We have no idea who the unregenerate elect are. We must get the gospel to everyone so God will use its general call to strive with the hearts of those elect who have yet to believe. When ungodly people attack us, make fun of us, ridicule us or simply ignore us we must not become discouraged. We must pray for them and give the gospel to them as we obey our Lord.

Ayin.

121 I have done justice and righteousness;

Do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Be surety for Your servant for good;

Do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation

And for Your righteous word.

124 Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness

And teach me Your statutes.

125 I am Your servant; give me understanding,

That I may know Your testimonies.

126 It is time for the Lord to act,

For they have broken Your law.

127 Therefore I love Your commandments

Above gold, yes, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything,

I hate every false way. Psalms 119:121-128 (NASB) 

There are times I deeply desire for God to hurry up and bring judgment upon the wicked people in this world. I love the Lord. I live for His glory. When people belittle Him with their inane jokes, my blood boils. A fellow told me once that he understood the gospel just fine, but it was meaningless because he did not believe in God. The spiritual gift of prophecy God gave me at my rebirth kicked in and I told him that only a fool would say something like that. That probably was not the wisest thing to say, but I became righteously indignant since he was attempting to amuse himself with angering me by attacking my faith. Of course, my response was wrong. I did not respond with winsomeness, gentleness, or self-control. Then he told me everything was relative then attempted to say there were no absolutes and he could prove it. I responded by telling him that he used an absolute statement by saying, “There are no absolutes.” Then he stalked off. That was not very productive was it?

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”

They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;

There is no one who does good.

2 God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men

To see if there is anyone who understands,

Who seeks after God.

3 Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt;

There is no one who does good, not even one.

4 Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge,

Who eat up My people as though they ate bread

And have not called upon God?

5 There they were in great fear where no fear had been;

For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you;

You put them to shame, because God had rejected them. Psalms 53:1-5 (NASB) 

The day that happened, I had been studying the order of salvation (the “Ordo Salutis“) as part of the doctrines of grace. That makes it clear that only those God has foreknown, predestined, effectually called, and regenerated will believe. My old understanding of salvation kicked in for a moment as I attempted to reason with that fellow, but I could not share with him. He would not listen. I prayed for him that God will effectually call him. I know now that until that happens he will not believe no matter how effectively I present the general call of the gospel to him. I will continue to pray for him to believe, but if he is not one of the elect then he will continue to reject the gospel because God will not strive with his heart. That is sad, but God is sovereign and we must live for His glory.

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