violet

Puppet

Thanks, Violet, for the clarification.

violet

Boanerges

It is really quite simple-"those He foreknew predestined "- God knew all your choices before you were even born- He saw those who would be His and has planned, provided and directed your path so you would find Him- He still moves heaven and earth to bring a single soul into His kingdom- so we may choose but God ultimately knows what our choices are and in His faithfullness He won't miss a single person who would have Him- after all were created to fellowship with Him! Mny blessings Larry

GordonSlocum

Amen

PreciousMessage

Hi Violet,

Experientially I believe you're onto something. Although, Christ Jesus has chosen all for salvation. If we look closely the scripture states, "For the grace of has appeared bringing salvation to ALL men" (Titus 2:11).

This is in the past tense. The cross of Jesus has given salvation to all men, yet many will not have it, they throw it away and despise it. I do not believe in universalism, many will be lost.

While walking the earth, Jesus said, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" John 3:17. God condemns no man, we condemn ourselves through unbelief. Vs. 18.

Jesus also stated in John 12:47, "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I DO NOT JUDGE HIM; for I did not come to judge the world but to SAVE the world."

And at the cross, Christ said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). In other words, He accomplished what He came to do. That's the better good news. Sadly, many spurn the gift given and throw it away.

John

PreciousMessage

Hi Larry,

Something to consider dear brother:

I understand you're meaning when you say He "directed your path so you would find Him." We can be thankful there is not a parable of the sheep trying to find the Shepherd. Sheep are dumb.

On the question of predestination, the better good news of the gospel!

“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.” The word “predestinate” is the same as “foreordain,” which is found in the Revised Version.

It is plainly stated in the Scriptures that God knows all things. Not only does he know the things that are past, but he sees the future as well. “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18. “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off.” Ps. 139:1, 2. God can tell what people even yet unborn will do and say.


“God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:9. That is God’s purpose and foreordination concerning man. Still further, “whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Whom did he foreknow? There can be no limit; he must have foreknown all. If there were any exception, then God would not be infinite in knowledge. If he foreknows one person, then he foreknows every person. There has not been a person born into the world whose birth God did not foreknow.


“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Therefore, since every person has been known to God even before the foundation of the world, and those whom he foreknew he predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son, it follows that God has purposed salvation for every soul that has ever come into the world. His love embraces all, without respect of persons.


“Then everybody will be saved, no matter what He does,” some one will say. Not by any means. Remember that the purpose of God is in Christ. It is only in him that we are predestinated. And we are free to choose for ourselves whether we will accept him or not.

blessings in Christ,
John

PreciousMessage

Amen.

The fact that God knew the evil that men would do, even before the foundation of the world, does not make Him responsible for it, He cannot interfere with man’s right and freedom of choice without depriving him of his manhood and making him the same as a stick.

Freedom to do right implies freedom to do wrong. If a man were made so that he could not do wrong, he would have no freedom at all, not even to do right.

“Choose ye,” is the language of the Lord to us. We may say that we will decide neither for him nor against him. We must decide; and taking so-called neutral ground is deciding against God. Said Jesus, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matt. 12:30.

A preacher of righteousness once stated:

"God gives men freedom of choice as to whether or not they will serve Him, whoever seeks to deprive anyone of the exercise of that choice, is opposing God, and not man only. To seek to deprive men of freedom in matters of religion is to seek to overthrow the Government and plan of God." End Quote

Certainly God did not will Lucifer to sin against Him and bring sin into the universe. He is not the author of sin. "As for God, His way is perfect" Ps. 18:30.

blessings in Christ,

John

PreciousMessage

Hi Larry,

That seems to be half good news, since I do not see the word "choice," involved in Romans 8:29. It does not say, "those that choose I desire to be conformed to the image of His Son." I like the whole good news of the pure gospel, that whom He foreknew, He has predestined "to be conformed to the image of His Son." Does God know all things and everyone? It takes away all mass traditional arguments of Armininianism and Calvinism. There is a better choice, not just the "offer" view, or the "special elect view," but the "free gift came to all men" (Rom. 5:18).

That's what the sin sick soul needs! Christ and Him Crucified for the sins of the whole world, not just for those certain elect. After all, He is indeed, the "Savior of All men."

John S.

Boanerges

He is indeed saviour of all but only those who accept that sacrifice will ever taste of His goodness- despite all the $50 words- it still amounts to what God Said- Those He foreknew- are you trying to tell me He picked those that wouldn't have Him to be conformed to the image of His Son- of course not beacause that would be ludicrous- As far as what arguements it takes away from I guess I am just a simple bible believer and that doesn't phase me in the least- LOL! Yep th free gidt is available to all but not all would even want it - don't worry though God is not surprised , He foreknew it!