"God loves everyone" - false

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awelight

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I think that I will, respectfully, have to disagree with you. The natural man, before he has been quickened, Eph 2, does not have the ability to discern spiritual things 1 Cor 2:14. The gospel is about spiritual things, and cannot be understood by the natural man, because he thinks them to be foolishness.

In order to keep the scriptures in harmony, the only way that the natural man can respond to a spiritual gospel is for God to quicken him to a new spiritual life, by putting his Holy Spirit within him. If God wanted all mankind to respond to the gospel he would quicken all mankind to a new spiritual life, and we know that would not harmonize the scriptures.

God would still be a just God, if he had let all mankind go to hell. By God's foreknowledge he saw that all mankind would not seek him, no, not one. Psalms 53:2-3. Because that no one would seek him, is the reason God, by his mercy, choose an elect people before he formed the world.

Whom the Lord loves, he chastens. Heb 12:6. Those that he does not chasten, he does not love, Psalms 73:5

The inspired word of God is not written to instruct the natural man how to get delivered eternally to heaven, but is written to his elect, instructing them as to how he wants them to live their lives, as they sojourn here on earth.
Very well said and I agree with everything you said. You just didn't get the point that I was making. That's okay, it is a minor thing in the scheme of things.

I have noticed on these posts, that some have been warring for so long, for their side, they really don't consider new ideas, for fear that they maybe seen as giving an inch, to the other side. While I have been called all kinds of things, by the "free will" side, I try to keep an open mind on all things. If we become so entrenched in our beliefs (Subjective), we may indeed lose the ability to grow any further in our knowledge. The target should always be to grow in our understanding of the Truth (Objective). The closer we can get to God's Truth the better we can worship Him.

Take care, brother and keep up the good work.
 

awelight

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Gotta disagree with your conclusion about Paul's reason for writing what he did. The entire book of Romans is a single argument about the Jews not being special because of their physical heritage and having been the repository for the law. It is with this argument in mind that the purpose of Romans 9 must be understood, which is not at all to do with God's action or reaction but with the position of the Jews and their displacement.

The argument about Jacob is to highlight that this situation did not catch God unaware, that the failure of the Jews to keep the law was not some kind of surprise but that God chose them to bear the law even knowing that they would not succeed in their mission and would ultimately reject Him.

Failing to account for the occasion upon which Paul is writing the Roman church distorts the arguments within and makes them rather disjointed rather than a single, flowing argument.
While all of that sounds good. It does not answer the question. Do these verses say what they say? Many words do not change anything.
 

Magenta

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Jul 3, 2015
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It could be possible that you are misunderstanding the difference in being born again, and being converted. Being born again comes very suttle, as a gentle breeze that you don't know where it comes from or where it goes. Conversion follows some time later, after, as a babe in Christ, you have grown into maturity enough to understand the knowledge of God's righteousness.

I, personally, can not remember when I was born again, but have experienced the evidence of being born again at a very early age. I was 62 years old before I experienced conversion (coming unto a knowledge of the truth) and it, to me, was like the fourth of July fireworks. I was so excited that I just about drove everyone around me crazy trying to tell them how simple it was, knowing full well that they could not see it unless the Holy Spirit within them revealed it to them.
Yes, I agree with you saying that we - you and I - do not know exactly when we were born again. However, if being able to experience spiritual things is indicative of being born again, that would mean that I was born again from a fairly young age, and also that any and all who dabble or practice and/or pursue and experience spiritual matters are also born again. I am not sure I could agree with the second part of that :unsure: In fact, I am fairly certain I cannot, because that would mean that any and all who have spiritual experiences are likewise born again, and I am quite doubtful that at least some of those people will ever come to repentance of their rebellion against and opposition to the One True God. Of course I cannot know this for a fact, just as I cannot know that all who pursue such things (which would include Satanism, Wicca etc.) actually discern and/or experience spiritual things. Perhaps some do it hoping for such experiences in their search for truth, meaning, and purpose... I do not know. Like you, I did not convert until well into life, at the age of 49, and I thank God for being so patient and long suffering with me, and being gracious enough to allow me to survive the stupidity of my youth :)



2 Peter 3:9:)
 

awelight

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This maybe of interest to some. A survey done by Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay Research (Yr. 2020):

Questions asked and there responses.:


1). Jesus was a great teacher but He was not God.
--- Among general population -- 52% agreed and 36% disagreed.
--- Among Evangelicals ----------- 30% agreed and 66% disagreed.

2). God chose the people He would save, before He created the World.
--- Among general population -- 26% agreed and 50% disagreed.
--- Among Evangelicals ----------- 38% agreed and 44% disagreed.

