Results 221 - 240 of 1773
|
||||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: John Reformed Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
221 | Can anyone be converted? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99399 | ||
Dear Nolan, 'Unregenerate man is not interested in serving and glorifying God'. "But is that true? Is it true that an unregenerate man is not interested? Does he not search? Does he not try?" As you know, we are not permitted by God to make His Word conform to our conception of how things ought to be. Neither are we to draw conclusions from our own experience that contradict what Scripture clearly teaches. It may appear that a number of unregenerate people are sincerely seeking Him, but, Paul is adament saying... Rom 3:11,12 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." Many who appear to be reaching out to the one true God are in actuality busily constructing a god of their own; a false god which conforms to the way they think God should be. Take a long hard look at Romans Chapters one through three. You are absolutely right to point out that God's ways are mysterious. You spoke to the case of the wise men who sought His star and came to worship. But you may not use one passage of Scripture to contradict another. The fact that these men were seeking the God of the Bible indicates that they were among those chosen by God to be fashioned as vessels of honor. The fact that these men were seeking to worship the True God is evidence that they were regenerate gentiles whose faith was akin to that of the regenerate Jews; Abraham, Iaasic, Jacob, etc. Was “Mother Teresa” regenerate? If she indeed had recieved God's mercy, and through faith believed in Christ then the aswer woukd be yes. If all she had was works...No. "Can an unregenerate man never become a regenerate man? Can a Saul of Tarsus not become a Paul?" Unregenerate is a term that defines those who have not been born again. Regeneration is bestowed on the unregenerate according to God's good pleasure. Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." 2 Tim 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, "We must say, however, that they do “come up for a memorial before God” and they may cause God to send a Peter" Acts 10:1-2 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. Obviously, Cornelius had been granted repentance "leading to the knowledge of the truth," already and was not unregenerate. Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Have to go... John |
||||||
222 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99358 | ||
Dear Hank, It is not my intention to cause you any discomfort, but, the fact is that I am not persuaded that your arguements are legitimate. Feel free to contact me on any subject except this one. Peace, John |
||||||
223 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99337 | ||
Dear Ed, You wrote:"John notice one more thing it says "WHOLE WORLD" since you speak Calvinese culd you explain does this mean "whole' like in the total world or does it mean "whole" like only the elect. If it means the latter could you please provide the Calvinese language rules that forward that meaning. I'm trying to learn your language. :-) EdB" 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. We do agree on one thing Ed, that is the Bible never contradicts itself. That being a given, how do we reconcile 1 John 1-2 with John 6:44 which teaches that no one can come to the Father UNLESS he is drawn by the Father. We can't say that the Father draws all men because Jesus says that everyone the Father draws comes to Him (Jesus), and the one who comes to Him will not be cast out but will be raised up on the last day! Therefore my conclusion is that everyone in the whole world who is drawn by the Father has Christ as the propitiator of their sins. Sorry Ed, business calls...John |
||||||
224 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99318 | ||
Dear Ed, We were created to glorify God. That, in my own poor fashion, is what I am attemting to do. So ignore my sinful tendencies and check the scriptures for errors I might have made. I will only bow to the Word. By the way, the rut you refer to is called in the Bible "The straight and narrow Way". John |
||||||
225 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99316 | ||
Dear Colin, There are certain benefits in having a theology that has been alive for 500 years...most of the questions regarding it's orthodoxy have already been asked and answered. It has been tested under fire and has withstood the test. Of course Reformed theology is not considered infallible by any of it's proponants (after all it is the work of fallible men) nevertheless, I have found it to be of immense value in my own pursuit of knowing God. As to the concerns regarding your percieved flaws, I would be happy to address them to the best of my ability (I am a relative neophyte so bear that in mind, Reformer Joe would do a better job than this feeble saint). "I do see how you can argue for predestinarianism from the scriptures, but Calvinism evidently fails in its making square the infinite roundness of love, which by its Godly nature necesitates freedom and choice." We love Him because He first loved us. That sounds pretty round to me :-). But what...you may ask...about those who did not come to love Christ? Did'nt