honest question

[dogs4thewin]

Why would God choose certain groups? For example. in general people raised in Christian households have a greater chance of hearing and believing? People in certain areas of the world the same can be said. Does God choose COMPLETELY at random?

 

[BryanW92]

Why would God choose certain groups? For example. in general people raised in Christian households have a greater chance of hearing and believing? People in certain areas of the world the same can be said. Does God choose COMPLETELY at random?

God has a plan. He didn't give me a copy of it for approval.

I was raised in an anti-religious household with a brother and a sister. We are all in our early 50s now and have stayed close, yet I am the only professing Christian. The other two are "happy that my faith makes me happy." which is secular-speak for "keep your religion away from me."

In fact, I am forbidden to "talk religion" with my nephews and nieces.

No one converted me or dragged me to church. I didn't set foot in a church, except for weddings and funerals, for 30 years. But one day, I just "had" to buy a bible, read John, and be in a church on the following Sunday. It wasn't out of curiosity. It was like a command.

 

[dogs4thewin]

God has a plan. He didn't give me a copy of it for approval.

I was raised in an anti-religious household with a brother and a sister. We are all in our early 50s now and have stayed close, yet I am the only professing Christian. The other two are "happy that my faith makes me happy." which is secular-speak for "keep your religion away from me."

In fact, I am forbidden to "talk religion" with my nephews and nieces.

No one converted me or dragged me to church. I didn't set foot in a church, except for weddings and funerals, for 30 years. But one day, I just "had" to buy a bible, read John, and be in a church on the following Sunday. It wasn't out of curiosity. It was like a command.

a command?

 

[Don Maurer]

Oddly enough, your question is almost the same exact question asked by the detractor of Paul. An imaginary detractor challenges Paul.
Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?

Why did God not bring the preaching of Christ to the North American natives before the very late 15th century? What chance did they have to hear of Christ? Why did God do that? The American Native could have questioned Paul and asked "why does God find fault" when he has not even heard of Christ.

Paul does not give us the answer to your question. Paul merely says God has that right.
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.
(Its Gods choice)
Rom 9:21 Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?
(Its his right)

I am aware that this is not really an answer to your question. Your question is "why." The scripture does not tell us why. It merely tells us that it is Gods right to choose what kind of pot he wants to make make each lump of clay into.

 

[BryanW92]

a command?

Yes, a command delivered in a way that could not be ignored or disobeyed.

 

[yhwhismysalvation]

double predestination anyone?

 

[hedrick]

I don’t know why God works the way he does. But the whole concept of a covenant people implies that he chooses a specific people. I don’t think salvation is exclusive to them. They are intended to be his instruments in saving the world (speaking broadly — I’m not a universalist), but still, being part of the covenant people is an advantage. Similarly, according to Paul, children of believers are clean. I don’t think this means that they are automatically God’s people, but there is clearly an advantage.

Yet Paul also warns us that just because we are part of the covenant people we shouldn’t be complacent. God has broken off other branches because they were unfaithful. He could also break us off. And he can graft others in. There’s also more than one suggestion that he expects more of his chosen people than others.

I don’t think the NT is entirely clear on how many will be saved. Someone asks Jesus, and he deflects the question, countering with a challenge to make sure that they are going on the narrow way. I doubt that all will be saved, but I hope that somehow most will be. But there are certainly individuals and groups that God chose to help him do this.

 

[dogs4thewin]

Yes, a command delivered in a way that could not be ignored or disobeyed.

How can He MAKE you pick up a Bible?

 

[BryanW92]

How can He MAKE you pick up a Bible?

Obviously, you've never served in the military because you must not have ever experienced receiving an order from someone that just has a commanding presence.

I served in submarines where everyone is required to question orders that do not make sense. But some orders are given in a way that cannot be questioned. "Stand fast" and "Wait" are two of them that are obeyed instantly and are given in a voice that makes it very clear that the only acceptable response is to obey and say "Aye Aye."

This command was one of those types of commands.

 

[dogs4thewin]

Obviously, you've never served in the military because you must not have ever experienced receiving an order from someone that just has a commanding presence.

I served in submarines where everyone is required to question orders that do not make sense. But some orders are given in a way that cannot be questioned. "Stand fast" and "Wait" are two of them that are obeyed instantly and are given in a voice that makes it very clear that the only acceptable response is to obey and say "Aye Aye."

This command was one of those types of commands.

I wish I could have served, however, my health prevents, but even if I did they could kick me out shoot me.

 

[BryanW92]

I wish I could have served, however, my health prevents, but even if I did they could kick me out shoot me.

Well, have you ever received an order given with so much authority that you just obeyed unquestioningly? I heard that kind of command and that's why I don't believe that God comes to people begging them to choose him, like a kid trying to get picked for a team in a softball game.

 

[dogs4thewin]

Well, have you ever received an order given with so much authority that you just obeyed unquestioningly? I heard that kind of command and that's why I don't believe that God comes to people begging them to choose him, like a kid trying to get picked for a team in a softball game.

but you do not have to choose Him right away?

 

[BryanW92]

but you do not have to choose Him right away?

You can choose to not acknowledge his call for a time. I chose that for 30 years. One day, he got tired of waiting I guess and he ordered me to listen.

 

[dogs4thewin]

You can choose to not acknowledge his call for a time. I chose that for 30 years. One day, he got tired of waiting I guess and he ordered me to listen.

I still do not get how He made you do something hold a gun to your head or something?

 

[Tree of Life]

Why would God choose certain groups? For example. in general people raised in Christian households have a greater chance of hearing and believing? People in certain areas of the world the same can be said. Does God choose COMPLETELY at random?

Does it surprise you that God chooses to use the family as his primary means of spreading the gospel and making disciples?

 

[dogs4thewin]

Does it surprise you that God chooses to use the family as his primary means of spreading the gospel and making disciples?

yes and no.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Why would God choose certain groups? For example. in general people raised in Christian households have a greater chance of hearing and believing? People in certain areas of the world the same can be said. Does God choose COMPLETELY at random?

Why? That is a good question, one which I do not have an answer for. It is like trying to figure out why God chose to reveal Himself specially to the Hebrews, and choose them out of all people to preserve His dealings with for future generations. What was so special about Israel? Think about it, God did not reveal Himself to any other nation of the earth like He did Israel. The Father did not send the Son to any other nations. Why?

Likewise, why does God even knowingly allow most of the population to be deceived with other religions, knowing they will be damned to Hell? What is the point? You say they choose, but even so God knows their every choice, even sitting on His Holy throne watching them sink down to the depths of Hell no? How does God escape some sort of responsibility, if nothing else than allowing the multitudes and masses to be born, only for inevitable destruction, known from all eternity?

 

[Skala]

I still do not get how He made you do something hold a gun to your head or something?

When we speak about God "forcing" us to choose him, you need to realize that something can be both 1) necessary and 2) free at the same time.

For example, all human beings are sinful, they sin out of necessity (ie, they must sin) because they are born as Adam's descendants, into a fallen race. But just because they sin out of necessity doesn't mean they don't sin freely as well. In other words, they sin both 10 necessarily and 2) freely.

In the same way, when God chooses us and changes our hearts, we choose to obey the Gospel and put our faith in Jesus both 1) necessarily and 2) freely.

The same way an unregenerate person rejects Jesus both necessarily and freely, a regenerate person (a person who has been born again) instead, does the opposite.

Long story short: just because something is done out of necessity doesn't mean it's not also done freely.