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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | jlhetrick | 169251 | ||
Hi Kalos, thanks. This explanation is something I am familiar with. I guess the question here would be; does God decree something He does not desire or wish to happen? The answer may be yes. I don't know. Another question might be, where concerning God, would we assign meaning to this as being no more than His "mere wish"? I would agree with you that the single verse you quoted supports your premise. However, there continues the problem. The doctrine of election does not allow for choice as I am understanding it at this point. What you state you believe based on this verse (not saying that you don't have much more context that supports your belief) is in conflict also with the doctrine of salvation by grace alone (again, as I am understanding it at this point). That is, God's grace is not enough unless coupled with my choice. Actually, this is exactly how I grew up hearing it and believing it. But as I continue to study the doctrines of Grace, Predestination, Election, and God's Sovereignty, I am having problems putting it all together. Thanks again for you input, and thank everyone for your patience, Jeff |
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2 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | kalos | 169255 | ||
WHAT DOES BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ELECTION 2 (continued from WHAT DOES BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ELECTION 1) 'Occasionally someone will suggest that God's election is based on His foreknowledge of certain events. This argument suggests that God simply looks into the future to see who will believe, and He chooses those whom He sees choosing Him. Notice that 1 Peter 1:2 says the elect are chosen "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," and Romans 8:29 says, "whom He foreknew, He also predestined." And if divine foreknowledge simply means God's knowledge of what will happen in advance, then these arguments may appear to have some weight behind them. 'But that is not the biblical meaning of "foreknowledge." When the Bible speaks of God's foreknowledge, it refers to God's establishment of a love relationship with that person. The word "know," in both the Old and New Testament, refers to much more than mere cognitive knowledge of a person. Such passages as Hosea 13:4-5; Amos 3:2 (KJV); and Romans 11:2 clearly indicate this. For example, 1 Peter 1:20 says Christ was "foreknown before the foundation of the world." Surely this means more than that God the Father looked into the future to behold Christ! It means He had an eternal, loving relationship with Him. The same is true of the elect, whom we are told God "foreknew" (Romans 8:29). That means He knew them--he loved them--before the foundation of the world. 'If God's choice of the elect is unconditional, does this rule out human responsibility? Paul asks and answers that very question in Romans 9:19-20. He says God's choice of the elect is an act of mercy. Left to themselves, even the elect would persist in sin and be lost, because they are taken from the same fallen lump of clay as the rest of humanity. God alone is responsible for their salvation, but that does not eradicate the responsibility of those who persist in sin and are lost--because they do it willfully, and not under compulsion. They are responsible for their sin, not God. 'The Bible affirms human responsibility right alongside the doctrine of divine sovereignty. Moreover, the offer of mercy in the gospel is extended to all alike. Isaiah 55:1 and Revelation 22:17 call "whosoever will" to be saved. Isaiah 45:22 and Acts 17:30 command all men to turn to God, repent and be saved. First Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 tell us that God is not willing that any should perish, but desires that all should be saved. Finally, the Lord Jesus said that, "the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" (John 6:37). 'In summary, we can say that God has had a special love relationship with the elect from all eternity, and on the basis of that love relationship chosen them for salvation. The ultimate question of why God chose some for salvation and left others in their sinful state is one that we, with our finite knowledge, cannot answer. We do know that God's attributes always are in perfect harmony with each other, so that God's sovereignty will always operate in perfect harmony with His goodness, love, wisdom, and justice.' ____________________ Article by John MacArthur at www.gty.org - listed in Issues and Answers archives |
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3 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | DocTrinsograce | 169274 | ||
Very good posts, Brother Kalos! Very good indeed. | ||||||