He love them as well? Good question! I'm glad I asked it for you (I've been posting far too much lately...I'm getting silly). Seriously...In a sense, God loves all His creatures. But the love He has for those He has chosen is special. Because of time constraints I will post a response from Athur Pink on the subject of God's soveriegty in love. God is Sovereign in the exercise of His love. Ah! that is a hard saying, who then can receive it? It is written, "A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven" (John 3:27). When we say that God is Sovereign in the exercise of His love, we mean that He loves whom He chooses. God does not love everybody*; if He did, He would love the Devil. Why does not God love the Devil? Because there is nothing in him to love; because there is nothing in him to attract the heart of God. Nor is there anything to attract God's love in any of the fallen sons of Adam, for all of them are, by nature, "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3). If then there is nothing in any member of the human race to attract God's love, *John 3:16 will be examined later. and if, notwithstanding, He does love some, then it necessarily follows that the cause of His love must be found in Himself, which is only another way of saying that the exercise of God's love towards the fallen sons of men is according to His own good pleasure. In the final analysis, the exercise of God's love must he traced back to His Sovereignty or, otherwise, He would love by rule; and if He loved by rule, then is He under a law of love, and if He is under a law of love then is He not supreme, but is Himself ruled by law. "But," it may be asked, "Surely you do not deny that God loves the entire human family?" We reply, it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (Rom. 9:13). If then God loved Jacob and hated Esau, and that before they were born or had done either good or evil, then the reason for His love was not in them, but in Himself. That the exercise of God's love is according to His own Sovereign pleasure is also clear from the language of Ephesians 1:3-5, where we read, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will." It was "in love" that God the Father predestined His chosen ones unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, "according"-according to what? According to some excellency He discovered in them? No. What then? According to what He foresaw they would become? No; mark carefully the inspired answer-"According to the good pleasure of His will." We are not unmindful of the fact that men have invented the distinction between God's love of complacency and His love of compassion, but this is an invention pure and simple. Scripture terms the latter God's "pity" (see Matt. 18:33), and "He is kind unto the unthankful and the evil" (Luke 6:35)! |
||||||
226 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99304 | ||
"And why did the servant in Matt25:21 hear it? Should not the admonishment been I made you do it?" Hi Ed, Are you advocating boasting or just pulling my leg? Seriously...Praise from Jesus is more than any of us deserve. Apart from Him we can do nothing. I believe it is a wondefull expression of His love for us unprofitable servants. Afterall, it is'nt as if God Omnipotent needed our help. Flip Wilson may have been closer to the truth than some may realize. 2 Tim 2:25,26 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. John |
||||||
227 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99303 | ||
We differ about these things in this present age because we are still sinners. I'm certain that my knowledge of the Bible is flawed in many ways. Nevertheless, until I am further enlightened by the Holy Spirit, I must stand on the truth which I have been given. We are not foreordained to confusion. But spiritual growth takes place over time. Participation on the forum has been a great help to me and I praise God for you and Hank; Tim and Joe and all the brothers ans sisters with whom I have been priviledged to converse with. It may not appear to be the case to all, but, it has been a humbling experience as well as anything else. I know that the doctrines of grace, which seem to come contiually from yours truly, are a burden for some members. But my love for what I believe to be God's truth compels me. To desist would be like abandoning the gospel itself! I would become a pleaser of men. Of course no one is compelled to pay any attention at all to my posts. It seems strange that those who are the staunchest defenders of "freedom to choose", would deny me my right to discuss that which interests me. Anyway, I still love you all and pray for God's blessing on us all (each and everyone :-) John Ps I've been recieving some inquiries regarding "does all always mean all". Any takers? :-O |
||||||
228 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | John Reformed | 99300 | ||
Hi again Ed, I would be happy to discuss these points with you. But I would appreciate it if you would first tell me your thoughts on God not desiring anyone to perish. I know that the Bible teaches that He takes no pleasure from their destruction, but it does seem that scripture teaches that all His "good pleasure" is done without fail. John |
||||||
229 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99292 | ||
