. . . many times the invitation of
the gospel call takes on the form of a command. Consider the words of Jesus in
Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Likewise, Paul says in Acts 17:30, “The
times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people
everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world
in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given
assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (emphasis added). Here again we
see that God commands people everywhere to repent of their sins for a day of
judgment is coming. What is important to note at this point is that these
commands demonstrate it is man’s duty to repent and believe. In other words,
regardless of whether or not man has the spiritual ability to repent and trust
in Christ (which, as DeVine demonstrated, the sinner does not), nevertheless,
it is still man’s duty to do so. Therefore, the indiscriminating preaching of
the gospel is necessary. . . . God offers the gospel freely to both
Jew and Gentile, promising salvation if they believe. Such an offer is
consistent with God’s desire to see sinners repent and be saved. As Peter
states, the Lord is patient towards sinners, “not wishing that any should
perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 2:9). Likewise, Paul
tells Timothy that God our Savior “desires all people to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Such passages as these
reflect God’s will of disposition (not His decretive will) in
which He not only offers salvation but desires that lost sinners repent and be
saved. Many other passages could be considered (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11;
Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9),
but the point is clear: God desires that all people be saved, a desire which is
manifested in His indiscriminate offer of the gospel to all people.
Therefore, the preaching of the
gospel to all people comes out of a real, genuine desire to see all
people repent and be saved (Numbers 23:19; Psalm 81:13-16; Proverbs 1:24;
Isaiah 1:18-20; Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; Matthew 21:37; 2 Timothy 2:13). (Matthew
M. Barrett, “The Scriptural Affirmation of Monergism,” in Whomever He Wills:
A Surprising Display of Sovereign Mercy, ed. Matthew Barrett and Thomas J.
Nettles [Cape Carol, Fla.: Founders Press, 2012], 123, 124, emphasis in bold
added)
Further Reading
An
Examination and Critique of the Theological Presuppositions Underlying Reformed
Theology
