Understanding God’s election

  • 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.

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,889
29,274
113
Biblically, there is only God‘s will. Man creates alternatives to fit their man made theology. I’ll stick with God’s word.
Then everyone gets saved? Hmmm... That's universalism.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,101
3,684
113
Then everyone gets saved? Hmmm... That's universalism.
Why would you say that? Everyone gets saved?

God’s will is for everyone to be saved, he shed his blood for everyone to be saved, but sadly, not everyone is saved. God doesn’t violate man’s freedom to make him believe.

Did God tell Adam to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Did Adam eat? Did Adam choose to go against God’s will for him? Yes
 

MeowFlower

Active member
Aug 25, 2024
444
225
43
youtube.com
I have not swamped the OP with a lot of Scripture quotations,
but hopefully you will recall the NT verses which confirm the following …


Man is doubly incapable of believing in Jesus and the Gospel
1 – Because of the disobedience (sin) of Adam and Eve,
all humans are born with an inherited sin nature,
and are bent on sinning instead of following God (Romans 3:9-18).
Having a saving faith is against their very nature!
2 - All unsaved humans are captive prisoners of Satan,
and are bent on doing whatever he wants them to do (2 Timothy 2:26).
Jesus came to set the captives of Satan free (Luke 4:18).
Having a saving faith is against our enemy’s plans for them,
which, of course, is spending eternity with Satan and his demons in hell.
If the God-worshipping Lydia (Acts 16:14) needs God to give her the necessary
faith to believe in Jesus and the Gospel, surely everyone does also!
Similarly, the “anyones” who believe in Jesus in verses such as John 3:16
are the ones whom God has given saving faith!


Father God elects (chooses) and calls whomever He wishes
Jesus says to the elect, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you ….” (John 16:15).
Surely, here is a strong hint that we should investigate this matter further.
Romans chapter 9 is the most famous proponent of God’s election …

“… that the purpose of election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls.
… So then, it is not of him who wills (to be elected, chosen, and called),
nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” (Romans 9:11-16)

God gives grace to whomever He chooses, but no one deserves grace (unmerited favor)!
God gives justice to whomever He chooses, and everyone deserves justice!
God wishes that all could be saved, but it is not possible because He insists on His justice.

“You love justice and hate evil.” (Hebrews 1”9)
God is not willing that any (of us) should perish, but that all (of us) should repent …
… the “us” referring to His elect, who are promised salvation.
Christians are called to confess and repent of their on-going sins,
and the blood of Jesus will cleanse them of all their unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).


The reason why Father God chooses some, but not others
Father God chooses to elect some people for His great pleasure.
He chooses to elect some to demonstrate to the whole world
His great love, mercy, grace, etc. (Romans 9:23).
He chooses to elect some to be companions for His Son throughout eternity (Scriptural?).
Those not chosen are given justice, which sadly is what they deserve.

Those whom Father God gives to Jesus are guaranteed salvation
This is all about the unconditional security of the born-again believer.
Multitudes of NT verses are God’s promises of salvation given to His elect.
Surely, those of us who are born again should be continually praising God and
thanking Him for choosing us … and for the Holy Spirit sanctifying us unto holiness
… and for Jesus interceding for us before Father God in heaven.
I think the New Testament is repeat with proof God chooses whom he will save.

Besides Jesus preaching the same thing in his earthly ministry as the father made flesh,there is the reason why we can't elect to understand and therefore believe the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 2.:14
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,830
8,306
113
Good thing were not Calvinists.
They rebranded. What brand are you?

Luk 11:52
Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Not only do you hinder, you absolutely deny entry. And you are quite choosy about it.
You deny entry to ANYBODY but yourselves, an exclusive cadre of extra special chosenites.

Consequently, you and Satan can accuse God for creating a soul for no other purpose than to be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.
Because YOU SAY (over and over again) that they never had ANY CHOICE in the matter whatsoever.

Sick.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,889
29,274
113
Why would you say that? Everyone gets saved?

God’s will is for everyone to be saved, he shed his blood for everyone to be saved, but sadly, not everyone is saved. God doesn’t violate man’s freedom to make him believe.

Did God tell Adam to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Did Adam eat? Did Adam choose to go against God’s will for him? Yes
So there is God's will, and there is man's will ... not just God's will as you originally said. That is the point!
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,830
8,306
113
The "natural man" is redefined to fit the criteria of a person being some kind of automaton.
Calvinism is really quite sad, arguing that God only loves the elect.
Good call and good analysis.
And I wholeheartedly agree.

