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NASB | Ephesians 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:3 Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God's] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind]. |
Bible Question:
Dear John: Is it possible to change? 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. 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. Please ponder these things seriously and tell us. If your beliefs are preordained and set, and if the same is true of others, then is there any purpose to this discussion? |
Bible Answer: "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 |