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To: Siena Dreaming

Well, for example, read about believing BECAUSE of something.

Here are just 3 verses:

1Cr 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

1Cr 3:5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.

2Ti 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

None speak of God GIVING belief to a person, but of their believing in response to something - Paul’s preaching, or reading the scriptures. God’s word, being true, should not speak of believing in response to some discernible stimuli if belief is something God gives independent of the person.


96 posted on 11/18/2011 11:53:31 AM PST by Mr Rogers ("they found themselves made strangers in their own country")
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To: Mr Rogers
Of course God uses externals to form our opinions, to educate, to lead to truth.

We don't live in a vacuum on earth.

However, the same God who urges believers to follow His lead to preach and do other good works in order to lead people to God inspired Paul to write in Rom 9:11 about Jacob and Esau:

"Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls - she was told 'the older will serve the younger.' Just as it is written 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'"

Paul is clearly saying that God elected Esau in the womb. This is similar to what he says in Eph 1 when he speaks about God predestining believers before the world was created.

99 posted on 11/18/2011 12:10:42 PM PST by Siena Dreaming
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