Results 1441 - 1459 of 1459
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Results from: Notes Author: John Reformed Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1441 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | John Reformed | 88610 | ||
Dear Tim H., Thanks for your input into this important doctrine! The more we learn about our Lord, the more we love and adore Him. I do have a question, if you don't mind. You said " HEARING THE GOSPEL, the faith comes from the Spirit and desire is felt in the heart, belief is conceived and confession is made. Then one is born again." My question is...why do some "feel" this desire, but others (most) don't? God Bless, John |
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1442 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | John Reformed | 88686 | ||
Dear Tim H. I'm sorry, but, No...you did not answer my question. You did explain that some people are influenced by worldly concerns (ridicule or family disaproval, etc.). But some folks become willing to endure whatever the world, the flesh and the Devil throw at them for the love of Christ. In other words, only those who are blessed with such a desire for Christ that it subdues their desire for the world, choose to flee to Him for salvation. Where does this overwhelming desire for Christ come from, and, if Jesus draws all men, why is it that not all who are drawn have this "saving" desire? Are those who resist the world stronger or wiser or more decent than those who reject the gospel call? God Bless, John |
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1443 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | John Reformed | 88694 | ||
Dear Hank, You've asked several questions and, God willing, I hope to be able to answer them to your satisfaction. 1. So who, John, are "all the Father sent Him (Christ)?" John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." Therefore, I would say all whom the Father draws are those who are raised up on the last day. That is why the elect are called the elect! They are God the Father's chosen people, whom He sends to His Son, so that through The Son's sacrifice on the cross they recieve eternal life. 2. Are they not all who hear and CHOOSE to respond to the gospel call? Yes indeed! They are those who hear and choose. They do so, not because they have any virtue in themselves, but that they are the recipients Of God's mercy and they have been taught by God. John 6:45 "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. Here again, this must refer to the elect for all that are drawn by the Father are taught by Him as well and come to the Son. All who come to the Son are rased up on the last day. 3. If you say they are the "elect" then who are they but those who hear and believe? None but they elect hear and believe.John 6:64 "But there are some of you who do not believe." 4. Are you saying that man does not have any option whatever whether to believe the gospel and respond to it or reject it? No. I believe that all men have an option, but only those to whom saving grace has been granted opt for Christ. The rest are passed by and are left to continue in their rebellion and hatred of God. John 6:65 And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." 5. You say that Adam and Eve reponded negatively. What does this do to Calvinism's "I" petal of the TULIP -- irresistible grace? I'm not certain that I understand this question. Adam and Eve were called by God so that they might recieve God's punishment for disobeying His command. Eve blamed the Serpent and (it might be said) Adam blamed God for giving him Eve in the first place. the least he did was to attempt to shift the blame onto his wife. The first real woking of grace is in the story of Caine and Abel. 6. What does this do to Calvinism's "I" petal of the TULIP -- irresistible grace? The first real woking of grace is in the story of Caine and Abel. As far as TULIP is concerned, one must keep mind that it is an anagram. "Irrisistable" had to be used for lack of a better word starting with "I". Efficatious Grace is more commonly used among calvinists as bearing a much better discription of a Grace that actually works in those to whom God grants it. 7. ... did Adam and Eve make any theological choices not only before but also after their fall? If they did, and if they have been recorded in Scripture, I must plead ignorance as to what they were. 8.What do the "elect" have to do to be saved? In a sense, there is nothing that man can do to save himself. Of course the Bible teaches that faith is the prerequisite to salvation. But even faith comes by way of God's providence.John 3:27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven." I'm sure tou would agree that "nothing" means "nothing" not even salvation. 9. What do the "elect" have to do to be saved? I believe by "have" you mean are they compelled against their will. No. The fact is that they are raised from spiritual death to spiritual life and set free to love and to obey their King. Of course christians are still burdened with the remnants of the "old man" and are far from perfect in their capacity to love and obey Him as they ought. Nevertheless, God graciously keeps them from falling irredeemably. In fact He shapes ALL things together for good in their lives (Rom 8:28). 9b. Do they have a choice in the matter or is God going to save them whether they want to be saved or not? The love of God in the hearts of His adopted children is irresitable. 2 Cor 5:14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; You may still disagree Hank. But I have tried my best to answer your questions from God's Word. Grace and Peace, John |
