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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: Hi Tim, If I am elect because of something I did, then I have something of which to boast. But if I am elect because of what God has done for me, I have nothing of which to boast. There is no denying these simple facts! I am either the master of my fate and the captain of my soul, or, I am a mere sinner rescued from the gallows by the gracious mercy of God. I used to be troubled by the idea that the sons of Adam need suffer for the sin of their father. But after much thought and prayer, I realized that not a one of us could have stood this test. We all would have chosen to be like God, and would have been decieved into believing the lie of Satan. Therefore, it is on that basis which all mankind will be rightly judged. God owes us nothing. It is not unfair of God to choose one to recieve mercy and choose another to recieve justice, for all are guilty before Him. Getting back to Romans 11... You asked "But, Rom. 11 specifically says that those who were hardened, and not of the elect in v. 7, can be grafted in again. How? Romans 11 cannot be interpreted to say what you think it says, for the reason that only the elect recieve etenal life. That is why Calvin thought it was an arguement from the lesser to the greater and not a didactic statement on the nature of election. That is why I asked if you have other verses which would shed light on your question. Rom 11:5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. Rom 11:7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; It seems clear to me that election is a function of God's grace and not human decision. John |