[Mr Rogers]

“In other words, synergists believe that faith itself, a principle standing independent and autonomous of God’s action of grace, is something the natural man must add or contribute toward the price of his salvation.”

I guess I figure there comes a point where God reveals Himself to us, and we say yes or no. Nothing happens apart from God’s intervention. It is like turning on a light...the man in the room can see, or close his eyes. If the latter, it is his fault. If the former, it is the light’s credit.

But a part of me suspects it goes deeper than that. God enjoins me to pray, and says prayer is effective. Why? If it isn’t his will, is he going to change his will for me? And if it is his will, won’t he do it anyway?

Yet God says to pray. And fast. Why? What does that have to do with it?

And he says to be baptized. Why? How does that really change anything, and if it doesn’t, why does he command us to do it?

Yet God does. He seems to want us to participate. He not only invites us to, but commands us to.

Why? Don’t know.

“I happen to like John MacArthur, but this sort of has him sounding like he thinks it’s OK to preach what he doesn’t understand. I hope he didn’t mean that. :)”

I’m a layman. I don’t even teach Sunday School on a regular basis. But I have no problem with telling people we need to pray, or joining them in prayer, or telling someone they need to be baptized, or take Communion...and I don’t UNDERSTAND all that.

Maybe it is the ex-military in me...I don’t have a problem with doing something I don’t understand, if I trust the one giving orders.

Sure glad I retired before Obama, though...Oct 2008! Whew!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Nothing happens apart from God?s intervention.

What does God intervene in?

[Cronos]

Yet God does. He seems to want us to participate. He not only invites us to, but commands us to. Why? Don’t know.

You're right -- HE does command us to participate and we don't know why and probably couldn't fathom why, either.

[Forest Keeper]

God enjoins me to pray, and says prayer is effective. Why?

God says He wants to be our God and for us to be His people. That is, He wants a relationship with us. Personal relationships require communication. Prayer is an example of that. That prayer is effective is evidence that God wants a loving relationship with us.

If it isn’t his will, is he going to change his will for me? And if it is his will, won’t he do it anyway?

If the prayer is not in accordance with His will then the answer will be "No" or "Wait". We know from experience that we don't get everything we pray for. God is not going to change His will for us (being perfect - Rom. 12:2) and what is His will He will do anyway.

Yet God says to pray. And fast. Why? What does that have to do with it?

While salvation is obviously important He also has a plan for us while we are down here on earth (Rom. 8:28, etc.)

And he says to be baptized. Why? How does that really change anything, and if it doesn’t, why does he command us to do it? Yet God does. He seems to want us to participate. He not only invites us to, but commands us to. Why? Don’t know.

He wants a loving relationship with His elect and part of our love for Him is in obeying His commands:

John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

1 John 2:3-6 : 3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Sure glad I retired before Obama, though...Oct 2008! Whew!

Me too. You had good timing.