So those who are predestined are only predestined if they're preached to?
God ordains the means as well as the ends.
He is not biting His nails trying to figure out how to make it happen.
God is not the God of Bruce Almighty:
Bruce: How do you make so many people love you without affecting Free Will?
God: Heh, welcome to my world, son.
God is in control of our lives. I'm sure that it's no big deal for Him to get us to a place where we can hear the gospel preached. It's just part of the big picture.
Is that another thing you discount from the Bible?
I don't discount anything the scriptures say. I just don't follow false interpretations of scripture. God can direct but he won't force.
Wrong kid. That isn't why I believe that. I occasionally refer to the JST but I way more frequently use the KJV. The KJV does not teach God forces anything upon anyone. He would no longer be God. You're a Calvinist so you're not exactly on par with much of what people call orthodoxy either. Calvinism is very different from other denominations. Predestination and once saved always saved originate from your church. Until your church was created, those were not doctrines to anyone. You and others claim orthodoxy but the fact is many of your doctrines don't even come close to what Christ taught.
Paul stated in Corinthians that men are saved by the foolishness of preaching. One must hear the word in order to be saved. Hence, evangelizing is necessary.
The reason I asked is because in my other posts I said that works are important. So, if you read them, why did you feel the need to "correct" me with what you posted?
Yes. So now the question to be answered is WHY? If, from YOUR perspective, some are predestined to salvation while others are predestined to being lost, why would one predestined to salvation NEED to hear the Word IF they were already predestined to salvation?
And if your premise is correct concerning predestination, what 'good' would it do to 'preach' or 'spread the Word' to those that are predestined to be LOST?
Blessings,
MEC
I haven't felt the need to 'correct YOU' at all. But I certainly have every right to challenge your words. Especially if your words are contrary to what is offered in the Bible. Unless, of course, your religion is somehow based OUTSIDE of the Bible............. For it is a FACT that there ARE MANY 'religions' that place little faith in the Bible compared to what beliefs they have created on 'their own'.
Blessings,
MEC
What a NEAT 'religion'. One that teaches it's followers to believe that they are SO SPECIAL while everyone else is LOST.
But I confused as to how such a religion could allow it's followers to READ the Bible and still expect them to follow such teachings.
Blessings,
MEC
In case you hadn't noticed, God did force things on people in the OT. Remember the plagues in Egypt, or the flood?
I wonder why God didn't do anything like this after his son came (and was murdered). I wonder why God didn't lift a finger physically when the disciples met their murderous fates. Why Paul didn't use these "plagues" when he was imprisoned to show the "power of God".
Maybe God changed, huh?
I wonder why God didn't do anything like this after his son came (and was murdered). I wonder why God didn't lift a finger physically when the disciples met their murderous fates. Why Paul didn't use these "plagues" when he was imprisoned to show the "power of God".
Maybe God changed, huh?
God says He doesn't change, though. I will believe what He says rather than what you say.
I seem to recall that there were miracles in the NT. I recall a forced encounter with Saul, changing his life completely. Why does God need to meet your requirements in order for you to believe what He says in the Bible? I'm sorry you don't have faith in those promises, but I do believe what God says. I know that my testimony supports that belief, so you can doubt it all you want. I will choose to believe.
Why don't you dig into your Bible, the NHL, and tell us what the true truth is about this? I'm sure there must be something in there. Why did God allow 1000s of His chosen people to be slaves for 400 years +/-, ca. 1200 BC? God is not a genie in a bottle who gives people their every wish when they rub the bottle. Got any more attacks on the Bible?