologise.
I am struggling very badly with the thought of God enabling few to be saved. I don't know why it's hitting me like this lately. I don't understand verses like Ezekiel 18:23 and John 3:16 in light of Mathew 22:14 :(
 
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GodsGrace101

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I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take your post the wrong way. My response was kind of crabby too. I apologise.
I am struggling very badly with the thought of God enabling few to be saved. I don't know why it's hitting me like this lately. I don't understand verses like Ezekiel 18:23 and John 3:16 in light of Mathew 22:14 :(
I could give you the answer, but only if you want to hear it.
 
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Carl Emerson

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I'm not trying to be argumentative about Calvinism or would ever try to tell someone how to feel when they're struggling. I just want to accept God for who He is. I don't want to keep questioning so I need some advice.

I think we have underestimated the depraved state that the world is in.

Sodom was gone in a moment.

Society is headed there fast.

Should we not be eternally grateful that we have found His mercy?
 
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K Watt

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I know God didn't have to save any. I'm still getting saddened over the fact that not many are going to be saved and are unable to respond because of their nature. John 3:16 used to comfort me but after reading Matthew 22:14, I'm kind of in the dumps.

How do I get out of this?


This might help:

Luke 12
47That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. 48But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
 
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Tania11

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I think we have underestimated the depraved state that the world is in.

Sodom was gone in a moment.

Society is headed there fast.

Should we not be eternally grateful that we have found His mercy?
I guess I'm struggling with the thought of God enabling few to be saved according to Mathew.
 
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GodsGrace101

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Sure, I'll like to hear your answer.
When a person reads the entire bible and then comes to believe, somehow, that it is God that is choosing individuals to be saved....something will not mesh right.

Ezekiel 18:20-23 clearly states that man is responsible for his own sins...saying that if a wicked man turns to God, he shall surely live and not die.

John 3:16 states that if a person, any person (whosoever) believes in Jesus, he will be saved.

Matthew 22:14 states that many are called but few are chosen.

Here's the catch: They are chosen, but, PERHAPS, they are chosen based on some condition?

The condition is belief in God and/or Jesus. The condition is that we are to be born from above by our own choice....John 3:3,5

If you read the bible over again, or even just the N.T. with the idea in mind that it is MAN that decides to believe in God, everything will look different to you.

If few are chosen because God does not choose too many, it is very sad.

If few are chosen because of their own will to not believe in God,,,then it is easier on us because a person goes to heaven or hell based on what they desire so we don't have to feel so badly for them.

Man is born depraved...but not so depraved as to be unable to search and find God and accept God.
Romans 1:19-20 says that God has always revealed Himself to man and it is up to man to accept God and this is why man will be without excuse at judgement time.

It's something to consider...I know it's now what you have come to believe.

God wills that all men be saved....
1 Timothy 2:4
The problem is that not all men WANT to be saved.
 
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Ilikecats

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God has feelings as well. He is holy, holy, holy and humans are sinners. Sin is detestable in the eyes of God and the punishment of death is just. That is the reason why so few are saved. Grace is just so astounding and undeserved. God does not have to do anything with sinners except give them their rightful reward-death. He destroyed the world once by the flood and is going to do it again with the Great Tribulation.
 
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GodsGrace101

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God has feelings as well. He is holy, holy, holy and humans are sinners. Sin is detestable in the eyes of God and the punishment of death is just. That is the reason why so few are saved. Grace is just so astounding and undeserved. God does not have to do anything with sinners except give them their rightful reward-death. He destroyed the world once by the flood and is going to do it again with the Great Tribulation.
WHY did God create us?
 
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Tania11

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When a person reads the entire bible and then comes to believe, somehow, that it is God that is choosing individuals to be saved....something will not mesh right.

Ezekiel 18:20-23 clearly states that man is responsible for his own sins...saying that if a wicked man turns to God, he shall surely live and not die.

John 3:16 states that if a person, any person (whosoever) believes in Jesus, he will be saved.

Matthew 22:14 states that many are called but few are chosen.

Here's the catch: They are chosen, but, PERHAPS, they are chosen based on some condition?

The condition is belief in God and/or Jesus. The condition is that we are to be born from above by our own choice....John 3:3,5

If you read the bible over again, or even just the N.T. with the idea in mind that it is MAN that decides to believe in God, everything will look different to you.

If few are chosen because God does not choose too many, it is very sad.

If few are chosen because of their own will to not believe in God,,,then it is easier on us because a person goes to heaven or hell based on what they desire so we don't have to feel so badly for them.

Man is born depraved...but not so depraved as to be unable to search and find God and accept God.
Romans 1:19-20 says that God has always revealed Himself to man and it is up to man to accept God and this is why man will be without excuse at judgement time.

It's something to consider...I know it's now what you have come to believe.

God wills that all men be saved....
1 Timothy 2:4
The problem is that not all men WANT to be saved.
Thank you. You have touched on my biggest concern in your response.

It is something I'll have to consider and mull over because I've many verses where it doesn't seem like we are able or the one's who chose God. Like John 15:16
 
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GodsGrace101

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To give Jesus his people.
I proffer that we serve an unloving and unjust God if He made us for the sole purpose of sending some to hell and some to heaven without giving us, His creations, the possibility of salvation.

I proffer that He is, yes, a mean and wicked God if He finds glory in our suffering and sending most to hell.

@Tania11 in her post no. 18 is correct....
I pray that her doubts bring her to the knowledge of a God that is LOVING, MERCIFUL and JUST.
 
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