God's freewill vs. Mankind's election

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Sep 8, 2012
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What?
No dialogue?
Speak up then.
Say something instead of lambasting what I said.
Go ahead, I'll answer if you have a thought.
 
A

Abiding

Guest
What?
No dialogue?
Speak up then.
Say something instead of lambasting what I said.
Go ahead, I'll answer if you have a thought.
What? i havnt even responded to you?
i did ask the thread in general some questions about the Ephesians passage that i saw
was being used when i caught up on the thread. Not sure how u think i lambased u.

Or you could answer post 118
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Who makes the heart of man?
God gives him freewill.
But no man can serve two masters.
So what I am saying is that God keeps His own (whom He has called)
Can we go out and serve the other?
Yes. But be prepared.
Try doing something you know is evil E.G.
See what God does.
Notice the rod of His correction.
Feel the pain.
That's all I'm saying.
We have the right to serve either one of the two masters, but when God has paid for us in His own blood(the life is in the blood),
it gets awfully personal.
It would take an awfully hard conscience to leave Him.
Even Judas tried to give the money back, and then hanged himself.
Just try going against God........try it E.G. -(and if you survive, come back and tell us all about it.)
I did, for 5 years. And God showed mercy on me and brought me back to him.

But what has this to do with the thread? this thread is abotu people getting saved, is it by God's freewill, or mankinds election.. So why do you keep going to places which has nothing to do with the op? and nothing to do with salvation.
 
W

weakness

Guest
ok i read and caught up and have some questions.

questions to understand where the disagreements come from. Ephesians does tell us that its by "grace" we are saved.
lets leave out the faith part we all know faith is necessary and that it also is a gift.

possibly someone will understand my questions and then i can join the discussion on my level(simpleton)
does Ephesians say that grace saved me? or does it mean if im saved it was grace that did it? <-------this question is important to me :)
another question. to me it seems clear that "not of works" would be understood to Pauls audience that
he was talking about the law. so why do so many today think they have use a microscope on this verse
and come up with a meaning that says receiving the gospel by ones own volition(which is commanded)
is the "works" talked about here?

Id think the Holyspirit would have been more clear if that was His intent. Titus 3:5 is clear, and Hes clear
elsewhere in the bible.

Actually Jesus commented once and said if we did everything we were commanded consider outselves
unprofitable servants, doing only what we ought.

Ok,,,hmm....in otherwords ...what the heck is this thread even about?
To your question , I think both,it was grace that saved you (and I assume you are saved)and if saved grace also did this ,but not without prerequisites ,such as God parting the curtains of the natural man,which cannot perceive the thing of God,Hope which is what our faith is the substance of , and faith which is our evidence.And of course hearing Gods word or voice speaking personally to us.To me every thing that even remotely deals with our adoption is by grace .And the fulfilling of Gods eternal purpose .The creation of things in heaven and on earth.The way we are made , history ,everything is by Gods unmerited or unearned goodness.One of Scriptural y manifest purposes of God is our adoption,and to be heirs with Christ and to know even as we are known ,or to be like him. I find it hard to believe if created in Gods image that we would not have his attributes,specifically freewillTo have hope in Gods love for us is not a work of self righteousness but just the opposite our hope is in God.So to with faith,we have faith in Gods work and love for us . how can this faith be seen as works of self righteousness? There are many works of love and grace we are exhorted to do ,although they are to be done by our letting the Holy Spirit of God work within and through us For we can really do nothing good of our own nature,but we now live according to the life of the resurrected Jesus in us/ rambling again.I agree that "not of works" would be speaking of righteousness by keeping the law.
No offence to anyone but some thing written in this post seemed to have gone off the deep end Why is it so hard to see Gods grace in all things and also see our God given choice to choose him ,for without choice there can be no love toward God.Is this what he want of us ,or true love because we have decided ,through his great goodness and righteousness,and love revealed to us to love him by our volition . I think even the angels have this choice. Ill shut up for now, I think these word are at least worth considering . God bless us as we seek to know our lord better.
 
