Understanding God’s election
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The problem, dear Jackson, is that there are many here who vigorously disagree with Scripture on many points, such as the wickedness of the human heart of the natural man, how incurably evil it is, that there are none good, no not one! They say men are not that bad, and they actually oppose Scripture at almost every turn but have zero verses to support their view. Many do not make any distinction at all between the natural man and the spiritual man, ascribing to the former characteristics, qualities, and abilities possessed only by the latter. Clearly they are terribly confused and woefully uninformed and yet they are ignorant even of this and refuse the plethora of verses offered that say the very things they deny. They wilfully close their eyes to them or say they are misunderstood and taken out of context, which is laughable given that this very theme runs throughout the whole Bible from beginning to end and the very reason we need Jesus.
Psalm 14 verses 1-3; Job 15 verse 16 ~ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Man is vile and corrupt.
Psalm 14 verses 1-3; Job 15 verse 16 ~ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Man is vile and corrupt.
Somehow picturing you with your theology as Sarah's opened womb is kind of 
comical.
God made me willing doesn't sound like real volition. Insert "graciously" to remove some of the tension, but it's still God made me willing.
You should think of different ways to present this because "made" is easily turned into "forced".
The problem is, at the end of the analysis, you were simply chosen in eternity past and made to be who and what you are, while others were simply made in eternity past and chosen to be fodder. Human volition is therefore non-existent, so you insert grace to make it sound better.
To many, it's just a pig with lipstick.
comical.God made me willing doesn't sound like real volition. Insert "graciously" to remove some of the tension, but it's still God made me willing.
You should think of different ways to present this because "made" is easily turned into "forced".
The problem is, at the end of the analysis, you were simply chosen in eternity past and made to be who and what you are, while others were simply made in eternity past and chosen to be fodder. Human volition is therefore non-existent, so you insert grace to make it sound better.
To many, it's just a pig with lipstick.
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Somehow picturing you with your theology as Sarah's opened womb is kind of comical.
God made me willing doesn't sound like real volition. Insert "graciously" to remove some of the tension, but it's still God made me willing.
You should think of different ways to present this because "made" is easily turned into "forced".
The problem is, at the end of the analysis, you were simply chosen in eternity past and made to be who and what you are, while others were simply made in eternity past and chosen to be fodder. Human volition is therefore non-existent, so you insert grace to make it sound better.
To many, it's just a pig with lipstick.
comical.God made me willing doesn't sound like real volition. Insert "graciously" to remove some of the tension, but it's still God made me willing.
You should think of different ways to present this because "made" is easily turned into "forced".
The problem is, at the end of the analysis, you were simply chosen in eternity past and made to be who and what you are, while others were simply made in eternity past and chosen to be fodder. Human volition is therefore non-existent, so you insert grace to make it sound better.
To many, it's just a pig with lipstick.
You are definitely unqualified. You are so despicably petty that you complain about me putting "love" on my Scripture panels... And you were so entrenched in your delusion that you made up some phony reason for me doing so. Yes I do have you on ignore but I look every once in a while... I'm just letting you know so you don't expect answers from me because your demands are ridiculous and unrealistic. Like telling me I should be seeking peace with you while you continue to falsely accuse me. You've made it pretty plain to me who you are.
Somehow picturing you with your theology as Sarah's opened womb is kind of comical.
God made me willing doesn't sound like real volition. Insert "graciously" to remove some of the tension, but it's still God made me willing.
You should think of different ways to present this because "made" is easily turned into "forced".
The problem is, at the end of the analysis, you were simply chosen in eternity past and made to be who and what you are, while others were simply made in eternity past and chosen to be fodder. Human volition is therefore non-existent, so you insert grace to make it sound better.
To many, it's just a pig with lipstick.
comical.God made me willing doesn't sound like real volition. Insert "graciously" to remove some of the tension, but it's still God made me willing.
You should think of different ways to present this because "made" is easily turned into "forced".
