WHY man is unable to choose Jesus and the Gospel

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Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#41
You say everyone hears. Does that mean everyone is saved? Because those who hear attain to life ever after.

I can hear someone speak Chinese. Do I understand? Do I believe what they say? It is as foolishness to me.

Same as the gospel message to those who are perishing. It is as good as nonsense gibberish to them.

Hearing in that state does nothing. The natural man is incapable of obeying. Scripture says so.

Hearing must encompass comprehension... not just the physical act of one's ears working.
No sis just hearing isnt it’s hearing and believing

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth;

they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;

and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24, 26-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

this part about if you hear and believe it requires us to listen to what he’s saying and not reject it like this

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.


For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬

as we hear his word some folks don’t want it

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

telling some folks you need to repent they don’t want it. If you tell the same people “ you never need to repent or do anything your saved because God decided your saved “ they’ll grab hold of it but it’s not true is the thing

But my point is hearing his word and believing is what it says not just hearing him but believing what he said those people sis yea will all be saved but many will hear the gospel and reject it they don’t want a lord they don’t want to follow Jesus they want to live for themselves or many other things people choose to give themselves to

We can choose God as well but often we don’t the reason isn’t that God didn’t make us able to hear and believe it’s that we give our hearts to the world instead
 

HeIsHere

Well-known member
May 21, 2022
6,345
2,468
113
#42
Yeah fifty years ago there was much more unity of belief and far less of the modern theories and revolutionary gospels.

i grew up in a holler right on the border of Kentucky and West Virginia. It was an extremely poor area coal mining was the only real work for hillbillies like my family.

My earliest memories are of us kids sitting in candlelight each night before bed and listening to my daddy’s gentle but firm deep voice reading us kids Bible stories. We learned of Jonah of shadrach meshach and abendego ,and the furnace , of Daniel and the lions den Sampson etc.,

daddy would find stories that were for us kids but also he would ask us about it and point out things . One of the things , and the point of saying this is he would always show us the persons behavior towards the lord how faithful Daniel was before he entered the lions den

show much trust beforehand shadrach meshach and abendego had before they faced the blazing furnace .. etc., I began later to reflect back on that and the men were faithful men towards God and then he did amazing things delivering them from all peril.

daddy taught us kids that faith is best understood as faithfulness and how God always delivered those who trusted in him. Now , I don’t have a Greek reference of the term used in the Bible or anything but what he said rings true as I’ve learned the bible as an old timer now

those memories are really imprinted on me even sixty five years later . I can’t really claim to be an intelligent man or some bu ke whiz that has all the answers but I do really believe that the term “ faith “ isn’t understood as it should be

i remember in the cotton fields later as we migrated to Alabama . mama would be softly singing a hymn and daddy when we would lose our focus would ask us about terms and meanings and how we thought about biblical passages and things . But it was strange compared to now because everyone believed the bible and not many people at all would try to re interpret everything to fit their idea or reinvent it

abut it was sort of like of there was a disagreement at a bi le study or something the Bible had the last word and people tried to learn what was there . I feel like this has changed a lot sort of feel like a dinosaur lol

Maybe not the best typist ..lol, :);)

I love the simple teachings about faith and faithfulness.

It is not surprising if one thinks about it that Satan would pervert the simple Gospel and a simple concept of faith. I guess it is complicated how this all happened, so important to contend for the faith as best we can!

