@@davidirvin8885 Everyone has a choice. God did not create anyone and destine them to hell without a chance for redemption. Check your ego. 1 John 1-2, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." The choice is yours to accept or reject.
Right, as God has given a “command” to believe in His Son, Act 17:30. See John 3:16, and has left it to “As many as receive him (Christ) to them he gave power (authority) to become children of God, even to as many as believe in his name” John 1:12.
Right, as it say's not; “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that God chooses." As this goes along with the great verse in Jeremiah; "And you shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13. There is no greater venue of seeking than the word of God, rightly dividing it, to gain the faith needed to believe. Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 10:17.
It's certainly difficult to let go of spiritual autonomy but Romans 8:7 drives home the point the unregenerate cannot come to God period ("...indeed it cannot"). It's amazing how folks are missional about proving their ability and capacity to come to God on their own. They're only cheating themselves of even more grace. Once one is resolved to allowing God to be God and leave the question alone as to why or what basis he specifically choses one for perfect salvation (e.g. Jacob) but yet passes over another left alone awaiting perfect justice (e.g. Esau), it's beautiful! It's like getting saved all over again ❤
Amen. Our mind is at enmity with God. Free will...actually totally in bondage to sin, to flesh, our mind hates everything about God. Our Lord never thanked His Father for all who 'chose Jesus' but instead thanked His Father for all who He Gave to Him, his only Begotten Son to be washed in His redeeming Blood.
The Bible in no uncertain terms claims that predestination is true. Christians are elected to salvation before the foundation of the world. But who the elected are is knowledge that is exclusiove to God. Therefore we must also believe that "whosoever will may come" and that the Holy Spirit would confirm our salvation in our hearts. It's not a contradiction, it's just one of the mysteries of the Faith.
He gave us the free will and the autonomy to choose Him, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Whosoever hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him, and him with me." Of course, he knows who will choose Him. So what? It speaks to His omniscience more than anything else.
@@backwatersage Well put by both of you. My pastor likes to say "The Bible says both" and yes, that's true, but it's a matter of perspective. From God's perspective, He has mercy on whom He will have mercy, from our perspective, it's whosoever may come. Contrary to what Arminians say, the doctrine of predestination never excludes anyone, like an effective door to door salesman who knocks on ALL the doors, not just the one's he believes will buy, we don't withhold the gospel from anyone just because we think they look like someone who will never be affected by it.
Salvation is of God, not man. It is the Holy Spirit who quickens, meaning He (the Holy Spirit) wakes ones heart from its dead state. Ephesians 2 v 8 in and of our selves cannot respond to the knock as we are dead. Salvation precedes faith.
Jesus taught this same concept in the parables ,one of them was the parable of the man that hired workers early in the day and also hired workers at the end of the day and gave them the same wages ,and said it is fair for this man to be more generous with those at the end of the day because the workers that hired on early received the wages that they earned and if God wanted to grant grace on the others it was his to grant
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned..corinthians 2:14
I don’t think it is that difficult. God knows the beginning from the end. He knows every man’s heart. He knows what our choice will be… but we have the free will to choose to follow Jesus. He gives us ample opportunity! So daily we look to Jesus, read His word, see what He is like and allow His Holy Spirit to mold us. Is there anything any better than being like Jesus! Absolutely not! So enjoy Him and the life He gives us with His presence and His promises! We have it all today and for all eternity!
But it is the power of Gods word that sets them free, as that is why we preach Jesus, as it (the Gospel) has such power! As faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word! Romans 1:16. It is not over until one stops breathing, for I have heard of folks in their 80’s and 90’s being saved. God is long suffering, not willing any to be lost
Many on here still have the 'works plus faith' Catholic thinking on salvation. I read plenty of the 'you might well be saved, but you must do this or else' way of thinking to make sure. Catholicism through and through.
I replied to @mikelyons ...in depth to the Truth. Mike brings up very valid points of opposition. This is far to serious of question to be misunderstood. God created man in his own image and gave him Dominion is maybe among the most powerful word's in the world. Love, Mercy, Grace and unfortunately Hatred, Revenge, Greed, Lusts of our fleshly bodies are Tragically all forms of Dominion...This is why Bad Horrible things happens to those we love and ourselves. What victory is there for our creator if we face no adversities in ourselves or for God if we didn't have to choose to Overcome? Right from Wrong? In my Father's House/Kingdom are many Mansions . Paul said run the race in such a way as to WIN!!! Victory is in Jesus, simple truth.. The TRUTH is UN CHANGING, what you choose to believe?, DOES NOT change the Truth. Jesus is Lord; now you understand a glimpse into the Heart of the Father and why in a Spiritual Battle? One must have The Holy Spirit of Truth as your worldly Shield 🛡 👏 Amen
For those who still think you are saved by choice, you do not believe because you choose/follow Christ, you choose/follow Christ because you believe. Your will is a faculty of your human soul and faith is a gift from the holy Spirit. Just to seal your fate in your belief in a sovereign free will of man read Romans 11: 32 For God has locked up all in the prison of unbelief, that upon all alike He may have mercy. Like RC Sproul says "that in the final analysis" you need faith to be saved because in your present unsaved state, you are in the sin of unbelief and thus cannot believe. In an unbelieving prison you cannot put faith in Christ to be justified to be forgiven your sin of unbelief. Get out of that one!