Dear Colin, There will be no excuses offered by anyone on the Day of Judgement. Each and every condemned sinner will know that they are due only justice for their crimes against the Lord of Glory. Neither will there be boasting among the saints. They will know that, had it not been for God's grace, all would have recieved justice rather than mercy. Rev 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. A humbling and terrifying thought. John |
||||||
230 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99289 | ||
Na Na God picked me and he didn't pick you. Dear Ed, God forbid that I should ever feel that way. The way I look at my salvation is that if God has chosen me, then He could choose anyone! Election is God's business not mine. My business is to share the gospel with all and rely on it's power to save those whom God has called. I have no idea who will believe and who will not. 2 Cor 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 1 Thess 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, "Or your saying I’m elected and don’t know it and all this time I have been serving God not by my choice but I was actually brainwashed thinking I was doing it by choice but actually I had no choice. And being preordained to think I wasn’t elected is was actually a placed here to argue this topic with you." John doesn’t that sound a little odd to you? I'm not sure how to reply to this question without seening rude. Sometimes my thoughts about God do make me feel quite dizzy. He is just so BIG and I'm so small. But I am comforted by thinking of the great love He has for His own. John John |
||||||
231 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | John Reformed | 99287 | ||
Hi Ed, You stated "I always thought God desired none to perish..." Matt 18:12-13 "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? "If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. "So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish. In context Ed, this passage is about Christ's sheep. It has to do with our eternal security not the fate of all mankind. "Whosoever believes" does cover everyone everywhere. But it does not give us the answer to the question of WHY some believe but others do not. Ps 115:3 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. 2 Is 9:17 Therefore the Lord does not take pleasure in their young men, Nor does He have pity on their orphans or their widows; For every one of them is godless and an evildoer, And every mouth is speaking foolishness. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away And His hand is still stretched out. 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'; Rom 9:13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." John |
||||||
232 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99281 | ||
Dear Noble, You asked: "In the same manner, do you think that the people who believe something different from you were pre-ordained to believe what they believe? If so, it will not be possible for them to change." Yes, I do believe that is true. 1 Cor 2:7,8 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; Thank God that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ alone and not based upon our perfectly understanding each doctrine taught by Scripture. If that were so, none would be saved. Unregenerate man is not interested in serving and glorifying God. His heart is wicked and desires only that which glorifies himself. Even what men consider good works, charity, self-sacrifice, etc. are good things in themselves but unless they are done for the greater glory of God, they are done for the glory of the individual. They are "dead works". The only way one may change is by the gracious mercy of God. The purpose of this discussion (at least as I see it) is to glorify God by seeking to know Him as He is, and, to grow in awe of His majesty and love for the saints. John |
||||||
233 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99279 | ||
Dear Colin, What I mean to say is that those who experience the love of Christ, fall in love with Him. He is irresistible! Deut 7:7 "The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 2 Deut 10:15 "Yet on your fathers did the LORD set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. Eph 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, Thess 1:4,5 "knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;..." Also, what about Noah, Abraham, Job and David? Did they choose God freely? Yes. They also were among those upon who God had set His love. 1Ch 28:9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever." Solomon was commanded to "know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind". He was reminded of Gods omniscience. The statement that "the LORD searches all hearts," cannot mean that God discovers things by searching, the literal interpetation of such a statement would conflict with what the Bible teaches about the nature of God. Therefore, I see it as "searching" as a manner of speaking. So to speak...He searches the hearts of men. The seeking or forsaking of God are determined in the lives of individuals by the desires of their hearts. They are free to choose that which they desire. The desire for God is an evidence that that individual is a recipiant of God's mercy. Rom 9:18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. This is a hard saying, yet, who are we to reply against God by protesting "...Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" John |