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1444 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | John Reformed | 88770 | ||
Dear Hank, Thanks for your generous response. I just wish that I did'nt have to learn everything the hard way. :-O I trust that I have learned at least one very important lesson regarding The Arminius vs Calvin bouts. It is that both sides really are engaged in making certain that God gets ALL the glory for the things He has done. The arminian feels that his free-will stance on salvation puts the burden of damnation on the one who hears but rejects the gospel; thus eliminatig the criticism that God would be unfair to choose one lost soul but pass by another. (If I have mis-characterized this position, I am open to correction). On the other hand, the calvinist holds a very high position regarding God's soveign rule over all aspects of His creation. This would include reprobation as well as election. He is not overly concerned about what the critics say, knowing that even the greatest critics are not exempt from His call (Paul immediately comes to mind). In the words of Rodney King: "Why can't we all just get along?". My answer is that we are all devoted to gaining as pefect an understanding of God and His Word as we possibly can. We are also commanded to defend what we (christians) believe is sound doctrine. If in our discussions over opposing doctrines, we can be like steel striking steel, (in the best sense of the proverb) we will sharpen one another. In the meantime, we can only pray that God will enlighten each one. Thanks Again Hank, John |
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1445 | Does John Reformed REALLY believe .....? | Rev 13:8 | John Reformed | 89283 | ||
Dear Tim, You were wrong friend Tim, and of course, I do accept your apology. Been there; done that and even bought the T-shirt! "However, while I understand your position concerning the 'free' choices of fallen man, I have never have gotten a straight answer about Adam and Eve. They had no fallen nature, so on what basis did they choose to sin?" Boy! For a fellow that does'nt like the merry-go-round, you sure buy a lot of tickets. Perhaps, one of these times you'll grab the brass ring! :- ) Being you have already read my poor scribblings, and they have caused more confusion than understanding, this time I will call on John Piper to elucidate my post on Adam and Eve by holding forth on God's two wills. These criticisms are not new. Jonathan Edwards wrote 250 years ago, "The Arminians ridicule the distinction between the secret and revealed will of God, or, more properly expressed, the distinction between the decree and the law of God; because we say he may decree one thing, and command another. And so, they argue, we hold a contrariety in God, as if one will of his contradicted another." But in spite of these criticisms the distinction stands, not because of a logical or theological deduction, but because it is inescapable in the Scriptures. The most careful exegete writing in Pinnock's Case for Arminianism concedes the existence of two wills in God. I. Howard Marshall applies his exegetical gift to the Pastoral Epistles. Concerning 1 Timothy 2:4 he says, To avoid all misconceptions it should be made clear at the outset that the fact that God wishes or wills that all people should be saved does not necessarily imply that all will respond to the gospel and be saved. We must certainly distinguish between what God would like to see happen and what he actually does will to happen, and both of these things can be spoken of as God's will. The question at issue is not whether all will be saved but whether God has made provision in Christ for the salvation of all, provided that they believe, and without limiting the potential scope of the death of Christ merely to those whom God knows will believe. In this chapter I would now like to undergird Marshall's point that "we must certainly distinguish between what God would like to see happen and what he actually does will to happen, and [that] both of these things can be spoken of as God's will." Perhaps the most effective way to do this is to begin by drawing attention to the way Scripture portrays God willing something in one sense which he disapproves in another sense. Then, after seeing some of the biblical evidence, we can step back and ponder how to understand this in relation to God's saving purposes. I hope this helps you tosee why calvinists can hold both the doctrine of God's Sovereignty and man's responsiblity at the same time and yet see harmony rather than discord. My grand-kids are begging me to get off the computer! God Bless Tim. I look forward to your reply. Grandpa John |
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1446 | Danger in "revelation theory" only. | Rev 17:16 | John Reformed | 59649 | ||
