Why do some people believe and some do not?
- Thread starter Hakawaka
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
2 of the three reasons in questions you first ask are at root connected to disobedience.
Other than what you've identified in John3, I typically begin by taking this back to Jesus' teaching in John4:20-24 where He makes it very clear and extremely emphatic what God is seeking in men. John uses the word "worship" 10 times in 5 verses with 8 of the 10 spoken by Jesus. This repetition is very emphatic and meant to be more than noticed.
"Worship" here is best translated more literally as "bow in obeisance." It's a word speaking of reverent submission - true obedience. According to Jesus, this is what God is seeking. It's what He's always sought in men and will ultimately have.
So the flipside is simply men's lack of being willing to obey. When studied out, this equates to a lack of love of God and truth (so loving darkness as you've quoted), a lack of faith, (because faith and obedience are vitally interconnected), thus lawlessness, sin, unrighteousness and into all the words and concepts like darkness, the deceitfulness of sin, desires/lusts, etc.
It's a desire for autonomy (self-law/rule), not wanting to be ruled by another, perceived freedom, men as gods, and so on. It goes back to the Garden and it's what God is turning around in His creation through His Son His Christ/King/only absolute Ruler (despotes in Jude 1:4). You've also picked it up in your statement "refuse to humble themselves." The inverse being pride and arrogance.
'But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.'" (Lk. 19:27 NKJ)
Other than what you've identified in John3, I typically begin by taking this back to Jesus' teaching in John4:20-24 where He makes it very clear and extremely emphatic what God is seeking in men. John uses the word "worship" 10 times in 5 verses with 8 of the 10 spoken by Jesus. This repetition is very emphatic and meant to be more than noticed.
"Worship" here is best translated more literally as "bow in obeisance." It's a word speaking of reverent submission - true obedience. According to Jesus, this is what God is seeking. It's what He's always sought in men and will ultimately have.
So the flipside is simply men's lack of being willing to obey. When studied out, this equates to a lack of love of God and truth (so loving darkness as you've quoted), a lack of faith, (because faith and obedience are vitally interconnected), thus lawlessness, sin, unrighteousness and into all the words and concepts like darkness, the deceitfulness of sin, desires/lusts, etc.
It's a desire for autonomy (self-law/rule), not wanting to be ruled by another, perceived freedom, men as gods, and so on. It goes back to the Garden and it's what God is turning around in His creation through His Son His Christ/King/only absolute Ruler (despotes in Jude 1:4). You've also picked it up in your statement "refuse to humble themselves." The inverse being pride and arrogance.
'But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.'" (Lk. 19:27 NKJ)
Brother are you kidding me...? "He reveals in us what our real desires are when given the choice" ???????
WE DON"T GET THE CHOICE BROTHER, AND NO WHERE IN THE BIBLE DOES IT SAY THAT WE DO,
YOU ARE DEAD IN SIN, CHILD OF WRATH RIGHT WHEN YOU ARE BORN INTO THE WORLD
DEAD PEOPLE DONT CHOOSE.
WE DON"T GET THE CHOICE BROTHER, AND NO WHERE IN THE BIBLE DOES IT SAY THAT WE DO,
YOU ARE DEAD IN SIN, CHILD OF WRATH RIGHT WHEN YOU ARE BORN INTO THE WORLD
DEAD PEOPLE DONT CHOOSE.
It is our flesh that is born corrupt, not our souls. We become corrupted in our thinking because we are dead due to Adam's sin and our flesh is able to deceive us. Grace steps into that darkness and shines God's light. We are either a believer and like the proverbial moth are drawn to the light because that is what we prefer or we are an unbeliever and refuse to come and remain condemned.
And I'll ask you not to yell at me thank you. There is a protocol when typing in forums and all caps is considered yelling. If you wish to stress something then either bold or underline.
James 4:6
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 3:34
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:13
But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 3:34
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:13
But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Scripture tells us why people do not believe, though many claiming the name of Christ reject what Scripture says on the matter.
The natural man is blinded by the god of this world.
The natural man is a lover of darkness.
The natural man is a slave to sin.
The natural man's righteous acts are like filthy rags devoid of faith.
The natural man is captive to the will of the devil.
The natural man is hostile in his mind toward God.
The natural man suppresses the truth in unrighteousness.
The natural man cannot receive the spiritual things of God.
The natural man cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
The natural man does not seek after God.
The natural man cannot come to God on his own.
The natural man hears the gospel as foolishness.
The natural man is helpless and ungodly.
The natural man is by nature a child of wrath.
The natural man cannot submit to God's law.
The natural man is dead in his sins.
The natural man is in need of a spiritual rebirth.
The natural man requires heart circumcision so he may love God.
Jesus’ words in John 6:65 I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them. Plus Colossians 1:21 and 2:13; Ephesians 2:1a and 3b; Philippians 1:6 and 2:13
The natural man is blinded by the god of this world.