3). The Bible, like all Sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.
--- Among general population -- 48% agreed and 41% disagreed.
--- Evangelicals were not questioned.

4). Religious belief is a matter of personal opinion, it is not objective.
--- Among general population -- 54% agreed and 34% disagreed.
--- Evangelicals were not questioned.

5) The Holy Spirit gives a spiritual New Birth or new life, before a person has faith in Jesus Christ.
-- general population was not questioned.
-- Among Evangelicals ------------ 57% agreed and 35% disagreed.

6). God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
-- general population was not questioned.
-- Among Evangelicals ------------ 42% agreed and 48% disagreed.

>>>> missing percentages were in the category of "Not Sure".

The state of religion today.
 
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While all of that sounds good. It does not answer the question. Do these verses say what they say? Many words do not change anything.
You're right many words don't change anything, but recognizing contextual issues informs us of the meaning. Romans 9 distinctly does not say what Calvinists read into it precisely because they fail to account for the context of the letter and instead treat it as if it is a theological treatise.

And the hypocritical manner in which Calvinists read the Bible demonstrates they understand the principle of context when their doctrine is being challenged, such as the numerous explanations for how the word "world" doesn't actually mean world, and "all" sometimes doesn't really mean all. Yet on their proof texts they pretend that there is no contextual moderation of Biblical texts and that things like purpose of writing and style of the human author have no bearing.
 

ForestGreenCook

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Jul 8, 2018
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Very well said and I agree with everything you said. You just didn't get the point that I was making. That's okay, it is a minor thing in the scheme of things.

I have noticed on these posts, that some have been warring for so long, for their side, they really don't consider new ideas, for fear that they maybe seen as giving an inch, to the other side. While I have been called all kinds of things, by the "free will" side, I try to keep an open mind on all things. If we become so entrenched in our beliefs (Subjective), we may indeed lose the ability to grow any further in our knowledge. The target should always be to grow in our understanding of the Truth (Objective). The closer we can get to God's Truth the better we can worship Him.

Take care, brother and keep up the good work.
I am curious about you mentioning "the free willer's side". Do you believe, as I do, that God has granted to mankind, the freedom to choose out the changes in his life as he sojourns here on earth, but he did not give mankind the freedom to choose his eternal inheritance of heaven, because that choice is made by God's sovereign grace, without the help of man. Do we see this alike?
 

ForestGreenCook

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Jul 8, 2018
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Yes, I agree with you saying that we - you and I - do not know exactly when we were born again. However, if being able to experience spiritual things is indicative of being born again, that would mean that I was born again from a fairly young age, and also that any and all who dabble or practice and/or pursue and experience spiritual matters are also born again. I am not sure I could agree with the second part of that :unsure: In fact, I am fairly certain I cannot, because that would mean that any and all who have spiritual experiences are likewise born again, and I am quite doubtful that at least some of those people will ever come to repentance of their rebellion against and opposition to the One True God. Of course I cannot know this for a fact, just as I cannot know that all who pursue such things (which would include Satanism, Wicca etc.) actually discern and/or experience spiritual things. Perhaps some do it hoping for such experiences in their search for truth, meaning, and purpose... I do not know. Like you, I did not convert until well into life, at the age of 49, and I thank God for being so patient and long suffering with me, and being gracious enough to allow me to survive the stupidity of my youth :)



2 Peter 3:9:)
You put that very nicely. Thank you, and enjoy a wonderful, and peaceful life, even in the mix of the devastation of our nation, by keeping in mind that our God is in complete control of all things, and his will, will be done.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
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You're right many words don't change anything, but recognizing contextual issues informs us of the meaning. Romans 9 distinctly does not say what Calvinists read into it precisely because they fail to account for the context of the letter and instead treat it as if it is a theological treatise.

And the hypocritical manner in which Calvinists read the Bible demonstrates they understand the principle of context when their doctrine is being challenged, such as the numerous explanations for how the word "world" doesn't actually mean world, and "all" sometimes doesn't really mean all. Yet on their proof texts they pretend that there is no contextual moderation of Biblical texts and that things like purpose of writing and style of the human author have no bearing.
The evidence of understanding the scriptures is that they must all harmonize. Every scripture is there for a purpose.
 