I would like to give my comment..i know people find it very offense that God would actually not give salvation to people simply because he chooses not to.. i was also in this camp... We have one verse 1 Corth 1 26-29. How not many kings or mighty and all that are choosen...i would say attitude of the of heart. But the base and despised are choosen. Again attitude of the heart.. But God does Choose people.. He choose Abraham...issac or Esaw...on and on. He chose the 12 Apostles. Paul said he was choosen before birth.. So God does chose...but in New Testament we have if any man comes to Christ he will be turned away...salvation is for all.. There are verses for both sides. And i say its both... Paul already said we are not to argue about this. This is providence of God.. Even John MacArthur says pretty much the same thing. We are comanded to go and preach...we ARE NOT COMANDED. To go and look at somebody so called label and see if he was chosen. Thats not our buisness.. We are also do not have all the answers . Are u afraid to say that? There is nothing wrong with having a constuctive debate...but if gets into anger u have crossed the line.. Remember God is Sovereign and you are a created creature.. right now this beyond are human comprehension and we will have wait to enternity... Cause remember during the 1000 year rein of Christ on Earth with earth filled with the knowledge of God. When Satan is released a mutitude of people still reject Christ and follow Satan... And i still cannot comprehend that one...
One who cut my teeth on the pews some 70 years ago, have listened and studied to both sides of this argument and have always been left with many questions. On one hand we have numerous specific examples of those who were clearly chosen prior to birth and as mentioned here in this sermon many references to support this position. As a Baptist and watching our denomination both grow and shrink in my lifetime noticed several trends caused by this doctrine unique to us; 1. Today, those saved, while children many now have decided to no longer attend or be connected with the body of Christ (Church). When approached to return to attendance they respond back with; “why? I’m saved and can’t lose my salvation based upon what you told me earlier. I’m elected and predestined”. Note here, we are closing approximately 400 churches annually. Thus, as a denomination, we are desperate. Our clergy responds; “I doubt they were actually ever saved”. Then the question changes to; if this is true, then what about the many clergy who fill our pulpits for years only later to be revealed, they were active pedophiles, adulterers or thieves. So, the new question to the clergy is; “were your peers ever saved?” Followed by a more confusing question, “basically, we have no clue who is actually saved among us”. The clergy certainly doesn’t know. They have honored, ordained and anointed peers and in many cases their teachers in the seminaries. Only, later, to find out, they were practicing great evil and ungodly behavior. My experience and observation related to this matter has been the clergy has no valid response or defense to these facts of our current reality. That’s why we will continue to close churches rapidly. When you tell a 10 YO, you are saved. No sin you ever commit will ever separate you from God. Your salvation was a gift and you had nothing to do with it, many believe and ….. Here we are. Churches with pulpits filled with pedophiles and ungodly clergy that believed Calvin and Sproul. Hope he (Sproul and his peers) is right or his judgement will be great for his arrogance and being a stumbling block to millions. For me, I have no clue but chasing God daily, just in case they are wrong.
@@timbat4899 You raise many good points, but as with many of these actions you mention, we must ask, what does the Bible say? I believe it’s Paul who says, “God will not be mocked.” those who do these things will not be saved. The “secret sauce” to use a phrase, is *repentance*. What is repentance? It is emptying yourself of YOU (denying yourself), taking up your cross (taking on the work & priorities of God), and following Him (submitting to Christ as Lord of your life). If a person has truly repented, then God changes their heart and the person now desires the righteousness of God. People who desire God do not live according to world but according to the Word! John MacArthur says that a person who claims to follow Christ & lives for the world has deluded himself.. I agree. To repent, one must *turn* from their sins & live for God. The only way one can turn from sin is if God has given him a new heart which yearns for God. You knows that this has happened because you feel the Holy Spirit in your heart giving you joy & peace. This is how you know you’re saved, and not some other person telling you.. they can’t know. Only God knows, and if God is in your heart, then you know. Now consider for a moment. If people who have been regenerated by God are not permanently saved, then did God make a wrong choice? Once you’re saved, God will not let you become “unsaved” or “lost”. If you act disobediently, God will bring adversity & judgment into your life until you repent & return to obedience.. this is the prodigal son parable. But if a saved person does not repent & persists in sin, then God will take his life in order to preserve his soul, and he will be saved as though singed by the fire. 🔥 As a Christian, I’ve found I can’t get away with anything. Others can cheat, steal, & lie and get away with it. If I do any of those, I get caught or things happen which makes me suffer. Those who belong to God cannot succeed by following the world. “By their fruits you will know them.” If a person claims to follow Christ but follows the world instead, then he does not know God, and God is not working in him. He will be one of those who will call out Jesus’ name at the Judgment, and Jesus will say, “Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity, for I never knew you.” The wheat & tares grow together.. both claim to know Christ.. but they will be sifted at the Judgment. The problem is not with Calvinism.. the problem is that many people, including Christians, do not understand what the Bible is saying and the price of the cross. You must die to yourself and put God first in all things.. all actions words, & thoughts. You must obey God in all things, repenting to God each time you fail. You must acknowledge that everything you have belongs to God. Hold out your open hands and pray to God to give or take whatever He wishes in your life. Strive to empty your cup (your life) from all selfish desires, dreams, & goals. Ask God to fill your cup with His Love, Grace, & Desires for your life. As Paul says, pray continually. Now obviously, you can’t pray in the middle of doing something where you have to intensely focus, or when you sleep, or when you’re talking with people, but God, as your greatest Love, should never be far from your mind. You should read the Bible consistently and pray for wisdom & enlightenment. You must love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, & strength, and love all others as yourself. You should promote peace and not animosity or dissension. Follow all the beatitudes.. every one. Now no one can do all the above, but with the Holy Spirit living in your heart, you should see that God is working within you, making you more like Christ over time. You must make God #1.. He will not be anything less. If you totally submit to God, then you will understand how salvation is a gift of God, that you did nothing to earn it or gain it. Faith is not a work or a free choice.. it is a *response* to conviction of your heart by the Holy Spirit brought on by the hearing or reading of the Word. The Bible says that all who earnestly seek God will find Him. Again, seeking God is a response, not a choice. No one truly seeks God on his own.
