predestination vs freewill
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if you look at the context of Romans 6-8, the answer to this question is two fold.
A. We are set free from the curse of the Law, because our sins were judged at the cross. Christ having paid the debt, there is no more debt to pay. The Law has no claim on us. This also frees us from the dominion of sin which uses the Law to bring us into captivity ( see Romans 7)
B. The indwelling Holy Spirit gives us power to walk righteously. When we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
A. We are set free from the curse of the Law, because our sins were judged at the cross. Christ having paid the debt, there is no more debt to pay. The Law has no claim on us. This also frees us from the dominion of sin which uses the Law to bring us into captivity ( see Romans 7)
B. The indwelling Holy Spirit gives us power to walk righteously. When we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
We are in agreement as to the principles of Soteriology. This is a good thing.
My attempt to pull in the Eternal aspect of Salvation, was to give you further reason to rejoice. The more one understands about the eternal nature of our relationship with God, the stronger their belief. Eternal decrees have placed the elect in Christ and because of this, Salvation for the elect, cannot be shaken. It is Guaranteed. Understanding - truly - these things and making them a part of yourself, will cause great reason to rejoice. This eternal knowledge of our relationship with God, magnifies the meaning behind verses like:
John_8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Act_5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Rom_8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
These are comforting verses to any believer but they become even greater as ones understanding grows in regards to their eternal relationship. Eternity is where God lives and has His being - He is only manifested in time. To truly understand Christ, His person and work, One must sit "in the heavenly places" in Christ.
My attempt to pull in the Eternal aspect of Salvation, was to give you further reason to rejoice. The more one understands about the eternal nature of our relationship with God, the stronger their belief. Eternal decrees have placed the elect in Christ and because of this, Salvation for the elect, cannot be shaken. It is Guaranteed. Understanding - truly - these things and making them a part of yourself, will cause great reason to rejoice. This eternal knowledge of our relationship with God, magnifies the meaning behind verses like:
John_8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Act_5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Rom_8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
These are comforting verses to any believer but they become even greater as ones understanding grows in regards to their eternal relationship. Eternity is where God lives and has His being - He is only manifested in time. To truly understand Christ, His person and work, One must sit "in the heavenly places" in Christ.
Prepositions : Koine Greek (greekdoc.com)
The gymnastics you're committing to in order to fudge John 1 is a first for me.
You refuse to learn the truth of God in Christ.. I accept that.
The gymnastics you're committing to in order to fudge John 1 is a first for me.
You refuse to learn the truth of God in Christ.. I accept that.
So in other words, exegeting a preposition in a text is refusing to learn the truth?
What did John mean when he said “the Word was WITH God”? Or do you just choose to ignore that part of the text.
Which is interesting, because John not only writes those words, he also REPEATS them for EMPHASIS!!!! ( John 1:1-2)
What did John mean when he said “the Word was WITH God”? Or do you just choose to ignore that part of the text.
Which is interesting, because John not only writes those words, he also REPEATS them for EMPHASIS!!!! ( John 1:1-2)
Yes, it's not easy. God's plan was for Israel to leave Egypt and head to the promised land. It's about 2 weeks by foot. God intended Israel to occupy the land soon they left Egypt. But Israel was not ready or willing. So they ended up missing out. They wandered the wilderness for 40 years until all who left Egypt (apart from Joshua and Caleb) had died. They never received the promise. God predestines us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Some are willing and make great progress. Watchman Nee and Charles Spurgeon come to mind, along with many other men of God. Others make progress, but it is with much complaining and heartache along the way. And some miss out on Kingdom blessings because they refuse to let God change them.
God knows those who are His. We do not. From our point of view, we have free will and we are entirely responsible for our Christian lives. From God's point of view, His plan and purpose cannot be thwarted. He will have His way. All Christians will one day be like Jesus. That, to me, is the greatest promise in God's word. However, what we do in this life sets us up for eternity. How much better to live for Christ instead of self. God rewards those who give up their selfish ways now in order to facilitate the arrival of the Kingdom of God.
Predestination is a problematic doctrine if you take it too far. God knows all who are or will be born again. That is the initial salvation that allows us to see the Kingdom of God. Our part follows being born again. The Christian life is active, not passive. No one hands out prizes to spectators. "I was predestined to fail" is a cop out. It's a false understanding, as any honest reading of God's word will show.
God knows those who are His. We do not. From our point of view, we have free will and we are entirely responsible for our Christian lives. From God's point of view, His plan and purpose cannot be thwarted. He will have His way. All Christians will one day be like Jesus. That, to me, is the greatest promise in God's word. However, what we do in this life sets us up for eternity. How much better to live for Christ instead of self. God rewards those who give up their selfish ways now in order to facilitate the arrival of the Kingdom of God.
Predestination is a problematic doctrine if you take it too far. God knows all who are or will be born again. That is the initial salvation that allows us to see the Kingdom of God. Our part follows being born again. The Christian life is active, not passive. No one hands out prizes to spectators. "I was predestined to fail" is a cop out. It's a false understanding, as any honest reading of God's word will show.
And God became flesh and dwelt among us.
What you're intentionally omitting in your argument is, "and the word was God."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=MOUNCE
What you're intentionally omitting in your argument is, "and the word was God."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=MOUNCE
No I haven’t omitted anything. The phrases “ the Word was with God” and “ the Word was God” are fully compatible when you accept the Trinity. Word was in the beginning, the Word was with God, and the Word was God are all true.
My question for you is how do you explain the Word being with God ans at the same time Himself being God in a non Trinitarian view. It appears that you don’t have an answer.
Three statements. I accept all three. Now, because I asked you what the Holy Spirit meant when He said through the apostle John, “ the Word was with God”, that is not omitting anything.
We agree that the Word is God. But what does the phrase “ the Word was with God” mean?
If you don’t know, just say so. No shame in saying “ I don’t know”.
My question for you is how do you explain the Word being with God ans at the same time Himself being God in a non Trinitarian view. It appears that you don’t have an answer.
Three statements. I accept all three. Now, because I asked you what the Holy Spirit meant when He said through the apostle John, “ the Word was with God”, that is not omitting anything.
We agree that the Word is God. But what does the phrase “ the Word was with God” mean?
If you don’t know, just say so. No shame in saying “ I don’t know”.
Ah, that's the issue as to why the oneness,no not Pentecost oneness, of God is difficult for you. You're arguing from the premise of trinitarian tritheism.
You'll never comprehend John 1 from that standpoint. Because there are not three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead.
There is only one. That is why the word was God in the beginning and became Jesus, who was of and from God's power, and is referred to in John 1 as the word made flesh.
All that is, is of and from God. Jesus wasn't a separate person from God. He was fully God because in the beginning the word made all that exists.
Genesis 1:3. And God said.....
Jesus didn't pray to himself when invoking Father. Jesus was a Jewish man observing Jewish traditions before Jewish onlookers who already knew the Messiah prophecy.
You'll never comprehend John 1 from that standpoint. Because there are not three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead.
There is only one. That is why the word was God in the beginning and became Jesus, who was of and from God's power, and is referred to in John 1 as the word made flesh.
All that is, is of and from God. Jesus wasn't a separate person from God. He was fully God because in the beginning the word made all that exists.
Genesis 1:3. And God said.....
Jesus didn't pray to himself when invoking Father. Jesus was a Jewish man observing Jewish traditions before Jewish onlookers who already knew the Messiah prophecy.