Apr 2, 2020
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The evidence of understanding the scriptures is that they must all harmonize. Every scripture is there for a purpose.
What you call "harmonizing" usually is twisting to preserve a doctrine, especially when it involves adding "of the elect" to inclusive language or some other typical formulation. Sometimes there's ambiguity in the Scriptures that's meant to be there because there is a tension that God chose not to reveal the resolution to us. The purpose of studying the Scriptures, in my view, should not be to develop and enunciate doctrine but to refine our person through struggling with the Spirit and wrestling with the tensions.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
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This maybe of interest to some. A survey done by Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay Research (Yr. 2020):

Questions asked and there responses.:


1). Jesus was a great teacher but He was not God.
--- Among general population -- 52% agreed and 36% disagreed.
--- Among Evangelicals ----------- 30% agreed and 66% disagreed.

2). God chose the people He would save, before He created the World.
--- Among general population -- 26% agreed and 50% disagreed.
--- Among Evangelicals ----------- 38% agreed and 44% disagreed.

3). The Bible, like all Sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.
--- Among general population -- 48% agreed and 41% disagreed.
--- Evangelicals were not questioned.

4). Religious belief is a matter of personal opinion, it is not objective.
--- Among general population -- 54% agreed and 34% disagreed.
--- Evangelicals were not questioned.

5) The Holy Spirit gives a spiritual New Birth or new life, before a person has faith in Jesus Christ.
-- general population was not questioned.
-- Among Evangelicals ------------ 57% agreed and 35% disagreed.

6). God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
-- general population was not questioned.
-- Among Evangelicals ------------ 42% agreed and 48% disagreed.

>>>> missing percentages were in the category of "Not Sure".

The state of religion today.
Most Christians do not understand questions 2 and 5. Because Calvinism has permeated into most traditions and denomination s ( and songs and Hymns) They will just think that sounds right to them ,but wouldn't be able to navigate from the bible how they arrived at that conclusion. Aside from one or two proof texts . Thats the state of Christianity from after the 4th century, with Augustine.
 
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"awelight, posted

I truly appreciate the time and effort it took to put together something worth reading. I enjoyed many of the points made in this post. It was going along quite well, until it got to here:

Quote, " It is because Jacob chose the spiritual path and walked with God in faith as his character in the story shows. In the same vein, whosoever that walks on that path, God loves and he, in turn reaps the spiritual blessings inherent in the path. And whosoever that chooses and walks the material or worldly path, he reaps the consequences of his actions. God laid for us two paths of life on earth and His expectation from us. He loves the path chosen by Jacob and hates the path chosen by Esau. It is not about their personality but the choices and actions that formed that personality.

This conclusion, is completely contrary, to what Paul was writing. It is the reason he wrote what he did. To show, this was not the way it should be understood. This understanding makes God reactionary, to man's choices. Paul wanted us to see that God is acting not reacting.

Rom 9:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed.
Rom 9:9 For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, (Who came with the promise? God came) and Sarah shall have a son.
Rom 9:10 And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac--
Rom 9:11 for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,
Rom 9:12 it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Rom 9:13 Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.

This view of choices being the reason why God said what He said. Not only goes contrary to Paul's intent but is contrary to the language clearly stated. "not yet born" and "having made no good or bad choices".

If it was about choices, then why did Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit say this?

Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

If it was about choices, then man would have no reason to object to what was written. Obviously, the objection is being raised, because it is not about choices. It is about the purpose of God according to election.

If this is not what is being taught here, then I don't even understand the English language. To make it say something else, would require new meanings for these words.


Continues from my previous post number #720. (will cut and paste from my earlier post in another thread)


First, we know there is no unrighteousness with God. He is a Sovereign God and as it is written, he does as he pleases. It is also written that God is Justice. In this regard, we can correctly say that even if he does as he pleases, there is no favoritism or partiality in him. For me, a letter interpretation of the Word looses the deeper spiritual meaning it contains - in most cases.

As pertaining to the election, there are three issues or questions to be addressed

Who are the elects? Who are those people called? Who are the chosen?

What is God’s eternal purpose of election?

What does it mean that the elder shall serve the younger?

God created heaven and earth and everything that exists in them. By His knowledge, wisdom, understanding and power He made them even, before the earth was formed, He has foreknowledge of its end and what would happen from the beginning of life to the end. Hence, He declares the end from the beginning and from the ancient times the things that are not yet done (Isaiah 46:10). It is not surprising then that He made proclamations about Esau and Jacob’s future before they were yet born or having done any good or evil.

Jesus says, no man can come to me except the Father which has sent me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44). He went on to say “it is written in the Prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard and has learned of the father comes unto him. (John 6:45). In other words, it is written, everyone shall be taught of God but it is only those who have heard and learned of God will the father draw to him. This places a personal responsibility on man to seek, learn and know God and acknowledge Him as God in order to be called or drawn to Jesus.

