- Jul 22, 2014
- 41,510
- 7,861
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Non-Denom
- Marital Status
- Married
I believe a little differently (although perhaps it's not a big deal) ...
Many NT verses teach us that man is totally unable to believe in Jesus and His Gospel.
Therefore, God must provide him with enough faith to enable him to believe.
IMO, grace begins here (the above).
This is an extremely unpopular view (that's why it is "somewhat hidden" in Scripture)!
E.G. God chose my father for heaven, and my mother for hell --- horrible, right?
However, all humans are destined for hell, period.
So, God choosing some for heaven demonstrates His grace (unmerited favor).
Praise the Lord.
I believe in Prevenient Grace. That God illuminates, calls, and draws us to hear the gospel message during certain points in our lives. But under this illumination, calling, and drawing, it is up to our own free will to accept it or reject the gospel. God does not make robots (with some of them forced to be saved, and others who are forced to not be saved). Without this illumination, call, or drawing, no man is able to understand spiritually, and receive the gospel. But the Scriptures also say that Christ draws all men unto Himself. So this means that there is going to be times in our lives where we will be drawn (But it is in God's timing, and not our own timing). However, if there is no free will on our part to accept the Lord in any way, then the Judgment would be a farce. God would simply be condemning folks for something they had no real control over. It would be like a dog owner who kicks his dog across the room for having an uncontrollable pooping problem (When the master knows that the dog has such a problem). Such a concept of God doesn't make any sense (Especially in light of the things that we see in Scripture, like God judging men for what they do at a judgment, etc.).
Last edited:
Upvote
0