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12th January 2025
SundayReflection
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'DiscipleHeart'
'Gods Will; Nothing More, Nothing Less,
Nothing else!'
"Compel them to come in"
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"And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
..... Luke 14:23
People are to be "compelled, not by force, but by the presentation of such convincing arguments that they would be constrained to come in."
All may have life who will accept it; the world has been invited to the gospel feast.
..... John 10:10
When those who were first invited refused the invitation, the master of the feast declared that none of those who were bidden should taste of his supper.
But the banquet was not to be devoid of guests.
He sent his messengers into the streets of the city, into the highways and byways, to compel men to come in, that his house might be filled.
Men were to be compelled, not by force, but by the presentation of such convincing arguments that they would be constrained to come in.
This compelling message represents the message that God would send to men to impel them to receive Christ, the world's Redeemer.
"As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
"The command given in the parable, to "compel them to come in," has often been misinterpreted.
It has been regarded as teaching that we should force men to receive the gospel.
But it denotes rather the urgency of the invitation, and the effectiveness of the inducements presented.
The gospel never employs force in bringing men to Christ.
Its message is "Come, everyone who is thirsty - here is water!
"The Spirit and the bride say, Come....
Everyone who hears this must also say, "Come!"
Come, whoever is thirsty; accept the water of life as a gift, whoever wants it.
Revelation 22:17.
The power of God's love and grace constrains us to come."
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
This does not mean that we shall force the truth upon those who utterly refuse to hear, but that these discouraging cases are not to be left as hopeless.
They are to be followed with prayer.
We must not think of giving up souls although they may seem to be unimpressible.
Persevering labour in preaching followed up with publications and prayer, pleading with souls, praying with them and living out the faith, will make impressions and be a saviour of life unto life or of death unto death.
If these efforts do not save, they will condemn.
Publications should be sent everywhere, scattered like the leaves of autumn, which are designed to follow close upon the interest aroused by hearing the living preacher."
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This is an edited version.
The full article, and Bible references, is avaiable on request
'Discipleheart.com'
is the work of Dan and RoseMarie Augsburger.
We are looking forward to Jesus' soon return.
We are grateful that God allows us to go with Him as He works in various areas of the world.
Dan has degrees in religion, broadcasting and religious education
His background includes full-time pastoral and chaplain ministry, healthcare administration, executive search and ten years of teaching at the Andrews Theological Seminary.
Rose has degrees in consumer sciences and ministry.
She served as a Bible and consumer sciences teacher at an SDA Academy, chaplain in another school setting, and Bible Work - is her passion!
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