Greetings Steve,
Thank you for your response. Trust you had a good day.
You said;
<< We have agreed about these 3 points, based on scripture:
1. God lives outside of time:
2. God also shows us two, distinct, different ways we are given salvation:
3. God is not a liar, and is perfect, so everything he says must be true: >>>
I did agree in principle with you Steve on these three ponts but I have quite a bit of hesitation about point # 2.
I believe scripture shows us that Salvation is a gift of God bestowed upon us by His Grace. It is ultimately then, God who makes us partakers of this Divine Nature, when we were " DEAD" in our sins. We then can make a choice to follow after God.
This " choice " we make to follow after God is a " by-product " of first having received the " DIVINE Nature ".
I will not labour this point now, as I have mentioned this many times in previous posts to you.
Do you recall me asking you what this scripture means to you;
John 3:3, " Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. "
You never did respond to that, as I do not believe you truly understand what Jesus is saying here.
There is NOTHING ( that includes decisions, choices etc)" Good " in Us, in our natural state ( unbelievers ). This is where I see the problem is Steve. You think that in your " fallen condition " you can make a decision to choose God.
I see it as your failure to understand, believe and see Gods verdict on all humanity and the utter depravity of " your " human flesh.
The " Flesh " is so corrupt that even God cannot change it, therefore He pronounces " death " to it. Do you see this Steve?
Romans 8:7-8;
" Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. >>
You would try and have me believe that in my fallen nature, that I could make a choice to seek God.......................Please, Please stop and consider what you are saying Steve.
I did not intend to write this much but unless the foundation is correct, we will end up destitute of truth and wasting precious time.
Please respond Steve before We proceed as this is major here.
Take your time to respond my friend.
In Christ, Robert |