The natural man is a lover of darkness.
The natural man is a slave to sin.
The natural man's righteous acts are like filthy rags devoid of faith.
The natural man is captive to the will of the devil.
The natural man is hostile in his mind toward God.
The natural man suppresses the truth in unrighteousness.
The natural man cannot receive the spiritual things of God.
The natural man cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
The natural man does not seek after God.
The natural man cannot come to God on his own.
The natural man hears the gospel as foolishness.
The natural man is helpless and ungodly.
The natural man is by nature a child of wrath.
The natural man cannot submit to God's law.
The natural man is dead in his sins.
The natural man is in need of a spiritual rebirth.
The natural man requires heart circumcision so he may love God.
Jesus’ words in John 6:65 I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them. Plus Colossians 1:21 and 2:13; Ephesians 2:1a and 3b; Philippians 1:6 and 2:13
Born again is willingly dead, dying to that frist birth od natural flesh, needing the life od the risen Christ at least for me and yet I havre still sinned can again and wish not to of coarse yet do and have, what is up with that? I need God to lead not me, the toes what is up with that. As I learn this asm I any better than an unbeliever? No!!!!!!!!!!!!!! never.
Can and have I ever thought I was, Yes 1 Have, has God forgiven me still? Yes God has, so do I take this gift given for granted and use as if I am better than others?
No way, I am not perfect, God is and blessed are those that God chooses to not impute any sin to them, wow, amazing, I can only humbly say thank you to God and treat all in the same love and mercy given me. Learning this deeper daily as God has chosen to bless us y'all, wow, how can I harm anyone else ever again? I am learning to not and to respond over create.
God is the creator, I am the created by God, Your will Father not mine
Jesus told us this answer plainly, but a lot of people do not like the answer.
John 10:24-30
Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him,
"How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."
Jesus answered them,
"I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."
-
2
-
1
-
1
- Show all
The right way to harmonize Scripture is NOT by viewing God as schizophrenic but rather understanding how His POS is consistent with His desire.
IOW, you should harmonize RM 3:11 with RM 3:21-26, MT 7:7 and HB 11:6, JN 3:16, etc., NOT cut out the parts that do not conform with hatred for some part of humanity.
IOW, you should harmonize RM 3:11 with RM 3:21-26, MT 7:7 and HB 11:6, JN 3:16, etc., NOT cut out the parts that do not conform with hatred for some part of humanity.
-
1
- Show all
we as people in first birth do see life all around us and want to be a part of it or not, depending on how we are risen, yet Father comes through for us all, no matter what.
Seeing this life here on this earth and experiencing things that seem are good for ads, get us, did me, I am dry now been dry for over 40 years now. Boy was I a drunk back then. God saved me from that ignorance I was caught up in back then. And I a=m thankful, not proud over this free choice to quit given. Then other ____________________ came in and comes in and got me under Law as well fro a long while, that floored me once began trying to behave perfect. I got to see "I" can't do it perfect, but God did it for me and y'all also.
Hebrews 10:10 wow, thank you Father and Son as Won (One)
Seeing this life here on this earth and experiencing things that seem are good for ads, get us, did me, I am dry now been dry for over 40 years now. Boy was I a drunk back then. God saved me from that ignorance I was caught up in back then. And I a=m thankful, not proud over this free choice to quit given. Then other ____________________ came in and comes in and got me under Law as well fro a long while, that floored me once began trying to behave perfect. I got to see "I" can't do it perfect, but God did it for me and y'all also.
Hebrews 10:10 wow, thank you Father and Son as Won (One)
just telling you what the scripture literally says, bro.
desiring all to be saved isn't the same as saving all, nor does it mention enabling all to seek Him.
the parables don't speak of sheep out looking for their lost shepherd, but rather, The Shepherd looking for His lost sheep.
desiring all to be saved isn't the same as saving all, nor does it mention enabling all to seek Him.
the parables don't speak of sheep out looking for their lost shepherd, but rather, The Shepherd looking for His lost sheep.
-
1
-
1
-
1
- Show all
No, you are interpreting what Scripture says. I just posted my interpretation on another thread but it is also relevant here:
Your conclusion is that God hates those He does not choose to save--which is a blasphemous accusation that results from believing the evil angel of false light. However, we can harmonizes pertinent scripture as follows:
[Jhn 17:9 KJV] "I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine."
JN 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Harmonization: Whoever believes in Jesus becomes one of them for whom Jesus prayed. Jesus does not say that God desires to give Jesus only a few and condemn the majority to hell.
DT 30:19, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
Harmonization: Those who choose death/curses remain part of the world for whom Jesus did not pray.
MT 23:37, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Harmonization: Jesus longed or prayed for the unbelieving world to repent and become willing to choose life/blessings.
1TM 2:3b-4, “God our Savior wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
Harmonization: God wants everyone in the world to be saved although some choose not to be gathered under His wings. IOW, God initiates; souls cooperate–or not. (Cf. RM 11:5-6, EPH 2:4-10)
RM 11:7, “What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did”,
Harmonization: This seems to speak of both corporate Israel and elect individuals including those from corporate “Gentiledom”.
An all-loving God would have elected to give everyone a new heart. Thus, we conclude that some Jews cooperated with God, but others did not and shut their ears and eyes to GW (RM 11:7-10, ACTS 28:25-28), because the Jews as a whole did not fall completely beyond recovery or from the possibility of being saved (RM 11:11-14, 1TM 2:3-4, JN 3:16). God allows Jews to be hardened and become ungodly enemies just as the Gentiles were (cf. ACTS 28:26-27), so that He may have mercy on them all–that is, on all He chooses to elect, which is all (1TM 2:3-4, JN 3:16) who reflect His love by accepting Messiah/Christ (DT 30:19, MT 23:37). In this way His POS is just (2THS 1:6).
EPH 1:3-14, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will, to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
Harmonization: What the all-loving God predestined was NOT that some souls would be damned, but rather the plan of salvation to elect potentially all humanity, whom He loves and atoned for (1TM 2:3-5), if they exercise their God-given grace of volition to accept His offer of grace IN Christ (2THS 2:10).
Matt 11:27, “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Harmonization: Jesus does not say that he wants to reveal the Father only to a few and condemn the majority to hell.
Luke 8:10, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'”
Harmonization: Both Jesus and Paul teach that the reason folks do not understand is because their hearts are hardened or callous (MT 13:14-15, ACTS 28:26-27).
Luke 10:21, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
Harmonization: This means that although the Gospel/salvation is available to all, it may be hard for the educated as well as the rich to go through the eye of that needle (MT 19:23-24).
JN 12:32, "I, when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw all people to myself."
This drawing is akin to calling, but it does not mean that all will cooperate and be chosen or saved.
JN 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you to bear fruit that will last.”
Harmonization: This refers to MT 1:16, which records Jesus choosing to call Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow him as disciples.
ACTS 16:14b, "The Lord opened her [Lydia’s] heart to respond to Paul’s message."
Harmonization: Everyone else needs God’s grace also, and JN 3:16 indicates that God softens everyone's heart so they may believe--but this grace is not irresistible.
RM 3:10-18, "There is no one righteous, not even one...".
Harmonization: This does NOT say that man is incapable of believing in Jesus and the Gospel, but rather...
RM 3:23-26, "All have sinned... and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus... to demonstrate His righteousness... so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
RM 9:11-16, "...Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!... It does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy... God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden."
Harmonization: This does not say that God wants to harden anyone, although He could have chosen to do so, but rather...
RM 9:23, " What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy... not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles... who did not pursue righteousness but have obtained it--a righteousness that is by faith."
2TM 2:25-26, "Opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance... and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
Harmonization: LK 4:18 says that Jesus came to set the captives of Satan free, and so God must give sinners sufficient sense for repenting/escaping, because...
2PT 3:9, "The Lord is not... wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." although He allows people to believe a lie...
2THS 2:10, "They perish because they refused to love the truth and be saved."
P.S. regarding synonyms for "elect":
elect (MT 24:22,24&31) = disciples (MT 28:7-8,13,16&19) = reborn (JN 3:3&7) = believers (JN 3:16, 5:24, 6:35-40 & 20:29) = saints (ACTS 9:32, RM 1:7, 8:27) = Christians (ACTS 11:26, 26:28) = saved (ACTS 16:30-31) = those in Christ (RM 8:1, EPH 1:1-13) = Spirit-led (RM 8:2-16) = children/sons/heirs of God (RM 8:14-21) = the grafted in (RM 11:17-24) = sanctified/church member (1CR 1:2) = God’s people (1CR 16:1) = church/saints (2CR 1:1 = the faithful/holy (EPH 1:1, PHP 1:2) = chosen in Christ (EPH 1:4-11) = members of God’s household (EPH 2:19) = soldier/worker (PHL v.2&24)
Your conclusion is that God hates those He does not choose to save--which is a blasphemous accusation that results from believing the evil angel of false light. However, we can harmonizes pertinent scripture as follows:
[Jhn 17:9 KJV] "I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine."
JN 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Harmonization: Whoever believes in Jesus becomes one of them for whom Jesus prayed. Jesus does not say that God desires to give Jesus only a few and condemn the majority to hell.
DT 30:19, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
Harmonization: Those who choose death/curses remain part of the world for whom Jesus did not pray.
MT 23:37, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Harmonization: Jesus longed or prayed for the unbelieving world to repent and become willing to choose life/blessings.
