Thank you

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#1
First of all let me just say thank you. Thanks to the site owner, for creating and maintaining this platform. Thanks to all the ppl who partake and respond here. I have seen a lot of really neat people in this online community.


I have over posted random ramblings in the BDF, the SDF and in the blogs. I am never sure where the best place it is to get conversations going. I think part of my problem is I go on to much like this, lol.


Anyway, thanks for being patient with me as I come to learn, play, and communicate with written fellowship.


I just started Exodus and was wondering if you have any tips on what I should be thinking about and looking for as I set forth on this journey?


I have another question. I believe God loves the whole world and that He gave us Yesua, His son, so that we all might have the opportunity to be saved. I believe He designed us with choice. I am not really a believer in predestination but now I seek to know what do do with Romans 8…


For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 8:29‭-‬30 NASB


If it just said predestined, without having said foreknew also, I could easily say, ok He is outside of time so He knows who will choose Him. However, it says He foreknew AND predestined. So now I'm wondering do we even have freewill? I think about how he operated in the OT, how He definitely orchestrated their lives, and He doesn't change. Hmmmm? I know this topic has been beaten up and pondered, but sometimes, I think somewhere this is an answer that makes sense so that all the scriptures line up, because it says clearly that whosoever believes, and calls on the name... and many other verses that seem to contradict the predestined. I know the confusion is in my understanding not in Him. I know He is a God of order.


Well if you would give me a tip about studying Exodus or about the other, I'd appreciate it.


Thank you all. Love, in Christ, and God Bless you and yours.
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#2
Maybe certain ones, like the leaders are predestined, while the others have more of a freewill option... hmmmm, surely not.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
25,715
113
#3
I have another question. I believe God loves the whole world and that He gave us Yesua, His son, so that we all might have the opportunity to be saved. I believe He designed us with choice. I am not really a believer in predestination but now I seek to know what to do with Romans 8…

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 8:29‭-‬30 NASB


If it just said predestined, without having said foreknew also, I could easily say, ok He is outside of time so He knows who will choose Him. However, it says He foreknew AND predestined. So now I'm wondering do we even have freewill?
For a number of reasons, I prefer the term "self will" over "free will." Many arguments could be made against the free will option, since we are constrained by many forces, including the physicality of the universe, its laws, and our own biological parameters in being human. Self will, however, is very clearly presented in Scriptures, starting with Adam and Eve deciding for themselves that it would be preferable to follow their own way rather than God's way. That is just a start ;) Hello, CharliRenee! :)
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#4
For a number of reasons, I prefer the term "self will" over "free will." Many arguments could be made against the free will option, since we are constrained by many forces, including the physicality of the universe, its laws, and our own biological parameters in being human. Self will, however, is very clearly presented in Scriptures, starting with Adam and Eve deciding for themselves that it would be preferable to follow their own way rather than God's way. That is just a start ;) Hello, CharliRenee! :)
What do we do with those verses in Roman's 29 and 30, AND predestined
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#5
What do we do with those verses in Roman's 29 and 30, AND predestined
For a number of reasons, I prefer the term "self will" over "free will." Many arguments could be made against the free will option, since we are constrained by many forces, including the physicality of the universe, its laws, and our own biological parameters in being human. Self will, however, is very clearly presented in Scriptures, starting with Adam and Eve deciding for themselves that it would be preferable to follow their own way rather than God's way. That is just a start ;) Hello, CharliRenee! :)
Let me elaborate, by saying hi and good to see you a d thanks for responding...
 
Sep 9, 2018
2,244
1,032
113
70
Illinois
#6
First of all let me just say thank you. Thanks to the site owner, for creating and maintaining this platform. Thanks to all the ppl who partake and respond here. I have seen a lot of really neat people in this online community.


I have over posted random ramblings in the BDF, the SDF and in the blogs. I am never sure where the best place it is to get conversations going. I think part of my problem is I go on to much like this, lol.


Anyway, thanks for being patient with me as I come to learn, play, and communicate with written fellowship.


I just started Exodus and was wondering if you have any tips on what I should be thinking about and looking for as I set forth on this journey?


I have another question. I believe God loves the whole world and that He gave us Yesua, His son, so that we all might have the opportunity to be saved. I believe He designed us with choice. I am not really a believer in predestination but now I seek to know what do do with Romans 8…


For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 8:29‭-‬30 NASB

If it just said predestined, without having said foreknew also, I could easily say, ok He is outside of time so He knows who will choose Him. However, it says He foreknew AND predestined. So now I'm wondering do we even have freewill? I think about how he operated in the OT, how He definitely orchestrated their lives, and He doesn't change. Hmmmm? I know this topic has been beaten up and pondered, but sometimes, I think somewhere this is an answer that makes sense so that all the scriptures line up, because it says clearly that whosoever believes, and calls on the name... and many other verses that seem to contradict the predestined. I know the confusion is in my understanding not in Him. I know He is a God of order.


Well if you would give me a tip about studying Exodus or about the other, I'd appreciate it.


