[Dr. Eckleburg]

It's the Arminian who "picks and chooses Scripture," forgetting the self-definition which God declared that should preface all our understanding. It is ALL of God, for His glory.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." -- Colossians 1:16-17

whereby they (men) are able to fulfill the righteousness of the Law

This error is EXACTLY where Arminianism leads you -- to presuming man, even with the Holy Spirit, can fulfill the law. That is a teaching straight from Rome who says the Holy Spirit leads only the institution of the the Roman church hierarchy which then gives men the tools it needs (sacraments) to fulfill the law, justify themselves and earn salvation

And thus we see Arminians carrying the water for Rome by helping to obliterate the true definition of justification. Men are NOT saved by an infused righteousness which becomes their own. Men are not saved by obeying the law. Men are saved by Christ's righteousness and Christ's obedience alone, mercifully imputed to the sinner by God's will alone. "When we were yet sinners, God died for us." Christ fulfilled the law and in so doing He has approached the throne of God's justice and taken on our punishment and paid for our sins by His good work on the cross which then permits God to acquit His sheep of their transgressions.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." -- Titus 3:5-7

[PetroniusMaximus]

"It's the Arminian who "picks and chooses Scripture," forgetting the self-definition which God declared that should preface all our understanding. It is ALL of God, for His glory."

 

So your are saying that God creates sin?

 

If so, you are grossly misinterpreting that passage. The set of "things that were created by Him and for Him" does not include the categories of sin and wickedness.

 

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"This error is EXACTLY where Arminianism leads you -- to presuming man, even with the Holy Spirit, can fulfill the law."

 

No Dr. E, you are completely wrong on this point. You are not arguing against Rome, you are arguing against Paul...

 

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

 

Specifically...

 

"...in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

 

It is those who walk in the Spirit who fulfill the righteousness requirements of the Law.

 

The born again man can live a life pleasing to God - by the power of the Holy Spirit that both inspires and enables that man to do good works. But the born again man can never take credit for these good works because they are accomplished not by the power of the flesh but by the power of the Spirit within him.

 

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

 

Good works are the reason were created in Christ Jesus and, significantly, one of the things truly predestined in God's universe.

++++++++++++++++

 

"Men are NOT saved by an infused righteousness which becomes their own. Men are not saved by obeying the law. Men are saved by Christ's righteousness and Christ's obedience alone, mercifully imputed to the sinner by God's will alone."

 

Now you are confusing Justification with Sanctification. Look again at my statement...

 

"I believe God offers salvation to all men through Christ and, to those who are willing to receive Him, He grants the Holy Spirit by faith whereby they are able to fulfill the righteousness of the Law and live a life which is pleasing in God’s sight."

 

Let me break it down...

 

Salvation is freely offered (Justification) AND to those willing to receive it He grants the Holy Spirit Who energizes them live a life of good works, well pleasing in God's sight (SANCTIFICATION).

 

Think about this. John commands us to "love one another". Love is a good deed. Love is the fulfillment of the Law, ("for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.").

 

Can you claim to be justified and not love your brother? I.E. can you claim to be justified and not exhibit the "good work" if it is possible for you to do so?

 

Let John answer...

 

"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

 

No, you MUST love your brother, you MUST exhibit this good work OR YOU ARE A LIAR about your faith.

 

And how do you love your brother? By yielding your life to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to love thought you, for love is the fruit of the Spirit.

 

That is the person who, by the Spirit, is able to fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law.

 

That is the whole story. Anything less is an unbiblical truncation.