Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Forest Keeper

Ah. I think I see..

It's a free will choice, but a no brainer.

Can I ask on what basis this choice is made? Also, what is it precisely that makes one off/on, saved?

Maybe this sturcture: One minute one is not saved, the next minute, or two let's say, he is saved.

What happened internally and externally in that time?

thanks for your reply.


10,142 posted on 02/12/2007 12:57:34 PM PST by D-fendr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10137 | View Replies ]


To: D-fendr; HarleyD
Ah. I think I see... It's a free will choice, but a no brainer.

Yes, an industrial strength no brainer. :) No one is forced against his will, no one is tricked, or anything like that.

Can I ask on what basis this choice is made? Also, what is it precisely that makes one off/on, saved?

My view is that the basis of the choice is the perceived need of God. As lost people in our sinful natures we perceive having no real need for God and utterly reject Him. Once God removes from us our heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh, then we realize that we do need God.

Maybe this structure: One minute one is not saved, the next minute, or two let's say, he is saved. What happened internally and externally in that time?

Normally, and within time, one moves from unsaved to saved by a conscious (informed) decision to admit one's need to God and accept Christ into the person's life as Lord and Savior. This is usually accomplished by some form of the "sinner's prayer".

Internally, among other things, the Holy Spirit has indwelt, and the person is "set free". Sanctification also begins at this time. Externally, the fruits of that sanctification should start to manifest themselves, but that does not always start immediately. If after saying the sinner's prayer, a person simply goes back to a sinful life and no change apparently takes place for a period of time, then that is evidence that the person's prayer was not efficacious, i.e. not sincere. It's not proof, since only God and the person can be certain, and sanctification takes place according to the time table of the Spirit, which varies from person to person. If the person goes back to the same sinful life permanently, then that approaches "proof". POTS says that won't happen for the truly saved.

10,736 posted on 02/16/2007 6:32:13 PM PST by Forest Keeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10142 | 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