Who are the inspired scriptures directed to?

They are not written to the unsaved natural man who cannot discern spiritual things, but to those children of God who have been regenerated and are able to discern spiritual things. The scriptures are instructions from God telling his children how they should live their lives here on earth and also informing them how they have been saved from their sins by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. They are not scriptures telling the natural man, who cannot discern spiritual things, how to get saved eternally. We are all born into this world as "dead in sins" until God regenerates us, when we are yet dead in sins and unable to respond to spiritual things.(Eph 2:5).

The Scriptures are written to all men. The unsaved can read the Gospel and obey the Gospel. Believers can discern spiritual things by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isa 45:22).

To the Jew first as they are elect among the nations and charged to take the word of God to the heathen nations round about them.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Isa 45:22. - Jacob, whom God changed his name to be called Israel, is representative of all of the elect of God, Who were scattered throughout the world and began to worship idols. God is telling Israel to look to him and not idols and they would be delivered from their disobedience of worshiping idols. This is talking about disobedient children being delivered here on earth, not eternal deliverance. Read the whole content.

To the Jews, who are children of God, first. I agree.

These Jews who were rebels to the truth of Jesus as Messiah? You simply do not comprehend election as taught in the bible.

Salvation top those who believe then election according to the purposes of God. All the Jews came out of Egypt by Gods mighty hand yet they perished in the wilderness because they did not believe. Only those who believed entered the promised land.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Since "all the ends of the earth" means all of humanity, you have no business TWISTING SCRIPTURE to fit your theology.

Remember that you will be held accountable for tampering with the Word of God.

The Bible is for the whole human race, since every person needs to know that Christ died for their sins and rose again for their justification.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15,16).

When God choose Jacob while still in his mother's womb, to show that his election might stand, which came first, election or salvation? According as he has chosen (elected) us in him before the foundation of the world. Did he save them before the foundation of the world?

In his life oN earth, Jesus preach to all around him, some are believe some not, but Jesus talk ditected to all that hear. Jesus also give an analogy that the gospel is like a seed, the farmer wow the seed not only to the fertile soil, mean to all.

All scriptures must harmonize. To say that Christ died for "every person" will not harmonize with John 6:39 because Jesus said that all he died for he would not lose even one of them and we know that "every person" will not go to heaven. If all of your interpretations of scripture does not harmonize, you do not understand the doctrine of Christ.

The sowing of the seed in Matt 13 is talking about the different conditions of the hearts of those that have already been regenerated. Not the natural man described in 1 Cor 2:14.

Context determines who the scriptures are directed at!

That is true, but they are never directed to the natural man that cannot discern spiritual things.

God foreknew Jacob and Esau. God did not choose for either. Foreknowledge is not causation else God would not extend mercy only judgment.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God...if your rule is hard and fast why witness to a lost person? How could a lost man be saved, how can we make disciples, etc.....

It would be a good idea for you to read Psalms 53:2-3, to understand what God actually saw by his foreknowledge.

Considering what we know from St. Paul about those who are outside of Christ ("natural" men/women),

.........Romans 3
.........10 ..THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
.........11 ..THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
.........THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
.........12 ..ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
.........THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
.........THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.

.........1 Corinthians 1
.........18 ..The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

.........1 Corinthians 2
.........14 ..A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand
.........them, because they are spiritually appraised.

that is a very good question

I believe it has to do with God bestowing His grace, His "gift" of saving faith, upon those of us who are His (or will be shortly ), thus causing/enabling us to finally know and understand Him and the Gospel, and to believe/trust and come to saving faith in Christ.

Roman Catholics believe this happens in the waters of baptism (as do our Lutheran friends). I believe the Arminians call it "prevenient grace", and the Calvinists call it, "irresistible grace".

~Deut

.........Ephesians 2
.........8 ..By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the "gift" of God;
.........9 ..not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
.........10 ..For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would
.........walk in them.
.........

God did not direct his children to help him eternally save souls. His commandment to his preachers and teachers is to inform his children as to how he wants them to live their lives while they are on earth. God has the power to accomplish all of his will, by himself, in eternally saving all that he wants to. Man has no righteousness of his own, only the imputed righteousness of Christ. John 17:2, As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Hi ForestGreenCook, if that's true, then why did He give us commands like this one if He didn't want us involved?

.........Mark 16
.........15 ..Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.

And why did He send out the 12, and St. Paul on his 3 missionary journeys, etc?

Thanks!

~Deut

.........Romans 10
.........17 ..Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
.........

I should have added these two verses for consideration as well (as they concern our absolute need to have the Father both draw us and give us permission before we can or would choose to come to Christ and be saved).

.........John 6
.........44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
.........65 No one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.
.........