Robert,
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 said, "You never did respond to that, as I do not believe you truly understand what Jesus is saying here."
I understand it perfectly, and I am trying to get to my point, which will clarify this scripture for you. I will not go off on a tangent now, and continue with our study.
You said, "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."
Explain this scripture than:
Exodus 7:3-5
But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it."
Why does God have to harden Pharaoh's heart, if Pharoah does not have the free will to choose to believe in God and listen to what he says, in this scripture?
Hardening Pharoah's heart would be senseless and useless if he has no free will to make a decision for God. Do you see that? He wouldn't have been able too, according to you, because there would be no good in him to make the right decision!
Well obviously God makes a point to us of hardening Pharoah's heart because he could have chosen to make a "Good" decision, (or a decision for God, as I put it) and let the Jews go. But God did not want Pharoah to make that choice at that time, hence why God hardened his heart.
If Pharoah could do nothing "Good", in his natural state there was need to harden his heart. In fact, you would be implying God's word is senseless and useless (ie - hardening of the heart) in this scripture. And I think you would not say any of God's word is useless or senseless in any scripture, or would not be needed to be known, would you?
Answer me prayerfully and patiently here because we are now getting to an important principle here in God's word!
I look forward to you response....
God Bless,
Steve |
