I have absolutely made a choice to serve Christ, after I was born again in him and him in me (Eph 2:1-5). Your question was "How did I hear about the gospel"?
What Does It Mean That God Desires All People To Be Saved?
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I have absolutely made a choice to serve Christ, after I was born again in him and him in me (Eph 2:1-5). Your question was "How did I hear about the gospel"?
@selahsays free will is not taught in the Bible! This does not preclude man's need and ability to make choices. However, the natural man is a slave to sin due to fear of death... and slaves are not free. It is a complex issue to be sure. Neither am I a Calvinist... I would love to discuss this more when I am not on my phone during my workplace lunch break...[/QUOTE]
Hi…. Am I understanding you correctly? So you believe that free will is not taught in the Bible? Me? I say that both election and free-will are taught in the Bible.
Hi…. Am I understanding you correctly? So you believe that free will is not taught in the Bible? Me? I say that both election and free-will are taught in the Bible.
Hi…. Am I understanding you correctly? So you believe that free will is not taught in the Bible? Me? I say that both election and free-will are taught in the Bible.[/QUOTE]
I agree.
I don't see freewill taught or spoken on as a subject, in and of itself... but it's clearly implied through innumerable Scripture that talk about people making choices, choosing to believe, or accept, and receive. The list is endless. IMHO.
Yes definitely, Ted01, but depending upon how you mean "influence", I might put it in stronger terms than that:
[Heb 10:16 KJV]
16 This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
[Col 3:10 KJV]
10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
[Luk 1:77 KJV]
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
I base it in part on Luke 15. Notice that Jesus is telling 1 parable with 3 parts. Most people are familiar with the story of the prodigal. But few link it to the 2 stories that come previous to it.
The Shepherd who seeks is Christ and reflects His role in salvation. The lightening of the house and the cleaning represents the work of the Spirit in salvation. And of course, the father represents the role of the Father receiving sinners to Himself.
Most people are also familiar with Acts 2:38 and the response those who believe make to the gospel. But few look at Acts 2:37 where hearing is given, hearts are pricked, and wills are altered. All these things come before and are works of God.
Thank you, Cameron!
I have long believed that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was the gift and seal to those who were Saved, after Salvation.
This idea that the Spirit must indwell the unsaved in order to regenerate us in order that we might even begin to seek and believe and then call out for Salvation, is new to me.
I'll try to consider it and check with other sources.
I clearly made a distinction between free will and making choices. 0ne does not preclude the other, and man is also responsible for his choices. However, a slave cannot simply choose to will himself into freedom, and God must act before man can respond. Yes, God has acted already, and is drawing all men to Himself. Does this then mean that all men will be saved? No. Something more is required by most and God promises to reveal Himself to those who diligently seek Him.
Salvation is a very debated subject. When does it occur? How much does one understand? Who initiates the process? What is God's role? What is man's contribution?
The debate isn't likely to be settled anytime soon.
Hi Magenta... I didn't mean to draw anyone's ire over this. I'm not as smart as others here, so I humbly apologize if my thoughts offend.
I would have thought that if I had the ability to make choices, it implied that I had, at least a measure of free-will. It might not bring about my freedom, as in the case of a slave... but I thought that it might be the difference to call out for a redeemer.
LOL, I guess that I am totally outclassed in this discussion... so many wise folks, I'll bow out.
Do you debate God over what's in Scripture... oh, never mind, I'm bowing out.
Thank you for responding though!
The HolySpirit convicts the world of sin because they do not believe in Jesus.
I believe that the Elect are specifically predestined for salvation—and yet, even they have to choose Christ in this age. Just my 2 cents….
My apologies if I came across as irritated. It is indeed a complex subject and I dare say none has the whole of the answer. We may also have experienced God in different ways which colour how we think on this issue. I think you are quite wise when it comes to Scriptural matters
PS- I am posting from my phone and that is certainly irritating!!! Ugh LOL
John 14~~17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Indwelling of the Spirit started at the same time. Jesus had to be glorified.
It comes down to equal privilege and equal opportunity. He leaves not one person out. Everyone who ever lives is going to get their BEST chance at salvation. We choose it or we reject it.
We can debate the nuances of it. But nobody is left out in His plan of salvation for mankind.
Election is what God does. What God decides will occur will always occur. But God is an amazing being. Far greater than at most times than we ascribe to Him. And because of our limitations, we are at a loss to understand fully. But God is able to accomplish all He purposes while at the same time allowing mankind to make their own choices.
@Magenta makes an excellent distinction. While men are free to make choices, they are limited in the choices they can make. Paul speaks to this reality in Acts 17 in his address on Mars Hill. God Himself sets the bounds of our habitation. James speaks to the issue in his epistle when he says if God wills we can go to a town and buy and sell and make much gain.
Do you believe God decides beforehand that some are made for destruction? And that God, having fashioned them for destruction, will punish them eternally for failing to make a choice that was never meant for them in the first place?
Here’s is a wonderful passage of scripture depicting free will:
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
- John 3:14-18