If I didn't know better, I might think that AI has learned the art of gaslighting... I'll pay much closer attention from here on out! 
Calvinism is Gospel !
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It seems that God is stirring something up in me, a sort of spark of ignition that will prove to be unquenchable. He is always "right there" with me, down to the split second, and though I've always kept Him close in my thoughts (even if at first appearance it might not seem so), I'm becoming more aware of that, and He's been making it so that I'm surer and surer, and surer, of that.
I am always dumbfounded by those who hold to the view of free will, who think they can just erase obvious verses that state otherwise and have been well argued, from their minds. Rather than providing a meaningful defense of their erroneous view - they do the most heinous thing by pitting one verse of God's Word against another verse in God's Word.
Those who hold to Free Grace, acknowledge all of Scripture and give explanation to those difficult verses, that on the surface, may seem contradictory to other verses. Contradiction lies not in the mind of God but in the mind of man.
Here are a few quotes from others. Perhaps you might ponder them. Probably not but perhaps.
So you believe you have free will? Then do not sin in thought, feeling, or deed. -- Martin Luther.
A man's free will cannot cure him of a toothache, or a sore finger;
and yet he madly thinks it is in its power to cure his soul. -- Augustus Toplady.
We do not choose God; God chooses us. Left to ourselves we would never choose Him. Our natural inclination is to run from God, not to seek Him. -- R.C. Sproul
Free Will vs. Free Grace - a poem
Free-will is a traitor to Jesus, my Lord;
Rebels at His sovereignty, counsel, and word;
Defying His power with impious strain,
And cries, "I'll not have this Jesus to reign."
Free-will is a liar, says "tis with ease;
A man can believe and repent when he please.
That he's a free agent, and so may refuse:
The good or the evil, whichever he choose."
Free-will is an imposter and cheat at the best,
To offer salvation he never possessed;
If certain conditions I only fulfill,
Yet gives me no power to do nor to will.
Free-will as a tyrant once ruled over me;
But Jesus o'ercame him and now I am free;
Made willing to own Him my King from that hour,
I bow to His scepter and yield to His power.
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Free-grace is a scheme which Jehovah began,
In covenant counsel He drew up the plan;
The mighty Redeemer accomplished the whole,
And the Spirit imparted its joys in my soul.
Free-grace is distinguishing, sovereign to choose,
What objects to favor and whom to refuse;
His purpose must stand who is God ever blest,
The election obtained it, and blind are the rest.
Free-grace is the theme of the glorified throng,
While ages eternal are rolling along;
All glory and honor ascribe they to Him,
Who liveth and reigneth the only Supreme.
Free-grace long has been my soul's triumph and joy;
And while in the body, shall be my employ;
And when my glad spirit to God shall ascend,
Free-grace is the song that shall never have end. -- Cornelius Slim
I know you don't even believe what you posted. "Unconditional election" does not exist in God's Word.? You know it does.
Rom 9:11 for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,
Rom_11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom_11:7 What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
1Th_1:4 knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,
Would you like many, many more?
I never suggested that Mary was evil. The Bible reveals that she was a sinner like the rest of us. Sinners can do evil deeds, but it's nonsense to suggest that a person is evil. Evil doesn't exist until it's committed, it doesn't have a life of it's own and it's not a person or entity.
I've noticed there to be a few here who speak for others,as if there is a group of like minded opponents to the golden chain of Salvation in scripture.
A collective of Gospel opponents.
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son... And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
Really, does it require debate at this point?
Those who deny the Gospel already will not be moved by arguing the Gospel is true.
And if you consider 1Corinthians 2:14, it becomes obvious we are witnessing that passage being reiterated by people like mem, pinebeach,and others.
What are we arguing for?
When God calls whom he will,and no one can come to Jesus unless this occurs first, and we know this, because it is what God says,what do we have to prove to those who don't believe it? Even when it is in writing in his own inspired work.
Those opponents are actually showing they have the nerve to say publicly , God didn't mean what he said. And Jesus didn't really die so to guarantee his plan.
Keeping this thread alive just allows heresy and blasphemers to have a platform as unbelievers.
So, I take it you resent the fact that God is sovereign over every aspect of His creation. You obviously reject the Bible doctrines of "election and predestination", because they seem unfair in your eyes.
Let me remind you that God doesn't care about your opinion, He does whatever He pleases, with or without your approval.
God commands His people to preach the gospel to every creature, yes that includes the reprobate, whom God has already chosen not to save. They need to hear the gospel, so they will be without excuse on judgement day and God will be justified in meeting out the eternal punishment their sin deserves.
