Puppet said:
So, does that mean God chooses us? Kinda like God chose Israel from all the other nations?
This has been a bit of a revelation to me in recent weeks, very timely.
John 6:44
44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:65
65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
I take great comfort in this, not for myself personally, but in sharing God's word with others. Too often, we feel responsible for "converting" people or taking responsibility for their salvation. As the parable of the sower teaches, we are to spread God's word, but ONLY He can draw them. We should feel no pressure to share His word as the person's decision is not up to us, it's up to God.
If we're mocked, made fun of, or treated poorly for our beliefs, it goes along with Christ's teachings. How can anyone understand God's power and Christ's grace if He has not revealed it to them? Seriously, how can we believe that God became man and died for us? That's a totally irrational claim, but we know it to be true...through God's grace alone.
Puppet said:
I cannot think of a verse that has faith preceeding grace
That's something I've been having conversations with non-believers about recently. How can they "find" faith? Surely there's a better answer than, "Well, God has to give it to you." If they don't believe in God, what would compel them to listen to His urgings.
How does that fit in with this scripture?:
Matthew 7:
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
This scripture seems to illustrate that man can initiate the relationship. Is it possible for someone to seek God on his/her own, or has God compelled them to take that action?...I'm not being argumentative here, but it's a great conversation and I appreciate everyone's opinions.