Calvin on Baptism, Penance, and Absolution

Theologia ^ | 2002 | Rich Lusk

[RnMomof7]

Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."

Exactly ALL are called, every man will be without excuse..but note that inspite of the general call , FEW are chosen (by whom? Does this say they self select?:>)

Hmm, I have to concede the Christians are often called "chosen" in the NT. Although the Matthew passage seems to clearly say there is a distinction between being called and being chosen. But it doesn't say "all" are called, either. So now we have three groups, the uncalled, the called-but-not-chosen, and the called-and-chosen. Feels like we're backing up here...

The bible is clear as Paul tells us that every man will stand without excuse in the final judgement. No one will go to hell that did not refuse the call. For that to be true all men must be called

So we have one large circle named Called..and inside that circle we have elect and non elect.. There are only two groups:>)

It is a promise of a gift until a man does the work of opening it? No opening was required, just acceptance.

How do you know what is in the box? How do you know if you should accept delivery?

But you are saying that none of mankind today is under that curse spiritually.That being the case we must have produced at least one sinless man in all the time since the fall...could you point me to him?
I definitely did not say that - I said quite the opposite.

No you did not here is what you said

Well, that's not exactly what I was saying. I agreed that all men are spiritually dead. That the Holy Spirit touches them, raising them to a status of free will - raising them to Adamic status, if you will. At that time, and only then, are they able to make a free-will choice to accept God's gift. So, we're up to double-grace - grace to have the gift available, grace to be quickened to be able to accept the gift. I see no room for boasting.

So are you saying now that the Holy Spirit does not touch all men. only some? How does He decide who to touch? So I will ask you again. If the Holy Spirit brings all men to the pre Ademic state it must be that ONE man (other than Christ) choose correctly and never broke the law..just one man??

Did God "owe" the Israelites? Does God "owe" on every promise He made?

If God has made a promise He can not break it..

so you think all men have the same opportunity to open the gift but some are more equal than others?
Not all receive the same opportunity. Each is judged according to the opportunity received. Even those who have not heard the gospel have received enough opportunity that they are condemned. (Romans 1).

We agree that every man has a revelation of God that they will stand on that day without excuse.What makes on have enough grace to open it and another not.

I do want to revist your quote from Moses to choose life. All men are without excuse. The law is to be obeyed if things are to go well with you..

But that begs the question..Who will choose and why

Exd 33:19  And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

You have run off without answering my final question Please define Grace and mercy.