I don't want there to be controversy, but I'm afraid there already is. The following verses were quoted in another thread that I didn't want to derail (more than it already has). The argument is whether when the Bible says "God is able" that it means "God will". I don't think that's always the case.
Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
We have to figure out what kind of "servant" is being talked about, and what it means when it says "he will stand". And after answering these questions, there's one more: do you think there has ever been a time when a "servant" did not "stand"?
Romans 16:25
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,
We have to figure out what it means to be "established". And after answering this question, there's one more: do you think there has ever been a time when a believer was not "established"?
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
Has a believer ever gone without? Have you ever seen a believer that didn't "always have all sufficiency in everything"? (Hint: think third world countries.)
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
There's not even a question to ask here. While He is certainly able, God has not even done the things I *have* asked or thought of, let alone gone abundantly beyond those things. (And I'm not just talking about material possessions.)
2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
I am indeed trusting Him to guard my salvation, as it has been sealed by the Spirit for eternity
Hebrews 2:18
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Another no-brainer. I'm sure we can all think of Christians (including ourselves) who succumbed in various trials. If Jesus always came to our aid you'd think there'd be virtually no scandals among believers.
Hebrews 11:19
He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
Indeed God will raise everyone from the dead!
James 1:21
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Believers are indeed saved (by definition).
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As can be seen from the above verses, some are certainly always true, some are only sometimes true, and some require further analysis. The point is that I don't think you can form doctrine from examples that are scattered all along the spectrum.
I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of others.
Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
We have to figure out what kind of "servant" is being talked about, and what it means when it says "he will stand". And after answering these questions, there's one more: do you think there has ever been a time when a "servant" did not "stand"?
Romans 16:25
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,
We have to figure out what it means to be "established". And after answering this question, there's one more: do you think there has ever been a time when a believer was not "established"?
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
Has a believer ever gone without? Have you ever seen a believer that didn't "always have all sufficiency in everything"? (Hint: think third world countries.)
Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
There's not even a question to ask here. While He is certainly able, God has not even done the things I *have* asked or thought of, let alone gone abundantly beyond those things. (And I'm not just talking about material possessions.)
2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
I am indeed trusting Him to guard my salvation, as it has been sealed by the Spirit for eternity
Hebrews 2:18
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Another no-brainer. I'm sure we can all think of Christians (including ourselves) who succumbed in various trials. If Jesus always came to our aid you'd think there'd be virtually no scandals among believers.
Hebrews 11:19
He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
Indeed God will raise everyone from the dead!
James 1:21
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Believers are indeed saved (by definition).
-------------------------------------------------
As can be seen from the above verses, some are certainly always true, some are only sometimes true, and some require further analysis. The point is that I don't think you can form doctrine from examples that are scattered all along the spectrum.
I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of others.
