Understanding God’s election

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Rufus

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Feb 17, 2024
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Almost every context in the Bible touching upon election has to do with service, not salvation.

MM
That's not saying very much since serving the Living God is what it means to be in an actual saving, personal, intimate, loving covenant relationship with Him. God didn't save anyone to not serve him! Everyone in this world serves someone or something! Therefore, if God never purposed for saved, chosen people to serve him, then this would mean they're still free to serve who or what they want.
 

Rufus

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Limited edit time so one addition; It could also be that the psuchikos-soulish man (translated natural man) is a man so committed to the soul and to the kosmos, that he is not the normal unbeliever who the Gospel can reach.
Define "normal unbeliever"! Would that be someone like those described in Isa 1:5-6 or in Jer 13:23? Or do "normal" unbelievers have stuff going on within them that "abnormal" unbelievers don't, e.g. some intrinsic goodness (Mk 10:18; Rom 7:18) that the bible says NO ONE has!?
 

Magenta

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Jul 3, 2015
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Excellent passage! And since Christ is believed in throughout the world, this can only mean that all men w/o distinction believe in Him.
Well, the mystery ain't that great after all, according to nay sayers. Imagine that!

Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ, and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for
ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His purpose was that now, through the church,
the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms...


Nope, no great depth there... according to some. Sad.
 

studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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Your fixation with Calvinism blinds your ability to understand God's words.

You demonstrate yet again you are not able to discuss my Biblical points because Jesus teachings they escape your attention. And that is because John Calvin is at the forefront of your consciousness.

I wish you the best in your journey.

Just a dodge from actually discussing Scriptures which are actually at the forefront of my attention.

I'm used to such diversions.
 

studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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Define "normal unbeliever"! Would that be someone like those described in Isa 1:5-6 or in Jer 13:23? Or do "normal" unbelievers have stuff going on within them that "abnormal" unbelievers don't, e.g. some intrinsic goodness (Mk 10:18; Rom 7:18) that the bible says NO ONE has!?
That Rom7-8 is a good area to discuss a man who struggles in conscience and is not fully committed to soulishness. I posted some things about it recently and how Paul explains what the flesh does to hijack the thinking of a man who desires to do good. It's pretty interesting how Paul explains it.

It's not about intrinsic goodness. It's about an inner battle that many have because they know there is right and wrong and a God they have not fully rejected from their knowledge.

If you'd like to read the post let me know and I'll look for it.
 
Dec 21, 2024
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I have a better idea: Show me one verse in the bible whereby faithful obedience and service to the King of kings and Lord of lords isn't the very warp 'n' woof of salvation and the reason for it. Don't you know that God calls everyone for a PURPOSE!? You're not saying very much when you try to dichotomize God's purpose in salvation.
After you answer my challenge, then I will consider answering your challenge. This is how you put a stop to theological ping pong. So, answer my challenge. That way, I will get an idea just the extent of your biblical knowledge.
 

studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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Define "normal unbeliever"! Would that be someone like those described in Isa 1:5-6 or in Jer 13:23? Or do "normal" unbelievers have stuff going on within them that "abnormal" unbelievers don't, e.g. some intrinsic goodness (Mk 10:18; Rom 7:18) that the bible says NO ONE has!?
Rom7-8 observations as a starting point.
 

Rufus

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Feb 17, 2024
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After you answer my challenge, then I will consider answering your challenge. This is how you put a stop to theological ping pong. So, answer my challenge. That way, I will get an idea just the extent of your biblical knowledge.
What "challenge" would that be: That God actually elects/chooses only a tiny percentage of the Church that he has specifically called to "serve" him? Make things up much?
 

studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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There are two kinds of people in the world: Those in the flesh who CANNOT please God and those in the Spirit who can. So...is your "normal" unbeliever someone who fits in between these two different kinds of people? :rolleyes:
Are you sure there are only 2 kinds of people in the world?

Even in 1Cor2-3 where the discussion began, there are at least 3 types of people discussed.

In the context of my saying "normal unbeliever" I was proposing a difference from the psuchikos-natural man (unbeliever) of 1Cor2:14 who looks to be completely committed to the soul and to the kosmos.
 

Kroogz

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Dec 5, 2023
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Limited edit time so one addition; It could also be that the psuchikos-soulish man (translated natural man) is a man so committed to the soul and to the kosmos, that he is not the normal unbeliever who the Gospel can reach.
Or......It can be describing ALL of us in and of ourselves. As if God never came after us. If God left us alone........NONE would seek Him.

But He did not leave us to ourselves. He came after us.....EACH and EVERYONE of us. He reconciled each and every person who has ever lived to Himself.

He sent the helper to convict us of sin. Because they do not believe in Him.

So yes, as the natural man( as if he left us be) we would never seek God. None would......But He convicted THE WORLD of sin.
 

Rufus

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Feb 17, 2024
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Are you sure there are only 2 kinds of people in the world?

Even in 1Cor2-3 where the discussion began, there are at least 3 types of people discussed.

In the context of my saying "normal unbeliever" I was proposing a difference from the psuchikos-natural man (unbeliever) of 1Cor2:14 who looks to be completely committed to the soul and to the kosmos.
And the "abnormal" believer is completely committed to what precisely?

And what are the "3 types of people" discussed in 1Cor 2-3? Are all these types also unbelievers or is it a mixed bag?
 

Rufus

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Feb 17, 2024
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Or......It can be describing ALL of us in and of ourselves. As if God never came after us. If God left us alone........NONE would seek Him.

But He did not leave us to ourselves. He came after us.....EACH and EVERYONE of us. He reconciled each and every person who has ever lived to Himself.

He sent the helper to convict us of sin. Because they do not believe in Him.

So yes, as the natural man( as if he left us be) we would never seek God. None would......But He convicted THE WORLD of sin.
Then everyone is saved, just like Eve was saved. I know you desperately want to have it both ways here: You want everyone to believe that he reconciled all men w/o exception, but then when an unbeliever says..."Well then...I'm good to go since God saved me and I didn't even know about it." But then you reply..."Oh, no...what I really meant to say that God offers you the opportunity to be reconciled to Him."

Talk about delusional, self-deceived and duplicity! God even reconciled people he never knew ever! May God have mercy on your soul on the last day!
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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Your fixation with Calvinism blinds your ability to understand God's words.

You demonstrate yet again you are not able to discuss my Biblical points because Jesus teachings
they escape your attention. And that is because John Calvin is at the forefront of your consciousness.
The many who do this cannot seem to help themselves. That's partly why it is called a derangement syndrome...