Radio personality Paul Harvey
used to have a segment of his show which he called the rest
of the story. In it he often presented historical
vignettes whose outcomes were generally known by most of his
listeners. And then he sent forth the little known events that
led up to these occurrences. Thus he sent forth the rest of
the story. It is quite common for various
religious teachers to set forth their theology by using parts
of various scriptures which, when taken alone, might purport
to lend credence to their errant doctrines. Yet they leave off
the rest of the story, which sets forth the whole truth, which
is often inconvenient to their own perverted theories. Taking
scriptures out of their proper context and ignoring parts of
them is to handle the Word of God deceitfully. When a lie is
told often enough, even those who tell it can start to believe
it is the truth. Paul declared that he renounced
such practices and plainly told the Ephesian elders, for I have
not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. His desire
was to manifest the truth, knowing that the plain truth is its own
defense and does not need the sophistry and eloquence of men
in order for it to stand. Generally, the scripture doctrines
which are most ignored by this practice are those having to
do with the absolute sovereignty of God in the salvation of His
elect bride. Instead of magnifying the glory
of His grace, these perverters of truth seek to promote the
notion that the enjoyment of salvation is a product of the
free will of men. Here are a few scriptures that
are often partially quoted and subsequently have their true
meaning and import misrepresented. The first is God is not willing
that any should perish. This quotation is set forth to
prove that God is trying or hoping to save all men. The actual truth
of the scripture is plainly revealed by reading the whole passage.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness, but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The us of
whom Peter is speaking are the exact same ones to whom he addressed
his epistle. He is clearly speaking to those
who are referred to as the beloved. God is not willing that any of
his elect should perish and will bring them all to repentance
and faith. Another is, him that cometh to me I will in no wise
cast out. This quotation is true enough,
but is partially quoted in order to prove that God is bound to
save all who make a profession of faith. Those who leave off
the rest of the story would do so in order to deny the election
of grace. The whole scripture is, all that
the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out. Those who are given to Christ
in sovereign election are the exact same ones who come to Him
and are never cast out of His presence. Another is all things
work together for good. Once again, this partial truth
is set forth in a manner to deny the specific love of God for
His elect people. The whole scripture reads, and
we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among
many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate,
them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified,
and whom he justified, them he also glorified. His purpose is
clearly set out to be the conformity of the elect to Christ. Thus
he causes all things to work in concert for their benefit
and ultimate blessing. Another is, but as many as received
him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name. Here is another passage which
is true enough as it is quoted, but by ignoring the verse which
follows it, the power is purported to be the free will of man to
receive it. When we read the following verse, which were born
not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will
of man, but of God, it is clear that the power to receive and
believe is bestowed by the operation of the new birth, which is not
the product of flesh and blood, nor free will, but is rather
the work of God himself. He goes on to clarify that only
those who hear shall call upon Him, in whom they are caused
to believe. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God. This faith is the gift of God,
and not a work of man, lest he should boast of having it. Nothing
is more common than empty professions of faith, and religious activity
which is sometimes described as calling on the name of the
Lord. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven. But he that doeth the will of
my Father which is in heaven. The Lord's people are made willing
in the day of His power, as He said, My sheep hear My voice,
I know them, and they follow Me. Do you follow the Shepherd?
Can you hear His voice?