77,
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Acts 2:37 -- Brethren, what shall we do?
I will go by the word of God. It tells me what to do to be saved -- I will go by Peter's response, and all the words revealed by the Holy Spirit. It is so simple -- so simple. Anyone -- ANYONE -- can be saved -- those that are on a path leading to hell can change their lives and go to Heaven by the grace of God.
Yes, but you know that I have always agreed with you on this. That anyone can be saved, but my point has always been that people who don’t ever want to be saved can’t be, so it’s not so much choosing Christ, as the *will* to choose Christ.
The scriptures teach that No one chooses for God, unless God has worked in their heart, giving them eyes to see, and ears to hear. That has always been the argument, and you know it…
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What about your system? If you are going to hell there is nothing you can do to turn from that and follow God. Why even evangelize the lost? What difference would it make if they were chosen for hell from the beginning?
Now, how many times have I answered this for you? Nobody knows which people God will open their hearts to receive the gospel, and it’s really not our business to ponder that, but just to preach the Word faithfully. Some plant, others water, but God makes it grow… It is true that the preaching of the gospel with some will never make a difference in them, but that is no reason not to preach it… The bible does not teach that just because God is sovereign that man should be a fatalist…
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God's word would serve absolutely no purpose, and Jesus' death on the cross would serve no purpose because why did he have to die if I was already going to hell before I was born? He didn't have to if your system was the case -- because there is no remission of sins. My destiny is set before I am born.
Jesus death served a purpose. It saved everyone he died for, and He causes everyone He died for to be saved, no one will snatch them from His hand! Your system means He accomplished nothing on the cross, only a potential salvation ultimately left up to their own glorious self determination. The scriptures know nothing of this.
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By the way -- a respecter of persons is one who shows partiality. God who does not show partiality cannot be impartial in your system. God would be a liar, and you would have to just throw your bible in the trash.
No, your view is the one He shows partiality to, because according to your view He chooses those who choose Him… So, since you do such a good job of choosing for Him, and obeying Him, you are rewarded with salvation in the end… My view is exactly what I quoted out of 1Cor 1… Not that there is a level playing field, and that we are all at 0 and God saves us, but even more so, that we are in the negative, even despised, and ignoble, and screwed up is the kind of people that the scriptures say there that God chooses. My view teaches that God saves by grace, unmerited favor, which is by definition saying that I don’t deserve to be saved, but am. My view is that I am not in Christ because of me, and I would leave Him if I were not preserved by His power. I am simply a humble recipient of all these things that I don’t deserve. All I can do is be humbled by it, and glorify Him! It is your view that teaches the opposite, and exalts yourself! You are in Him because of you, what you do, and will, and act on… This is what separates you from those who perish, so by that very definition, you have earned a favored relationship by those actions… In your view, you have made him partial to you, by your own hand. Tell us, what is better about you that you are in Christ, where as your neighbor who has heard of Christ is not in Christ? What is that special and glorious spark that is in you that causes you to make the right moves for salvation, and him not?
[This message has been edited by Notafraid (edited 3/1/2006 12:20a).]
