This is one of those verses that libertarian free-will evangelicals take way out of context. Its not a gospel invitation to the world, however. Jesus is not passively pleading with stubborn non believers, he is reprimanding one of his churches, full of nominal believers who have strayed so far from their confession that Jesus is portrayed as no longer being in their midst like they assume he is. He has been effectively shut out because of their apostacy.
This verse is both a judgment and gracious promise to wayward churches, while they still have time to repent and re-establish communion with Christ.
To the non believers, the imagery is not of an impotent Christ just waiting teary eyed for someone to open the door for him. God is more active than man is in the act of salvation by faith.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Rom 5:6-10
God through Christ and his justifying death is the predominant active agent. And only when the Spirit regenerates the hardened heart of a rebellious sinner to become a softened heart of flesh, then faith and repentance are actively expressed by the sinner.
Amen
Amen
Everyone needs Jesus. But that verse isn't talking about salvation. The Lord saves whom He wills. We all need to repent and believe the gospel!
This is one of those verses that libertarian free-will evangelicals take way out of context. Its not a gospel invitation to the world, however. Jesus is not passively pleading with stubborn non believers, he is reprimanding one of his churches, full of nominal believers who have strayed so far from their confession that Jesus is portrayed as no longer being in their midst like they assume he is. He has been effectively shut out because of their apostacy.
This verse is both a judgment and gracious promise to wayward churches, while they still have time to repent and re-establish communion with Christ.
To the non believers, the imagery is not of an impotent Christ just waiting teary eyed for someone to open the door for him. God is more active than man is in the act of salvation by faith.
God through Christ and his justifying death is the predominant active agent. And only when the Spirit regenerates the hardened heart of a rebellious sinner to become a softened heart of flesh, then faith and repentance are actively expressed by the sinner.