To: Dr. Eckleburg; P-Marlowe; so_real
I believe that God chooses man, that man can never find God on his own, thus the hopelessness of man-centered religions. We are also trying to understand Someone Whom we can only know about through His means of revelation to us.
Even on wild men God endowed a conscience so that they know right and wrong. Before the incarnation of Christ, if they did not have God's revelation, they are judged on their ability to do as their inner voice directed regarding the right things to do.
Now, is it man choosing God that is the issue here or something else? Isn't it man choosing to do the will of God, either do, as he is instructed through revelation, or what his conscience says to do? "Choose this day whom you will serve, God or mammon." Why would we be told to choose, if we were incapable of it? Even Cain would have done good if he had just offered the sacrifice in the method God prescribed.
The sun shines on the just and the unjust alike. If the Bushman has never heard of Christ, yet does only good to others, he is following the Law placed in his heart. If he thieves and kills and lies, he does not and he faces a judgment more severe than if he was a moral man.
Choosing to be obedient to God, is not the same as "choosing God."
457 posted on
04/28/2003 5:29:09 PM PDT by
JesseShurun
(The Hazzardous Duke)
To: JesseShurun; RnMomof7; P-Marlowe; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; Law; rwfromkansas; so_real
As RnMom used to ask, over and over, "Why does one man choose God and another not?" If we're all fallen and none of us seeks the face of God, what makes the difference?
The Calvinist would say the difference is God's choice. God chooses to open hardened hearts to His gracious gift of faith.
And if we are among the fortunate recipients, we will (eventually) realize it and do God's bidding, happily, thankfully, confidently.
463 posted on
04/28/2003 5:57:47 PM PDT by
Dr. Eckleburg
(There are very few shades of gray.)
To: JesseShurun
I believe that God chooses man, that man can never find God on his own, thus the hopelessness of man-centered religions.
I agree with you. Everyone's name is written in the Book of Life first and then blotted out as necessary. The Holy Spirit reaches out to everyone and the only unforgivable sin is to try to prevent this. (But I'd still say that even though God chose man first, it's still man's calling to choose God in return ;-)
480 posted on
04/28/2003 6:56:01 PM PDT by
so_real
(It's all about sharing the Weather)
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