Originally posted by jayemcintyre
That would be to say that all men are not equal and I know the Bible says that all men are equal, I cannot remember where, sorry, but I do know it says it.
All men are equal to the extent that all are fallen, depraved creations who have no desire to please God, nor can they. I have not said otherwise.
It also says in Mark 16:15
Go everywhere in the world and tell the Good News to everyone.
Why would we be told to tell everyone if we weren't all to be called. If it were only some of us then surely the command would be to go and tell those who God pointed out to you.
No where in the Bible does it say that God tells you who is, or will be, saved, nor does the Word tell us to make that judgment. We preach to all men because we are not to show less love to some than others. The Bible also makes no claims as to who will hear your words and believe, other than those that do, do so
because they are the sheep of Christ, not so that they can become the sheep of Christ. Remember, man is fallen and depraved before God redeems him. He does not seek after God (Rom 3:11). Until God regenerates a person He has no desire to do for God's good pleasure (Rom 3:10-18; 8:7,8).
I am intrigued, and I am not saying you are wrong, only that I find it hard to believe, so where in scripture does it say that only some will be called and saved?
John 10:2-4
But He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To Him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice; and
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.
John 10:26-28
But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
The sheep of God are known by God, hear God's voice, and follow God. These are not "maybe" statements. They are statements of fact. The sheep of God are foreknown and specifically called.
So, take comfort that if you're saved it's because God loved you specifically and ensured your specific salvation.
God bless