Originally posted by Br. Max
Sola: I see nothing in the texts you have quoted which refute the doctrine of Free will.
The passage of Romans is to remind us that NOTHING we DO will EARN us salvation. Salvation is given By God alone to us through Grace alone, by faith unto good works.
It also shows us that God is no respecter or persons meaning that He by his own choice will give special graces unto whom ever he wants NOT because they have earned it, but because it is his desire to do so. Does this mean that he loves us differently? NO!!! God has AGAPE love. Love that knows no conditions. He loves each and everyone of us the same. He loves you the same as he loves me as he loved John (whom he called beloved) as he loved John the Baptist (of whom Christ said none born of woman is greater than he) as Mary - HIS OWN MOTHER. Does that he loves us all the same make us all equal in talents and graces? No! Mozart was a musical genius and I struggle to carry a tune in a bucket!
Does the clay have the right to tell the potter what kind of vessel he will be? No. Our callings are up to God to hand out. ACCEPTING that calling is in our own hands.
You wish to see a God of wrath and anger, I choose to see a God of Justice and Love.
How is a SPIRIT going to be burn by flames?? You notion that God punishes those in hell is twisted. The God of LOVE does not torment and torture souls in hell.
natural laws are a reflection of Spiritual laws Creatures of darkness are DRAWN to darkness and are repelled by the light. No one goes to hell kicking and screaming - they go there because that is what they KNOW.Yes. That´s correct. Regeneration is the gift of God´s Grace.
Originally posted by Reformationist
Absolutely correct.
Regeneration is the act of God alone, in which He renews the human heart, making it alive when it was dead. In regeneration, God acts at the origin and deepest point of the human person. This means that there is no preparation, no preceding disposition in a sinner that requests or contributes to the new life given by God.
Regeneration is necessary because all descendants of Adam and Eve have inherited their sin and are morally unable to do what is good. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that people are by nature dead in trespasses and sins. In this state, they are without God and without hope in the world. Not in response to their merit, but freely and in love, God speaks the word that raises the dead.
The classic verses of John 3 that use the language of being "born again" or being "born from above" give the outlines of regenerationtheir sharpest edge. Jesus says that unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of Heaven. Without the grace of God, sinners cannot find the door, let alone force their way in. Elsewhere Jesus said, "Without me, you can do nothing"; and in speaking about salvation, "Without God, nothing is possible."
Jesus showed surprise that Nicodemus was puzzled by the demand to be born again. Nicodemus should have understood from the OT that he was a sinner, and in need of new life; and he must have known the prophets, who promised that God would remove their hearts of flesh and replace them with hearts ready to do God's will. God would raise the dead, give sight to the blind, and preach the good news to those who could not save themselves.
Regeneration is the gift of God's grace. It is the immediate, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit wrought in us. Its effect is to quicken us to spiritual life from spiritual death. it changes the disposition of our souls, inclining our hearts to God. The fruit of regeneration is faith. Regeneration precedes faith.
This was an explanation of regeneration from a theological exposition in my Bible. It just explained it much better than I could have.
Desiring to please God is the natural fruit of regeneration. God gives us a new heart that desires to please. Obviously sometimes we desire to please our flesh more than we desire to please God but as any saved person knows, that desire to please God is something that increases as we grow in maturity.
I wish He would. I know how fallen my motives often are if I'm relying on my own wisdom.
At the Cross. Being saved is a judgment. It means that we have been saved from the penalty and guilt of the our transgressions. That's why I'm always so confused when Catholics say, "We are not saved until we are judged." I couldn't imagine going throughout my entire life wondering if I was going to hell.
Not at all. I think you are being very amiable.
God bless
Originally posted by Quaffer
Thank you Reformationist,
I appreciate your time and your knowledge of the Word.
Be blessed!
That would be akin to me going into the "One Bread" forum and expecting the participating Catholics to acknowledge my position because of the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Well, most people come here or other christian places to learn different oppinions regarding the Word of God. Thanks God there are places such like this on the web in which whe can post our oppinions and learn from others with good and nice discussions.
Hugo.