A

Abiding

Guest
To your question , I think both,it was grace that saved you (and I assume you are saved)and if saved grace also did this ,but not without prerequisites ,such as God parting the curtains of the natural man,which cannot perceive the thing of God,Hope which is what our faith is the substance of , and faith which is our evidence.And of course hearing Gods word or voice speaking personally to us.To me every thing that even remotely deals with our adoption is by grace .And the fulfilling of Gods eternal purpose .The creation of things in heaven and on earth.The way we are made , history ,everything is by Gods unmerited or unearned goodness.One of Scriptural y manifest purposes of God is our adoption,and to be heirs with Christ and to know even as we are known ,or to be like him. I find it hard to believe if created in Gods image that we would not have his attributes,specifically freewillTo have hope in Gods love for us is not a work of self righteousness but just the opposite our hope is in God.So to with faith,we have faith in Gods work and love for us . how can this faith be seen as works of self righteousness? There are many works of love and grace we are exhorted to do ,although they are to be done by our letting the Holy Spirit of God work within and through us For we can really do nothing good of our own nature,but we now live according to the life of the resurrected Jesus in us/ rambling again.I agree that "not of works" would be speaking of righteousness by keeping the law.
No offence to anyone but some thing written in this post seemed to have gone off the deep end Why is it so hard to see Gods grace in all things and also see our God given choice to choose him ,for without choice there can be no love toward God.Is this what he want of us ,or true love because we have decided ,through his great goodness and righteousness,and love revealed to us to love him by our volition . I think even the angels have this choice. Ill shut up for now, I think these word are at least worth considering . God bless us as we seek to know our lord better.

I like your rambling. And it seems to both fit with my experience and the bible. Sure enuf salvation
is of the Lord from start to finish. And all by Grace, but we still have a responsibility to believe.

John says, “To all who receive him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).

Above verse shows the order of things as does many other verses. and like this:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Some dont noticed the order, or dismiss it. I think thats the problem.
 
Sep 8, 2012
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I did, for 5 years. And God showed mercy on me and brought me back to him.

But what has this to do with the thread? this thread is abotu people getting saved, is it by God's freewill, or mankinds election.. So why do you keep going to places which has nothing to do with the op? and nothing to do with salvation.
It has everything to do with it.
You said:" I did for five years, and God showed mercy on me."
God's freewill vs. your election.
Do you not see that?
Need I break it down more?
I don't know..........
Please think.
A person who continues to sin and rebels will be accounted as an apostate, and eventually lost.
The Bible clearly states that.
Your testimony has everything to do with God's freewill to draw you back to Him, as opposed to your own righteousness.
Am I whistling in the wind here?


Hello? Any thinkers out there?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
It has everything to do with it.
You said:" I did for five years, and God showed mercy on me."
God's freewill vs. your election.
Do you not see that?


Nope I did not. What I saw was God allowed me to live, but chastened me to the point that I had two choices. Take myself out (which I contemplated) or freely choose to return to him. Both would have been free will choices.. Why do you like to twist things to make them mean something they do not mean?
Need I break it down more?
I don't know..........


break what down? How I followed the Lords chastening and chose to return of my free volition, and did not end it all? or your twisted view of things?
Please think.
A person who continues to sin and rebels will be accounted as an apostate, and eventually lost.
Oh ok, Now we get down to it.

1. You do not believe in eternal security
2. You think we are saved by law and not by grace (here we go, you just contradicted yourself in everything you have ever said. I am saved by being chosen. But I can be saved by being chosen and not because I earned it. But if I do not have the power to work hard enough, God will take his free gift back. )

need I say more?


The Bible clearly states that.

No it does not say this. It says we have been sealed with the HS of promise, who is th eguarantee of our inheritance as Gods children, and that guarantee will last until the day of redemption. NOT until the day we sin ourselves out of grace.

