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Of course God has the right to do what He wants. But do you want to see how that goes against Scripture? If God predestines me to go to heaven and my neighbor to go to hell that would be favor or respect for a person. Not to mention how is sending someone to hell an example of mercy?
Romans 2:11
For there is no partiality with God.
Romans 2:11
For there is no partiality with God.
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Okay so we've both done wrong and it would be fair for God to send us both to hell. Now here is where the gospel comes in. If I respond to the gospel, great - I have forgiveness of sins and salvation.
But do you see? I am responding to the gospel, I accept it...
You can't just be forgiven of sins because you believe you were predestined. You have to receive forgiveness.
Which is a willing act.
And it is logically impossible to force me to do a willing act. Hence, I respond to God and He will honor that and grant me salvation.
My neighbor who (in the analogy) is predestined to go to hell and can not respond to anything or have a choice to live another lifestyle or receive any forgiveness. God would be showing me favor by presenting me with forgiveness and not presenting it with everyone else in the world.
But do you see? I am responding to the gospel, I accept it...
You can't just be forgiven of sins because you believe you were predestined. You have to receive forgiveness.
Which is a willing act.
And it is logically impossible to force me to do a willing act. Hence, I respond to God and He will honor that and grant me salvation.
My neighbor who (in the analogy) is predestined to go to hell and can not respond to anything or have a choice to live another lifestyle or receive any forgiveness. God would be showing me favor by presenting me with forgiveness and not presenting it with everyone else in the world.
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Or
A person responds to the message BECAUSE God has stirred them up.
Romans 10
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?”
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
“ Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:
“ I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”
20 But Isaiah is very bold and says
“ I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But to Israel he says:
“ All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.”
A person responds to the message BECAUSE God has stirred them up.
Romans 10
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?”
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
“ Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:
“ I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,
I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.”
20 But Isaiah is very bold and says
“ I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But to Israel he says:
“ All day long I have stretched out My hands
To a disobedient and contrary people.”
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