Brian,
Acts 9:
13
"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
14
And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
16
I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
as in "I will show him how much he needs to choose to suffer for my name (to be saved from the sins he's already committed)" rather than "I will show him how much he will suffer for my name" It is an offering of salvation that Saul is given... not a command that must be obeyed. Once again God is showing his Might in order that someone may choose to follow His will... freely.
I would note that He Commands Ananias to go to Saul. Ananias needs to be told twice because he chooses to fear Saul more than God the first time, but God knows that he is a faithful servant and only needs to emphasize what He wants him to do to get him to do it.
I am not saying that men do not have the ability to do wrong... I am saying MEN have no ability to do what is RIGHT without the Spirit of Christ. Men do right things for wrong reasons.
-you do realize that those two statements are a contradiction... but as you know that is ok with me.
-as far as coming to Jesus, I agree, faith is a granted gift from God.
"Paul did not 'accept Jesus ' he was struck blind by Jesus and had to be led by hand to the City.. In fact that blindness in the flesh returned later in Paul life and was a thorn to him."
if you read the verse again, you see that Saul DID accept Him... trembling and astonishedly when he saw the Truth he immediately believe, just like Thomas. He immediately chose to follow the Word when it was revealed to him. God knows that some (most?) people need to be hit over the head with a two-by-four like the stubborn slap-sided mules we are.
This is not a new theme in the Bible.
it is stated that He reveals himself so that men shall believe:
John 1:50 Jesus said, "You believe because(as in there is a reason for your choosing) I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that."
many others saw greater things in order that they would choose to believe.
Phil 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
23
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
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but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
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Convinced (or KNOWING)of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
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so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
this indicates we need to choose Jesus. It shows that the reason for us living is to choose to live for others. The reason for Life is Christ Jesus.
-maouse |