I fear the Gospel is under full attack these days.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#43
Did you notice the coming after me part in the first verse? for whosever would come after himself he literally id dsying the for who ever part then would then come then after all verbs weith a choice choosing him not the other way around
I don't think he could have been more clear and it also makes me wonder about that election debate as well but that is a discussion for somewhere else still though what do you think?
i believe the Bible teaches us that Jesus is the elect son and inheritor and believers become one with him and so they share in his inheritance and because of his name are the elect . Only because Jesus was chosen and we believe

at he elect was israel the descendants of Abram the Hebrew but they broke that covenant and then God sent salvstion to all people ( gentiles ) all other nations of people after israel

In Christ the elect this happens for believers of the gospel formerly Jew or gentile now

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ( he is the elect and we are in him )

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:27-

the hier is Christ the son and those in him becomes the children and hiers th e elect of God only in Christ

It’s only my opinion from some scripture I’m recalling though brother a lot of folks have opinions that differ
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,191
30,326
113
#44
No sis just hearing isnt it’s hearing and believing

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth;

they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;

and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24, 26-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

this part about if you hear and believe it requires us to listen to what he’s saying and not reject it like this

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.


For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬

as we hear his word some folks don’t want it

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

telling some folks you need to repent they don’t want it. If you tell the same people “ you never need to repent or do anything your saved because God decided your saved “ they’ll grab hold of it but it’s not true is the thing

But my point is hearing his word and believing is what it says not just hearing him but believing what he said those people sis yea will all be saved but many will hear the gospel and reject it they don’t want a lord they don’t want to follow Jesus they want to live for themselves or many other things people choose to give themselves to

We can choose God as well but often we don’t the reason isn’t that God didn’t make us able to hear and believe it’s that we give our hearts to the world instead
It is hear and believe in their heart. The heart of the natural man is hostile to God. You say some folks don't want it but it is the natural man that does not want what God has to offer. They do not know God, and are incapable of obeying with their heart of stone, slavery to sin, being captive to the will of the devil, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, living in the flesh, loving their sin. I don't know if you ever acknowledge these points Scripture makes along those lines. There are many of them. It seems more like you just brush them aside and say everyone can as if such a state as the natural man has no bearing. Was your experience that you had zero resistance to the gospel message, the first time you heard it you leapt at it? I don't think that is most people's experience.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#45
You say everyone hears. Does that mean everyone is saved? Because those who hear attain to life ever after.

I can hear someone speak Chinese. Do I understand? Do I believe what they say? It is as foolishness to me.

Same as the gospel message to those who are perishing. It is as good as nonsense gibberish to them.

Hearing in that state does nothing. The natural man is incapable of obeying. Scripture says so.

Hearing must encompass comprehension... not just the physical act of one's ears working.
Sure do love and appreciate you in Christ sis you are a blessing to me
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#46
It is hear and believe in their heart. The heart of the natural man is hostile to God. You say some folks don't want it but it is the natural man that does not want what God has to offer. They do not know God, and are incapable of obeying with their heart of stone, slavery to sin, being captive to the will of the devil, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, living in the flesh. I don't know if you ever acknowledge these points Scripture makes along those lines. There are many of them. It seems more like you just brush them aside and say everyone can. Was your experience that you had zero resistance to the gospel message, the first time you heard it you leapt at i I don't think that is most people's experience.
I’ll let you have the last word on it beloved and wonderfully blessed sister in Christ !!!
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#47
Maybe not the best typist ..lol, :);)

I love the simple teachings about faith and faithfulness.

It is not surprising if one thinks about it that Satan would pervert the simple Gospel and a simple concept of faith. I guess it is complicated how this all happened, so important to contend for the faith as best we can!

I fear the Gospel is under full attack these days.
a ot you nailed it right here bro

“It is not surprising if one thinks about it that Satan would pervert the simple Gospel and a simple concept of faith.”

that’s his m.o. it’s all he’s ever done wait until man hears Gods word and then tries to snatch it away with a lie.

Its his only path to killing us take away our real sustenance

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He created us for that to live by his word and so he spoke

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

( Before they broke his commandment )
….And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:16-17, 25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Man is in Eden with God listening to Gods word we know they understood it because look at eves reply

And so what does Satan do ?