Jesus says, because straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leads unto life, few that be that find it. Many follow the wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction. It is therefore a choice. We become elects of God by choice. God chooses us as His elects in view of the choices we make. {see post#720}

Also, in Romans 2: 6 - 11; we read, who (God) will render to everyone according to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, honor and immortality, He gives eternal life but unto them who do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, He visits with indignation and wrath. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that does evil but glory, honor and peace to every man that works good for there is no respect of persons with God.

It is righteousness that sets us on the right path of God to be called the sons of God (the elect), for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. God is righteous, so whosoever that does righteousness is of God. And whosoever is of God does not commit sin for His (God’s) seed remains in him. And he cannot sin because he is born of God. Whosoever that does not righteousness is not of God but of the devil. In this is the children of God manifested and the children of the devil who hold the truth in unrighteousness (1 John 3:9 – 10). So we conclude that the Elects are those who choose to do the will of God. We are all children of God but the path we choose in life either of righteousness or unrighteousness differentiates us.

The paths – the one that leads to life (the way of righteousness) and the one that leads to death (the way of ungodliness) and the Principles, the laws guiding them were foreordained by God from the foundation of the earth. The path we choose as said before opens us up to what happens to us according to the purpose of election of God from the foundation of the world. We become children of the devil by our choice of actions, our lifestyle and not by God’s will or design, for when we repent of those actions, God welcomes us back to the fold as His beloved children.

God’s purpose on earth is for His Will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. To have an earthly kingdom that is ruled not by man’s will or human passions or the will of the flesh but by the will of God. And the only way this can be achieved is for us His children to be holy and perfect as God our father which is in heaven. Thus, God’s injunction to walk before Him and be perfect (Genesis.17:1), for when we walk before Him and obey His words, He leads us forth on the right way to perfection. When we rebel against His words and contempt His counsel, we follow our heart’s lustful desires and become defiled by our own works.

The choice of walking before Him or rebelling against Him is put in our hands. There is no compulsion of any sort. The only checkmating effect are His laws and judgment that maintain a reward of eternal life for those who love Him and obey His words and a consequence of self-destruction to those who commit evil for it is the evil of their hands that will destroy them (Psalm 9:16; 34:21).

This judgment He established before the foundation of the world. Therefore, whosoever that walks with God on the path of righteousness to do His will is called and predestinated from the foundation of the world to be conformed to the image of His Son, chosen to be justified and glorified. Others who choose otherwise were earmarked from the foundation of the world for eternal destruction. One road leads to life eternal and another leads to destruction. We get what we choose by our lifestyle.

What God looks for is the integrity of heart. He chooses us even in our sinful state once we beckon on Him with sincere hearts and He walks with us all the way knowing that the love in our hearts will eventually triumph over sin for He sees the innermost parts of our hearts and the end from the beginning. God hates hypocrites. It is Him alone that sees the heart of man and therefore we should refrain from judging one another but rather pray for one another.

God has made known unto us the mystery of His Will – that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even to Him (Ephesians 1: 9 10). Thus, the necessity to put on earth the difference between the good and the evil for it is only the good that will be gathered alongside the heavenly hosts for all evil shall be subdued and be subject unto good. Let us therefore awake to righteousness and sin no more for he that walks righteously shall be saved but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall (Proverbs 28:18).

continues in the next post
 
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continues from the previous post

It is written that the first man Adam became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:45) whose life depends on the life giving spirit, the word of God and subject to freedom of choice. God said to Adam, you can eat the fruit of all the trees of the garden including the tree of life but the fruit of the tree of good and evil you shall not eat for the day you eat of it you shall die (Genesis 2:16, 17). This follows then that the life of the living soul Adam, is dependent on obedience to the word of God as confirmed in Deuteronomy 8 : 3 and Mathew 4 : 4, that by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God shall man live. Without the life giving spirit in the Word, the living soul tends to vanity, with lustful desires driven by passions of pride, arrogance, greed, self-conceit or the will of the flesh.

The soul sins and becomes mortal and flesh. It becomes more preoccupied with material tendencies than the Spiritual. When they jettisoned the word of God, Adam and Eve became more self-conscious and self-centered which are mortal inclinations and used fig leaves to cover their nakedness. But God gave them a better clothing of coats of skin instead, portraying His mercy and faithful love. Though Adam and Eve chose life after the flesh and became mortal and were chastened for their choice of action, God walked with them, shining His light of mercy and love in their darkness to redirect their footsteps in hope of their redemption.

