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NASB | 1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:2 And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature--our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world. |
Subject: Receive? |
Bible Note: Greetings John! I have no problem with anyone who defends their position, as long as that defense is mixed with a little humility! I'm not implying that your isn't my friend! It's just that, while I firmly believe I am correct in my views, I realize that there others who view thing differently - so I try to remember that I could be wrong! :-) To me, the most fundamental difference between Calvinism and Arminianism is their views on God's Sovereignty. Both view God as Sovereign, but both apply it differently. Calvinism seems to hold that if anyone is capable of exercising free will, then God is diminished somehow. I look at it this way: God is Sovereign, but He has given us certain freedoms in His Sovereignty. A human example might be a prison. The jailer locks the prisoner into the cell block and gives him certain rights within the cell block. The prisoner is free to talk, eat, walk, ect. - within the confines of the cell block. These freedoms do not make the jailer less powerful. The prisoner cannot get out of the cell block. In the same way, our limited freedoms do not make God less Sovereign. Now, less you argue that this is all speculation and not Scripture, allow me to pose a question from Scripture for you. If Divine Sovereignty means that we have no choice at all in response to God, why did Jesus say in Mt. 23:37, "“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling."? Here, the same word is used of both parties. God 'willed or desired' to gather His people, but His people were not 'willing'. Thus, in v. 38, their house is being left to them desolate. Here is as clear an example as one will find in Scripture that man can resist God's will. Is this saying that man is more powerful than God? No! God gave us the ability to choose, we didn't wrest it from God. He could force us to do whatever He wanted, but He has chosen to draw and to convict instead. This is in perfect harmony with 2 Peter 3:9, where God is not willing that any should perish. Yet, some do - perhaps even most. This is also in perfect harmony with all of the calls in Scripture for us to: seek, accept, call, repent, turn, receive, ect.... All of these are active commands, indicating that we do have a choice. Well, it's getting late my friend! I look forward to your response. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |