JESUS

WANTS ALL

TO BE SAVED

GOD WANTS ALL TO BE SAVED 2 Peter3:8-9 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.	REVIEW We may clearly discern the tenderness and affection Peter had with compassion, concern, and a love of good-will for the ungodly wretches who refused to believe divine revelation. All things past, present, and future, are ever before God. Yet how hard it is to conceive of eternity! God will keep to the appointed time in coming to judge the world. God has no delight in the death of sinners. His goodness and forbearance do in their own nature call to repentance all those to whom they are exercised; and, if men continue impenitent when God gives them space to repent, he will deal more severely with them.
GOD WANTS ALL BELIEVERS TO BE HOLY 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.	REVIEW The design of the gospel is to teach men not only what they should believe, but also how they ought to live. Abound more and more in that which is good and holy. We must not only persevere to the end, but we should grow better. Not only does God require holiness in the heart, but also purity in our bodies. The body is here called the vessel of the soul, which dwells therein, and it must be kept pure from defiling lusts. The sin of uncleanness, especially adultery, is a great piece of injustice that God will be the avenger of. Christians should not indulge in the lust of concupiscence (strong sexual desire) and live and act like heathens. Christians should not walk as unconverted Gentiles.
GOD WANTS ALL CHRISTIANS TO PURSUE GOOD 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 See that non render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.	REVIEW It becomes us to forgive, as those that are, and that hope to be, forgiven of God. We must study to do what is pleasing to God. Whatever men do to us, we must do good to others. A religious life is a pleasant life; it is a life of constant joy. We should rejoice more if we prayed more. Prayer will help forward and not hinder all other lawful business, and every good work. We should be thankful in every condition, even in adversity as well as prosperity. We must be careful not to quench this holy fire. As fire is put out by withdrawing fuel, so we quench the spirit of we do not stir up our spirits. And as fire is quenched by pouring water, or putting a great quantity of dirt upon it, so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by indulging carnal lusts and affections, or minding only earthly things. We must not despise preaching, though it be plain, and though we be told not more than what we knew before. It is useful and many times needful, to have our affections and resolutions excited, to those things that we knew before to be our interest and our duty. We must search the scriptures, whether what they say be true or not. Proving all things must be in order to holding fast that which is good.; Corrupt affections indulged in the heart, and evil practices allowed of in the life, will greatly tend to promote fatal errors in the mind; whereas purity of heart, and integrity of life, will dispose men to receive the truth in the love of it. He who is not shy of the appearances of sin will not long abstain from the actual commission of sin. **Make a list of some practical ways to pursue that which is good. **Daily prayer, Bible study, with consistent Sunday school & church attendance… (Information taken from LifeWay Summer Sunday school literature & the Matthew Henry commentary.)