Thus, instead of man walking with God and before Him to be perfect, (when we walk before Him, He teaches us His ways and how to walk in His path of righteousness), man continues to struggle with the spirit of disobedience which prevents him from consistently choosing good over evil and be righteous. But evil, true to its very nature, continues to snare and hold man in captivity while he hopes on the mercy of God to gain freedom. Man was made to have dominion and control over the works of God on earth as His image and likeness and not to live perpetually under the mercy of God. Mercy came as a result of man’s wrong choice of action in ignorance. Now mercy and truth work together in man’s life to achieve righteousness.

The living soul without the life giving spirit is of the earth and earthy. He dies and perishes. And so it is for everyone that does not know God or professes to know Him but denies Him in deeds. Such people essentially develop earthly inclinations, and bear this image of the flesh as their first choice of lifestyle, an earthly inclined life which is dominated by sin, which in turn places a wedge between the Spirit of God and the soul.

Also, it is written that the second Adam came as a quickening spirit, as a life giving spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45). Jesus said, it is the spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. The words I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63). Again, we read in John 1: 1 – 4 that, in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men. Hence, we learn that without this life, there is no light. The living soul gropes in and manifests evidences of darkness and misses eternal life as the story of the first Adam in the garden of Eden shows.

The essentiality of the soul is the life giving spirit in the Word. Thus, it is through the spirit in the word of God that the soul can mortify the deeds of the flesh and gain immortality or eternal life. It is through the spirit that mortality gives way to immortality and corruption to incorruption and death swallowed up in victory. To us Christians, this second Adam was revealed as our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word made flesh (John 1:13), who came to remove the sins of the world originating from the first Adam thereby breaking down the middle wall of partition between the spirit and the living soul having slain the enemy thereby which is sin, bringing reconciliation and peace, making both one in unity. \

Having come in the form of Adam, (man), he showed us that it is possible to live sinless on earth. It is possible to be in union with God while on earth. It is possible to be Christ like. He brought the kingdom of God to earth and showed us it is possible to live in this kingdom while on earth as God’s image and likeness. But to do this, as Jesus showed, the living soul must be subjected to the Spirit. It must do the biddings of the Spirit and follow his guideline alone. It must serve and be in obedience to the Spirit. “The elder must serve the younger”. Man first bore the image of the flesh, the earthy, (the elder) and must now put on the heavenly image, the spiritual image, the image and likeness of God which is our true image as God’s children. We must now bear the Christ like image and no longer the Adamic image of the flesh. The flesh must give way to the Spirit[/QUOTE]
 

awelight

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I am curious about you mentioning "the free willer's side". Do you believe, as I do, that God has granted to mankind, the freedom to choose out the changes in his life as he sojourns here on earth, but he did not give mankind the freedom to choose his eternal inheritance of heaven, because that choice is made by God's sovereign grace, without the help of man. Do we see this alike?
Yes sir!
 
May 19, 2020
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I am curious about you mentioning "the free willer's side". Do you believe, as I do, that God has granted to mankind, the freedom to choose out the changes in his life as he sojourns here on earth, but he did not give mankind the freedom to choose his eternal inheritance of heaven, because that choice is made by God's sovereign grace, without the help of man. Do we see this alike?

Yes Sir.....I’m also in agreement.Amen!
 

Magenta

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Jul 3, 2015
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You put that very nicely. Thank you, and enjoy a wonderful, and peaceful life, even in the mix of the devastation of our nation, by keeping in mind that our God is in complete control of all things, and his will, will be done.
My apologies, as I must have missed the notification of your response to my post, even though I was eagerly awaiting it :D Thank you, and amen! May God continue to richly bless you, Mr Forest Green Cook :) God is good; we trust in His goodness, and believe His promises. Such grace He has bestowed, and I often say, I am grateful for the grace He extended to me, in allowing me to survive the stupidity of my youth... even as I can see purpose in it, for it gave me a deep well of understanding the natural man in discussions with non-believers of various stripes over my eight years in apologetics online before I joined this site five years ago :)
 
Jul 11, 2020
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"ForestGreenCook, posted

]I am curious about you mentioning "the free willer's side". Do you believe, as I do, that God has granted to mankind, the freedom to choose out the changes in his life as he sojourns here on earth, but he did not give mankind the freedom to choose his eternal inheritance of heaven, because that choice is made by God's sovereign grace, without the help of man. Do we see this alike?



can you explain a bit what you mean by

but he did not give mankind the freedom to choose his eternal inheritance of heaven, because that choice is made by God's sovereign grace, without the help of man.
 

awelight

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continues from the previous post



* I appreciate your lengthy post. The problem though, for discussion purposes, is it covers way to much ground. You tried to condense the whole of salvation into it. So let me respond to part of it:

You said, "The choice of walking before Him or rebelling against Him is put in our hands. There is no compulsion of any sort. The only checkmating effect are His laws and judgment that maintain a reward of eternal life for those who love Him and obey His words and a consequence of self-destruction to those who commit evil for it is the evil of their hands that will destroy them (Psalm 9:16; 34:21).

