The 'ELECT' vs 'Free-Choice'

  • 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.
awelight

awelight

Well-known member
#121
Aug 10, 2020
1,629
490
83
69
#121
Niki7 said:
No. The op is very plain.

The actual problems are people who cannot properly digest what is written by another because they already have their minds made up about everything and rather than discuss, they prefer to teach.

To be sure, I have taught, but the difference and why my students in both art and scripture always appreciated me, is because I listened and respected them and thought we all had something to offer. You might notice how I have not superimposed my own beliefs on anyone in this thread and I do respect those who, even though we may not agree 100%, I can sense and see the honesty in what they write.

I was also pretty good at shutting down nonsense. I mean you can't please everyone and I don't even try anymore. :giggle:

Feel free to start your own advice column thread and you can run it like gopher town with all those entries and exits ;)
Click to expand...
Well..... I see that maybe you don't deserve the respect I was giving you.

You talk about people not listening and just want to teach... maybe you should go back and read your post to me again. A lot of talk and not much listening.

Quote: "Feel free to start your own advice column thread and you can run it like gopher town..."
 
FollowerofShiloh

FollowerofShiloh

Well-known member
#123
Jan 24, 2024
4,321
714
113
#123
Anyone ever read about king Saul?

He was a Donkey herder and kept loosing the donkeys and needed help to find them.

But the true king David was a Shepherd of SHEEP.

God chose a mockery for the people as their first king hahahahahahaha
 
N

Niki7

Guest
#125
#125
2ndTimeIsTheCharm said:
You were the one that said that you can either be the elect to be saved or someone else who has free will to choose to be saved. This is what the thread is all about. Are you trying to back track now?


🥧
Click to expand...
yes and that game will be played throughout as well as attempts at trying to make anyone who points that out to be without the mental acuity to understand scripture

let the games begin

 
selahsays

selahsays

Well-known member
#128
May 31, 2023
2,796
1,484
113
#128
FollowerofShiloh said:
Saul did not get in front of the people to vote for him by luck or accident.
He got there because God put him there through Samuel.
So God elected who to be king.
Click to expand...
We’re talking about the apostle Paul. :)
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#129
Mar 1, 2022
18,892
6,485
113
62
#129
FollowerofShiloh said:
Scripture says first He was chosen by the revered judge and prophet Samuel, under the direction of God.
The people would have voted anyone in front of them but it was God who put the person (Saul) before them to vote for.
Click to expand...
They chose Saul because he was the largest one amongst them. They looked upon the outside. Turns out he was a very timid and fearful man who hid under the coats when it was time for his inauguration.
You might want to reread the story.
 
awelight

awelight

Well-known member
#130
Aug 10, 2020
1,629
490
83
69
#130
2ndTimeIsTheCharm said:
God knew Paul would repent out of his own free will choice once Paul realized he was wrong. Didn't we all do the same thing when we realized we are sinners and in need of God's salvation gift?


🥧
Click to expand...
Ahhh.... but who moved first? God or Paul?
 
selahsays

selahsays

Well-known member
#131
May 31, 2023
2,796
1,484
113
#131
2ndTimeIsTheCharm said:
God knew Paul would repent out of his own free will choice once Paul realized he was wrong. Didn't we all do the same thing when we realized we are sinners and in need of God's salvation gift?


🥧
Click to expand...
So you don’t believe in biblical election?
 
2ndTimeIsTheCharm

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
#132
Feb 17, 2023
1,875
1,060
113
#132
selahsays said:
We’re talking about the apostle Paul. :)
Click to expand...

So? He did the same thing we did to get saved. He just has a more exciting calling then most of us. We DO have our own calling from God too, if you haven't realized that yet....


🥧
 
FollowerofShiloh

FollowerofShiloh

Well-known member
#133
Jan 24, 2024
4,321
714
113
#133
selahsays said:
We’re talking about the apostle Paul. :)
Click to expand...
I was talking about king Saul, Israel's first king.

But the Apostle Paul is a good one to talk about because God met him on Damascus Road and asked Saul/Paul, why are you persecuting me? And we know Paul quit persecuting Christians and became one. He is an excellent example of free choice.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#134
Jul 3, 2015
59,815
29,193
113
#134
awelight said:
You are asking about some crazy idea that some can't choose salvation because they are Elected and others can.
Click to expand...
I cannot tell you how many people have told us that they had no choice in the matter of believing/faith.
 
N

Niki7

Guest
#135
#135
2ndTimeIsTheCharm said:
That is just the scariest thing though because this is one of the ways false teaching forms and propagates. I always pray that God helps me to accept His ways no matter how hard it may be to accept!


🥧
Click to expand...
right. I think praying for discernment every day is prob a good habit to have. I don't think many Christians realize how badly they can be deceived while trusting that they are not being deceived

I would say do not make any decisions hastily and certainly not without prayer. I have regrets.

We are instructed to prove all things. 19Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt, 21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. I Thessalonians 5

the intent there seems to be on one of the spiritual gifts, but it certainly is applicable in the broader sense :)
 
FollowerofShiloh

FollowerofShiloh

Well-known member
#136
Jan 24, 2024
4,321
714
113
#136
Cameron143 said:
They chose Saul because he was the largest one amongst them. They looked upon the outside. Turns out he was a very timid and fearful man who hid under the coats when it was time for his inauguration.
You might want to reread the story.
Click to expand...
Bible say's he was a donkey herder, a nobody, a Benjamite, and the people of Israel did not even know who Saul was until God sent Samuel to get him and present him to them.
 
awelight

awelight

Well-known member
#137
Aug 10, 2020
1,629
490
83
69
#137
Magenta said:
I cannot tell you how many people have told us that they had no choice in the matter of believing/faith.
Click to expand...
Sadly, too many people, on both sides of the issue, are talking about things they have little understanding in. Choice... is a more difficult subject than most know.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#138
Jul 3, 2015
59,815
29,193
113
#138
awelight said:
Sadly, too many people, on both sides of the issue, are talking about things they
have little understanding in. Choice... is a more difficult subject than most know.
Click to expand...
Just pointing out to you that even though the idea seems crazy to you, there are those who hold to it.

i.e., those who say they had no choice in the matter of whether or not to believe in God.
 
2ndTimeIsTheCharm

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
#139
Feb 17, 2023
1,875
1,060
113
#139
awelight said:
Ahhh.... but who moved first? God or Paul?
Click to expand...

God made the first move before ALL of us knowing how we'd all respond. Paul just has a more exciting calling than the rest of us. If he had refused, God would have found someone else to do it.

Check out Esther in her case:

Esther 4:12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Notice that God had brought Esther to that position to make an appeal to the king, but she had the choice to remain silent or speak up.

It's like that with everyone. That's why there are people who rise to become great servants of the Lord - because they were willing to - while others have less grand callings. It's all according to our free will and our level of willingness.


🥧
 
You must log in or register to reply here.