I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50. I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. . I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment. (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people. When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on. (Romans 12 : 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ) I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
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Who are Robots and who are not?
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Who are robots and who are not? (A Theological question to some).
Today, people are taught by some that a Christian must be either a Calvinist or
an Arminian. This is not true. I do not embrace some parts of Calvinism nor Arminianism. The Bible is very clear that we will not...this side of heaven... fully understand the mind of God concerning much of anything..especially sovereignty and free
will. However, I do see in God's Word parts that concern man having a God-given "free will" to choose between good and evil
and a free will to accept or reject Christ as Savior. Some say we can't resist His grace. What would it mean if we could not have possibly resisted His grace? Nothing. God enlightens every man (John 1:9). God convicts every man (John 16:8). God
draws every man (John 12:32). God leaves the choice to every man (John 3:16).
Irresistible Grace, within itself, is a phrase of contradiction. If it is
irresistible, then is it grace at all?. An irresistible grace would destroy the
personal quality of the relationship between God and man which is established by
grace and involves the free response of will to God's love and grace. We say Christianity is not a religion, but it is a personal relationship. Well, you can't have a personal relationship with someone who has no ability to choose or not to choose to be a part of that relationship.
Acts 7 51 says.... “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! It would be odd of God to say this in HIS WORD..if it weren't possible.. Why would Jesus say this to the Pharisees? John 5: 39-40 ...39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
If we were robots with inability to "refuse"...why would Christ say "refuse"? Is God not bright enough to use the "right" word? Of course He is!
Even Isaiah 65:10-11 points to man's choice... 11 “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, 12 I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”
I believe that God absolutely knew, before the foundations of the
world, who would choose to accept Jesus and who would choose to reject Him...as He isn't bound by time. I Peter 1:2 says, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father...." Since God isn't bound by time, I believe that God decided, determined, elected, or selected who would choose to believe on the LORD Jesus Christ... I think every believer should answer this question the same.... 'What must a person do to be saved?" If the question is directed to a
person who believes and preaches the doctrine of John Calvin and he answers,
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved/" But doesn't that.. point to the involvement of man's will. I believe his answer is contradicting his doctrine. To be consistent with his doctrine..he would have to answer the question..what must I do to be saved..by saying...nothing. ..It is decreed or it isn't. What to do with 1 John 2:2? Does it mean all go to heaven? I think not... I think it points to God's Sovereign choice to give man Free will..for His glory... 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also forthe sins of the whole world. 2Peter 9 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 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. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. . If we were Robots..with no real free will, then the 10 commandments are cruel.. Why would He command things that we are unable to do..or choose to do/ not to do? To teach that God commanded one thing and decreed that people would do the
opposite is totally inconsistent and unacceptable. What about the millions of people who have "other gods" rather than the One TRUE God?? . Should we blame God? ... Would He decree that men should have other gods ...yet then commanded them
not to have other gods? This seems unlike God's character which is clearly seen over and over in Scripture... "slow to anger...abounding in love"... . It is inconsistent and irrational to think that God declared that we must NOT do___(blank)__________...but then Decreed _____(blank).___.... (made it where we had to sin).. David's murder of Bathesha's husband? It couldn't have been decreed/ but God could have allowed David's will...thus, .David murdered Uriah (breaking one of God's Holy commandments... Thou shall not murder. Consider the Israelites making a golden calf. ..How could this possibly be decreed? ( How could it be that they had no choice but to make the idol)... God commanded... Thou shall not make an idol. I simply can't accept God being the author of sin..as it is an attack on His character and His Holiness. ...both of which are EASILY seen in scripture. 1 Peter 13-15 says... 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.
(Why ask us to do something we can't do? Just doesn't make sense if it all were decreed and we are just DNA robots).
The gospel would not be "good news"..but would be cruel... if coming to faith in God weren't possible.. Why "preach the gospel" if people have no ability to come?
John 3 would be just odd..and irrational... Why say "that everyone who believes in HIM may have eternal life".. if it weren't possible. Why say God loves the world? Why say "whoever believes in HIM shall not perish"? Why say "whoever believes in Him is not condemned..but whoever doesn't believe in him stands already condemned..because He has not believed in the name of God's one and only son"? Why say this if it weren't possible to accept or reject? Why even have this message???
John 3
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.[e] 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.[g]19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” Why would God over and over in scripture say "Trust In the Lord"..if we had no ability to.. it were decreed to be..or not? Why would He ask anything of us? We would simply do it..if it were decreed? Doesn't make logical sense. That being said... I don't have all the answers... I don't believe ANYONE can fully understand God.. He said it.. I believe it. Job 36:26 How great is God—beyond our understanding! Now for a robot..you can appreciate. :)
I appreciate your passion for truth. I think David also made a valid point the other day in writing "We can only know His hidden determined will in hindsight, unless He reveals it to us." Somehow God is not passive, but we are responsible. I think trying to attain the ability of God in this issue is impossible as "His ways and thoughts are higher than ours". (Isaiah 55:9). I was thinking of a silly way of looking at it this morning... Going through life and looking back on it as if it is covered with the pixy dust of God's sovereign will. Like a perfect mathematical problem, higher than our ability to figure out. We see that in the workings of DNA and I'm sure it exists on a higher level of control and intelligence. Resting in God and remaining amazed at His workings, is what keeps me positioned in a sweet place of worship. Thanks for sharing your heart. Love it! :)
Before you jump to the conclusion that I am saying Christian are "brainless" sheep, read this post completely. If you still aren't sure, read this post: Are Christians brainless? Why does He call us SHEEP? ( The Bible makes reference to sheep no less than 220 times). A few of the more notable passages that come to mind are the 23 rd Psalm, Isa. 53:6 and John 10. There are many references to His People being sheep. So why not something more powerful, like a ram or horse? Why not something more graceful and valued, like a prized bird? Well, God chose to use the word sheep to identify His followers, as we are "His sheep." Our shepherd, Jesus, is leading the way, so let's look at the facts about sheep-the nature of sheep. Let's look at the facts about sheep- *Sheep aren’t intelligent . Sheep are not known to be smart or cunning animals when it comes to safety; rather, they are susceptible and tend to wander away from the prote
I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50. I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. . I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment. (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people. When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on. (Romans 12 : 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ) I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
The Fellowship of the Believers (Acts 2) 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. How cool! God shows us in Acts the need for the church to devote itself to “fellowship.” What do you think about when you hear the word fellowship? If you are a good old Baptist, you probably think of food. :) We expect the church to ’ teaching” and “to prayer”... but we have to equally expect fellowship. Notic
I appreciate your passion for truth. I think David also made a valid point the other day in writing "We can only know His hidden determined will in hindsight, unless He reveals it to us." Somehow God is not passive, but we are responsible. I think trying to attain the ability of God in this issue is impossible as "His ways and thoughts are higher than ours". (Isaiah 55:9). I was thinking of a silly way of looking at it this morning... Going through life and looking back on it as if it is covered with the pixy dust of God's sovereign will. Like a perfect mathematical problem, higher than our ability to figure out. We see that in the workings of DNA and I'm sure it exists on a higher level of control and intelligence. Resting in God and remaining amazed at His workings, is what keeps me positioned in a sweet place of worship. Thanks for sharing your heart. Love it! :)
ReplyDeleteVicki... you love well, a great mark of His Church... Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! Back at cha! :)
ReplyDelete