Question about Luke 11:9&10

in His shadow · Apr 12, 2011

Jesus - "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock , and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened."

My friend who argues for the existence of "free-will" brought this up to me the other day and I didn't really know how to respond. The context is Christ teaching His disciples how to pray. I believe Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit (verse 13). My question is really, what does the passage mean? He stated, "this contradicts the reformed belief entirely." I'd like to know anyone's reformed opinion/belief on this verse and how I should go about responding to my friend. Or if this even does contradict reformed theology.

Thank you

heymikey80 · Apr 15, 2011

"No one seeks God." Rom 3:11

The invitation is extended by God, certainly. But no one has taken Him up on it.

17And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18But they all alike began to make excuses. Lk 14:17-18

cf Isaiah 59.

Y'want to see what Reformed people think about it?

a. External calling. The Bible speaks of this or refers to it in several passages, Matt. 28:19; 22:14; Luke 14:16-24; Acts 13:46; II Thess. 1:8; I John 5:10. It consists in the presentation and offering of salvation in Christ to sinners, together with an earnest exhortation to accept Christ by faith in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. From the definition it already appears that it contains three elements, namely, (1) A presentation of the gospel facts and ideas; (2) an invitation to repent and believe in Jesus Christ, and (3) a promise of forgiveness and salvation. The promise is always conditional; its fulfillment can be expected only in the way of true faith and repentance. The external call is universal in the sense that it comes to all men to whom the gospel is preached. It is not limited to any age or nation or class of men, and comes to the reprobate as well as to the elect, Isa. 45:22; 55:1; Ezek. 3:19; Joel 2:32; Matt. 22:2-8, 14; Rev. 22:17. Naturally this call, as coming from God, is seriously meant. He calls sinners in good faith, earnestly desires that they accept the invitation, and in all sincerity promises eternal life to those who repent and believe. Num. 23:19; Ps. 81:13-16; Prov. 1:24; Isa. 1:18-20; Ezek. 18:23, 32; 33:11; Matt. 23:37; II Tim. 2:18. In the external call God maintains His claim on the sinner. If man does not accept the call, he slights the claim of God and thus increases his guilt. It is also the appointed means by which God gathers the elect out of all the nations of the world, Rom. 10:14-17, and should be regarded as a blessing for sinners, though they may turn it into a curse, Isa. 1:18-20; Ezek. 3:18, 19; Amos 8:11; Matt. 11:20-24; 23:37. Finally, it also serves to justify God in the condemnation of sinners. If they despise the offer of salvation, their guilt stands out in the clearest light, John 5:39, 40; Rom. 3:5, 6, 19. Berkhof, "Summary of Christian Doctrine", Ch. 19: "Calling & Regeneration", Sec. 1.a

Question about Luke 11:9&10

in His shadow

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heymikey80

Quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur

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Question about Luke 11:9&10

in His shadow

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heymikey80

Quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur

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