Just another Calvinist bogus fallacy, of which there are many.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,906
5,637
113
The whole universe changed! Yes, Jesus is required. But people talk as if He is not. I am surprised you don't
see it on the boards. all the f=griping about who the natural man is according to Scripture, as if it were not true.
Oh I see it in the world sister daily and in doctrines ect Jesus is the center and beginning and ending of it all that’s why we believe

even in my own younger self at times with pride and self reliance and what not I can look back and see my self not getting it and just banging my head on the wall again and again ……but at the time lol I thought it was groundbreaking stuff making progress ect to my shame but I think that’s part of life experience learning as we grow a constant progress like a child born , they grow in time and mature eventually they take responsability but also they know who to depend on even when he’s telling them what they need to do to live ….they trust him even then . Even when he earns them of what will cause tbier death …they trust him still because they believe his word becomes law becomes sure and irrevocable he’s God , the Lord our God

Im not sure tbat makes sense in anyone else’s head but what I mean is there’s alot of false doctrine in tbe world and that creates alot of false beliefs and convictions contrary to the word of Christ.

If we learn from Jesus the only son believing then we’re going to have this

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Yeah it’s definately all about Jesus I mean it’s Christianity, he’s the lord and o my name under heaven by which any man can be saved , he is also mankind’s judge and also redeemer who swore his judgements wouldn’t change and anyone who believed would be saved
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,889
29,274
113
Scripture says the natural man is blinded by the god of this world, who has taken people captive to do his will. That is not "Calvinism" that is Bible truth. Lovers of darkness who suppress the truth in unrighteouness UNABLE to obey God' commands (or laws, I am still out so I am on my phone and can't look it up right now). That is not Calvinism that is Bible truth. The natural man cannot understand the Spiritual things of God, so how is he supposed to believe them unless God does a work on him first? It seems to me that this circumcision of the heart gets overlooked by a lot of people who complain about God needing to act on man first ... in fact I've seen it called God raping people to force them against their will as if that is what He's doing to act unilaterally, and then the people who say such things get applauded as if they have said somethibg true and profound when it borders on blasphemy. Jesus opens the eyes of the blind and frees those who are slaves to sin. That is Bible truth also.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,906
5,637
113
Biblically, there is only God‘s will. Man creates alternatives to fit their man made theology. I’ll stick with God’s word.
So when a man sins ….that’s Gods Will ? When a man is punished for this sin , this is also Gods Will ? And of a man ends up lost and thrown into the lake of fire , this also os Gods Will and the man never had any choice or ability to choose good or evil because zgods Will dictated it all ?
 

MeowFlower

Active member
Aug 25, 2024
444
225
43
youtube.com
Scripture says the natural man is blinded by the god of this world, who has taken people captive to do his will. That is not "Calvinism" that is Bible truth. Lovers of darkness who suppress the truth in unrighteouness UNABLE to obey God' commands (or laws, I am still out so I am on my phone and can't look it up right now). That is not Calvinism that is Bible truth. The natural man cannot understand the Spiritual things of God, so how is he supposed to believe them unless God does a work on him first? It seems to me that this circumcision of the heart gets overlooked by a lot of people who complain about God needing to act on man first ... in fact I've seen it called God raping people to force them against their will as if that is what He's doing to act unilaterally, and then the people who say such things get applauded as if they have said somethibg true and profound when it borders on blasphemy. Jesus opens the eyes of the blind and frees those who are slaves to sin. That is Bible truth also.
There is a dismissive brand , Calvinism, that the enemy manipulates in this world so to continue to blind natural fed minds.

It's not their fault,it is their natural consciousness,worldly,condition.