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

( she’s correct she’s even showing she’s afraid of it by not even touching it and here we go )

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, ( God told them it was certain death if they ate it you can see her belief about the fruit has changed )

and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:1-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

immediately they become ashamed and hide from the presence of God then shortly later they are cast out of Gods presence but first they did what they did they were put out as a response not design . Our design is to fellowship with God by his spirit , listen to the word he gave us and follow after him in peace ots mankind’s purpose and place our rightful inheritance

It’s all Satan can do to kill mankind it’s his one and o ly move even later

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, ( he did that in Eden ) even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; ( like Adam and Eve did ) by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our entire design is to listen to the lord believing him and follow after what he’s creating in our mind and heart through his word that’s all there is to life eternal

When we are weak and fail he’s still there forebearing and being patient lifting us helping us strengthening us as we follow

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭

awe we hear and believe the gospel that’s how he’s working in us to change our Will and actions bit us believing is required
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,191
30,326
113
#48
I’ll let you have the last word on it beloved and wonderfully blessed sister in Christ !!!
I hope you have a wonderful evening, Zeke... I have been fairly preoccupied the last few days downloading AI generated images I have made with a free generator. Some of what it gives me are very weird images: it just cannot get hands right, and one word can throw the whole image off. Despite this I have easily downloaded about two thousand images, mostly women and florals, and have probably generated at least twice that many, most of which I have not saved. They are not very large images so they take up little space on my hard drive. Normally I would want to work with larger images, but I can still put two or three of these images together collaging which is my usual method anyways... Here are some examples:





This is what I got when I asked for a woman with a horse:



:ROFL:
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,504
2,711
113
#49
i believe the Bible teaches us that Jesus is the elect son and inheritor and believers become one with him and so they share in his inheritance and because of his name are the elect . Only because Jesus was chosen and we believe

at he elect was israel the descendants of Abram the Hebrew but they broke that covenant and then God sent salvstion to all people ( gentiles ) all other nations of people after israel

In Christ the elect this happens for believers of the gospel formerly Jew or gentile now

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ( he is the elect and we are in him )

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:27-

the hier is Christ the son and those in him becomes the children and hiers th e elect of God only in Christ

It’s only my opinion from some scripture I’m recalling though brother a lot of folks have opinions that differ
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#50
I hope you have a wonderful evening, Zeke... I have been fairly preoccupied the last few days downloading AI generated images I have made with a free generator. Some of what it gives me are very weird images: it just cannot get hands right, and one word can throw the whole image off. Despite this I have easily downloaded about two thousand images, mostly women and florals, and have probably generated at least twice that many, most of which I have not saved. They are not very large images so they take up little space on my hard drive. Normally I would want to work with larger images, but I can still put two or three of these images together collaging which is my usual method anyways... Here are some examples:





This is what I got when I asked for a woman with a horse:



:ROFL:
Haha I wasn’t expecting to e last one haha nicely done I really like the first one a lot it’s very … magenta !!!
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,191
30,326
113
#51
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭
Yes, it is God's will working in us, not man's. The natural man's inclination is to reject God.
 

HeIsHere

Well-known member
May 21, 2022
6,345
2,468
113
#52
a ot you nailed it right here bro

“It is not surprising if one thinks about it that Satan would pervert the simple Gospel and a simple concept of faith.”

that’s his m.o. it’s all he’s ever done wait until man hears Gods word and then tries to snatch it away with a lie.

Its his only path to killing us take away our real sustenance

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He created us for that to live by his word and so he spoke

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

( Before they broke his commandment )
….And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:16-17, 25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Man is in Eden with God listening to Gods word we know they understood it because look at eves reply

And so what does Satan do ?

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

( she’s correct she’s even showing she’s afraid of it by not even touching it and here we go )

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, ( God told them it was certain death if they ate it you can see her belief about the fruit has changed )

and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:1-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

immediately they become ashamed and hide from the presence of God then shortly later they are cast out of Gods presence but first they did what they did they were put out as a response not design . Our design is to fellowship with God by his spirit , listen to the word he gave us and follow after him in peace ots mankind’s purpose and place our rightful inheritance

It’s all Satan can do to kill mankind it’s his one and o ly move even later

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, ( he did that in Eden ) even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; ( like Adam and Eve did ) by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our entire design is to listen to the lord believing him and follow after what he’s creating in our mind and heart through his word that’s all there is to life eternal

When we are weak and fail he’s still there forebearing and being patient lifting us helping us strengthening us as we follow

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭

awe we hear and believe the gospel that’s how he’s working in us to change our Will and actions bit us believing is required
I know in scripture brethern included women, but I am a woman by the way.

