When we stop to think of the promise found in Luke 2:10-11, it makes every day Christmas.
Luke 2:8-11
(8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
(9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
(10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
(11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
It is good news for all men, because God is not willing that any should perish, but that they should come to repentance. It is not the gospel if it does not offer salvation to everyone. If God unilaterally and unconditionally elects people to salvation, it means He unilaterally chooses not to offer salvation to others. Then it is only good news to those who are supposedly "chosen" by divine decree. That is not good news to all sinners.
Not everyone believes Christ died for all.
I heard a man tell about his daughter, whom he has led in the sinners prayer, because he wanted her to pray it. He said he would like to ask God to bring her to repentance and salvation, but, he said, it does not work that way; God chooses according to His will, the man said. When he said this, I thought, IT IS NOT THE WILL OF GOD THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.
Belief in unilateral, unconditional election can not only cut off the hearers, but it can also keep the proclaimers from heralding the good news by faith. Don't let anyone deceive you. God does not want any to perish, instead, Jesus died for the whole world. A person who changes this truth should not be commended, no matter what sacrifices he makes to proclaim it, no matter how many miles he travels or how many hours he spends.
Remember, Jesus said of the Pharisees,
Matthew 23:15
(15) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Also remember, there is another gospel. Any gospel that does not offer salvation to all men is another gospel.
Matthew 23:15
(15) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Also remember, there is another gospel. Any gospel that does not offer salvation to all men is another gospel.