Hello Ed, Do you remember that during the 80's the most popular candidate for the armies of the north was once the USSR. The European Common Market was also prominent as a likely suspect for the 10 Kings, if my memory serves. I believe that interpreting the Bible in the light of the daily news has brought nothing but ridicule on the church and has provided riches for unscrupulous "prophecy" gurus. In my mind, it smacks of gnostisism. Some Preacher sees a connection between a report on CNN and connects it with a report from CNN. Bingo! A new best seller right up there on the charts, soon to replace "The Prayer of Jabez" as the latest find of a secret revelation straight out of the Bible! You wrote: "I’m not sure what part the Al Qaeda will play in the ‘End Time’ scenario, but I’m totally convinced ISLAM will be a major factor. The army from the north mentioned all through ‘End Time’ prophecy has to be the Muslim countries north of Israel that once made up the USSR." You and I are old enough to know how fallible we are when it comes to prognostications about coming events. And it is because of that weakness that we must never proclaim as a certainty that which the scripture does not say specificly. Speculation, when stated as certainty, will bear far more rotten fruit than good. Your Brother, John |
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1447 | Does this mean that it is wrong to ask? | Rev 17:16 | John Reformed | 59798 | ||
Dear Pastor Glenn, Would you please elaborate on how it was I attacked EdB? Because if I did attack Ed, he did'nt even realize it, and neither did I! Perhaps you thought my reference to gnoticism was aimed at Ed. I assure you it was not. It was not even a direct attack on anyone in particular but upon what I see as a subtle slide into mysticism by some leaders in the church in America today. One more thing. I would appreciate it if in th future you see me to be out of line, please direct your concern to me first. Thanks, John Reformed |
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1448 | Does this mean that it is wrong to ask? | Rev 17:16 | John Reformed | 59799 | ||
Dear Pastor Glenn, Strike my last paragraph. You did post me first. My apologies, John |
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1449 | Does this mean that it is wrong to ask? | Rev 17:16 | John Reformed | 59800 | ||
Dear Pastor Glenn, Strike my last paragraph. You did post me first. My apologies, John |
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1450 | Does this mean that it is wrong to ask? | Rev 17:16 | John Reformed | 59878 | ||
Dear Ed, It is wrong because it makes the church look like a naive group of fanatics. If the media were to take all the wrongheaded claims made by our supposed "leaders" and subject them to the scrutiny of history, they would have a field day. And they would have all the evidence they need to charge that we don't know what we're talking about. Let's stick to the Scripture. It is on that foundation that we can stand solidly. Speculation is based on what? Not the Word alone but a mixture of Word, worldly news reports and human reason. A great recipe for a foundation of sinking sand. I am sick, sick, sick of the endless speculations about who is the anti-christ or the harlot or the ten kings etc. etc. ad nauseum. Face it folks WE DON"T KNOW! And by speculating we may even find ourselves bearing FALSE WITNESS against groups, nations or individuals. Worst of all speculation does not glorify Christ but gives the enemy handfuls of filth to be used to denigrate Him. Eschatology is a very difficult and controversial area of theology. I think it a mistake to base evangelism on the end times. It is meat that even the fathers among us chew very carefully. Our commision is to take the gospel message throughout the world. That alone should keep us busy enough. John |
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1451 | Does this mean that it is wrong to ask? | Rev 17:16 | John Reformed | 59879 | ||
Hi Hank, I wish I would have put it the way you did. I should take my own advise once in awhile and keep my own dander down. John |
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1452 | Does this mean that it is wrong to ask? | Rev 17:16 | John Reformed | 59936 | ||
Dear Pastor Glenn, Please cite a statement from anyone involved in this discussion who advocates the disregard of prophecy. John |
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1453 | Release and Faith Question | Rev 22:18 | John Reformed | 91144 | ||
Dear Gracefull, I believe it is an error to look at faith as if it is a force of some kind that man may release or with-hold according to his will. This error has more to do with new-age mysticism than it does with biblical christianity. Biblical faith is trusting in God to the exclusion of things seen; "for we walk by faith, not by sight. John |
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1454 | Release and Faith Question | Rev 22:18 | John Reformed | 91255 | ||
Gracefull, Can a spiritually dead person possess the spiritual attribute of faith? If he can, than one could say a physically dead person may possess the physical attribute of thought. My point is that God is the mover and shaker of all things that occur. We are His sevants and it is He who is at work in us to accomplish His good pleasure. We are NOT independent contractors. We are but clay in the hands of the potter. He moulds His people into vessels of honor. If our faith is weak we must pray for God to strengthen it. John |
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1455 | Release and Faith Question | Rev 22:18 | John Reformed | 91383 | ||