This judgment He established before the foundation of the world. Therefore, whosoever that walks with God on the path of righteousness to do His will is called and predestinated from the foundation of the world to be conformed to the image of His Son, chosen to be justified and glorified. Others who choose otherwise were earmarked from the foundation of the world for eternal destruction. One road leads to life eternal and another leads to destruction. We get what we choose by our lifestyle.

-- Something to consider --

The two points you have made here (in bold), seem to be at odds with each other. You say first, man's walk is his choice, with no compulsion, then you say, that God established this before the foundation of the world. The two can't live together in the same house.

Are you trying to imply that God made His choice/judgement, by looking down through time and predestinated those whom He saw would believe? If this is the case, then you make God "reactionary" to man's will. You put God in a position of saying, I have done all that I am going to do, now it's up to you or as you said it, it's in your hands. God never relinquishes His control over His Creation and indeed cannot, are the whole of creation would cease to exist.

Man has many choices to make but he cannot make a positive or correct choice for Christ. If man had not fallen, then man could make all of the righteous judgments. Man would have never left walking with God. But because of the fall, man lost his original uprightnous and became, as one, spiritually dead. Gen 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Adam and Eve did not physically die on that day (Though it did bring death upon mankind), but they did die a sort of spiritual death. Their spirit could no longer commune with The Spirit, God. Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. God gave them a form of righteousness, that brought them back into communion. Gen 3:21 And Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them. This temporary form, is given to all believers, whom God chose and will one day be replaced by the permanent form. It is symbolized by the putting on of the "White Raiment". Since this time (the Fall), God must give unto fallen man, a form of righteousness, in order that we can believe on Him, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Since all of mankind fell in Adam, we are now all in a state of unrighteousness, that loves the darkness and will not come to the light. This speaks of man's inability to make a righteous judgment for Christ. The fallen individual cannot discern the danger that he/she is in. For they say,

2Pet 3:4,5 ..... Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;

Therefore, if God did not act at all, all would perish, according to Romans 1&2. For man, in this sate, had no hope of performing a righteous deed before God. So God chose some to salvation, before the world began (Eph.1:4) and passed by the others, in His Eternal Mind. He graciously decided to show mercy and compassion upon those He chose. For what reason? Only God knows the answer to that. Why did He choose whom He chose? Again, only God knows His own mind. For God does as He pleases, in His Sovereign Choice.
By passing by the ones He did not choose, He performs no injustice to them, they were headed for Judgment already. The Supreme Judge of the Universe, determined to let their punishment stand and not commute their sentences. They were guilty as charged under sin.

This brings us back to the beginning. The ones God chose, He predestined to be the sons of God. Not because of choice, for I have already shown, we would all perish if left to us but because of God's Sovereign Choice. God actively determined and executed His will. This is why the Scriptures say, Rom 3:27a Where is boasting then? It is excluded.
 
Jul 11, 2020
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"awelight, posted




Thank you for reading my lengthy post and responding.

I would have to say that the first two points you highlighted in bold are not at odds with each other. I said in my post and we know that God is all knowing God. As Isaiah said, he knows and sees the end from the beginning. He therefore created the Universe with his prescience of the future. That he has perfect knowledge of things and created based on that, does not make him reactionary to man's will as you put it. It is only one who has imperfect knowledge that can be prone to that.

I will explain further this way

God created the universe in a properly and orderly manner with a system in place to maintain law and order. This system includes sets of principles and rules of law and regulations to govern and control the activities of the universe including man. He is able to do this from the foundation of the world because he is omniscient. These principles exist:

1. as rods of correction, to checkmate the lofty thoughts of man and redirect him to the right path.

2. to prove and humble man to acknowledge and confess the allness of God, that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

3. to bestow blessings and rewards to the righteous

4. to punish acts of wickedness or darkness

5. to fulfill the words of God and manifest His mighty power on earth so that all men shall fear and declare the works of God for they shall wisely consider His doings.
6. Etc

These principles continually work together to maintain a state of equilibrium, harmony and order for the general good of mankind. They are consistent and unchangeable. They do not choose who to favor or who not to favor. They are part of creation and are interwoven into events that occur in creation or in time and in our everyday life. We read in Ecclesiastics 9:2, that all things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked to the good and to the sinner. This means that one event happens unto all but it is our individual or collective choice of actions that determines what happens to us. Our reactions to these events makes or mars us.

