Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Forest Keeper

Bahhh.

The identification of the sheep and the goats is as clear as a sunny day in the Arctic. The sheep are those who have done His will and the goats are those who have not.

If you say that only those who have done His will are the elect, then perhaps we can take this discussion a little further on what constitutes the elect and who on Earth can do His will. And who cannot.


5,897 posted on 09/11/2007 2:03:30 PM PDT by MarkBsnr (V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae. R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5883 | View Replies ]


To: MarkBsnr; Dr. Eckleburg
If you say that only those who have done His will are the elect, then perhaps we can take this discussion a little further on what constitutes the elect and who on Earth can do His will. And who cannot.

Yes, I do say that, but we have to be careful about what that means. For example, to me "doing God's will" means in the sense of loving obedience. So when I, as a believer, do a good deed, then I am "doing God's will". However, as a lost person I was unable to do God's will, even if it was the same "good" act, because it was not out of obedience.

Take the crucifixion. Was it God's will that Jesus be crucified? Yes. After the Jews and Romans did what they did, was God's will satisfied? Yes. Did the Jews and Romans therefore "do God's will"? No. Isn't that easy? :)

We would say that the only ones who are able to "do God's will" are those who have been regenerated by God. That is who the elect are. While the lost can certainly do things you and I would normally call "good", they are unable to "do God's will".

6,100 posted on 09/12/2007 3:45:45 PM PDT by Forest Keeper (It is a joy to me to know that God had my number, before He created numbers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5897 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson