Results 1 - 10 of 10
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | Aixen7z4 | 99254 | ||
Dear John: Is it possible to change? Do you believe that you were pre-ordained to believe what you believe? If so, it seems it will not be possible for you to change your mind. In the same manner, do you think that the people who believe something different from you were pre-ordained to believe what they believe? If so, it will not be possible for them to change. Please ponder these things seriously and tell us. If your beliefs are preordained and set, and if the same is true of others, then is there any purpose to this discussion? |
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2 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99267 | ||
"Do you believe that you were pre-ordained to believe what you believe? If so, it seems it will not be possible for you to change your mind." Yes. Based upon my reading of Scripture, My understanding is that the ability of anyone to believe the truth is by the grace of God. Eph 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. "If so, it seems it will not be possible for you to change your mind." If it is God's will that I continue to hold to these doctrines, I will. But knowing about God does not compare to knowing God Himself in a personal way. I trust that He will hold me and keep me, nevertheless, I must work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I must examine my heart daily. The way I see it is this. I know that God is in control of my life and that everthing that happens happens for a reason (in accordance to His eternal plan) but I must act AS IF it depends on me. In other words, I must strive to keep His commandments and to follow His teaching to the limit of my ability, knowing I am totally dependent on His grace to do anything that would please Him. I must run the race; put to death the deeds of the flesh etc. I have to go for now, but will attempt to answer more fully later. God willing! John |
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3 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99275 | ||
Dear Noble, You asked: "In the same manner, do you think that the people who believe something different from you were pre-ordained to believe what they believe? If so, it will not be possible for them to change." Yes, I do believe that is true. 1 Cor 2:7,8 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; Thank God that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ alone and not based upon our perfectly understanding each doctrine taught by Scripture. If that were so, none would be saved. Unregenerate man is not interested in serving and glorifying God. His heart is wicked and desires only that which glorifies himself. Even what men consider good works, charity, self-sacrifice, etc. are good things in themselves but unless they are done for the greater glory of God, they are done for the glory of the individual. They are "dead works". The only way one may change is by the gracious mercy of God. The purpose of this discussion (at least as I see it) is to glorify God by seeking to know Him as He is, and, to grow in awe of His majesty and love for the saints. John |
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4 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | EdB | 99282 | ||
John If you really believe you were preordained to believe the way you do and I was preordained to believe the way I do then the ONLY reason you could truthfully have for continuing this discussion is to go Na Na God picked me and he didn't pick you. Because according to you those not elected will never be elected, don’t have a choice, have no recourse. Therefore debate serves no purpose other than making you feel better in some sick way. Or your saying I’m elected and don’t know it and all this time I have been serving God not by my choice but I was actually brainwashed thinking I was doing it by choice but actually I had no choice. And being preordained to think I wasn’t elected is was actually a placed here to argue this topic with you. John doesn’t that sound a little odd to you? EdB |
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5 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99289 | ||
Na Na God picked me and he didn't pick you. Dear Ed, God forbid that I should ever feel that way. The way I look at my salvation is that if God has chosen me, then He could choose anyone! Election is God's business not mine. My business is to share the gospel with all and rely on it's power to save those whom God has called. I have no idea who will believe and who will not. 2 Cor 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 1 Thess 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, "Or your saying I’m elected and don’t know it and all this time I have been serving God not by my choice but I was actually brainwashed thinking I was doing it by choice but actually I had no choice. And being preordained to think I wasn’t elected is was actually a placed here to argue this topic with you." John doesn’t that sound a little odd to you? I'm not sure how to reply to this question without seening rude. Sometimes my thoughts about God do make me feel quite dizzy. He is just so BIG and I'm so small. But I am comforted by thinking of the great love He has for His own. John John |
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6 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | EdB | 99290 | ||
John If you believe it is preordained for me to believe the way I do and preordained for you to believe the way you do, then we have to believe God is the God of confusion. Because one of us is confused. Now if one of us or both of us have a choice then God is constant and one of us remains confused. You make the call are we preordained to confusion or not? EdB |
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7 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99303 | ||
We differ about these things in this present age because we are still sinners. I'm certain that my knowledge of the Bible is flawed in many ways. Nevertheless, until I am further enlightened by the Holy Spirit, I must stand on the truth which I have been given. We are not foreordained to confusion. But spiritual growth takes place over time. Participation on the forum has been a great help to me and I praise God for you and Hank; Tim and Joe and all the brothers ans sisters with whom I have been priviledged to converse with. It may not appear to be the case to all, but, it has been a humbling experience as well as anything else. I know that the doctrines of grace, which seem to come contiually from yours truly, are a burden for some members. But my love for what I believe to be God's truth compels me. To desist would be like abandoning the gospel itself! I would become a pleaser of men. Of course no one is compelled to pay any attention at all to my posts. It seems strange that those who are the staunchest defenders of "freedom to choose", would deny me my right to discuss that which interests me. Anyway, I still love you all and pray for God's blessing on us all (each and everyone :-) John Ps I've been recieving some inquiries regarding "does all always mean all". Any takers? :-O |
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8 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | EdB | 99307 | ||
John I understand if you really believe what I believe is preordained what is to discuss. I have no choice other than to believe what I believe and you like wise. So what interests you discussing it? The only thing I can imagine that goes with your line of thinking is you want to gloat. Seems like you have a cookie cutter world. We all do as were preordained, no original thoughts no acts of rebellion, no running a race, just running down the rut set before us. Maybe that is why you like discussing it everything else in your life is so preordained. EdB |
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9 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99318 | ||
Dear Ed, We were created to glorify God. That, in my own poor fashion, is what I am attemting to do. So ignore my sinful tendencies and check the scriptures for errors I might have made. I will only bow to the Word. By the way, the rut you refer to is called in the Bible "The straight and narrow Way". John |
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10 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | EdB | 99319 | ||
John It is only a rut if you can't get out. If you can chose to get out then it is no longer a rut. As for the bowing to the Bible, proof texting tires me and proves nothing. As I have said many times before I can prove anything using a verse here and one there. Read the whole Bible it is one story after another of man/women choosing to obey or disoby God. Each made a choice and each stood accountable for that choice. EdB |
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