Ok, here is my last response. Faith precedes salvation. It is by “grace we are saved, through faith.” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes will have everlasting life.” “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
All these passages teach that faith precedes salvation, repentance comes before salvation. Those who do not repent perish. Those who repent do not perish. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Belief comes before salvation, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith is the means by which we receive justification. It follows that faith is prior to justification.
I have already pointed out several passages that Christ died for everyone, not just the Elect. Hebrews 2:9’ “we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Titus 2:11, “The grace of God appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” 2 Peter 3:9, “God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 1 Timothy 2:4’ “God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” John 3:16, “ for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-19, says “. . . God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them”, then Paul adds in verse 15, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them. . .”
I have already pointed out that Paul makes the case in the first three chapters of Romans that man is without excuse for non-belief in God because creation itself is a testimony to God’s existence.
I have already pointed out that The Bible clearly implies that we, all men, are required to believe, to repent, to choose to obey, to exercise faith to be saved. Jesus died for all men, all men are sinners, yet whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved. Logically, all men must have the capacity to respond to God, to repent, to have faith in God’s Son. Mankind is held accountable for his belief or unbelief. All men have the ability to respond to God.
I have already answered you about receiving God’s gift of salvation is not a work by which we can claim merit. It is all by God’s mercy that we are saved.
If you don’t accept what I am saying, fine, that’s your right. I believe I have answered all your questions, but obviously not to your satisfaction. It’s almost 3am in the morning and I’ve got to go to work. If you, after reading this post to you, still reject what I’m saying, then I am finished with the discussion. I am sure you have plenty of things to do, just as I do. So, let’s not take up anymore of each other’s time.