||||||
234 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99275 | ||
Dear Noble, You asked: "In the same manner, do you think that the people who believe something different from you were pre-ordained to believe what they believe? If so, it will not be possible for them to change." Yes, I do believe that is true. 1 Cor 2:7,8 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; Thank God that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ alone and not based upon our perfectly understanding each doctrine taught by Scripture. If that were so, none would be saved. Unregenerate man is not interested in serving and glorifying God. His heart is wicked and desires only that which glorifies himself. Even what men consider good works, charity, self-sacrifice, etc. are good things in themselves but unless they are done for the greater glory of God, they are done for the glory of the individual. They are "dead works". The only way one may change is by the gracious mercy of God. The purpose of this discussion (at least as I see it) is to glorify God by seeking to know Him as He is, and, to grow in awe of His majesty and love for the saints. John |
||||||
235 | Is the Potter free to do as He pleases? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99270 | ||
Hi Tim, Context, Tim, context. John |
||||||
236 | Dear John: Is it possible? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99267 | ||
"Do you believe that you were pre-ordained to believe what you believe? If so, it seems it will not be possible for you to change your mind." Yes. Based upon my reading of Scripture, My understanding is that the ability of anyone to believe the truth is by the grace of God. Eph 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. "If so, it seems it will not be possible for you to change your mind." If it is God's will that I continue to hold to these doctrines, I will. But knowing about God does not compare to knowing God Himself in a personal way. I trust that He will hold me and keep me, nevertheless, I must work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I must examine my heart daily. The way I see it is this. I know that God is in control of my life and that everthing that happens happens for a reason (in accordance to His eternal plan) but I must act AS IF it depends on me. In other words, I must strive to keep His commandments and to follow His teaching to the limit of my ability, knowing I am totally dependent on His grace to do anything that would please Him. I must run the race; put to death the deeds of the flesh etc. I have to go for now, but will attempt to answer more fully later. God willing! John |
||||||
237 | "objects of wrath" | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99255 | ||
Dear Colin, All who have chosen Christ have done so because He first chose them. 1 John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us. Simply...the love which entered our hearts swept us off our feet. Seeing Him as He is, we freely gave ourselves to Him. Our blind eyes were opened and our deaf ears were unstopped when we recieved the gift of grace from the Holy Spirit. We are not puppets under control of a puppeteer, but slaves set free from sin and Satan to love God for the first time in our lives. To God be the Glory, John |
||||||
238 | Is the Potter free to do as He pleases? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99236 | ||
Yes indeed mkm9, Those of us who are in Christ have much to be thankfull for. Left to our own devices, we never would have agreed to a union with Him. But His call was irresistible! John |
||||||
239 | Is the Potter free to do as He pleases? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99235 | ||
Hi NC, I cme across this verse which may help answer your question. Ps 103:19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. John |
||||||
240 | Is the Potter free to do as He pleases? | Eph 2:3 | John Reformed | 99234 | ||
The Elect(objects of mercy) and non-elect (objects of wrath pre-pared for destruction). The reason that you do not see the obvious is because you do not believe (correct me if I am wrong) that there are "objects of wrath prepared for destruction". Like most modern evangelicals, you probably believe "man is the captain of his soul and the master of his fate." I would'nt fault you for feeling this way. Most of us, including myself, were brought up believing that we are entitled to choose whether or not Christ will rule in our lives. In other words: We get to vote yea or nay; we elect ourselves. The trouble with this viewpoint is that God is not the President of a democracy. He is the King who rules over His domain, dispencing mercy or justice according to His good pleasure. I do not deny that this is a bitter pill to swallow. My own initial reaction was "thats not fair!". The strange thing is that once I humbled myself before the God's Word (which convinced me that Scripture supported God's sovereign rule over all things), it began to be sweeter and sweeter as the pill was digested in my belly. This truth is taught throughout Scripture. If you really are serious about it's foundation, I suggest you go to: www.reformed.org/books/pink/pink_sov_01.html John |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ] Next > Last [89] >> |