1TM 2:3b-4, “God our Savior wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
Harmonization: God wants everyone in the world to be saved although some choose not to be gathered under His wings. IOW, God initiates; souls cooperate–or not. (Cf. RM 11:5-6, EPH 2:4-10)
RM 11:7, “What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did”,
Harmonization: This seems to speak of both corporate Israel and elect individuals including those from corporate “Gentiledom”.
An all-loving God would have elected to give everyone a new heart. Thus, we conclude that some Jews cooperated with God, but others did not and shut their ears and eyes to GW (RM 11:7-10, ACTS 28:25-28), because the Jews as a whole did not fall completely beyond recovery or from the possibility of being saved (RM 11:11-14, 1TM 2:3-4, JN 3:16). God allows Jews to be hardened and become ungodly enemies just as the Gentiles were (cf. ACTS 28:26-27), so that He may have mercy on them all–that is, on all He chooses to elect, which is all (1TM 2:3-4, JN 3:16) who reflect His love by accepting Messiah/Christ (DT 30:19, MT 23:37). In this way His POS is just (2THS 1:6).
EPH 1:3-14, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will, to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
Harmonization: What the all-loving God predestined was NOT that some souls would be damned, but rather the plan of salvation to elect potentially all humanity, whom He loves and atoned for (1TM 2:3-5), if they exercise their God-given grace of volition to accept His offer of grace IN Christ (2THS 2:10).
Matt 11:27, “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Harmonization: Jesus does not say that he wants to reveal the Father only to a few and condemn the majority to hell.
Luke 8:10, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'”
Harmonization: Both Jesus and Paul teach that the reason folks do not understand is because their hearts are hardened or callous (MT 13:14-15, ACTS 28:26-27).
Luke 10:21, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
Harmonization: This means that although the Gospel/salvation is available to all, it may be hard for the educated as well as the rich to go through the eye of that needle (MT 19:23-24).
JN 12:32, "I, when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw all people to myself."
This drawing is akin to calling, but it does not mean that all will cooperate and be chosen or saved.
JN 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you to bear fruit that will last.”
Harmonization: This refers to MT 1:16, which records Jesus choosing to call Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow him as disciples.
ACTS 16:14b, "The Lord opened her [Lydia’s] heart to respond to Paul’s message."
Harmonization: Everyone else needs God’s grace also, and JN 3:16 indicates that God softens everyone's heart so they may believe--but this grace is not irresistible.
RM 3:10-18, "There is no one righteous, not even one...".
Harmonization: This does NOT say that man is incapable of believing in Jesus and the Gospel, but rather...
RM 3:23-26, "All have sinned... and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus... to demonstrate His righteousness... so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
RM 9:11-16, "...Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!... It does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy... God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden."
Harmonization: This does not say that God wants to harden anyone, although He could have chosen to do so, but rather...
RM 9:23, " What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy... not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles... who did not pursue righteousness but have obtained it--a righteousness that is by faith."
2TM 2:25-26, "Opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance... and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
Harmonization: LK 4:18 says that Jesus came to set the captives of Satan free, and so God must give sinners sufficient sense for repenting/escaping, because...
2PT 3:9, "The Lord is not... wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." although He allows people to believe a lie...
2THS 2:10, "They perish because they refused to love the truth and be saved."
P.S. regarding synonyms for "elect":
elect (MT 24:22,24&31) = disciples (MT 28:7-8,13,16&19) = reborn (JN 3:3&7) = believers (JN 3:16, 5:24, 6:35-40 & 20:29) = saints (ACTS 9:32, RM 1:7, 8:27) = Christians (ACTS 11:26, 26:28) = saved (ACTS 16:30-31) = those in Christ (RM 8:1, EPH 1:1-13) = Spirit-led (RM 8:2-16) = children/sons/heirs of God (RM 8:14-21) = the grafted in (RM 11:17-24) = sanctified/church member (1CR 1:2) = God’s people (1CR 16:1) = church/saints (2CR 1:1 = the faithful/holy (EPH 1:1, PHP 1:2) = chosen in Christ (EPH 1:4-11) = members of God’s household (EPH 2:19) = soldier/worker (PHL v.2&24)
um, no,
all i did was say Jesus plainly answered the question, i verbatim quoted the scripture.
but it's like i said -- a lot of people don't like the answer.
the answer is extremely clear:
why doesn't everyone believe?
because not everyone is His sheep.
you may interpret that how you like, or how you particularly don't like, but that is the answer.
all i did was say Jesus plainly answered the question, i verbatim quoted the scripture.
but it's like i said -- a lot of people don't like the answer.
the answer is extremely clear:
why doesn't everyone believe?
because not everyone is His sheep.
you may interpret that how you like, or how you particularly don't like, but that is the answer.
-
2
-
1
- Show all
