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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How does foreknowledge preclude free? | Gen 6:6 | srbaegon | 118594 | ||
Hello Dan, Be careful of using the word "chance." Proverbs 16:33 (ESV) The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. It may look like chance when it isn't. "God's original purpose for the earth was 'very good' - perfect." No, He said that was its condition. It's purpose was for habitation and to glorify Himself. "Those selected by God to be part of that class, however, must prove faithful if they are actually to attain the reward set before them." This is dangerously close to a righteousness based on deeds. Could you explain yourself? Steve |
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2 | How does foreknowledge preclude free? | Gen 6:6 | bstudent | 118837 | ||
The gift is free, thus it cannot be earned. However, it can be rejected. I would rather be good than righteous (Rom 5:7), but faith is essential. Doing the things God requires is not earning your salvation, but is intrinsic to faith. You know the verses: "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Heb 11:6) "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." (James 2:26) True faith as James described requires that we accept God's training and do what the "great crowd of witnesses" did - faithful works of obedience. Notice what their actions led and our's can lead to: "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." (Heb 12:11) As regards Provervs 16:33, in ancient times, in a number of nations, doubtful questions were determined by lot. Stones or inscribed tablets were put into a vessel, shaken and then drawn out or cast forth. God was pleased to use the lot as a means of making known his will in the early history of his chosen people. It seems that the lots were thrown into the gathered folds of a robe and then drawn out. But first an appeal was made to God to decide the matter. The outcome was accepted as his will. Even Jesus’ apostles utilized the lot to choose a successor to Judas Iscariot, but their selection was set aside by Jesus’ choice of Saul. Since Pentecost, holy spirit directs Christians, but in pre-Christian times God did approve use of the lot. |
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