FreeGrace2 said:
And you won't answer my question about the word "prevents" for God not CAUSING some to believe.
Have you figured out your answer yet?
I've just proved that man has free will, from the Bible. You are free to accept the truth or reject the truth.
I'm sure it would be very tiring trying to find verses that don't exist. There's lots of verses in the Bible to check over.
Oh, stop it. The Bible tells us plainly who God chooses to save. That isn't the issue. He chooses to save those who believe.
1 Cor 1:21 - For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him,
God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached
to save those who believe. That's who God chooses to believe.
You see Jerry, it's quite easy to defend your view when you know the Word and have verses that say what you claim.
But the issue is about whether God CAUSES people to believe. Which you STILL haven't found any support from Scripture.
This is not the issue. Of course the Bible teaches about God's election. But what the Bible DOES NOT TEACH is that He CAUSES people to believe.
Here is a very clear passage about God's election and the PURPOSE of His election:
1 Cor 1-
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
Those who have open eyes and ears will easily see here that God's election is FOR SERVICE.
Of course. He chooses to save those who believe. 1 Cor 1:21 says so.
In the Calvinist theory, those He PREVENTS from believing DO receive injustice. It's just that you are unable to see the truth.
A person is just blind as a bat if they can't see the injustice in Calvin's system of election to salvation.
How anyone can accept a God who condemns people who AREN'T ABLE to believe and He doesn't CAUSE them to believe is a real sad thing.
This only reveals your serious lack of understanding. When a gift is offered to a person, the "act" of receiving it is NO WORK at all.
In fact, Rom 4:4,5 and Eph 2:8,9 prove that faith is NOT a work.
btw, I don't use the phrase "exercise faith". The Bible doesn't use it, so I don't. It only creates a smokescreen for Calvinists to hide behind.
You really aren't paying any attention, are you. I never said man is free to "convert himself". What a silly idea!!
The issue in savlation is ONLY about receiving a free gift. That of eternal life. It is God alone who regenerates and converts the believer. I've already proved that regeneration and faith both occur simultaneously (which you agree), and both are THROUGH FAITH, meaning that faith precedes them both.
You want to go through the verses again? I'm NOT tired of sharing the truth. Both John 5:65 and 6:44 are explained by 6:45. Do your homework.
And divine grace is offered to everyone. Titus 2:11 This PROVES that Calvinism is in error.
Yet, you have no verses that say what you opine.
You STILL can't find support for your claims in the Bible.