De Jager
Puritan Board Junior
I have heard it said that God exhibits "common grace" to all mankind by allowing them to enjoy benefits in this world apart from being saved.
I have heard of God's love being divided into a "special" love for his elect and a "general" love for all mankind.
This of course leads into the whole common grace / offer discussion.
I want us to consider a couple things:
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1) When Jesus commented on the upcoming betrayal by Judas, he (Jesus) said that it would be better for him (Judas) if he (Judas) had never been born.
2) Judas got to "enjoy" being one of Jesus' closest disciples for 3 years. Surely of all the possible "common graces" bestowed on mankind, this was the supreme one.
3) It is well reasoned from scripture that each person daily increases their guilt before God, and this is also taught by the Heidelberg Catechism in Lord's Day 5. It stands to reason that a 90-year old man has committed many more sins than a 5 year old child.
4) The Bible teaches degrees of punishment in Hell.
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Based on those 4 things, I have 3 questions:
1. Can someone please inform me as to how one can possibly conclude that it is "gracious" of God to allow a reprobate person to be born, live, fill up their cup with iniquity, and then be sent to hell to be punished not only for their original sin but also for their actual sin? In the grand scheme of things, would it not be more gracious if he would simply snuff out that life before it had a chance to indulge itself in the sinful nature?
2. When we consider that "grace" is essentially unmerited favour, what "favour" is being shown to these people? Surely for each of the reprobate it would be better if they had never been born.
3. How can we in good conscience say to someone that "God loves you" considering the above? After all, this person may be reprobate, a person who in His Sovereignty God has ordained should be born, commit iniquity, daily increase their debt, and ultimately go to hell. Surely at best it is unbiblical presumption to make such a statement.
I have heard of God's love being divided into a "special" love for his elect and a "general" love for all mankind.
This of course leads into the whole common grace / offer discussion.
I want us to consider a couple things:
----------------------------------------
1) When Jesus commented on the upcoming betrayal by Judas, he (Jesus) said that it would be better for him (Judas) if he (Judas) had never been born.
2) Judas got to "enjoy" being one of Jesus' closest disciples for 3 years. Surely of all the possible "common graces" bestowed on mankind, this was the supreme one.
3) It is well reasoned from scripture that each person daily increases their guilt before God, and this is also taught by the Heidelberg Catechism in Lord's Day 5. It stands to reason that a 90-year old man has committed many more sins than a 5 year old child.
4) The Bible teaches degrees of punishment in Hell.
----------------------------------------
Based on those 4 things, I have 3 questions:
1. Can someone please inform me as to how one can possibly conclude that it is "gracious" of God to allow a reprobate person to be born, live, fill up their cup with iniquity, and then be sent to hell to be punished not only for their original sin but also for their actual sin? In the grand scheme of things, would it not be more gracious if he would simply snuff out that life before it had a chance to indulge itself in the sinful nature?
2. When we consider that "grace" is essentially unmerited favour, what "favour" is being shown to these people? Surely for each of the reprobate it would be better if they had never been born.
3. How can we in good conscience say to someone that "God loves you" considering the above? After all, this person may be reprobate, a person who in His Sovereignty God has ordained should be born, commit iniquity, daily increase their debt, and ultimately go to hell. Surely at best it is unbiblical presumption to make such a statement.