9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world.
Here’s an important verse to consider. This says that the
Light of Christ lights every man that comes into the world. In what way does
the Bible confirm this verse elsewhere and to what extent is every man
enlightened by Christ? Does, “every man,” mean, “all men,” as in every man
without exception or does it mean, “all men,” as in every man without
distinction. The difference has a staggering importance.
In some verses in the Bible, “every man,” is without
exception, meaning every single person with no one left out.
Genesis 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep,
between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be
circumcised.
And in some it is without distinction, as obviously Ishmael
would have been killed early on if he had violently opposed every person he met
including members of his brethren.
Genesis 16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be
against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the
presence of all his brethren.
We are told by Paul, as he told Titus;
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men,
Which, rather than being a statement of Universalism where
some believe that even the most sinful person who rejected Christ and did great
evil will be reconciled to God sometime in eternity and no one is lost, must be
qualified by other statements in the Bible.
Acts 10:34 ¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and
worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please
him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
And in the context of we gentiles being able to enjoy the
promises offered only to God’s chosen people, the Jews;
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ,
being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants
of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
And this statement by Peter makes it very clear how
exclusionary salvation is.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.
The Lord Jesus Christ made this very clear;
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
As we will see soon, we have to receive the Light for it to
have the desired effect. It is offered to every person without exception and
every person without distinction can receive it, but even though it is God’s
will that all men be saved…
1Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all
men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
It is clear that most will not.
Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any
man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto
perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
2Thessalonians
1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on
them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
This verse, like the one in Titus, makes it clear that no
one will have any excuse when they stand before God, if they have rejected the
Light they have been given.
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