Are the fallen...

[Hammster]

...pleasing to God?


By fallen, I mean unregenerate due to the fall.

 

[twin1954]

...are you pleasing to God?

If you are a believer you are. What makes a believer pleasing to God is Christ not themselves. Does God's love change because you fall? Of course not! Does He chastise and correct you? Absolutely! Our standing before God never depends on us it depends on Christ and there is nothing we can do to change God. God can only be angry with us if He can be angry with Christ. All the sin of the elect of God in Christ has been put away, purged and blotted out by the sacrifice of Christ. Nothing can cause God to love you less or be less merciful to you. Though what we do may bring about God hiding His face in our experience He never takes His face from us and always intends to do us good. Cowper put it this way: Behind a frowning Providence He hides a smiling face.

 

[Hammster]

So, was that a no?

 

[twin1954]

So, was that a no?

Perhaps you ought to clarify what you mean by fallen. I, wrongly it seems, assumed that you were talking about a believer who has fallen. But just in case you were not I must answer that it depends on whether you are one of the elect or not. If one of the elect you are pleasing to God in Christ. But in your flesh you cannot please God. You cannot hope in being one of the elect unless and until God does a work of grace in giving life and faith in Christ. As long as you remain an unbeliever you don't even care whether you are pleasing to God.

 

[Hammster]

Perhaps you ought to clarify what you mean by fallen. I, wrongly it seems, assumed that you were talking about a believer who has fallen. But just in case you were not I must answer that it depends on whether you are one of the elect or not. If one of the elect you are pleasing to God in Christ. But in your flesh you cannot please God. You cannot hope in being one of the elect unless and until God does a work of grace in giving life and faith in Christ. As long as you remain an unbeliever you don't even care whether you are pleasing to God.

My mistake for not clarifying.

Fallen, as in fallen nature, the result of the fall. Ie, unregenerate.

 

[twin1954]

My mistake for not clarifying.

Fallen, as in fallen nature, the result of the fall. Ie, unregenerate.

See my second answer then.

 

[Hammster]

See my second answer then.

 

[Hammster]

OP edited for clarity.

 

[least]

Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God.

 

[Hammster]

Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God.

I agree to is statement appeared in an article at SBC Today.

People begin life with a sinful nature due to Adam's sin, but become guilty only when they become mortally responsible and knowingly commit a sin

This seems to be opposed to Hebrews.

 

[least]

I would have to see the article for context, but having a sin nature implies that all are guilty. But I see how this could open up a discussion about the death of babies and others who have mental handicaps. I'm not sure if that's where you were heading though.

 

[twin1954]

I agree to is statement appeared in an article at SBC Today.

People begin life with a sinful nature due to Adam's sin, but become guilty only when they become mortally responsible and knowingly commit a sin

This seems to be opposed to Hebrews.

A twist on an age of accountability.

The Scriptures are clear that we come into this world sinners and Rom. 5 makes it very clear that we are guilty before God by Adam's sin.

 

[Hammster]

I would have to see the article for context, but having a sin nature implies that all are guilty. But I see how this could open up a discussion about the death of babies and others who have mental handicaps. I'm not sure if that's where you were heading though.

Not Found | SBC Today

There's the link.

 

[Hammster]

A twist on an age of accountability.

The Scriptures are clear that we come into this world sinners and Rom. 5 makes it very clear that we are guilty before God by Adam's sin.

I agree.

 

[Avid]

... in your flesh you cannot please God...

There are very simple statements like this in the scriptures that are rejected or lightly considered by many who call themselves Christians. May God give each of us the ability to take Him at His word.

The following quotes are accessible on the following website:

aChristianSpirit.com - Find God's Truth!

Jonathan Edwards (1703−1758)
It is hard for a man to let go a hope of heaven, on which he hath once allowed himself to lay hold, and which he hath retained for a considerable time. True conversion is a rare thing; but that men should be brought off from a false hope of conversion, after they are once settled and established in it, and have continued in it for some time, is much more rare.

Rolfe Barnard (1904-1969)
Repentance is a change of mind. Every sinner loves HIMSELF supremely. You haven't been brought to repentance -- you may have quit chewing tobacco, and quit going to the picture show, but you haven't been brought to repentance -- until your whole attitude has been changed from a love of self to a supreme love of God -- that is what repentance is -- and faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.

Arthur W. Pink (1886−1952)
During the last two or three generations the pulpit has given less and less prominence to doctrinal preaching, until today − with very rare exceptions − it has no place at all.

.

 

[least]

Not Found | SBC Today

There's the link.

Thanks for the link. It looks like a pretty fair comparison chart, although I am sure most folks on either side of the divide will have variations. Either way, it is simple enough and I believe both sides agree that sin is dealt with in Christ alone.

 

[brinny]

...pleasing to God?


By fallen, I mean unregenerate due to the fall.

Interesting question.....Before answering, mind if i ask you a question?

Is there anything written in His Word that would indicate that God IS pleased with the unregenerate?

Thank you kindly.

 

[catholichomeschooler]

...pleasing to God?


By fallen, I mean unregenerate due to the fall.

Eze 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

1 Timothy 2:4
who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 

[twin1954]

Eze 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

The meaning of this verse is that God gets no satisfaction from the death of the wicked. He is not a sadist who derives pleasure from the pain of others and His justice can never be satisfied by the death of the wicked.

Timothy 2:4
who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

This passage must be understood in its context. Paul is speaking of all kinds of people as is plain from the context. Verses 1-3 set the context and verse 4 must be understood in that context.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Once again context is key to understanding the verse. The "us", "you", "anyone" and "everyone" Peter is speaking to are those to whom he addressed in his epistle. They do not apply to all men everywhere.


I am not sure why you would post these verses in this thread but please remember that you are allowed only to post here in fellowship but not in debate.

 

[Hammster]

Interesting question.....Before answering, mind if i ask you a question?

Is there anything written in His Word that would indicate that God IS pleased with the unregenerate?

Thank you kindly.

I don't believe so.