Total Ability

[gmm4j]

Next,

Numbers 2:34
So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each with his clan and family.

Numbers 6:1-3
The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, 3 he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink.

Numbers 9:1-5
The LORD spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, 2 "Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time. 3 Celebrate it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with all its rules and regulations." 4 So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, 5 and they did so in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses.

Why doesn't it ever say, "The Lord had to enable the Israelites to do everything just as He commanded Moses.

I think the answer is becoming obvious.

 

[gmm4j]

How about this? Was this within the scope of man's ability? Could they freely look upon God's provision for healing and be healed, or did they each have to be regenerated before they could look upon the bronze serpent? Perhaps only the regenerate looked and were healed?

Numbers 21:9
So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

Of course they had the ability to look!!! And, it's the same with Jesus...

John 3:14-15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

Man has the ability to believe in God's sacrificial provision for eternal life and the forgiveness of sins - Jesus Christ! Look to Him!

 

[gmm4j]

Well, we could go on and mention Job, Esther, Mordecai, all the godly judges, Samuel, all the godly kings including David, Solomon, and Josiah, all the godly prophets, all the godly priests, Ezra, Nehemiah, and then moving into the New Testament: Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, John the Baptist, the calling of the disciples and on and on and on…

Not in one single case is there the mention of God regenerating or having to regenerate a person in order to give them the ability to believe. Not once. If this were crucially necessary as Calvinism states, then you would think that God would have mentioned it at least once. It is not even mentioned in Paul’s detailed conversion. The one incident that comes the closest to possibly indicating that God regenerated her to enable her to believe is Lydia, but this is in no way is conclusive. She very likely was already a genuine believer and worshipper of God before God opened her heart to receive Paul’s message as the text suggests (like Cornelius). Oh, he’s another one… no indication of having to be born again in order to make positive responses toward God.

The overwhelming bulk of Scriptural evidence from Genesis to Revelation proves that all fallen, unregenerate men retain the God-given ability to have faith in God.

 

[gmm4j]

I can't believe I forgot Joshua, Caleb, Rahab, Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz... Anyway.

Then, in addition to all these examples, you have the numerous statements that obviously show that God is not the direct cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him. Phrases such as, “Found favor in the eyes of the Lord,” “Did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”

There are also verses such as:

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

This verse shows that God is looking throughout the earth for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You must note that God is looking for these people. He is not causing or making them commit themselves to Him. He is looking or foreseeing those who would favorably respond to Him. The fact that He is looking for people, who have hearts that are committed to Him, indicates that He is not the direct causative affect upon their hearts. A similar verse in the New Testament is Luke 18:8, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Other verses show that Jesus was amazed at the lack of faith, or how great a faith certain people had. He would not have been amazed at these if God were the direct cause of their faith.

All of these types of verses combined with the examples previously given point to the fact that fallen, unregenerate men still retain the God-given ability to believe.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not the direct cause in makingmen choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

And then you can add the fact that God tells unregenerate man to choose Him. Scripture proves by telling fallen man to choose God that God has graciously allowed fallen man to retain the ability to favorably respond to Him. How could God, who is perfectly just, tell men to choose Him knowing the command is impossible to obey? In order for God to tell man to do this, unregenerate man must have the God-given ability to choose.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.

Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Proverbs 1:29-30
Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, 30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,

Proverbs 8:10
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

Of course there is no suggestion of it being impossible for these people to choose.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not the direct cause
in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Verses in which unregenerate men are told to choose God.

And you also have:

4. Scripture proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek God. In order for God to tell man to do this, unregenerate man must have the God-given ability to do so.

Deuteronomy 4:27-29

The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you. 28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

These verses show that it is possible for people who have been worshipping man-made gods to find the Lord, if they repent and begin to seek Him. The word “if” denotes the possibility of options and the ability to choose. “If” statements are always conditional and cannot convey forced or preordained conditions. The prerequisite for finding the Lord is not that God regenerates a person and directly causes them to seek Him, but rather, that they of their own free will choose to seek Him.

1 Chronicles 16:8-11
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

1 Chronicles 28:9
If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

2 Chronicles 34:3
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.

Psalms 22:26
The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him — may your hearts live forever!

