Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Show in the Bible once saved always | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 41562 | ||
Dear New Creature, Where did you get the idea of a "partnership" with God? Certainly not from the Bible! Paul called himself a slave, a bond servant, an apostle but never a partner. We are God's workmanship, creatures created by Him for His good pleasure. He may dispose of our lives any way He sees fit. You cited Jude 1:21 as an example of our responsibility to keep ourselves in Christ. But a few verses later we are told: Jude 1:24,25 "Now to HIM who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." I fail to see where we may find reason to boast of our good works in this passage. He keeps us from stumbling; He makes it possible for us to stand before God. Any good works God is pleased to perform through us have already been prepared from eternity, and they will be done. Not because we're so hot, but because He has ordained them to take place! We must not confuse the means of grace with "works" that we must do to remain saved. When Jesus surredered His spirit to the Father, He said "It is finished". At that moment all the sins of all the people (past present and future) were atoned for by Christ and settled forever. The notion that a blood bought child of God could fall and perish is unthinkable. Those who profess to know Christ but die in their sin were never His at all. His work on the cross, like everything else He has done, is perfect. It accomplished the salvation of every person the Father had given Him. He never fails! I caution you, as a brother in Christ, to re-examine your conception of who God is and who you are. To God be the Glory, John Reformed |
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2 | Show in the Bible once saved always | Bible general Archive 1 | New Creature | 41579 | ||
Joe, You asked "Where did you get the idea of a "partnership" with God?" The concept is in the term abiding" John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it. abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. It's a joint co-operative relationship. He remains in us as we remain connected to Him. We have by faith entered into a bi-lateral, relationship with Christ. The term abide or remain is a point John continuiosly tried to drive home to us, both in his gospel and in his Epistles. You also mentioned the verse where it says, "He is able to keep us" And that is true. He truly is able to keep us. Are we willing let Him. We are not puppets or pawns in a chess game are we? Notice that verse does not say that He will keep us, it only states that He is able to do so. I do not boast of any good works, because I have none. If my life produces any good works, they are works that He accomplished through me as I continue to reamin abiding in Him, and He in me. (Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord) I am powerless. It's all Him. You don't believe we are puppets in His hands do you? |
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3 | Show in the Bible once saved always | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 41606 | ||
Dear Newcreature, Do you really believe that God Almighty is dependent on people? Please show me a plain statement from scripture to verify your claim. Does God stand helpless before His creatures, hoping they will "do the right thing"? As far as our being puppets (a schoolboy's arguement against God's absolute soverignty), I do not hold to that idea nor do I need to in order to defend my doctrine. If you would like to post it as a question on the forum, I would be glad to answer it in full. It is plain to me that your conclusions are based upon a misunderstanding of the God's intent in exhortation. Throughout His word He commands us to carry out certain actions or to adopt particular attitudes toward others, ourselves, sin, sanctification, satan, and God Himself. These are the means He has chosen to accomplish His will. He has not left us in the dark and He does not force anyone against their will to comply. Consider Acts 4:26-28 "THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST." "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur." Here we are told that evil men committed evil deeds and that it was Gods plan from the beginning. How can this be? My theology provides a reason that is consistant throughout scripture. It is this: Those who sought the death of Christ did so out of an evil desire. God had planned it and He brought good out of evil without violating or forcing the evil men. I will continue later, God willing. John Reformed |
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4 | Show in the Bible once saved always | Bible general Archive 1 | New Creature | 41630 | ||
After reading your comments, I feel led to ask you the following questions so as to know how to better respond to some of your comments. So heres the questions. Is a man predestinated by God to salvation because he believes in Christ or is he enabled to believe in Christ because he is predestinated? Do you believe the foreknowledge of God must be considered when discussing His Soveriegnity? |
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5 | Show in the Bible once saved always | Bible general Archive 1 | meusing | 41636 | ||
I am not sure I am saying this right, but here goes ... Just as we in 3 dimentions can see the beginning and ending of a line (2D) and every point (1D) along it, so God can see the beginning and the end, and every choice we make at one glance as it were. That is not to say that every move we make is fixed, but that God can see the full quantum possibilies of every action. Imagine a being of over a thousand dimentions, and then multiply that by another million and we won't begin to know the immensity of God. All we Know is what He has told us. John 20:31 But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [through Who He is]. [Ps. 2:7, 12.] |
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6 | Show in the Bible once saved always | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 41647 | ||
Dear Meusing, I agree that God's immense intellect and knowledge are beyond our finite minds, however He has an eternal plan and He is working it out with perfection. Through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit He has revealed a great deal of this plan to His saints. He even has placed within us the desire to grow in our knowledge of Him. He is wonderful beyond words or thoughts. It is for that reason I argue for His soverign reign over His creation. When we more fully understand the wickedness of our sins and the holiness of God , it is then that we appreciate the wonder of His grace. If God had simply cast all of fallen mankind into Hell, He would have been justified in doing so. Some folks think it unfair that He extends His mercy to some and hardens others. I say thank God He has been merciful to any! John Reformed |
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