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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Scriptural Support Requested! | Rom 8:14 | Reformer Joe | 50313 | ||
You wrote: '"Controlled" seems to be too strong a term to use in defining the influence of the Spirit in the life of the christian.' Well, if you mean some type of "remote control," then yes, that is too strong of a word. But if grace is irresistible (and I hold that it is) and if all of those who are truly justified will be progressively sanctified in this life (as the Bible clearly teaches), then we have to conclude that the Spirit of God transforms our dispositions so that we will follow Him. It is not robotic, but a re-creation and a transformation of our minds. Romans 12:1-2 and Philippians 2:13 illustrate this idea well. Sanctification is synergystic (coorperative), but no one who is truly justified will be of a disposition to resist the overall sanctifying work of our sovereign God in our lives. So there is a certain sense in which it is God's sovereign work, apart from our say-so. But it is never zombie-like control. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it this way: "Q. 35. What is sanctification? A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness." --Joe! |
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2 | Scriptural Support Requested! | Rom 8:14 | John Reformed | 50722 | ||
Hello Joe, You cited Ro 12:1,2...Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Phil 2:13...for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. The verses in both epistles, taken in context, are Paul's exhortations to to the churches to take action of one form or another. I believe that we agree on the soverignty of God as the fundamental basis of our interpretation of Scripture. In fact, I whole heartedly concur with the idea that our sanctification is soley His work in us. However, to simply say that we are "controlled" could lead to misuderstanding by others less familiar with preordination and God's soverign rule. I believe that is the reason Paul goes to some lengths to set forth what is pleasing to God in living out the christian life. If you would like to explain the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man...I'm all ears! John |
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