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Amos 5:4-5
This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live; 5 do not seek Bethel,

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Acts 17:27
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to seek Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not the direct cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek Him.

And then you have,

5. Scripture proves by telling fallen man to know God that by God’s grace man still retains the ability to turn to Him and know Him. In order for God to tell man to do this, unregenerate man must have the God-given ability to do so.

Exodus 8:22
But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the LORD, am in this land.

Exodus 9:13-14
Let my people go, so that they may worship me, 14 or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth.

Exodus 9:29
Moses replied, "When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's.

Exodus 16:8
Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him.

Exodus 18:9-11
Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, "Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly."

Exodus 31:12-13
Then the LORD said to Moses, 13 "Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

Joshua 3:9-10
Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites,

Joshua 4:24
He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.

1 Kings 8:42-43
for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm-when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.

1 Kings 8:60
so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.

2 Kings 5:15
Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.

Psalms 9:10
those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalms 36:10
Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalms 100:1-3
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God.

Psalms 145:11-12
They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Isaiah 37:20
Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.

Notice that all men of the earth may know God, and not just an elect few. Of course only an elect few will choose to know Him, but all have the ability and may know Him.

Isaiah 41:19-20
I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, 20 so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Isaiah 45:3
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD,

Isaiah 45:6
so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Isaiah 49:23
They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.

Isaiah 49:26
I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Ezekiel 6:7
Your people will fall slain among you, and you will know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 39:7
I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel.

“You will know,” “they will know,” or similar verbiage is used 80 times in the book of Ezekiel alone.

Matthew 9:6
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home."

John 10:38
But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.

Acts 13:38-39
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

Acts 17:18-20
They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”

Romans 1:32
Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Galatians 4:8-9
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God-or rather are known by God-how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?

Ephesians 4:20-21
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-10
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

1 John 2:2-6
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to know Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not the direct cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek Him.

5. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to know God by telling him to turn to Him and to know Him.

And then you have,

6. Scripture proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to trust God. In order for God to tell man to do this, unregenerate man must have the God-given ability to do so.

Exodus 14:31

And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Numbers 20:12

But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."

Psalms 4:5
Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.

Psalms 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalms 22:3-5
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. 4 In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

Psalms 37:3-6
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Psalms 40:3-4
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,

Psalms 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalms 78:5-7
he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

Psalms 125:1
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Isaiah 26:2-4
Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever,

Jeremiah 39:18
I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

John 12:36
Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.

John 14:1
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to trust Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not the direct cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek Him.

5. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to know God by telling him to turn to Him and to know Him.

6. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to trust God. In order for God to tell man to do this, unregenerate man must have the God-given ability to do so.

And then you have,

7. Scripture proving that fallen man retains the ability to choose God by telling man to choose to come to Him. In order for God to tell man to do this, unregenerate man must have the God-given ability to do so.

Isaiah 55:1-7

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. 5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor." 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Micah 4:2
Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths."

Matthew 8:10-12
"I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 11:28-29

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 16:24-25
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Matthew 19:14-15
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:21-24
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Matthew 22:3
He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

Luke 6:47-49
I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.

John 7:37-38

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

1 Timothy 2:3-6
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time.

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 12:22-24
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

James 4:4-10
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

2 Peter 3:9
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Anyone, everyone, whoever, adulterous people, the weary and burdened, and even those who ultimately refuse, are all told to come! They would not be told to do so, if they did not have the ability.

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to come to Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not thedirect cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek Him.

5. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to know God by telling him to turn to Him and to know Him.

6. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to trust God.

7. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man retains the ability to choose God by telling man to choose to come to Him.

Then add to that:

8. Scripture proves that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to repent
and turn to God. In order for God to tell man to do this, unregenerate man must have the
God-given ability to do so.

Deuteronomy 30:9-10
The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, 10 if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

1 Kings 8:46-51
When they sin against you-for there is no one who does not sin-and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; 47 and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; 48 and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; 49 then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. 50 And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy;

2 Kings 17:13
The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: "Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets."

