Jesus explained the meaning of this parable to these pharasees! The only thing they didn't understand was "which of these things they were"
Jesus explained the meaning of this parable to these pharasees! The only thing they didn't understand was "which of these things they were".
Really? there are plenty of times God does something because a man chose to do something.
“I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore..."
No, it wouldn't, because even though we choose to listen to god, nobody deserved to be called by him in the first place. Nobody ever sought out god without him doing something first and we are all worthy of destruction for that.
In your replies - please answer the following:
1) When did Christ explain to the Pharisees what John 10 was about? Please give Scripture to prove your point.
- a) The Scripture is clear on this matter - Jesus spoke in parables because the message was for His own - it was not for the world of
---- the non-elect.
God often hid things from the non-elect world and Jesus Christ even thanked His Father for it:
Luke 10:21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.
Again, we see the separation Christ places between the Elect and the world in His High Priestly prayer of John 17:
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine:
2) God was declaring blessing upon Abraham for following His commands. Abraham was indeed willing to offer up his son, if his Lord required it. The problem in your understanding here, is this: Abraham was already a believer and had already received God's unmerited favor. All believers are blessed in their lives when they keep the commandments of the Lord. All believers miss out on blessings when they do not.
3) I need to break this one down a bit.
You said:
No, it wouldn't, because even though we choose to listen to god, nobody deserved to be called by him in the first place. Nobody ever sought out god without him doing something first and we are all worthy of destruction for that
a) You stated at first,
"though we choose to listen to God, nobody deserved to be called in the first place." I whole heartedly agree with the second part. Nobody
"deserved" salvation. That's why it is called
"unmerited Grace". However, as to the first part,
"though we choose to listen to God" - When did we choose?
Before or after God did something towards us? I say - AFTER - He has done a work of Grace in us and that work of Grace is the "new birth" of John 3:3-10. Then and only then, can one "move" towards Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
b) The last part of the above response, you agreed with me and my previous post. You stated: "
..Nobody ever sought out god without him doing something first..." This was exactly the point I was making in the original post. God is actionary not reactionary. His choice was a Sovereign Election of those He chose to show "Mercy and Compassion" too. This before the foundation of the world. Just as everyone who God chose for redemption was written in the Lamb's Book of Life", before the foundation of the world.
Then at God's appointed time... The Holy Spirit comes to the elect sinner - who at that time, is still dead in trespasses and sin - and quickens (regenerates) that elect sinner. Now having been regenerated, then and only then, that individual hears the Gospel message with a new heart and is convicted by it's message. This message points to Jesus Christ as the only way out.