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NASB | Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, |
Subject: Theological Terms: Regeneration |
Bible Note: Doc wrote: "No one ever chooses to do what they do not deem will be best for themselves . . . For example, a robber might demand all of your money. You refuse. Now, the robber can alter the circumstances that contribute to your choice, by holding a gun to your head. Given the new circumstances, you choose to hand over your money. Are you being forced? No, you still have a free will. You choose what you deem will best lead to the objectives of your immediate happiness: you give him your money that your life might be spared." Does God know what man will choose before he chooses it? Does man know that God is the best? Before the Fall, was it the law of God (Gen 2:17) that provided the opportunity of choice for Adam and Eve? They were perfect and yet chose unbelief. You stated, "because of the fall, (man) has a "moral inability" to choose to obey God" What part of Adam and Eve's perfection resulted in their rebellion? They were perfect and yet had no knowledge of good and evil prior to the fall. Without this knowledge, would they have moral ability? If corrupt wills can not choose God, how could incorrupt wills NOT choose Him? Yet God gave them the freedom to choose to believe Him or not. Did He choose to save them regardless of their choice? Just as God did not force them or us to believe Him, doesn't He give each a portion of faith as well as Himself and an opportunity to believe Him? Does this make sense? Help me sort this out here. How does man come to know that God is the best -and therefore that His way is the best for man? How did Adam and Eve come to this realization? mommapbs PS Going back to your analogy, unless universal salvation comes into play here, we know that some choose the bullet. So your statement, "No one ever chooses to do what they do not deem will be best for themselves," doesn't seem to be true for the salvation of God. Not everyone chooses God's Way. Perhaps this is because they don't believe that God's Way is best, but their way is better. But doesn't God know that beforehand too? |