Everytime Calvinism is stamped onto Christs Gospel 1Corinthians 2:14 is reiterated as truth.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,906
5,637
113
Scripture says the natural man is blinded by the god of this world, who has taken people captive to do his will. That is not "Calvinism" that is Bible truth. Lovers of darkness who suppress the truth in unrighteouness UNABLE to obey God' commands (or laws, I am still out so I am on my phone and can't look it up right now). That is not Calvinism that is Bible truth. The natural man cannot understand the Spiritual things of God, so how is he supposed to believe them unless God does a work on him first? It seems to me that this circumcision of the heart gets overlooked by a lot of people who complain about God needing to act on man first ... in fact I've seen it called God raping people to force them against their will as if that is what He's doing to act unilaterally, and then the people who say such things get applauded as if they have said somethibg true and profound when it borders on blasphemy. Jesus opens the eyes of the blind and frees those who are slaves to sin. That is Bible truth also.
It’s because they suppress the truth sister

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s because they do that sister not because God made them unable to do good

because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God

into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you see the chain of causation in man’s relationship with God

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:24-26‬ ‭

It seems we are trying to say God purposes them to be vile that’s his Will bit it’s saying because they changed thier mage and glory into sinful ones and distorted his ways to corruption …then he gave them over to thier own lusts developed through thier behaviors holding the truth in unrighteousness ect

God didn’t cause man to sin , he never cause cain to kill able he warned him to do good and he’s be accepted but if he did evil sin would become his master and get him

It wasn’t just Adam it was cain able Israel David chrirtians ect what we choose is our god given right we exist in tbe world there’s good and evil they lead to different ends
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,889
29,274
113
It’s because they suppress the truth sister

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s because they do that sister not because God made them unable to do good

because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God

into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you see the chain of causation in man’s relationship with God

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:24-26‬ ‭

It seems we are trying to say God purposes them to be vile that’s his Will bit it’s saying because they changed thier mage and glory into sinful ones and distorted his ways to corruption …then he gave them over to thier own lusts developed through thier behaviors holding the truth in unrighteousness ect

God didn’t cause man to sin , he never cause cain to kill able he warned him to do good and he’s be accepted but if he did evil sin would become his master and get him

It wasn’t just Adam it was cain able Israel David chrirtians ect what we choose is our god given right we exist in tbe world there’s good and evil they lead to different ends
Who has said God purposes people to be vile? Knowing something before it happens as God knew man would disobey and sin does not mean He made anyone do that. It does seem that many people need to break it down to either God makes them sin (which is not true) or they are naturally free to choose (which is not true either). Man is born dead to God. That is a fundamental Biblical truth. None are righteous... no, not one! All sin and anyone who sins is a slave to sin. Does taken captive to do the will of the devil sound like a free man to you? It is called being born after Adam. Jesus is the second Adam. We need to be born of Him, and then we can be transformed in His image.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,101
3,684
113
So when a man sins ….that’s Gods Will ? When a man is punished for this sin , this is also Gods Will ? And of a man ends up lost and thrown into the lake of fire , this also os Gods Will and the man never had any choice or ability to choose good or evil because zgods Will dictated it all ?
I was responding to this nonsense of God having two types of wills, a permissive will and his sovereign will.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,101
3,684
113
See post 275

Of course man has a will
 

GWH

Groovy
Oct 19, 2024
727
187
43
What part of reconciling divine love and justice do you find difficult? Why do you view God's justice as contradicting His love?
I think Cameron missed this question.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,830
8,306
113
Great. I must of mixed you up with someone else im sorry brother. He lost me when he said you can take the mark of the beast and be saved.
That ministry has gone to seed IMO.

It happens.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
18,966
6,525
113
62
To do all of what believe the gospel as we hear it ? And believing it follow after our new belief ?

what do you mean by “ do all I say ?”

This is all I’m saying we need to do

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:27-30‬ ‭

that’s all im saying we have to do brother and as we do that Jesus teaches us the gospel it does include however repentance and changing of behavior and effort on our part sometimes hardest thing ever it seems but

It’s about each individual believer coming to the truth in the gospel. The first thing is to hear the lord and what he really said about salvstion and accept it that’s how God changes us through hearing and believing the gospel
Right...through revelation the truth is revealed. Until then, how does one know God and Christ? They can't. But of course once revelation occurs, we conform to that revelation aided by the Spirit who now dwells within us.
 
I will focus on your saying that God gives grace to whomever He chooses combined and harmonized with God is not willing that anyone should perish.

I think the key to interpreting these teachings harmoniously is by understanding the "in Christ" of Ephesians 1 to mean that God chooses/elects those who freely respond to His calling by freely accepting Jesus as Christ and Lord. This plan of salvation is what is predestined (EPH 1:4-11)
No ,God predestines the individual people.Rom8 :29-30 is clear...whom/Them.......refer to people, not a plan:

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.



God is not willing of those He has elected and given to the Son, perish.Not one of them will perish! Jn 6:37 All that the Father Gives to me shall come to me.