Thank you all. Love, in Christ, and God Bless you and yours.
We're nice cuz' you're purty . . .

 

Quantrill

Well-known member
Sep 20, 2018
988
300
63
#7
First of all let me just say thank you. Thanks to the site owner, for creating and maintaining this platform. Thanks to all the ppl who partake and respond here. I have seen a lot of really neat people in this online community.


I have over posted random ramblings in the BDF, the SDF and in the blogs. I am never sure where the best place it is to get conversations going. I think part of my problem is I go on to much like this, lol.


Anyway, thanks for being patient with me as I come to learn, play, and communicate with written fellowship.


I just started Exodus and was wondering if you have any tips on what I should be thinking about and looking for as I set forth on this journey?


I have another question. I believe God loves the whole world and that He gave us Yesua, His son, so that we all might have the opportunity to be saved. I believe He designed us with choice. I am not really a believer in predestination but now I seek to know what do do with Romans 8…


For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 8:29‭-‬30 NASB


If it just said predestined, without having said foreknew also, I could easily say, ok He is outside of time so He knows who will choose Him. However, it says He foreknew AND predestined. So now I'm wondering do we even have freewill? I think about how he operated in the OT, how He definitely orchestrated their lives, and He doesn't change. Hmmmm? I know this topic has been beaten up and pondered, but sometimes, I think somewhere this is an answer that makes sense so that all the scriptures line up, because it says clearly that whosoever believes, and calls on the name... and many other verses that seem to contradict the predestined. I know the confusion is in my understanding not in Him. I know He is a God of order.


Well if you would give me a tip about studying Exodus or about the other, I'd appreciate it.


Thank you all. Love, in Christ, and God Bless you and yours.
Concerning your study of Exodus, read Exodus straight through with pen and paper at hand. Record anything of interest to you. Especially those things that seem to go against what you may have believed.

I have always said, don't be afraid to believe what the Bible says. And, don't be afraid to voice it before non-believers when they try and use it against you. In other words, they will use David's adultry and murder against you. They will use God's killing all of those innocents in the flood of Noah against you. They will use God's killing of the Canaanites to give the land to Israel against you. They will use eternal damnation of those not saved who are cast in the lake of fire against you.

Concerning predestination or election, you cannot get around it. It is taught in the Scripture. 'Whosoever' is also taught. Both are true.

Quantrill
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#8
Concerning your study of Exodus, read Exodus straight through with pen and paper at hand. Record anything of interest to you. Especially those things that seem to go against what you may have believed.

I have always said, don't be afraid to believe what the Bible says. And, don't be afraid to voice it before non-believers when they try and use it against you. In other words, they will use David's adultry and murder against you. They will use God's killing all of those innocents in the flood of Noah against you. They will use God's killing of the Canaanites to give the land to Israel against you. They will use eternal damnation of those not saved who are cast in the lake of fire against you.

Concerning predestination or election, you cannot get around it. It is taught in the Scripture. 'Whosoever' is also taught. Both are true.

Quantrill
Thank you so very much!! I am realigning my long standing beliefs in a different as i spend time digging into the word. I know this...I know so little, except I'm hungry.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#10
Everything is predestined/predetermined, whole the universe.

This does not take away our choices or our responsibility, because the predestination does not force us. Our choices are not random and blind, though, they are based on causes and on our inclinations, therefore the outcome is always certain.
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#11
Everything is predestined/predetermined, whole the universe.

This does not take away our choices or our responsibility, because the predestination does not force us. Our choices are not random and blind, though, they are based on causes and on our inclinations, therefore the outcome is always certain.
I almost have you. U r on to something, but sure would appreciate a few more moments of extrapolation on your part. I think that I get what you are saying...that our created nature was given inclinations that produce given results that are predicted accurately, so we are made to follow Him. We are hardwired, predestined, to be justified, if we are willing to believe and agree... hmmmm, u see how my thought isn't quite complete? Thanks for your time.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#12
I almost have you. U r on to something, but sure would appreciate a few more moments of extrapolation on your part. I think that I get what you are saying...that our created nature was given inclinations that produce given results that are predicted accurately, so we are made to follow Him. We are hardwired, predestined, to be justified, if we are willing to believe and agree... hmmmm, u see how my thought isn't quite complete? Thanks for your time.

I think we should distinguish between predetermination (all events in the universe are certain based on natural causes) and election (the work of the Holy Spirit in believers, which is something supernatural).
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,181
1,177
113
#13
First of all let me just say thank you. Thanks to the site owner, for creating and maintaining this platform. Thanks to all the ppl who partake and respond here. I have seen a lot of really neat people in this online community.


I have over posted random ramblings in the BDF, the SDF and in the blogs. I am never sure where the best place it is to get conversations going. I think part of my problem is I go on to much like this, lol.


Anyway, thanks for being patient with me as I come to learn, play, and communicate with written fellowship.


I just started Exodus and was wondering if you have any tips on what I should be thinking about and looking for as I set forth on this journey?


