Does God Grade on a Curve?

The Bible talks about in various places how one third of the people will be saved. I know there are those who say that means God will save one third of the church, so actually only one sixth of the people will be saved. But I prefer to think that God has found a way that one third of all people from every nation, tongue, tribe and people and from every generation will be saved. That means on a percentage one third of American will be saved, one third of Afganistans or Russions will be saved. What do you think, does God grade on a curve, does He take the best one third of the people from a nation and do a work in their lives to bring them to Christ and to redemption? It kinda sounds like a modified Calvan thinking, but still, we know that the invitation is wide open for whosoever that is willing, let them come.

Zech. 13:8-9
    And it shall come to pass in all the land,"
    Says the Lord,
    "That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die,
    But one-third shall be left in it:
    [9] I will bring the one-third through the fire,
    Will refine them as silver is refined,
    And test them as gold is tested.
    They will call on My name,
    And I will answer them.
    I will say, 'This is My people';
    And each one will say, 'The Lord is my God.' "

Originally posted by mcouncil
What translation are  you using?

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I use either the KJV or the NKJV, they are both open next to each other on my computer.

Originally posted by Blessed-one
Only when they've been refined and shaped by God, do they become "the best".

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The Bible says, many are called, but few are chosen. I have heard it said that in this final move of God, half the world will come to christ, about 3 billion people. But one billion of them will fall away, because they will not yield to God to allow Him to do a work in their life. That is why it is so important to do more then get people saved, you have to disciple them to keep them in the faith.

Luke 8:13-16
    But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. [14] Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. [15] But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.



 

Originally posted by Blessed-one
oh, i see your point now, and isn't there a scripture on how we should make disciples of the whole nation? (which includes keeping them in the faith)

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Matthew 28:19
    Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

ethnos eth'-nos probably from Greek 1486 (etho); a <I>race</I> (as of the same <I>habit</I>), i.e. a <I>tribe</I>; specially a <I>foreign</I> (<I>non-Jewish</I>) one (usually by implication <I>pagan</I>) :- Gentile, heathen, nation, people.


I would think that the Greek word here for "ethnos" is the same word we use now a days for "ethnic groups". That is why I think everyone should adopt a village. As the pastor at the Methodist church here says:

"We need them to show us who are pampered, what real trouble looks like.&nbsp; I think we need them to remember what "need" is. We need them to show us the dignity of humility.&nbsp; We need them and others like them to help us to release some of our abundance to heal our own souls as we give.&nbsp; Actually, brother John, I think we need them more than they need us.&nbsp; We might care for a small part of their physical need as we give.&nbsp; They care for our eternal souls as we learn to let go."<B>

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