Okay, I'm going to post a series of verses that seem like they contradict each other, but don't if you think about it. I'm going to post the solution a few lines after it, because it can get really ugly when 10+ people respond to it with different explainations. Then people end up arguing about it and finally coming to the conclusion they would've come to if the person had just included the solution with the original challenge in the first place! There is going to be a large space between the challenge and the solution so that you don't see the solution when you don't want to (for you guys out there who like to try and figure it out yourselves).

Okay, enough introduction, let's get on with it! Here it is...

quote:

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1 John 5:14-15 (NLT)
And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.
(emphasis mine)

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And I checked the NIV too, it portrays the same idea.

So, according to this verse, God will grant anything that we ask for that is in line with His will.

quote:

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1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
(emphasis mine)

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And according to this passage it is God’s will for all men to be saved.

So, can we conclude that if we pray for all men to be saved, then they will be? Sorry, but no. See the following.

quote:

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Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)
You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.
(emphasis mine)

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Again, I checked the NIV as well on this one. It still says the same idea.

According to this passage, not all men will be saved.

What we seem to have here is a paradox, a contradiction. But the Bible can’t contradict itself! So, how do we respond to this?

(Don't scroll down any further unless you want the answer!)

(Are you ready yet?)

Okay, Here is the answer: God’s will is not necessarily the same as what God wants!

Let’s take another look at what these verses are saying.

1 John 5:14-15 He will give us whatever we ask for that is in line with his will.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 God wants all men to be saved.
Matthew 7:13-14 Not all will be saved.

It is a serious error to substitute the word "wants" from 1 Timothy 2:1-4 with the word "wills." In reality the word "want" and the word "will" are two very different things. Once you understand that, everything else makes sense.

Comments? Questions?

†Caleb†

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"True friendship is not characterized by the absence of conflict, but by the ability to resolve conflict."

[This message has been edited by imsold4christ (edited November 27, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by imsold4christ (edited November 28, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by imsold4christ (edited November 28, 2001).]

from the last scripture you wrote
many who choose the easy way.

we won't make us love him.. (though he does to an extent with the we love him because he first loves us. and as humans we can't love God unselfishly on our own accord, and many sceptics argue this point. However the Holy Spirit can enable us to love God purely.. and that is cool.

Like a captian of a ship that is going down, can desperate want that none would perish, he can give our life jackets to save the people, but people who refuse to accept them , or throw them out will die despite the wanting of the captian..

hey i know its a weak analogy.. but God is so big and mostly any analogy is pretty weak anyhow..

God Bless

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Karl Prosser
Karl / GODCENTRIC
Klumsy / Surprise ! Productions.
ME / Redeemed by the Living God :)
Klumsy@xtra.co.nz
May God Bless you, he sure does me.