I have another question. I believe God loves the whole world and that He gave us Yesua, His son, so that we all might have the opportunity to be saved. I believe He designed us with choice. I am not really a believer in predestination but now I seek to know what do do with Romans 8…


For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 8:29‭-‬30 NASB


If it just said predestined, without having said foreknew also, I could easily say, ok He is outside of time so He knows who will choose Him. However, it says He foreknew AND predestined. So now I'm wondering do we even have freewill? I think about how he operated in the OT, how He definitely orchestrated their lives, and He doesn't change. Hmmmm? I know this topic has been beaten up and pondered, but sometimes, I think somewhere this is an answer that makes sense so that all the scriptures line up, because it says clearly that whosoever believes, and calls on the name... and many other verses that seem to contradict the predestined. I know the confusion is in my understanding not in Him. I know He is a God of order.


Well if you would give me a tip about studying Exodus or about the other, I'd appreciate it.


Thank you all. Love, in Christ, and God Bless you and yours.
You sound like me when I was 50 years old. Every time that I tried to study the bible or attend many different churches, I found, seemingly, contradicting scriptures. I remember thinking, "I am smart enough" that if I bought a Strong's concordance that I could figure it out. Well after 12 years of digging and studying, I gave up and said that I was not smart enough to do it. It was not a real long time after that the Holy Ghost within me began to reveal some truths to me, slowly a little here and a little there. I think back and realized that if God had allowed me to understand, back when I thought I was smart enough, I probably would have said, "I knew I was smart enough". Jesus says in one place, "deny yourselves, pick up your cross and follow me". The words,salvation, saved, save, according to Strong's means "a deliverance" and most of the salvation scriptures is not talking about an eternal deliverance, but a deliverance we receive here on earth when we repent of the sins we commit and follow his commandments.
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#14
You sound like me when I was 50 years old. Every time that I tried to study the bible or attend many different churches, I found, seemingly, contradicting scriptures. I remember thinking, "I am smart enough" that if I bought a Strong's concordance that I could figure it out. Well after 12 years of digging and studying, I gave up and said that I was not smart enough to do it. It was not a real long time after that the Holy Ghost within me began to reveal some truths to me, slowly a little here and a little there. I think back and realized that if God had allowed me to understand, back when I thought I was smart enough, I probably would have said, "I knew I was smart enough". Jesus says in one place, "deny yourselves, pick up your cross and follow me". The words,salvation, saved, save, according to Strong's means "a deliverance" and most of the salvation scriptures is not talking about an eternal deliverance, but a deliverance we receive here on earth when we repent of the sins we commit and follow his commandments.
Ok wait, I'm leaning in, so basically learning from your path, I can avoid a lot of futile struggle. Quit trying to figure it all out with nice consistent and tidy conclusions with which I can hang my hat. Give all that nonsense up, just give it (my whole self) to Yehovah, through Yeshua. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal as He sees fit? Am I understanding correctly? Well thank you, kind one for imparting on me your journey from which I can learn. God Bless. Digging in is good but I need to accept it will be little by little, bit by bit, from Glory to Glory. Thanks again.
 
M

Miri

Guest
#15
Best thing I can think of when reading the bible, is not to
just read it at face value. Really read it, put yourself in their
shoes.

How would you have felt had you been one of the Isrealites slaves, or
even one of the Egyptians.

Imagine the numbers of people mentioned, what would a crowd that size
look like.

How would you have felt if you had been Moses, killed a man, thought
you had gotten away with it, then realised you hadn’t.

Or how about if God suddenly talked to you from a bush.

Put yourself there allow yourself to feel smell, see, etc

Look at some bible maps and trace their journey, google the places, use
google earth to see how barren the desert really is. Imagine the million
Isrealites with no water. See their surprise an relief when water flowed
from a rock.

Imagine what a pillar of fire and light might look like, was this a normal
weather pattern, or something else. What would the Isrealites made of them .

Oh and after reading it, watch Prince of Egypt, it is an animation and not
strictly accurate. but it’s one of the best films ever which captures so much
of the bible story.

 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#19

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,687
7,164
113
#20
Best thing I can think of when reading the bible, is not to
just read it at face value. Really read it, put yourself in their
shoes.

How would you have felt had you been one of the Isrealites slaves, or
even one of the Egyptians.

Imagine the numbers of people mentioned, what would a crowd that size
look like.

How would you have felt if you had been Moses, killed a man, thought
you had gotten away with it, then realised you hadn’t.

Or how about if God suddenly talked to you from a bush.

Put yourself there allow yourself to feel smell, see, etc

Look at some bible maps and trace their journey, google the places, use
google earth to see how barren the desert really is. Imagine the million
Isrealites with no water. See their surprise an relief when water flowed
from a rock.

Imagine what a pillar of fire and light might look like, was this a normal
weather pattern, or something else. What would the Isrealites made of them .

Oh and after reading it, watch Prince of Egypt, it is an animation and not
strictly accurate. but it’s one of the best films ever which captures so much
of the bible story.

Wow you are such a blessing sister. I will seriously be looking and learning, envisioning myself in the center of all this. Thank you, sincerely.