The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1300, titled "Bible Questions and Answers."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.

Question

Does God answer every salvation prayer? Is there ever anybody who prays to be saved and gets refused?

Answer

Well, there’s a clear answer to that, I think. The clear answer to that is in John 6:37. “All that the Father gives shall come to me”--that’s the sovereign side of it. That’s God in action… John 6:37. That’s God in action, “All that the Father gives me shall come to me,” but watch? “And him that comes to me, I will in no wise,” what? “Cast out.”

Yes, God answers every salvation prayer. “Him that comes to me, I will no wise cast out.” Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will”--what? “Give you rest.” What is the condition for rest? What do you have to do to get rest? Be elected? What? Come. Come. Come.

Yes, every salvation prayer is answered. The thief on the cross: “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom” and what did He say? “Today shall you be with me in paradise.” You find me one time, any place, any time in the Bible where such a prayer was not answered with an immediate yes! One man even came and said, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” and the Lord took him.

You say, “Yeah, but even the prayers of really bad people… like me?” Listen: In Romans 5:20, “Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound”--I love this--“but where sin abounded”--what? “Grace super-abounded!” Some of you are thrilled about that. All of you should be.

How do you get life everlasting? I Timothy 1:16: “Nevertheless,” Paul says, “for this cause I obtain mercy that in me first, Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering.” Paul says, “You know why I think one reason why he saved me? Just to show everybody how patient He is, that He would save somebody going around killing Christians.” That ought to give you an idea of whom He’ll save, right? “That He might show in me first, Jesus Christ as longsuffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to,” what? “Life everlasting.”

How do you get life everlasting? By what? Believing on him. And be reminded that if the apostle Paul who spent his career hating Jesus Christ and killing Christians was saved, let that be a good example as to who God will save. Nobody but nobody under any circumstance gets turned down if they come.

Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him!” He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him. You say, “Oh yeah, MacArthur, He’s able all right, but the question is, is He willing?” Oh, I’ll tell you… Peter, chapter 3, says, “God is not willing that,” what? “Any should perish.”

Sincerity is necessary. You study in Matthew 13 the different soils and some people aren’t sincere! But the sincere prayer of the sincere heart will always be answered. “And the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’”--Revelation 22:7 records--“and let him that hears say, ‘Come!” and let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Yes, God answers every salvation prayer. 

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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