Results 1 - 2 of 2
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is God's love really unconditional? | Matt 10:33 | PaPaH | 199373 | ||
Well, I guess you're not such a shallow guy afterall. Sorry if I offended you, it was not intended as such, but I should have known better. I was just surprised by such a short answer and a question at that. I guess I was looking for an indepth answer and you were interested in a dialogue. I enjoyed your second response and you sure gave some interesting insight. It did however prompt some more questions. If nothing ever does anything contrary to its nature, and I've been given a new nature through Jesus Christ, how comes I so often do things that are displeasing to Him? I really appreciated your reminder that we have to leave it to God's Spirit to draw men to faith and yes, it is all to God's glory. A very good reminder to spend more time in prayer for our unsaved friends. But, can't what I say or do be either a positive or negative influence on that persons life? You said the unbeliever is already turned away from God. That's true in the sense that they do not know God or have faith in Him, but I do believe that the conversion experience is not always a fast U-turn. That turn may be very gradual with many people having influence. In that sense people may be turning towards God even though they have not yet made a committment. And it would be possible to turn people even farther from faith in Him by what we say or do. I'm probably way over my head here, but either way it's been nice conversing. | ||||||
2 | Is God's love really unconditional? | Matt 10:33 | DocTrinsograce | 199392 | ||
Dear PaPah, I'm not offended. No one can hurt your feelings when you realize that if they knew you like God knows you, they could say much more hurtful things with grounding in the complete truth! You asked, "If nothing ever does anything contrary to its nature, and I've been given a new nature through Jesus Christ, how comes I so often do things that are displeasing to Him?" Because God has decreed that believers will progressively grow in sanctification. (See post #189339) Progressive sanctification is what John Bunyan called "The Holy War." The writer of Hebrews called it the pursuit of holiness -- it is the process (versus the position) of sanctification. Sanctification involves conflict with yourself, with your flesh, with the world, and with Satan. The Puritans used to say that if a person was not battling sin, then that person should question whether they are a Christian at all. Consequently, your struggle is an expression of you being what you are! The great thing about it, though, is that the conclusion of this process will be perfect holiness in glory. You asked, "...But, can't what I say or do be either a positive or negative influence on that persons life?" Certainly. What's more, we'll be judged for every idle word! What I was trying to communicate is that redemption is entirely a work of God. His eternal purpose cannot be thwarted. This attribute is what we call sovereignty. Nothing can impede God's redemption of His elect. Nevertheless, we are privileged to speak His Word to others. You commented, "...I do believe that the conversion experience is not always a fast U-turn." (sic) This would, of course, depend on what you mean by "conversion experience." Certain aspects of the ordo salutis (order of salvation, see post #151193) do happen objectively (experience would be something happening subjectively) and do happen in an instant. If we are to be good stewards of God's Word, we must take care to use language that accurately reflects what He has revealed. Conversion has a very specific theological meaning (see post #151653). I assume that by "conversion experience" you really are speaking of the entire process of redemption. In that case, redemption "started" in eternity past (Ephesians 1:4) and will continue for an uninterrupted and unending number of days in the future (Revelation 21:3). The life of the believer will be characterized by a general bent toward righteousness (see post #152574). You wrote, "...it would be possible to turn people even farther from faith in Him by what we say or do." The lost cannot be more lost or less lost (see post #143317). They are simply lost. In Him, Doc |
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