Subject: How did sin originate |
Bible Note: New Creature: You wrote: 'Why did God raise up nations to judge rebellious Israel, only for those nations to be utterly destroyed? My Answer: God raised up nations, kingdoms, and kings as means of discipline against as you yourself state "rebellious Israel" or disobedient Israel, which ever wording you choose. It is because God loves His people and a loving Father disciplines His children with love.' I am in complete agreement with what you say here, but again you miss my point. My point was those nations which God used were not His children, and God's purpose was not that these pagan nations become part of God's covenant people, but rather that they serve their purpose and then be destroyed. Lastly, you wrote: "Why does God allow for heathens to be born, live, and die without EVER hearing the gospel or even the name of Jesus Christ? Answer: Since the fall in the garden, everyone born since, is born heathen, including you and I. We were not born saved. As to to the second part of this question I don't agree with that statement." Whether we are born saved or not has nothing to do with this discussion. As to the second part of the question, Romans 1 does not address the GOSPEL at all. Romans 1:20 says that the attributes of God the Father have been clearly revealed in creation, leaving human beings without excuse. Secondly, Romans 2 tells us that God gave everyone a moral sense, a conscience. Both the "light of creation" and the "light of conscience" serve to render deal with God's existence and God's law, and leaves all men with their mouth's closed before God's righteous judgment (Romans 3:19). However, none of that has to do with the only provision for escaping God's judgment. The gospel is not revealed in creation; the law of God is. The gospel is not revealed to all men in their consciences; the condemnation from the law is. The gospel falls under the category of special revelation, not general revelation, and Paul attests to this himself in Romans 10:14. The fact is that ever minute dozens of people die in their sins never having heard the gospel of Christ, and they are still without excuse because God's standard of righteousness has been revealed to them. Therefore, God does not provide the gospel to all human beings. So, God does treat some individuals differently than others, based on nothing else but His own counsel (Ephesians 1:11). Scripture clearly shows that. I did not do anything to earn God's saving grace, and nothing in myself merits it; I deserve precisely the opposite. Nonetheless, God has extended it to me and not others. God chose me like He has always chosen His people. --Joe! |