Your testimony has everything to do with God's freewill to draw you back to Him, as opposed to your own righteousness.
What righteousness? why do you keep bringing this up? I was unrighteous as the prodigal son. But I never stopped believing in God. I knew I was away from my fathers house, and my suffering was brought on by my own free will actions. God chose to chasten me because I was his son. He chastens ALL HIS SONS. I Chose of my oen free will to return. I did not have to. And I would have died if I did not chose to return (not spiritually, physically)


Am I whistling in the wind here?
Hello? Any thinkers out there?
Any thinkers. do you not see the MAJOR contradiction you just made in your own thinking?? Look in the mirror before you start demanding others start thinking.
 
Sep 8, 2012
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O.K. E.G.
Settle down.
No one is against you.
You are more important than winning an argument.
Jesus loves you. - - (And I do too)
 
Jan 19, 2013
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37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

God elects then Jesus laments over the ones He doesn't elect. Figure this one out please?
Are you not saddened by those you love who reject Jesus and God?
 
Jan 19, 2013
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This thread is merely asking the question:
Does God have a choice.
Does God actually have a choice in salvation, or is it left up to mankind.
After He(God), did His work.
Who elect's who?
And how do they go about it?
This is the question of this thread.
God is sovereign.

Everything depends on his choices or decrees.

Who elects whom is explained in Eph 1:4-6.

It is accomplished by rebirth.
 

Bookends

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2012
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Are you not saddened by those you love who reject Jesus and God?
Absolutely. I believe the original poster is making the assumption that it is God's free will that some reject Him, it that's the case then why would Jesus Lament over those who are lost. So I don't think you're following my logic here.
 

zone

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2010
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yet it is still my faith, vs your faith, or my moms faith, or Gods faith.

Faith means assurance. it is my assurance in everything God said which saved me. Not Gods assurace that he did everything right.. he already knows that !
EG - who gave you faith?
Who invented faith?
Who planned His whole program around the vehicle of faith as the means through which man would believe unto salvation?
faith as the channel between God and man, faciliated by the Spirit through the Word preached, the God-breathed Scriptures.


come on bud.
seriously?

it's all God, brother. All the Lord's doing.
why do we have to take credit for our faith?
is our sinful will that important?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
EG - who gave you faith?
Who invented faith?
Does it matter? this is a faulty question in my mind. Faith is my assurance of things which I can not see. thus it is mine.

The better question would be who gave us a reason to trust and be assured that he is better able to save me than anyone else, even myself. because this is what separates a child of God from a non believer. who is still stuck in self, or religion.



Who planned His whole program around the vehicle of faith as the means through which man would believe unto salvation?
God, that is why my faith is in him, and not religion or self. which is a man made program. Many people have faith in self or a religioN> And who gets credit for this faith? the person trusting self. or the person trusting their works (religion)

faith as the channel between God and man, faciliated by the Spirit through the Word preached, the God-breathed Scriptures.


come on bud.
seriously?

it's all God, brother. All the Lord's doing.
why do we have to take credit for our faith?
is our sinful will that important?
Who said I am taking credit? what did you just say? Come on Sis, Seriously?

I can not take credit for my faith unless my faith is in myself. Why can't you see this? The object of my faith is what gets credit, not the faith itself.
 

zone

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2010
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hot sauce?

mkay EG.
so who gave you the right kind of faith?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
hot sauce?

mkay EG.
so who gave you the right kind of faith?
lol.. Who did all the work? Made the plan. Came to earth, Lived a life free of sin, Died, Resurrected from the dead. and offered the gift? (of which my faith is based on)

this is why people who do not repent, trust self, or add to the gospel. it is still about self. Repentance is what brings us to truth, and faith. Thats why we are commanded to repent.
 
A

Abiding

Guest
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perished because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [1 Thessalonians 2:9-10]

Why are there dozens and dozens of scriptures like this?
And where is that cant resist verse? Please!
 
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zone

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2010
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The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perished because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [1 Thessalonians 2:9-10]

Why are there dozens and dozens of scriptures like this?
And where is that cant resist verse? Please!
i don't know about "can't resist"....but here's the rest of that passage.
maybe we should look at it in the greek.