The problem is, at the end of the analysis, you were simply chosen in eternity past and made to be who and what you are, while others were simply made in eternity past and chosen to be fodder. Human volition is therefore non-existent, so you insert grace to make it sound better.
To many, it's just a pig with lipstick.
I suppose all these examples I cited are just "pigs with lipstick"?
To biblically rephrase what I bolded above" God chose me in eternity past to be a vessel of honor whereas he has chosen many others to be vessels for common use. And he didn't choose me based on any merit of my own.
And if you don't like the word "made", how about "cause" instead (Ezek 36:27)? Apparently, you don't care for what the psalmist wrote:
Ps 110:2-3a
2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power..
ESV
This text proves the Reformed Doctrine of Compatibalism. In ways our finite minds cannot understand, man's will is in perfect sync with God's! Man willingly and freely plays his appointed role on God's world stage that He writes for each of us. God's will for Sarah with respect to Abimelech worked so seamlessly and smoothly and subtly in the king's heart that he wasn't even aware of God's power within his heart, as the king himself took credit for being a perfect gentleman towards Sarah, saying his hands were clean and he has a good conscience, AND...God didn't even dispute Abimelech's claim but affirmed it -- BUT with this qualifying caveat: and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her (Gen 20:6).
NIV
Oh my. This is terrible. God "forced" or "coerced" Abimelech to act righteously toward Sarah. God is such a bully, isn't he?
And here's another newsflash for you, Mr. Wizard of Smarts: God restrains evil upon this earth both directly through his providence and also indirectly through His appointed institutions (family, government, church. etc.). God very often directly FRUSTRATES (i.e. breaks up, violates, defeats, disannuls, disolves, bring to nought, make void, make of none effect) the evil plans of men, which means He overrides their "freewill" (Job 5:12; Ps 33:10; Isa 44:25, etc.)!
You didn't know the God of Divine Revelation is such a "tyrant", did you?
Your ignorance of the holy scriptures brings this proverb to mind:
Prov 1:22
22 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
NIV
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Well, Wizard of Smarts, what part of Num 22:34-35, 38; 23:1-5 can't you understand? Don't you know that poor ol' Balaam was "forced" to bless Israel even though he desired to curse the nation!? Or what about Pharaoh, when God hardened his heart to play the role assigned to him in eternity so that God could exert his power against Egypt and their pantheon of gods? Or what about Abimelech, when God "forced" him to not violate Sarah? Or what about Cyrus, whose heart God "stirred up" (moved or "forced") to act compassionately and kindly toward Israel, even though the king never acknowledged his Creator?
I suppose all these examples I cited are just "pigs with lipstick"?
To biblically rephrase what I bolded above" God chose me in eternity past to be a vessel of honor whereas he has chosen many others to be vessels for common use. And he didn't choose me based on any merit of my own.
And if you don't like the word "made", how about "cause" instead (Ezek 36:27)? Apparently, you don't care for what the psalmist wrote:
Ps 110:2-3a
2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power..
ESV
This text proves the Reformed Doctrine of Compatibalism. In ways our finite minds cannot understand, man's will is in perfect sync with God's! Man willingly and freely plays his appointed role on God's world stage that He writes for each of us. God's will for Sarah with respect to Abimelech worked so seamlessly and smoothly and subtly in the king's heart that he wasn't even aware of God's power within his heart, as the king himself took credit for being a perfect gentleman towards Sarah, saying his hands were clean and he has a good conscience, AND...God didn't even dispute Abimelech's claim but affirmed it -- BUT with this qualifying caveat: and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her (Gen 20:6).
NIV
Oh my. This is terrible. God "forced" or "coerced" Abimelech to act righteously toward Sarah. God is such a bully, isn't he?
