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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Jesus' Instruction to Nicodemus | John 3:14 | mark d seyler | 173904 | ||
Hi John, Scripture does not record anyone refusing to look at the serpent, but then, neither does Scripture record anyone specifically looking at the serpent. It simply records that the salvation was effective when received. We can only speculate whether or not there were some who did not look. We can likewise only speculate on what they "knew", or thought they knew. How many times did the people Not Believe Moses? How many times were they disobedient to his words? A Lot! But in my experience, I have not known people to always demonstrate a belief in what others considered to be a proven fact. It would not surprise me if I were to learn that there were those who said "Stupid superstition - I'm dying!", and refused to look, and died. Jesus could have chosen any example, and the example He chose was of salvation freely available to all. This sure fits the rest of the Scriptures! :-) Not to mention all the typology contained in that example. Of course we are helpless without God! It was not the people's gaze upon the thing of bronze that cured them. If was the divine, sovereign, work of God that cured them, just as it is the divine, sovereign work of God that saves us. How does "free will" fit into the picture? It was up to the people to look or not. To believe or not. And it is up to us to receive or not. God saves the willing, and wills all to be saved. Love in Christ, Mark |
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2 | Jesus' Instruction to Nicodemus | John 3:14 | eklektos | 173907 | ||
Hello Mark, Unless I take a gift, I cannot receive a gift. By taking it, do I boast that I took it? Of course not, I thank the One that gave it. Do I say to the Giver, "Look at me, I am so great, I am taking your gift"? Of course not, I thank the Giver. Am I proclaiming that because I am a man that I am great in my free will in accepting the Giver's gift? Of course not. It is only by the mercy of God that He has given me that free will to accept the gift. Is that boasting? Yes, boasting of God's mercy. Am I belittling God's Sovereignty? Of course not. It is by the Sovereignty of God that He offered this Gift. Do I slap Him in the face by taking this Gift? Of course not. Does this reduce the Sovereignty of God? Far from it, for even the angels in Heaven rejoice when the Gift is taken. Who will change the Word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah? Which of you will presume to have authority for this? Isa 1:19 "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: Isa 1:20 but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it." "If ye be willing ..." ; "but if ye refuse and rebel..." There also, is that Grace, "If ye". Better would He love one that comes freely than one that comes because of programming. Does this take away from God's Sovereignty? No, it honors Him, because I honor Him, freely. His Grace He set before me and by setting His Grace before me, He has called me, I heard His Word, I had to choose that day, so for me and my house we will follow the Lord. Is that boasting or degrading the Sovereignty of God? No, it is proclaiming. eklektos |
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