Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are we ever "worthy" of God's love? | John 3:16 | KAS | 51869 | ||
Let me try to clarify. Scripture gives a long description of what we are as a result of being "in Christ." For example, God's child (Jn 1:12), Christ's friend (Jn 15:15), justified (Rom. 5:1), a member of Christ's body (1 Cor 12:27), redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14), complete in Christ (Col 2:10) etc. When we learn who we are in Christ, should we conclude that we are now "loveable?" Moreover, does our new position in Christ make us more "loveable" to God than we were before we chose to follow Him? Does that narrow it down? Ken |
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2 | Are we ever "worthy" of God's love? | John 3:16 | NewLump | 51945 | ||
That does narrow the issue. Here goes. Preface I believe that God's heart's desire for you, me and the terrorists trying to destroy America is the same. He made all of us in His image, of course He loves us. Scripture affirms this over and over. That is what I view as the Creator's love for His creation. He wants us to be in a Father/Child relationship with Him. He wants to be our Father not just our Creator. John 1:12. 1Tim.2:4 affirms that He wants that relationhip with all men. Now to the question... Now, when we enter into a Father/child relationship with Him I think he is overjoyed.(Luke 15:7) As you pointed out previously, we are bestowed with many blessings, indwelt with the Spirit of Christ and equipped to live as He desires in a very hostile world.(Eph.1:3-14) I think we are more loveable because we are now His children, but we are not necessarily any less sinful. We are united with Christ, children of the most high God, that is what gives us privilege and access to the Holy of Holies. We have not aquired merit of our own. His love is unconditional. That's my answer to the question of being more 'loveable'. What's the real question, Ken? |
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3 | Are we ever "worthy" of God's love? | John 3:16 | John Reformed | 51979 | ||
Dear Newlump, You said: "He WANTS us to be in a Father/Child relationship with Him. He WANTS to be our Father not just our Creator. John 1:12. 1Tim.2:4 affirms that He wants that relationhip with all men. (Empasis mine). John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,". I'm not seeing the connection or the point you are intending. Please clarify. 1 Tim 2:4 "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.". In context Paul is speaking of classes of men (Kings and those in authority) , not every single individual. I have a problem with any statement that implies or infers that God is needy, or helpless in the face of human rebellion. Perhaps you did not mean to say what you did, but nevertheless that is the conclusion of your statement. To say that God wants or desires something but does not achieve it, is to say that He failed. Our God never fails! His is an eternal plan and is perfect in all it's ways. Eph 1:5 "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will," Do you see how arminian doctrine, that places salvation in the hands of man, diminishes God? I don't mean to be unkind, but we are speaking of the nature of God, and that is more important than our feelings. John |
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4 | Are we ever "worthy" of God's love? | John 3:16 | NewLump | 51993 | ||
So there are whole segments of the creation that God isn't concerned about and doesn't care if they are saved? I believe the tension exists in scripture because we are taught that man plays some kind of role in salvation. There is a choice. It may have no implicit power but the Word says 'if you...' if there's no choice that statement is a lie. I don't adhere to a hard line on either reformed or armenian because I don't believe scripture does. I take no offense with your comments my brother. I accept the fact that I may be wrong in my views. | ||||||
5 | Are we ever "worthy" of God's love? | John 3:16 | John Reformed | 52005 | ||
Dear NewLump, I know you do not wish to discuss the doctrines of election or God's soveriegnty, but I wwould like to answer your question from the Reformed perspective. You asked: "So there are whole segments of the creation that God isn't concerned about and doesn't care if they are saved? God does not act carelessly. All that He does is part of His eternal plan for His creation. We learn from Scripture that even the wicked sins of man God has predestined for good: Acts 4:27,28 "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." Is 40:12-17 "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge And informed Him of the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, Nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless." God does not seek our opinion of His works. Our response is to believe His word and praise Him. John |
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6 | Are we ever "worthy" of God's love? | John 3:16 | NewLump | 52022 | ||
I want to apologize for my earlier response. I was rushed and should have answered very differently. I appreciate your patient reply. I am not sure that I don't want to explore some doctrines. I feel that we often build a belief system, get comfortable in it and start interpreting the Word from the perspective of our system rather than looking at the Word and dealing with everything that's there. I have looked again at 1Tim.2. I don't agree with your characterization of the passage. Vs.1-6 are a teaching of Paul to Timothy to petition God for the salvation of all men. Because He is the ransom for all. This is good and acceptable to God. This is affirmed in 2Pet. 3:9. Concerning the use of the word 'want'. NASB translates it 'desires'; NIV 'wants' the greek seems to imply a desire of the heart, the will or preference There are numerous scriptures that speak of choice in salvation and in discipleship. There are also numerous scriptures on the supremacy and sovereignty of God. All I am saying is that we can't discount either. |
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7 | Are we ever "worthy" of God's love? | John 3:16 | John Reformed | 52059 | ||
Dear NewLump, Thank you for your kind response. At times my zeal for God degenerates into personal rancor against a brother. I am then guilty of self-righteousness and need to repent and ask for forgiveness. I agree that we must guard against placing our doctrines above the written Word. However,I also believe that avoidance of troublesome teachings is a great mistake. I love to discuss the doctrines of our faith. In fact, if it were not for my desire to learn the truth, I would still be mired in a false gospel. A gospel that was not a gospel at all! There is no way we can avoid forming a system of beliefs. The Bible itself is such a system. We read it and form ideas in our minds as to what it means. We come across a difficult passage and read and reread it. What does it mean? perhaps we need to look again at the context or look at related verses to bring light to the verse in question. Commentaries and Bible dictionaries can be helpful. All the while we are building our own personal system of belief. I find that this forum is an excellent tool for confirming and correcting my own belief system. The Reformed faith is a minority position in our modern age. The doctrines of the fathers of protestantism are spurned and derided by many. Were they right about everything they taught? Of course not. They were sinners the same as we are. But they did recover the gospel and for that we should praise God. I have to go to work. I will continue later, God willing. Your Brother, John |
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