10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand (Luke 8:10).
This is one of those verses from scripture that can be very difficult to understand. It appears that Christ is suggesting that there are those that are intentionally being thought in a manner that brings judgment instead of salvation. If this is so, how can elsewhere in scripture it say that God desires all to be saved? This is a point where we should approach God with a humble and contrite heart. And where we must realize that Jesus is God and as God He has all understanding. God sees past, present and future simultaneously. So, when he looks into a heart, He knows instantly what the eternal outcome will be. Additionally, part of God’s sovereignty is His ability to choose a people for Himself. Due to sovereignty this choice is God’s and God’s alone. That choice is gracious and unmerited by the receiver. It is a pure gift, a gift of the One who saves. While I don’t personally fully understand this, the only response we should have to God’s sovereign selection is gratitude mixed with the humble realization that we have no idea why God is gracious to some and perhaps not to others. It is also important to realize that God judges no one wrongly. God is just and His judgments are fair. It should also be noted that we are to be ‘light and salt’ in the world because although it is God that chooses, He frequently uses people to be a part of His grace to others. In short, we are to be loving servants to others and leave the choosing and judgment to God.
This is one of those verses from scripture that can be very difficult to understand. It appears that Christ is suggesting that there are those that are intentionally being thought in a manner that brings judgment instead of salvation. If this is so, how can elsewhere in scripture it say that God desires all to be saved? This is a point where we should approach God with a humble and contrite heart. And where we must realize that Jesus is God and as God He has all understanding. God sees past, present and future simultaneously. So, when he looks into a heart, He knows instantly what the eternal outcome will be. Additionally, part of God’s sovereignty is His ability to choose a people for Himself. Due to sovereignty this choice is God’s and God’s alone. That choice is gracious and unmerited by the receiver. It is a pure gift, a gift of the One who saves. While I don’t personally fully understand this, the only response we should have to God’s sovereign selection is gratitude mixed with the humble realization that we have no idea why God is gracious to some and perhaps not to others. It is also important to realize that God judges no one wrongly. God is just and His judgments are fair. It should also be noted that we are to be ‘light and salt’ in the world because although it is God that chooses, He frequently uses people to be a part of His grace to others. In short, we are to be loving servants to others and leave the choosing and judgment to God.
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