If the (non elect) never heard the gospel, then they could plead ignorance at their judgement, that's why my Church goes door knocking with the awful or good news, depending on who the hearer is.
You are so hung up on this "tulip pretzel", you can't see the forest for the tree. Forget about "TULIP" and concentrate on the Scriptures that formed the TULIP acronym. TULIP is not a doctrine. It is a simple acronym to remind believers of these five steps which include man's condition and God's application of salvation.
Likewise, you are so hung up on "Total Depravity". If you don't like the word "total", then don't pay any attention to it. Personally, I don't like the term "total" because I think it creates misunderstanding in todays language. People think you are saying, a person is incapable of doing anything "good". Man, in his fallen state, can do many things that might be considered "good" by other men.
However, what he can't do in this flesh - is please God. Man can only please God in spirit, through the agency of the Spirit. Do you deny, that the Scriptures teach that our spirit became as dead in the fall? Scripture clearly says that I was "dead" in trespasses and sins. Well I am obviously not "dead" physically - for I still breath and move. So dead in what way? Dead spiritually. We lost communion with God, who is spirit. Therefore, after the fall, all of mankind became spiritually dead and our nature marred horribly. Dead... unable to do anything or understand anything in a spiritual way of pleasing God. Depravity, as John Calvin outlined it, included this reality. Don't make more of it than it truly is. In the age that John Calvin discussed these things, "depravity" meant a loss of something. To be depraved - is to be missing something. When one says "total depravity", it means to have lost something totally. In our modern age, depravity takes on a more "moral" meaning. Morality was not the subject.
If you truly believe this - then you have missed the whole point of Paul's writing. Additionally, you didn't put it together with the following context.
Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.
Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth.
Rom 9:18 So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth.
Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?
Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?
Rom 9:21 Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction:
Rom 9:23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24 even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?
It is truly funny, if not sad, how religionist that are in error always seem to think those that defend free grace are pompous and self righteous. I am neither.
I am humbled and surprised that God would even consider me in election. I deserve condemnation - not mercy. But being brought into a saving relationship in Christ, I expect to be attacked and I have been for thirty plus years. However, I take comfort in our Lord's high priestly prayer:
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine:
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
The Holy Spirit does not convict the world of sin, the world hates God and loves sin. So how can the Holy Spirit be convicting the world of something it loves.
Unbelievers are spiritually dead and unable to choose God on their own. The Holy Spirit must first change the human heart and plant a new nature (being born again) so the person can see and believe the gospel. This inner quickening by the Spirit causes faith, meaning faith is the fruit of the new life, not its cause.
While the Spirit's initiating work comes first to make a person alive, the permanent indwelling of the Spirit is tied directly to union with Christ and faith. There is no stage where a person is permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit yet remains an unbelieving, unrepentant outsider. The moment the Spirit regenerates, the response is immediate faith and repentance.
You are so very correct.
If we understand the whole of Bible teaching, then we know that everyone of God's elect will hear the Gospel and repent and believe; the Holy Spirit will insure this through regeneration.
As believers, we are "sheep" hunters. Looking out for those hungering and thirsting for the Truth. With these the Gospel will be effectual.
As to presenting arguments in the face of unmoving opposition - I do this because you never know:
1.) When the Lord may send the Spirit to regenerate on of his own, who until this happens will look like the devil himself.
2.) One never knows who else maybe reading the posts and as such may grow by something that is said.
3.) Because we are commanded to contend for the faith.
Thank you for your kind words in the midst of a storm.
Making baseless allegations, only serves to expose your ignorance. If you find something that I believe to be unbiblical, then please bring it to my attention.
I'm not interested in your private opinions, because the world is full of opinionated people being tossed about with every wind of doctrine, like a ship without a rudder in a storm.
You put me in a very difficult position, by forcing me to choose between your opinion and Gods Word. If you have something Biblical to share or correct me with, then please do so. I love being corrected, but expressing your private unbiblical opinion doesn't correct me at all.
If "He does not enter unbelievers", then nobody is saved, because we're all born as unbelievers.
Cite one Scripture that you think supports the tulip tree. Tulip teaches five heretical beliefs, beginning with divine hate and favoritism, whereas Scripture interpreted in context clearly teaches that God loves all of humanity and wants every soul to be saved.
Spiritual death/depravity is remedied by repentance/seeking truth, which every sinner is free to do until they become totally depraved.
SPUR
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