Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Dr. Eckleburg; HarleyD; Gamecock; Forest Keeper; ettiegirl; Campion; bornacatholic
Reformed Protestants choose the latter, by the grace of God alone

You must speak some other laguage dear friend, for to choose means to make a selection among choices, options. A gift cannot be a choice.

God gives His blessings to all

"...for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Mat 5:45)

He doesn't choose; Love only gives. We choose what He offers. Love loves everyone, even the sinner. That deosn't mean the unrepenetant sinner will see the light of God if he or she rejects Him and chooses to stay and die in the darkness.

I think what you are trying to say is that we are saved by the Grace of God even if we sometimes (all too often) make a wrong choice, and repent for our ingratitude to Him.

40 posted on 01/02/2006 11:57:06 AM PST by kosta50 (Eastern Orthodoxy is pure Christianity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies ]


To: kosta50
I think what you are trying to say...

LOL. No, I pretty much said what I meant.

We are saved by God's grace alone. It's much simpler than some would make it out to be.

If we believe, we believe because He gave us grace to believe through faith. "Saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ..."

But men love to rely on their ability to perceive correctly, regardless that Scripture tells us we have no such ability --

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." -- Romans 3:10-11.


55 posted on 01/02/2006 12:52:08 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg (an ambassador in bonds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]

To: kosta50; Forest Keeper

>> He doesn't choose<<

Beggin' your pardon, but He does. Israel was chosen over the other nations. Jacob was chosen over his older brother. Joseph was chosen among his brothers. Esther was chosen to be the right person "for a time such as this". The old testament prophets were chosen. The new testament apostles were chosen. David, Saul, Solomon, Paul, Mary, Noah - all were chosen and favored over others. God leaves nothing to any degree of "randomness".

Your verse selection is also take out of context. In this instance, Christ is pointing out that God is just to both the good and the evil, and as such, we are to love our enemies and not persecute them. It is a description of God's supreme authority over everyone.

>>Love loves everyone, even the sinner.<<

There are degrees of "love" that boil down to definitions. You love your wife differently than you love your children, and both differently than your neighbor. Everyone sins, and as such, we have all trespassed His law. His love for us who are in Christ is such that we don't receive the punishment that we're obviously due, because of Christ's attonement for the elect. The unsaved, most assuredly, receive the punishment they are due.

We all sin, but God's love for His people are what make the difference in how our sin is satisfied to Him.

>>if he or she rejects Him and chooses to stay and die in the darkness.<<

We are all born into darkness. Only by the grace of God through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit can we see our sin for the vile thing that it is. A regenerated heart hates sin and rejects it - and pursues righteousness. It's irresistable.

We are all dead in sin, and a dead man cannot "choose" life - it can only be given.


79 posted on 01/02/2006 3:08:16 PM PST by ItsOurTimeNow ("Hail Him who saved you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of All")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson