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theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
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if God only elects some, the mentality becomes "why bother pursue God if ..." "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy" not a single drop of effort can contribute to making God increase mercy on you

so, why bother, if bother = ineffective?
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
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Exactly, boasting is about having something over and above others.

Scripture states there is no boasting because we all have the exact same point of entry......being persuaded, believing on Christ Jesus as saviour!
"Scripture states there is no boasting (because we all have the exact same point of entry).."

No, scripture says there is no boasting because of our own works (as for me I also include faith, as I believe that this is yet another gracious gift) . This business about exact same points of entry.....you are going to have to support that notion with scripture.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
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A whole lot in these verses:

2 Timothy 2:24-26 New International Version (NIV)
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Notice how it is GOD that is granting them repentance, and leading them to the knowledge of the Truth.
He means so God would grant them what the ask for. Your arguing against your own beliefs, because if what you believe was true, it would matter what way the gospel was presented.

I have never understood how the sovereign election of God and the free will choice of man can somehow mesh.
It's very simple. God decided to save people who acknowledge him,

to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Isa.66:2

My objection is to those who callously with condescension, scoff at those that lean more toward God's sovereignty than man's choice, certainly not exercising "gentle instruction". And yes, I HAVE seen the reverse as well.

I can look at my own life, and I would say, a preponderance of Scripture, to lean far more to God's sovereignty than my choice.
I believe in the complete rule of God over all creation. I think we disagree about the abilities God created us with.

I would NOT of my own accord have sought Him out. I would NOT have believed the Gospel had HE not given me the faith to do so. I was NOT a participant in my conception and birth, beyond being the recipient. What I have done SINCE then I have been.

I would have continued to revel in my sin had He not drawn me.
I was drawn to Jesus by a believer I worked with, who came to visit me when I was in the pecan house. How did God draw you?

This WHOLE passage totally speaks to the fact that it was GOD from start to finish that did ALL the saving and electing. Notice how we were DEAD, notice how we fulfilled the lusts of our flesh WHILE DEAD just like the unsaved.

Ephesians 2 New King James Version (NKJV)
By Grace Through Faith
2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the [a]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

So what role does a dead man play in his birth?
I already told you. Sin does cause death, but the belief that sinners are without any capacity to reason simply isn't true.

their foolish hearts were darkened Rom.1:21

Forgetting God leads us their, but we weren't there to begin with.
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
I can easily rebut this. No!

You heard it here 1st
PennEd...I have a strong visual memory, so I know that some of this is from when I started to question prevailing thought out there.... but when on focus on the person of Christ and how He was with people this speaks to who He was and what He desired for the Israelites (and then for the gentiles) so much so that He wept over Jerusalem.

Why weep when you are going to gift belief to some only...it is not logical.
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
"Scripture states there is no boasting (because we all have the exact same point of entry).."

No, scripture says there is no boasting because of our own works (as for me I also include faith, as I believe that this is yet another gracious gift) . This business about exact same points of entry.....you are going to have to support that notion with scripture.
One could boast in their works right?

Why because the amount or intensity of work can vary.

The faith that saves is the same for every person because Jesus is the object of the belief/faith....we believe and trust in His saving work.

Every single person who is justified has had the same belief....therefore none of us can boast because it is in Whom we believe not how much we believe. :)
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
2,107
763
113
if God only elects some, the mentality becomes "why bother pursue God if ..." "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy" not a single drop of effort can contribute to making God increase mercy on you

so, why bother, if bother = ineffective?
I think the mentality is, "sinners are unable to pursue God" and God has been merciful to all mankind.
 

theanointedwinner

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2018
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help me find the harmony between these two verses

John 3:20 - for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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help me find the harmony between these two verses: John 3:20 - for fear that their deeds will be exposed AND For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)
Had you not reversed the order of the verses, everything would be in perfect harmony. So what was Jesus saying in this passage?

1. The Son of God did not come to earth at His first advent to condemn of judge the world. Rather He came to save the world -- Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

2. Furthermore when you read John 3:17 in the KJV, the meaning is slightly difference -- "but that the world through Him might be saved". This means that God intended to save all of humanity by sending His Son to die for the sins of the whole world.

3. At the same time only those who obey the Gospel are saved (v 18): He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

4. Then Jesus explains why some are condemned (since they condemn themselves v 19):
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. So those who love their sins and evil deeds more than Christ and His offer of salvation will not obey the Gospel by repenting (turning away from sins) and believing on Christ.

5. Then finally we come to verse 20 which says For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. So evildoers do not come to Christ (the Light of the world) because they do not want to be convicted of their sin, nor do they want to forsake their evil deeds.

Whenever any sinner hears the Gospel, he or she is both convicted and convinced by the Holy Spirit. But God compels no one to repent and be converted. He commands all men everywhere to repent, but He also tells evildoers that there are serious consequences for failure to obey the Gospel.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,004
8,373
113
A whole lot in these verses:

2 Timothy 2:24-26 New International Version (NIV)
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Notice how it is GOD that is granting them repentance, and leading them to the knowledge of the Truth.


I have never understood how the sovereign election of God and the free will choice of man can somehow mesh. My objection is to those who callously with condescension, scoff at those that lean more toward God's sovereignty than man's choice, certainly not exercising "gentle instruction". And yes, I HAVE seen the reverse as well.

I can look at my own life, and I would say, a preponderance of Scripture, to lean far more to God's sovereignty than my choice.

I would NOT of my own accord have sought Him out. I would NOT have believed the Gospel had HE not given me the faith to do so. I was NOT a participant in my conception and birth, beyond being the recipient. What I have done SINCE then I have been.

I would have continued to revel in my sin had He not drawn me.