And here's another newsflash for you, Mr. Wizard of Smarts: God restrains evil upon this earth both directly through his providence and also indirectly through His appointed institutions (family, government, church. etc.). God very often directly FRUSTRATES (i.e. breaks up, violates, defeats, disannuls, disolves, bring to nought, make void, make of none effect) the evil plans of men, which means He overrides their "freewill" (Job 5:12; Ps 33:10; Isa 44:25, etc.)!
You didn't know the God of Divine Revelation is such a "tyrant", did you?
Your ignorance of the holy scriptures brings this proverb to mind:
Prov 1:22
22 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
NIV
I suppose all these examples I cited are just "pigs with lipstick"?
To biblically rephrase what I bolded above" God chose me in eternity past to be a vessel of honor whereas he has chosen many others to be vessels for common use. And he didn't choose me based on any merit of my own.
And if you don't like the word "made", how about "cause" instead (Ezek 36:27)? Apparently, you don't care for what the psalmist wrote:
Ps 110:2-3a
2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power..
ESV
This text proves the Reformed Doctrine of Compatibalism. In ways our finite minds cannot understand, man's will is in perfect sync with God's! Man willingly and freely plays his appointed role on God's world stage that He writes for each of us. God's will for Sarah with respect to Abimelech worked so seamlessly and smoothly and subtly in the king's heart that he wasn't even aware of God's power within his heart, as the king himself took credit for being a perfect gentleman towards Sarah, saying his hands were clean and he has a good conscience, AND...God didn't even dispute Abimelech's claim but affirmed it -- BUT with this qualifying caveat: and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her (Gen 20:6).
NIV
Oh my. This is terrible. God "forced" or "coerced" Abimelech to act righteously toward Sarah. God is such a bully, isn't he?
And here's another newsflash for you, Mr. Wizard of Smarts: God restrains evil upon this earth both directly through his providence and also indirectly through His appointed institutions (family, government, church. etc.). God very often directly FRUSTRATES (i.e. breaks up, violates, defeats, disannuls, disolves, bring to nought, make void, make of none effect) the evil plans of men, which means He overrides their "freewill" (Job 5:12; Ps 33:10; Isa 44:25, etc.)!
You didn't know the God of Divine Revelation is such a "tyrant", did you?
Your ignorance of the holy scriptures brings this proverb to mind:
Prov 1:22
22 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
NIV
Here's the process in order:
27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezek. 36:27 NKJ) - Behold TULIP.
Ps 110:2-3a 2 The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power..ESV - Behold TULIP.
6 And God said to him in a dream, "Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. (Gen. 20:6 NKJ) - Behold TULIP
Etc.
In summary: NKJ Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth <> NKJ Rev22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. BEHOLD TULIP.
And Rufus rests his case for TULIP.
Then Rufus solves the entire philosophical debate re: Compatibilism with one small piece of Scripture.
Astounding.
Volition is not even a word most translations use, and of those that do? All of two? The word is used once. Certainly neither is in relation to choosing to believe in God while intellectually hostile toward God and suppressing the truth in unrighteousness as a slave to sin and lover of darkness who can neither receive nor comprehend the spiritual things of God to which they are opposed... the gospel being foolishness to such a person.
"Free will" in the Bible? ~ Freedom is something believers are called to (Galatians 5 verse 13). We need Jesus to “set us free” (Galatians 5 verse 1). If Jesus has not freed us from the bondage of sin, then we are still slaves to sin (Romans 6 verses 6-7). Freedom is found in the presence of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3 verse 17). Only Jesus can give us true freedom (John 8 verse 36). Only through His lovingkindness can we truly make choices unfettered by a nature that is inherently hostile toward God.
"Free will" in the Bible? ~ Freedom is something believers are called to (Galatians 5 verse 13). We need Jesus to “set us free” (Galatians 5 verse 1). If Jesus has not freed us from the bondage of sin, then we are still slaves to sin (Romans 6 verses 6-7). Freedom is found in the presence of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3 verse 17). Only Jesus can give us true freedom (John 8 verse 36). Only through His lovingkindness can we truly make choices unfettered by a nature that is inherently hostile toward God.