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To: ShadowAce
That’s a stupid question. The answer is because I made the decision.

Actually it's a very relevant question.

The premise that many of you seem to be operating from is that all men are brought to the point where their will is momentarily free of the slavery to sin that they are born with so that they may make a decision for or against Jesus Christ. It is a very valid question then to ask why some choose to believe in Him unto salvation while others reject Him, particularly when the sinfulness of fallen man's heart is supposedly not in play.

I submit that it was the efficacious work of the Holy Spirit upon your heart, quickening it to faith, that led you to respond in faith to the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

103 posted on 08/25/2008 7:38:40 PM PDT by Frumanchu (The primary focus of evangelism is to be faithful, not convincing.)
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To: Frumanchu
The premise that many of you seem to be operating from is that all men are brought to the point where their will is momentarily free of the slavery to sin that they are born with so that they may make a decision for or against Jesus Christ.

That's because I believe in Scripture while the calvinists here seem to want to re-write it and interpret it according to their own whims. Scripture teaches that the grace that allows us to make salvific decisions has appeared to all men.

Some ignore it, and some don't.

While I do not deny God's sovereignty, power, and omniscience, I do believe that He has also voluntarily limited Himself with regards to our will. He has left the decision to be with Him for eternity, or to be without Him for eternity, up to us. That is why we evangelize.

He is omniscient. He already knows who will and who will not make that decision. However, the responsibility for that decision will be ours in every way. There is no predestination, but is is foreknowledge. He didn't create us in order to destroy us, but to allow us to make the ultimate decision. Some will succeed. Most will fail. He knows that, but He does not force our decision one way or the other.

105 posted on 08/26/2008 5:35:54 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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