Job 36:8-12
But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, 9 he tells them what they have done- that they have sinned arrogantly. 10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. 11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. 12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

Isaiah 17:7-8
In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. 8 They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.

Isaiah 19:22
The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.

Isaiah 45:22
"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Isaiah 59:20
"The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 15:19
Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me;

Jeremiah 18:11
So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'

Jeremiah 26:3
Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.

Ezekiel 14:6
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

Ezekiel 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?

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

Ezekiel 33:9-11
But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself. 10 "Son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'This is what you are saying: "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?" ' 11 Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'

Micah 7:17-18
They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in fear to the LORD our God and will be afraid of you. 18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Zechariah 1:4
Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.' But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.

Matthew 3:1-2
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Mark 6:14
They went out and preached that people should repent.

Luke 13:1-5
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

 

[gmm4j]

More "turn" and "repent" verses:

Acts 2:38-39
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Acts 3:19-20
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Acts 8:21-23
You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.

Acts 14:15
We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

Acts 17:30-31
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.

Acts 20:21
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Acts 26:20
First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

Romans 2:4
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Revelation 2:4-5
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 2:16
Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Revelation 2:21-22

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.

Revelation 3:3
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Revelation 3:19-20
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to turn to Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not thedirect cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek Him.

5. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to know God by telling him to turn to Him and to know Him.

6. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to trust God.

7. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man retains the ability to choose God by telling man to choose to come to Him.

8. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God
by telling him to repent and turn to God.

Then add to that:
9. Scripture proves that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond favorably to God by telling man to call on the Lord. In order for God to tell man to do this, he must have the God-given ability to do so.

1 Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Psalms 50:7
and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

Psalms 86:5
You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalms 145:18-20
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

Isaiah 12:4
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done,

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

Jeremiah 29:12-14
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD,

Jeremiah 33:3
'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

(Our responsibility and God's responsibility)

Jonah 3:8-9
But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.

Zechariah 13:9
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.

Romans 10:12-15
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours:

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to call upon to Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not thedirect cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek Him.

5. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to know God by telling him to turn to Him and to know Him.

6. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to trust God.

7. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man retains the ability to choose God by telling man to choose to come to Him.

8. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to repent and turn to God.

9. Scripture proveing that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond
favorably to God by telling man to call on the Lord.

Then add to that:
9. Scripture proves that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond favorably to God by telling him to believe. In order for God to tell man to do this, unregenerate man must have the God-given ability to do so.

Matthew 21:32
For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Mark 1:14-15
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Luke 8:12
Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Luke 24:25-27
He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

John 1:7
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.

John 1:49-50
Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." 50 Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that."

John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

John 4:42
They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

John 6:26-29
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Jesus is not here teaching that belief is a work. He is saying the work we must do is to not work. Jesus is not contradicting His own written Word. Many other times in Scripture we are told that faith is not a work. Romans 4:4-6 says, “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:”

John 6:39
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 8:24
I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins."

John 8:46
Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?

John 9:35-38
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him." 37 Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." 38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

John 10:37-38
Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.

John 11:48
If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.

John 13:19
I am telling you now before it happens, sothat when it does happen you will believe that I am He.

John 14:11
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.

John 14:29
I have told you now before it happens, sothat when it does happen you will believe.

John 16:30-31
Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God." 31 "You believe at last!" Jesus answered.

Jesus’ response, “you believe at last” shows that God was not the direct cause of their belief.

John 17:20
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

John 17:21
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John 19:35
The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

John 20:25-31
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 

[gmm4j]

More "believe" verses:

Acts 15:11
We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.

Acts 16:31
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household."

Acts 19:4
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."

Acts 28:23-24
From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:

Romans 3:22
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Romans 4:24
but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Romans 10:8-11
the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That ifyou confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Romans 16:25-26
Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-

Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

2 Thessalonians 1:10
on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

1 Timothy 1:16
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

1 Timothy 4:10
that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

Hebrews 10:39
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

James 2:18-19
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.

1 Peter 1:8-9
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 2:7
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"

1 Peter 3:1
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,

1 John 3:23
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 5:5
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to believe on Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not thedirect cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek Him.

5. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to know God by telling him to turn to Him and to know Him.

6. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to trust God.

7. NumerousScripture verses proving that fallen man retains the ability to choose God by telling man to choose to come to Him.

8. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God
by telling him to repent and turn to God.

9. Scripture proveing that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond
favorably to God by telling man to call on the Lord.

10. Scripture proves that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond
favorably to God by telling him to believe.

And then you can add to that:

11. Scripture clearly teaches that “your faith” is required in order for God to administer His blessing upon you. Jesus showed many times that it is a person’s faith that appropriates healing, which is a representation and part of our ultimate healing through salvation. Healing is part of the atonement. Jesus proves these physical healings represent the spiritual by connecting them to the forgiveness of sins. “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…" He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home" (Mark 2:9-11). In not one case does Jesus say, “your faith given by God” or some other phrase indicating that God had divinely regenerated these people or directly deposited faith into them. Every indication is that everyone has the God-given ability to believe, or not.

2 Chronicles 20:20
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."

Isaiah 7:9
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

Habakkuk 2:4
See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright- but the righteous will live by his faith-

Matthew 6:30-31
O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Why would Jesus be astonished if God gave the faith?

Matthew 8:26
He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 9:2
Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus sawtheir faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

Jesus should have seen that the Father had given them faith. Instead, it says that he saw their faith.

Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

Matthew 9:29-30
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30 and their sight was restored.

Matthew 13:58
And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Matthew 14:30-31
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Why would Jesus rebuke his disciples for a lack of faith, when faith is something that is only given by God?

Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 16:8
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?

Matthew 17:19-20
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" 20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Mark 4:39-40
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Jesus shouldn’t have asked this question. He should have known that they would not have faith until the Father gives it to them.

Mark 6:5-6
He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

According to Calvinism, their lack of faith would be the norm unless God had given it to them, so their lack of it would not have been an amazing thing to Jesus. It simply must have been the good pleasure of the Father to choose not to love them and withhold His gift of faith from them.

Mark 10:52
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Luke 7:48-50
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Luke 17:19
Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

Luke 17:19 was Jesus’ response to the one leper out of nine who returned after being healed to give praise to God. By faith the ten lepers had called out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” By faith they subsequently obeyed Jesus’ command and were all healed as they went to show themselves to the priest. Calvinists would have to say that each of these men who made positive responses toward God must have been regenerated, but yet it was only one of the ten who returned to praise God.

Luke 18:8
I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

If God directly gives faith to individuals, then this question would not make sense?

 

[gmm4j]

More "faith" verses...

Acts 20:21
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

Romans 3:22
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Romans 3:25-26
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Romans 4:5-6
However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Romans 4:9
We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:13
It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Romans 4:18-24
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

This verse in 1 Corinthians 2 indicates that “your” faith could rest on God’s power, or it could rest on men’s wisdom. Surely if a faith could rest on God’s power, then according to Calvinism, it must be a genuine faith directly given by God and could certainly never rest on men’s wisdom. But instead, as this verse shows us, “your” faith can be placed in men or in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

1 Corinthians 15:17
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

2 Corinthians 1:24-2:1
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

2 Corinthians 10:15
Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand,

Galatians 2:15-16
"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 3:8-9
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Galatians 3:26
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,

 

[gmm4j]

More "faith" verses...

Ephesians 1:15
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Colossians 1:4
because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints

Colossians 1:23
if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.

Colossians 2:5
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Colossians 2:12
having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-3
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

1 Thessalonians 3:6
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love.

1 Thessalonians 3:10
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

2 Thessalonians 1:11
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

1 Timothy 1:18-19
Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

1 Timothy 2:15
But women will be saved through childbearing-if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 2:18-19
They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

2 Timothy 3:15
and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:2-3
For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 3 Now wewho have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Here we find that without faith it is impossible to please God. This would have been a great opportunity to also say that it impossible to have faith without God directly giving it, but it does not. If God directly deposited faith into individuals, then it would actually be God pleasing Himself rather than the person pleasing Him. Isn’t it also interesting that after the long list of people who had faith in Hebrews 11, the great chapter on faith, verse 39 says,

“These were all commended for their faith”

Did God have to give each of them a new nature before they believed, or did God directly deposit faith into each of these individuals?Did God have to regenerate Abram before he could make the decision to leave Ur of the Chaldees? Calvinism says that due to man’s total inability, it is impossible for these heroes of faith to have had faith without first being regenerated or given a direct deposit of faith from God. If this were true, it seems odd that the Bible would commend these men and women for their faith, something for which they were completely passive.

Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 2:14
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

James 2:18-19
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.

James 2:22
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

1 Peter 1:9
for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:21
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

2 Peter 1:5
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

1 John 5:4-5
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jude 20
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 2:13
Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives.

Revelation 2:19
I know your deeds, your love and faith,

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to have faith in Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not thedirect cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by
telling him to seek Him.

5. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to know God by telling him to turn to Him and to know Him.

6. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by
telling him to trust God.

7. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man retains the ability to choose God by telling man to choose to come to Him.

8. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to repent and turn to God.

9. Scripture proving that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond favorably to God by telling man to call on the Lord.

10. Scripture proves that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond favorably to God by telling him to believe.

11. Numerous Scripture verses that prove that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to have faith. is required in order for God to administer His

And then you add to these, the fact that:

12. The command to teach, instruct, or train fallen men would be absurd if unregenerate men did not have the God-given ability to be instructed or taught in the ways of the Lord.

Exodus 18:20-21
Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.

Leviticus 10:10-11
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses.

Deuteronomy 17:10-12
You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they direct you to do. 11 Act according to the law they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.

1 Samuel 12:23-25
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.

1 Kings 8:36
Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

Psalms 32:8-10
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man whotrusts in him.

God does not regenerate us against our will to make us come to Him!!!

Psalms 34:11-16
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

Psalms 51:13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

Psalms 78:5-8
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. 8 They would not be like their forefathers — a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

Psalms 132:11-12
The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne — 12 if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever."
Psalms 145:11-12
They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Proverbs 22:17-19
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.

Isaiah 2:3
Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths."

Jeremiah 11:3-5
Tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of this covenant — 4 the terms I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.' I said, 'Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. 5 Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey' — the land you possess today."

Jeremiah 26:2-3
Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. 3 Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way.

Jeremiah 35:12-13
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?' declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 33:13-16
If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done. 14 And if I say to the wicked man, 'You will surely die,' but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right- 15 if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die. 16 None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.

Ezekiel 44:23
They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

Zechariah 1:3
Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.

 

[gmm4j]

More "instruct" or "teach" verses...

Matthew 11:1
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

Mark 2:13
Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.

Mark 4:1
Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake,

Acts 5:19-20
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."

Acts 10:33
So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

2 Timothy 2:25-26
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

1 Timothy 4:6-8
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Titus 2:4-5
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Again, there is no suggestion of it not being possible for unregenerate man to learn of Him.

 

[gmm4j]

So you have:

1. Examples from Genesis to Revelation with absolutely no indication that unregenerated man had to be regenerated in order to believe.

2. Numerous verses that show that God is not thedirect cause in making men choose Him or take positive steps toward Him.

3. Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to do so. God tells unregenerate man to choose Him.

4. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to seek Him.

5. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to know God by telling him to turn to Him and to know Him.

6. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God by telling him to trust God.

7. NumerousScripture verses proving that fallen man retains the ability to choose God by telling man to choose to come to Him.

8. Numerous Scripture verses proving that fallen man still retains the ability to choose God
by telling him to repent and turn to God.

9. Scripture proveing that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond
favorably to God by telling man to call on the Lord.

10. Scripture proves that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the ability to respond
favorably to God by telling him to believe.

11. Numerous Scripture verses that prove that by the grace of God fallen man still retains the
ability to have faith. is required in order for God to administer His

12. The command to teach, instruct, or train fallen men would be absurd if unregenerate
men did not have the God-given ability to be instructed or taught in the ways of the
Lord.

And then you add to these, the fact that:

13. The parables of the hidden treasure and pearl of great price indicate that fallen man has the God-given ability to seek for and find the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:44-46
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.