This WHOLE passage totally speaks to the fact that it was GOD from start to finish that did ALL the saving and electing. Notice how we were DEAD, notice how we fulfilled the lusts of our flesh WHILE DEAD just like the unsaved.

Ephesians 2 New King James Version (NKJV)
By Grace Through Faith
2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the [a]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.



So what role does a dead man play in his birth?
"I was NOT a participant in my conception and birth, beyond being the recipient. "

That's the way I see it. I cannot give credence to alternative views given this incommensurable necessity.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
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undergrace is the type of person that doesn't accept "you say no because you said so"

explain how you arrive at that "no"
Yeah.... I think I been doin that for several pages. One of those situations where it can be explained to someone, but not comprehended for someone.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
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if God only elects some, the mentality becomes "why bother pursue God if ..." "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy" not a single drop of effort can contribute to making God increase mercy on you

so, why bother, if bother = ineffective?
We don't get to play God. We are to do what He called us to do which is spread the Gospel and love people. It is human reasoning, logic, and wisdom that concludes God would be unjust or unmerciful to choose, or He is beholden to act on human decision.

Every Christian I know says "God is in control". Are these just empty words? Or is HE IN CONTROL? Or just in control of some things but NOT whether someone is conceived and born again? No. He IS in control. Even of minute details of our lives.

Matthew 10:29-31 New King James Version (NKJV)
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [a]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

God doesn't owe us anything. Job finally got that message. When are we?
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
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PennEd...I have a strong visual memory, so I know that some of this is from when I started to question prevailing thought out there.... but when on focus on the person of Christ and how He was with people this speaks to who He was and what He desired for the Israelites (and then for the gentiles) so much so that He wept over Jerusalem.

Why weep when you are going to gift belief to some only...it is not logical.
Cmon ms. Spock! Stop with the logic. God's ways are not our ways, god's thoughts are not our thoughts.

Tell me who was dead (NOT mostly dead) in this passage:

Matthew 8:21-22 New King James Version (NKJV)
21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
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Job finally got that message. When are we?
People will get the message when they see Job is an example of how believers aren't being punished by God, but attacked by the devil. Of course, Jesus is the greatest example of this, so with the false teaching going on in Christian theology, don't expect many to see the message.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
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God does not force men to be saved against their will yet it is against the will of God that any should perish.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Cmon ms. Spock! Stop with the logic. God's ways are not our ways, god's thoughts are not our thoughts.

Tell me who was dead (NOT mostly dead) in this passage:

Matthew 8:21-22 New King James Version (NKJV)
21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Spiritually dead does not remove the faculty to believe, nowhere does scripture teach this.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
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Spiritually dead does not remove the faculty to believe, nowhere does scripture teach this.

Kinda silly that the Bible would have to define what dead means. But then again it DOES teach the dead can't believe on their own:

1 Corinthians 2:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
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Kinda silly that the Bible would have to define what dead means. But then again it DOES teach the dead can't believe on their own:

1 Corinthians 2:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
John 1:12 does say that God lights every soul that comes into the world. Unsaved men cannot understand things that are Spiritually discerned that is true. God does call all men to be saved. Many turn back and refuse the call but that is on them and not God.

Spiritually dead is dead in trespass and sin. Spiritually dead is separated from Gods love and awaiting eternal condemnation. It is not a literal physical death else we would not have any hope for life. We do not minister in the cemetery but in the highways and byways.

God along with the call makes a way for men to respond. None are forced to be saved but all must make a decision. Both Adam and Eve made a choice to sin thus we must make a choice to receive Christ or perish.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Kinda silly that the Bible would have to define what dead means. But then again it DOES teach the dead can't believe on their own:

1 Corinthians 2:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Love how this verse always comes up.

In context of the church to whom Paul was writing, you know the one who was having so many problems....the overly emotional church... Paul is addressing believers....the natural man is the one using his emotions and reason to understand what is spiritual.
we do not learn the things of the spirit through our emotions.....this is actually your best verse for all those antics that are occurring in churches today!!

A person who has the Spirit of God can be a soulish man just as much as one who does not have the indwelling Spirit...this verse is not about being dead and unable to believe.

William Barclay sums up the message of 1 Corinthians 2:14 quite well:

So in verse 14 Paul speaks of the man who is psuchikos. He is the man who lives as if there was nothing beyond physical life and there were no needs other than material needs, whose values are all physical and material. A man like that cannot understand spiritual things.
A man who thinks that nothing is more important than the satisfaction of the sex urge cannot understand the meaning of chastity; a man who ranks the amassing of material things as the supreme end of life cannot understand generosity; and a man who has never a thought beyond this world cannot understand the things of God. To him they look mere foolishness (Barclay, Letters to Corinthians, 1975, 28).
 

theanointedwinner

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Nov 6, 2018
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Kinda silly that the Bible would have to define what dead means. But then again it DOES teach the dead can't believe on their own
even a coma doesn't qualify as dead

maybe the confusion comes when Lazarus was dead yet came back in 4 days later, as if hearing Jesus said "come out"

the physical can't explain this

it's a miracle, spiritual explanation would help
Lazarus was in heaven, God sent the soul of Lazarus back just at the right time, and physically healed Lazarus also at the right timing
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
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even a coma doesn't qualify as dead

maybe the confusion comes when Lazarus was dead yet came back in 4 days later, as if hearing Jesus said "come out"

the physical can't explain this

it's a miracle, spiritual explanation would help
Lazarus was in heaven, God sent the soul of Lazarus back just at the right time, and physically healed Lazarus also at the right timing
Well, first off Lazarus wasn't in Heaven. He was in Hades, in Abraham's bosom. Jesus hadn't died yet to save the captives free.

But I agree with everything else you said here! A True recognition that GOD DID IT ALL!