Yes Gracefull, Faith does come by hearing the word of God and we are to act in accordance with it. But let us not forget that it is Jesus who is the "author and finisher"; We are His workmanship. Heb 12:1,2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God Fixing our eyes on ourselves and our own ability to exercise our faith? No! Fixing our eyes on Jesus! Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. There are those who place man in the center, saying that the promises of God are made ineffective by a weak or wavering faith. When the sick are not healed, the blame is cast on the sick man's unbelief. How can this be? Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. I believe that God is at the center. Eph 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us". If it is not our faith or God's ability to heal the sick person, then why has he not been healed? I believe that the answer may be found in God's eternal purpose for His creation. We are limited in our understanding of why things occur as they do. God, on the other hand, is unlimited; He knows the end from the beginning, and He does all things in accordance to His good pleasure. Is 46:10 "Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';" I have to stop here. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what I've written thus far. God Bless John |
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1456 | Release and Faith Question | Rev 22:18 | John Reformed | 91407 | ||
Dear Hank, John Calvin made the statement that man is an "idol factory". When I first read his remark, my mind turned to the the examination of the "natural" man. It is clear that the unregenerate are constantly manufacturing gods that suit their own desires. Even the professed atheist makes a god of his own intellect; declaring that he has freed himself from the superstition of the masses, Nevertheless, he merely worships the creature rather than the Creator. This was no revelation to me. I was unregenerate myself, and I know what it is like to hate God and to consider spiritual things as foolish and incomprehensible. But CHRISTIANS! How is it possible for US to fall for heretical doctrines that diminsh God and inflate man? I don't know the answer. I do think that, despite wrong-headed pre-suppositions, many of those who follow false doctrines, are not mere professors but are indeed truely adopted children of God. What saddens me is the chaos and confusion that results from our attachement to error. We love Jesus; We love our church home; our pastor and brethren and we love our traditions, but when confronted with doctrines which are foreign to our accepted beliefs (whether founded on Scripture or not) we bristle with anger. We are so concerned with protecting the things we love, that many times we ignore or refuse to recieve even God's Word. I do not exempt myself from my own criticism. I'm as bad as the next guy; Maybe worse. I find my solace in Christ's righteousness imputed to me, a wicked sinner, whose own righteousness is but filthy rags. He is my Rock and my strong fortress, to Him I will run and find safety. My heart goes out to those who have yet to find out how miserable and weak they are. They still believe they can please God by pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps. Thank God for Paul's words in Romans 7! He did not put his faith in his own faith. He admitted his absolute and unconditional dependence on Jesus and what He had done in Paul's stead. He placed his faith in Christ! I apologize for rambling. I'm feeling rather overwhelmed today. Your Brother, John |
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1457 | Release and Faith Question | Rev 22:18 | John Reformed | 91534 | ||
Dear angel9, If you mean that we mis-use our intellect by forcing God's Word to conform to it, rather than it being conformed to God's Word...I would agree. Thanks for the note and... God Bless, John |
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1458 | Release and Faith Question | Rev 22:18 | John Reformed | 91557 | ||
Dear Angel9, You need to be more explicit if you want a considered reply. What results are you looking at, and, will you be offering any conclusions. John |
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1459 | Release and Faith Question | Rev 22:18 | John Reformed | 91807 | ||
Dear angel9, I sympatize with your frustration. It does seem as if the church in America is hung up on "self-gratification". As proof, all I have to do is look at my own attitude and performance! Have I lived up to the same standard I expect from others? I hate to say it, but I must confess, I fall far short of what I believe a christian soldier should be like. Perhaps there are many in my own congregation who feel the same as I do. We want to do good, but we find that we are powerless to change ourselves. I wonder if God is not doing a work. It may be He is allowing us to come to the end of our own supposed sufficency, so that when we have come to the end of our own rope, we will cry out to Him to give us the grace to change. 2 Chr 34:27 "Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares the LORD. In the book "Pilgrims Progress" by John Bunyan, the main character "Christian" falls in to a miry swamp called the Slough of Despond. He struggles to free himself, but the burden of sin on his back prevents his escape. God mercifully sends a Helper to pull him out. The helper tells Christian that God had placed a set of steps in the swamp and that he could have gotten out if he had availed himself of them. Those steps, Helper tells him, are the "Promises of God". Your Thoughts? John Reformed |
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