Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 10:28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 10:28 "And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. |
Subject: once saved always saved |
Bible Note: Dear Tim, The way I understand it is that we are all born with hard hearts. From the womb we labor under the curse placed upon us through Adam's sin. We are born spiritually dead and have no desire to love or serve God. This tragic state of affairs was true for the nation of Israel just as it was for the gentile nations. Then, one may ask, of what advatage was it to be born an Israelite? Paul answers this question in Ron 3. As far as the gentiles were concerned they did'nt have even the opportunity (even if they wanted to, which they did not) to worship the true God. Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. This is only one reason that I cannot except the doctrine that teaches that we choose God and then become elect. I realize that well meaning preachers promulgated this doctrine because they believed it to be fair and democratic. They were, so to speak, getting God off the hook. That mean old doctrine of unconditional election had to go! But were they successful in this compassioate but (IMHO) wrong-headed teaching? I don't think so. Unbelievers may still throw up accusations against God, using a wide range of arguements. For instance: If God was fair He would give everyone a chance to hear the Gospel; What about all those pagans who died before Christ was born; Why do we have to suffer for something that happened before we were born; etc., etc. To be frank Tim, I find it much easier to answer these questions from the calvinistic position than from the arminian. I am also 100 per cent sure that each person with whom I share the gospel will accept it or reject it based on God's mercy. He has predestined some for mercy, the rest for justice. God Bless, John |