[jo kus]

Not ALL the people came out to Him. Matthew sat at his tax booth. Is the Bible in error or perhaps it is a figure of expression?

It seems obvious that this is a figure of expression - unless when the author says "all", he is refering to those in the immediate vicinity who saw the Teacher. This is the problem with interpretation. Sometimes, it is not so clear what the author means.

Our Lord Jesus is NOT an Advocate with the Father for non-believers. The interpretation of "whole world" can only mean the "whole world" of Christians given the entire context of 1 John 2.

I don't see that in 1 John 2:1, which is why I "left it off". 1 John is written to Christians, certainly. But I don't see anywhere in 1 John 2:1 that makes your claim that non-believers do NOT have an advocate in Jesus. You are jumping to conclusions and twisting Scripture. In one sentence, you have Jesus advocating only for believers, then in the very next sentence, He has died for the sins of ALL men, the whole world.

Not all.... re: Rom5

Not all will use God's gifts. Isn't it clear that not everyone will be saved, due to their disregarding what is clear to ALL men (Rom 1:18-26)?

Of course belief is an ongoing activity. Where do you think your faith came from to believe in the first place? Who do you think gives you the faith to continue? It all comes from God.

My point is not the origin of my faith, but the perseverance. IF there is no perseverance, where does that logically leave me?

1Pe 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again

I don't have problems with that interpretation. I have told you time and again that we believe that God makes the first step and takes the initiative to justify us. YOU presume that because of this initial justification, a person cannnot lose their standing with God - thus, you tie your initial justification with being of the elect. Unfortunately, experience shows us that some fall away AFTER being "regenerated" - which forces you to twist Scritpure to make the claim that "one was never regenerated to begin with".

The question: What caused that person to do good deeds and praise the Lord, etc., during those ten years when they were Christian, before their falling away, returning to the vomit. Your theology will not let you admit that it was Christ and ONLY Christ that enabled that person to be in the Lord, to abide in Him during that period. You totally discount the idea that a person can do no good without Christ - to maintain your false belief that a person cannot fall away after regeneration.

Regards

[HarleyD]

But I don't see anywhere in 1 John 2:1 that makes your claim that non-believers do NOT have an advocate in Jesus. You are jumping to conclusions and twisting Scripture.

So our Lord Jesus died for everyone and now He is the advocate for everyone?!? I doubt very seriously if you'll find any support for this view among any church father.

In one sentence, you have Jesus advocating only for believers, then in the very next sentence, He has died for the sins of ALL men, the whole world.

No, I saying our Lord Jesus died and is the advocate for His believers. You're the one saying He died for the sins of all and is the advocate of all.

My point is not the origin of my faith, but the perseverance.

Well, in that case who keeps you in the love of Christ, you or Him?

YOU presume that because of this initial justification, a person cannnot lose their standing with God - thus, you tie your initial justification with being of the elect. Unfortunately, experience shows us that...

A person's "standing with God" rests upon our Lord Jesus, not on ourselves. I tie my justification on the finished work of Christ and His promise, not on anything that I may or may not do. What "experience" or "feelings" shows is inconsequential. Neither you nor I knows anyone's heart. We rest on God's promise. Our Lord Jesus has promised to keep me and not allow anyone to snatch me out of His hand. I believe it. You choose not to.

God will see me home not based upon me running to church to take communion or participating in the local food drive. God will see me home because He has graciously and mercifully opened my eyes so that I may see to the praise of His glory.

1) Your theology will not let you admit that it was Christ and ONLY Christ that enabled that person to be in the Lord, to abide in Him during that period.

2) You totally discount the idea that a person can do no good without Christ

The Holy Spirit doesn't pop in and out of a person like Topper's ghost. We are not sick with sin. We are DEAD! We cannot be cure. We must be reborn.

ONLY Christ rebirths us and enables us to abide in Him and brings forth good works. Any good that I may possibly do for God's glory is not me but Christ working in me. There is NOTHING that I have that I can offer God. It is all filthy rags. Christ must work through me and I must abide with Him.

A person outside of Christ can do "good" things but they are evil. (Matt 7:11) They cannot do anything pleasing to God just as I can't do anything pleasing to God. It must be Christ working through us and they just have not been reborn for that to happen.