Through out the scripture, we observe that God ordained two paths of life on earth from the beginning. There is a path that leads to life and another that leads to destruction or death. These paths do not intermingle. We also observe the freedom of choice embedded in his creation as we read in Genesis. Moses reiterated this to the Israelites of old. Joshua enjoined them to make their choice and boldly declared that he and his family have chosen to follow the living God. The path we choose opens us up to what befalls us in life for they have their features and characteristics. We see that in the lives of the Israelites of old and through out the scripture.

God finished His creation but the system continues to unfold the creation in our everyday life, or in time ensuring that man is accountable for his actions for as a man sows, so he reaps. At each dispensation of time, the mysteries of God as interwoven in creation begin to manifest. Man's salvation in Christ was ordained even before the world began but manifested on earth at the fullness of time, for an example. Man- still has the choice either to believe or not to believe in the way of the cross.

I believe the fall of man did not take away his freedom of choice. Cain and Abel made different choices.
God drove Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden because the life of the flesh which they chose has no part in him and cannot inherit his kingdom. The Lord God allowed the seed of sin to remain in man to learn the difference between living a godly life and sinful life. To learn the difference between serving God and turning away from Him. (2 Chronicle 12). It serves as a check on our actions to redirect our steps to right living. He allowed it so that we can experience the pain and sorrow inherent in sinful life and peradventure change for the better. It therefore serves as a motivational tool to live aright to the intent that we might know that God is the Lord God Almighty who rules heaven and earth and whose works are in truth and His ways judgment. Those who walk in sin He abases and punishes

Adam and Eve could be said to have humbled themselves after their transgression and God granted them some level of deliverance but allowed the seed of sin to remain in them and passed on to mankind for our lesson. The bible tells us that we learn by experience. Their (Adam and Eve) transgression put them in affliction but overtime, they learnt to engage their hearts towards God as the scripture recorded no further transgression by them. Through their affliction, they went through a purification period for tribulation teaches patience, and patience teaches experience. Experience springs up hope and faith towards God ( Romans 5:4). Hence, Abel and his younger sibling, Seth, were born in a more godly environment which godly disposition was testified in the scripture about their lives.

Even in the midst of sin, there were cases recorded of men who pleased God, after the fall of man, for instance, Enoch was taken up to heaven and saw no death because he pleased God. Noah was found righteous. There is a difference betw
 

ForestGreenCook

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Jul 8, 2018
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"ForestGreenCook, posted

]I am curious about you mentioning "the free willer's side". Do you believe, as I do, that God has granted to mankind, the freedom to choose out the changes in his life as he sojourns here on earth, but he did not give mankind the freedom to choose his eternal inheritance of heaven, because that choice is made by God's sovereign grace, without the help of man. Do we see this alike?



can you explain a bit what you mean by

but he did not give mankind the freedom to choose his eternal inheritance of heaven, because that choice is made by God's sovereign grace, without the help of man.
The natural man had no choice in his being quickened to a spiritual life, because he was dead (spiritually) in his sins at the time that he was quickened, Eph 2:1.
 

awelight

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Aug 10, 2020
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"awelight, posted





These principles continually work together to maintain a state of equilibrium, harmony and order for the general good of mankind. They are consistent and unchangeable. They do not choose who to favor or who not to favor. They are part of creation and are interwoven into events that occur in creation or in time and in our everyday life. We read in Ecclesiastics 9:2, that all things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked to the good and to the sinner. This means that one event happens unto all but it is our individual or collective choice of actions that determines what happens to us. Our reactions to these events makes or mars us.

Through out the scripture, we observe that God ordained two paths of life on earth from the beginning. There is a path that leads to life and another that leads to destruction or death. These paths do not intermingle. We also observe the freedom of choice embedded in his creation as we read in Genesis. Moses reiterated this to the Israelites of old. Joshua enjoined them to make their choice and boldly declared that he and his family have chosen to follow the living God. The path we choose opens us up to what befalls us in life for they have their features and characteristics. We see that in the lives of the Israelites of old and through out the scripture.

God finished His creation but the system continues to unfold the creation in our everyday life, or in time ensuring that man is accountable for his actions for as a man sows, so he reaps. At each dispensation of time, the mysteries of God as interwoven in creation begin to manifest. Man's salvation in Christ was ordained even before the world began but manifested on earth at the fullness of time, for an example. Man- still has the choice either to believe or not to believe in the way of the cross.