KEN???:D

2 Thessalonians 2
11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Firm
13But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruitsd to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
ESV



But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
NIV


But we must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Holman


But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
KJV
 
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zone

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
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2 Thessalonians 2
11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Firm
13But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruitsd to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
ESV



But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
NIV


But we must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Holman


But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
KJV
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you; - see the notes on 2 Thessalonians 1:3. "Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation." The following important things are affirmed or implied here:

(1) That God had chosen or elected them (&#949;&#7989;&#955;&#949;&#964;&#959; heileto) to salvation. The doctrine of election, therefore, is true.

(2) that this was from "the beginning" &#7936;&#960; &#787; &#7936;&#961;&#967;&#8134;&#962; ap' arch&#275;s; that is, from eternity; see the John 1:1 note; Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 3:9-11 notes. The doctrine of eternal election is, therefore, true.
Barnes

:confused:
 

zone

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2010
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Hath chosen (&#949;&#7989;&#955;&#945;&#964;&#959;)

The only case in N.T. in which this word is used of God's election. lxx, Deuteronomy 26:18, of God's choosing Israel to be his peculiar people. Comp. Philippians 1:22; Hebrews 11:25.

From the beginning (&#7936;&#960;' &#7936;&#961;&#967;&#8134;&#962;)

Not elsewhere in Paul. His usual expressions are &#960;&#961;&#8056; &#964;&#8182;&#957; &#945;&#7984;&#974;&#957;&#969;&#957; before the ages (1 Corinthians 2:7): &#960;&#961;&#8056; &#954;&#945;&#964;&#945;&#946;&#959;&#955;&#8134;&#962; &#954;&#972;&#963;&#956;&#959;&#965; before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4): &#7936;&#960;&#8056; &#964;&#8182;&#957; &#945;&#7984;&#974;&#957;&#969;&#957; from the ages (Ephesians 3:9). Before eternal times (&#960;&#961;&#8056; &#967;&#961;&#972;&#957;&#969;&#957; &#945;&#7984;&#969;&#957;&#943;&#969;&#957;) is found 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2.
Vincent

~

13. But-In delightful contrast to the damnation of the lost (2Th 2:12) stands the "salvation" of Paul's converts.

are bound-in duty (2Th 1:3).

thanks . to God-not to ourselves, your ministers, nor to you, our converts.

beloved of the Lord-Jesus (Ro 8:37; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2, 25). Elsewhere God the Father is said to love us (2Th 2:16; Joh 3:16; Eph 2:4; Col 3:12). Therefore Jesus and the Father are one.

from the beginning-"before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4; compare 1Co 2:7; 2Ti 1:9); in contrast to those that shall "worship the beast, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Re 13:8). Some of the oldest manuscripts read as English Version, but other oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "as first-fruits." The Thessalonians were among the first converts in Europe (compare Ro 16:5; 1Co 16:15). In a more general sense, it occurs in Jas 1:18; Re 14:4; so I understand it here including the more restricted sense.

chosen you-The Greek, is not the ordinary word for "elected," implying His eternal selection; but taken for Himself, implying His having adopted them in His eternal purpose. It is found in the Septuagint (De 7:7; 10:15).

through-rather as Greek, "in sanctification" as the element in which the choice to salvation had place (compare 1Pe 1:2), standing in contrast to the "unrighteousness," the element in which Antichrist's followers are given over by God to damnation (2Th 2:12).

of the Spirit-wrought by the Spirit who sanctifies all the elect people of God, first by eternally consecrating them to perfect holiness in Christ, once for all, next by progressively imparting it.

belief of the truth-contrasted with "believed not the truth" (2Th 2:12).
JFBBC

~

BOOKENDS!
bring the horse!:rolleyes:
 
A

Abiding

Guest
Thanks but you did on the rear page bring up the cant resist story.
And i didnt bring up those verses.

I havnt a problem with election.
If its a dead horse, then nevermind.