The 'ELECT' vs 'Free-Choice'

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awelight

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Aug 10, 2020
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No. The op is very plain.

The actual problems are people who cannot properly digest what is written by another because they already have their minds made up about everything and rather than discuss, they prefer to teach.

To be sure, I have taught, but the difference and why my students in both art and scripture always appreciated me, is because I listened and respected them and thought we all had something to offer. You might notice how I have not superimposed my own beliefs on anyone in this thread and I do respect those who, even though we may not agree 100%, I can sense and see the honesty in what they write.

I was also pretty good at shutting down nonsense. I mean you can't please everyone and I don't even try anymore. :giggle:

Feel free to start your own advice column thread and you can run it like gopher town with all those entries and exits ;)
Well..... I see that maybe you don't deserve the respect I was giving you.

You talk about people not listening and just want to teach... maybe you should go back and read your post to me again. A lot of talk and not much listening.

Quote: "Feel free to start your own advice column thread and you can run it like gopher town..."
 

FollowerofShiloh

Well-known member
Jan 24, 2024
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Anyone ever read about king Saul?

He was a Donkey herder and kept loosing the donkeys and needed help to find them.

But the true king David was a Shepherd of SHEEP.

God chose a mockery for the people as their first king hahahahahahaha
 

Niki7

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2023
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You were the one that said that you can either be the elect to be saved or someone else who has free will to choose to be saved. This is what the thread is all about. Are you trying to back track now?


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yes and that game will be played throughout as well as attempts at trying to make anyone who points that out to be without the mental acuity to understand scripture

let the games begin

 

selahsays

Well-known member
May 31, 2023
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Saul did not get in front of the people to vote for him by luck or accident.
He got there because God put him there through Samuel.
So God elected who to be king.
We’re talking about the apostle Paul. :)
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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Scripture says first He was chosen by the revered judge and prophet Samuel, under the direction of God.
The people would have voted anyone in front of them but it was God who put the person (Saul) before them to vote for.
They chose Saul because he was the largest one amongst them. They looked upon the outside. Turns out he was a very timid and fearful man who hid under the coats when it was time for his inauguration.
You might want to reread the story.
 

awelight

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Aug 10, 2020
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God knew Paul would repent out of his own free will choice once Paul realized he was wrong. Didn't we all do the same thing when we realized we are sinners and in need of God's salvation gift?


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Ahhh.... but who moved first? God or Paul?
 

selahsays

Well-known member
May 31, 2023
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God knew Paul would repent out of his own free will choice once Paul realized he was wrong. Didn't we all do the same thing when we realized we are sinners and in need of God's salvation gift?


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So you don’t believe in biblical election?
 

FollowerofShiloh

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Jan 24, 2024
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We’re talking about the apostle Paul. :)
I was talking about king Saul, Israel's first king.

But the Apostle Paul is a good one to talk about because God met him on Damascus Road and asked Saul/Paul, why are you persecuting me? And we know Paul quit persecuting Christians and became one. He is an excellent example of free choice.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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You are asking about some crazy idea that some can't choose salvation because they are Elected and others can.
I cannot tell you how many people have told us that they had no choice in the matter of believing/faith.
 

Niki7

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2023
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That is just the scariest thing though because this is one of the ways false teaching forms and propagates. I always pray that God helps me to accept His ways no matter how hard it may be to accept!


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right. I think praying for discernment every day is prob a good habit to have. I don't think many Christians realize how badly they can be deceived while trusting that they are not being deceived

I would say do not make any decisions hastily and certainly not without prayer. I have regrets.

We are instructed to prove all things. 19Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt, 21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. I Thessalonians 5

the intent there seems to be on one of the spiritual gifts, but it certainly is applicable in the broader sense :)
 

FollowerofShiloh

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Jan 24, 2024
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They chose Saul because he was the largest one amongst them. They looked upon the outside. Turns out he was a very timid and fearful man who hid under the coats when it was time for his inauguration.
You might want to reread the story.
Bible say's he was a donkey herder, a nobody, a Benjamite, and the people of Israel did not even know who Saul was until God sent Samuel to get him and present him to them.
 

awelight

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Aug 10, 2020
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I cannot tell you how many people have told us that they had no choice in the matter of believing/faith.
Sadly, too many people, on both sides of the issue, are talking about things they have little understanding in. Choice... is a more difficult subject than most know.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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Sadly, too many people, on both sides of the issue, are talking about things they
have little understanding in. Choice... is a more difficult subject than most know.
Just pointing out to you that even though the idea seems crazy to you, there are those who hold to it.

i.e., those who say they had no choice in the matter of whether or not to believe in God.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

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Feb 17, 2023
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Ahhh.... but who moved first? God or Paul?

God made the first move before ALL of us knowing how we'd all respond. Paul just has a more exciting calling than the rest of us. If he had refused, God would have found someone else to do it.

Check out Esther in her case:

Esther 4:12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

Notice that God had brought Esther to that position to make an appeal to the king, but she had the choice to remain silent or speak up.

It's like that with everyone. That's why there are people who rise to become great servants of the Lord - because they were willing to - while others have less grand callings. It's all according to our free will and our level of willingness.


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