I believe the fall of man did not take away his freedom of choice. Cain and Abel made different choices.
God drove Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden because the life of the flesh which they chose has no part in him and cannot inherit his kingdom. The Lord God allowed the seed of sin to remain in man to learn the difference between living a godly life and sinful life. To learn the difference between serving God and turning away from Him. (2 Chronicle 12). It serves as a check on our actions to redirect our steps to right living. He allowed it so that we can experience the pain and sorrow inherent in sinful life and peradventure change for the better. It therefore serves as a motivational tool to live aright to the intent that we might know that God is the Lord God Almighty who rules heaven and earth and whose works are in truth and His ways judgment. Those who walk in sin He abases and punishes

Adam and Eve could be said to have humbled themselves after their transgression and God granted them some level of deliverance but allowed the seed of sin to remain in them and passed on to mankind for our lesson. The bible tells us that we learn by experience. Their (Adam and Eve) transgression put them in affliction but overtime, they learnt to engage their hearts towards God as the scripture recorded no further transgression by them. Through their affliction, they went through a purification period for tribulation teaches patience, and patience teaches experience. Experience springs up hope and faith towards God ( Romans 5:4). Hence, Abel and his younger sibling, Seth, were born in a more godly environment which godly disposition was testified in the scripture about their lives.

Even in the midst of sin, there were cases recorded of men who pleased God, after the fall of man, for instance, Enoch was taken up to heaven and saw no death because he pleased God. Noah was found righteous. There is a difference betw
Again, you make some good points but where we are differing, is about choice. Man lost His ability to choose righteousness because he could no longer perceive what was righteous.

Rom 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.

These verses are telling us what happened to the natural man, subsequent to the Fall. While every person, without exception, know of God by His creative works, they gave God no credit as Creator. Their reasoning became useless. In order for the natural man to make a righteous choice, God must first do something for the natural man. This is the "New Birth" (John 3:3-10). This is a supernatural event that changes the heart of stone to a heart of flesh and replaces that dead and useless spirit, that was corrupted in the Fall, back to a working spirit that can discern righteousness in truth. (Eze. 36:26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. Every person who made a correct choice for God and righteousness, has had that work performed upon them.

You used this verse in your discussion, and said: "We read in Ecclesiastics 9:2, that all things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked to the good and to the sinner. This means that one event happens unto all but it is our individual or collective choice of actions that determines what happens to us. Our reactions to these events makes or mars us."

You do realize the subject under discussion in Ecc. 9:2, is the subject of Death? Not at all the way you used it.

Ecc 9:1-5 For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them. ( Solomon was speaking about the things he had come to understand during his life with God. In verse 1, he knows that as one begins life, the works of righteousness are in the hands of God.) All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not; as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

The all things that come alike, is death. Physical death is the common denominator, regardless if you are righteous are unrighteous, good or wicked. The Adamic Curse, has brought physical death upon us all. This is not about God's Gracious Salvation, which can save the soul; Solomon is lamenting the pointlessness of a man's life, regardless of what he does, he will die and be forgotten. However, to be alive is better than being dead.

Again in 2 Chr. 12, This is not an example of one making a choice regarding salvation. These are choices, the natural man makes all the time in his/her life. Rehoboam, was not a good king, he had lead Israel away from the Law of Jehovah. God sent Egypt to punish him and Israel. Shemaiah is sent to warn them, because of their transgressions, the armies of Egypt, will destroy Jerusalem. They humbled themselves before God, so God did not destroy them utterly. However they were put into servitude and many treasures were taken from them.

This does not demonstrate a "repentance" out of a "regenerate" heart. This "humbling of oneself" was not out of love for God but out of fear of the Egyptians. They humbled themselves but there was no true repentance. To have genuine repentance, God would have to give it to them, as part of His Grace in the New Birth.

While even in a believers' life, God grants us repentance, so that we may turn back from what ever it is that has ensnared us. 2Ti_2:25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, Yes, the natural man makes many choices during their lifetime but they lack the spiritual ability, to choose righteousness over what they know and have been taught in the World system. This worldly knowledge and the deceptions of the Devil, keep their minds darkened. Therefore, this twofold process, 1) Wisdom of the World, 2) The deception and snatching of the Devil, (Luke 8:12), leaves the natural man, who cannot discern spiritual things, (1 Cor.2:14), in a hopeless condition, if it were not for the Grace of God.

Isa 43:21 the people which I formed for myself, that they might set forth my praise.