Yes agree, there is nothing for me to add really, but I appreciate your insight.

We are blessed when we take a stand where God takes a stand.

So important to correctly divide between what the scripture lays out about initial belief /conversion/repentance and the life/gifts/promises received after that personal volitional act of faith.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,191
30,326
113
#53
So important to correctly divide between what the scripture lays out about initial belief /conversion/repentance and the life/gifts/promises received after that personal volitional act of faith.
Not to mention acknowledging what must happen first... which quite a few fail to do.

Instead they say things like the natural man is not so bad and does not require God's help at all.

Whereas we have a whole Bible spilling the beans on the natural man, starting right with Adam.


James 1:14-15; 1 John 2:16 Each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not from the Father but from the world. .:)
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,504
2,711
113
#54
I am sorry there was supposed to e a gif in this post
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#55
I know in scripture brethern included women, but I am a woman by the way.

Yes agree, there is nothing for me to add really, but I appreciate your insight.

We are blessed when we take a stand where God takes a stand.

So important to correctly divide between what the scripture lays out about initial belief /conversion/repentance and the life/gifts/promises received after that personal volitional act of faith.
Oooh okay “ brother “ lol sorry sister !!

and yes couldnt agree more that’s important stuff

in a world of sinners seems there’s salvation
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,191
30,326
113
#56
Sure do love and appreciate you in Christ sis you are a blessing to me

Psalm 118:24
I designed this for you...

:)

Perhaps it is too large? I may make it smaller... I was not sure with the square format...

That is one of my new AI generated florals :D I just downloaded hundreds and hundreds more of them LOL
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#57

Psalm 118:24
I designed this for you...

:)

Perhaps it is too large? I may make it smaller... I was not sure with the square format...

That is one of my new AI generated florals :D I just downloaded hundreds and hundreds more of them LOL
thank you sister ! I wouldn’t change it at all love the verse you picked what a wonderful thought to wake up and see

like I said you are a blessing since we met and an edifying sister to discuss the bible with as well.thanks for the design you know I love those panels you create sis God bless
 
Oct 28, 2024
66
25
18
#58
I agree except for adding that if man is unable to be saved, then the whole POS from Adam to RV makes no sense. Scriptures teaching human culpability include DT 30:19, MT 23:37, 2THS 2:10, 1TM 2:3-4 & 2PT 3:9.
Almighty God sees everything ... from the beginning to the end.
Perhaps, His election depends to some degree on peoples' choices.
One thing in Scripture: His election is to bring great praise and glory to Him.
I.E. the saving of some shows His great love, mercy, and grace.
All the others receive His justice.
This is from the NT ... certainly not my opinion.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,504
2,711
113
#59
I hope you have a wonderful evening, Zeke... I have been fairly preoccupied the last few days downloading AI generated images I have made with a free generator. Some of what it gives me are very weird images: it just cannot get hands right, and one word can throw the whole image off. Despite this I have easily downloaded about two thousand images, mostly women and florals, and have probably generated at least twice that many, most of which I have not saved. They are not very large images so they take up little space on my hard drive. Normally I would want to work with larger images, but I can still put two or three of these images together collaging which is my usual method anyways... Here are some examples:





This is what I got when I asked for a woman with a horse:



:ROFL:
if you don't mind me asking what generator are you using? I have also been dabbing in ai images but the ones I have used either are not really free or just not very good.
 

Cranberry

Active member
Dec 7, 2024
183
68
28
#60
Romans 8
7.For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.