Experiencing Fiery Trials and The Very Elect
Dear Mike Vinson, Does God use fire to “drag” people to Himself before they are converted? Because I do not feel converted in the sense that I have the power of Christ, but I feel more like I am being acquainted with that power very slowly through trials. One of my biggest quests with Scripture right now is understanding that divide – the divide of being called and not yet converted and being called and converted. Does God use fire on people even if He is not calling them? How does one really know if they are being called? For me, I feel like I’m being called simply because I DESIRE to overcome the flesh by Christ’s Life in me. I DESIRE to be like Christ and for others to be like Christ. But can’t someone have that desire in their lifetime, but never have the desire or knowledge to “reign with Christ” in the Lake of Fire? By “called”, Scripture means “called to reign with Christ”, right? Perhaps you will understand my confusion. Thank you so much. I am really looking forward to the February conference in Texas. I will make plans to be there. Regards, N____
Hi N____,
You ask:
Does God use fire on people even if He is not calling them? How does one really know if they are being called? For me, I feel like I’m being called simply because I DESIRE to overcome the flesh by Christ’s Life in me. I DESIRE to be like Christ and for others to be like Christ. But can’t someone have that desire in their lifetime, but never have the desire or knowledge to “reign with Christ” in t of Fire? he Lake By “called”, Scripture means “called to reign with Christ”, right?
You are exactly right. One can indeed “have that desire [ to be like Christ] in their lifetime, but never have the desire or knowledge to “reign with Christ” in the Lake of Fire?” That is the exact position in which most Christians find themselves. They believe in Christ, but when it comes to abiding in His deeper words they actually want to kill the very man they believe in:
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [ then] are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye [ Jews who believe on me] seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
So you see, you can believe on Christ and still want to kill him for his weightier doctrines like “resist not evil” and “love thine enemy.”
You then ask:
“By “called”, Scripture means “called to reign with Christ”, right?”
No, ‘called’ does not mean to reign with Christ. Being simply called and enduring fiery trials does not necessarily mean that you are being called to reign with Christ. “Many are called, but few are chosen.”
Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
And being ‘chosen’ is not even all there is to it. Even the chosen must be faithful to the end in order to be saved and to reign with Christ:
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all [ men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Here is the scripture referring to the saved of this age. Notice what is said of this group:
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
It is a three step process.
I hope this has answered your question and I look forward to seeing you in Texas in February.
Mike>
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