@@jmbrown3502❤ Well said Tim! Many struggle with election. It’s certainly can’t be denied ..plainly in scripture. So many try to dismiss it as unfair. Your explanation makes it simple & precise, but most won’t surrender to Christ on a daily occurrence, or stay continuously seeking Him and confessing our sins. I’m reminded continually about the narrow gate that keeps me of a fearful reverence of a Holy God. Your response was the most articulate explanation, I’ve heard on this topic. I’m not educated in these matters and my 73 years experience as a craftsman by trade, I can only assume you have Seminary training. Love your comment. I have read Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Cost Of Discipleship. You appear to be alluding to his theology, since mention Repentance and him being the founder of the Confessing Church in Germany. I believe American Churches today’s emphasis is growing in numbers rather than in these areas of repentance and confession.
@@DB-cx6cb Thank you very much for your kind words.. I simply wrote what I felt the Holy Spirit was leading me to say, & I give Him all the glory! I am familiar with Bonhoeffer’s life and the part he played in Germany, but I wasn’t echoing him directly. I feel that anyone who reads the scripture carefully and in prayer, keeping the overall intent of scripture in mind, will come to a similar theology. Actually, I listen to John MacArthur videos a lot, and I have great confidence in John because he only gives an interpretation of a passage of scripture after freshly studying all other related passages to prevent possible misunderstandings. I believe that this is the way to interpret scripture to avoid novel interpretations based on one or two passages. Arminians are right in that one cannot “get saved” & then “live as you please” because one can’t lose one’s salvation. This is mocking God and God won’t be mocked. So in such an instance described by Tim in the original post, the person is either saved or he is not. If saved, then he will be chastened by God for his complacency, for complacency is a sin. Or he is not saved and God is not acting to chasten him and he’s living in ignorant but deadly bliss. The only way to really know you’re saved is by following God earnestly and seeing His power transform your life. On the other hand, Calvinists are right that if you came to God on your own, then you could also leave God on you own, perhaps without even knowing it. So you never have assurance of salvation & you live each day terrified & wondering if you are saved.. and this is no way to live. God does not want us to live in terror, but in His love with the proper awe & respect for Him & His Word. Also, just as complacency is a sin, so is claiming that Jesus died for everyone and paid for all sins on the cross. This is untrue.. this means that God the Father caused His Beloved Son to suffer for the sins of those who would deny Him. This makes no sense at all, and borders on blasphemy. It was very apparent to me long before I became a Calvinist that the Atonement was limited and was for the sins of the repentant & not for everyone. Arminians say this makes God “unfair”, but it does not. God is just as fair as Arminians think He is without Jesus paying for all sin. Everyone has the same chance to be saved, the only difference being what type of ground you are in the parable of the sower. If you don’t listen to the Word or you reject it, then you are not saved. If you truly repent, then you are saved. But Arminians say, how can you come to Christ if you’re sins weren’t paid for? And the answer is, you can’t.. not because you didn’t have one or more chances, but because your ground was hard, rocky, or thorny. This is hard for some to understand because Jesus died & rose long ago, and people are being saved now. However, now and long ago are the same moment for God, because God is omnitemporal. He exists outside of time. So when a person repents & come to Christ today, God takes all his sin, past & future, and places it on Jesus on the cross. He then writes the person’s name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Only the sins of those who repent (the elect) are paid on the cross, and no one in any time has been unfairly passed over or left out. God has everything under control… God’s Plan is perfect! Praise Him & to Him be all the glory! 🙏🏼
Thank you for your words! I can certainly see the debate and/or controversy at hand. As much as I haven’t yet learned from the Bible, leaves me at where you stand in the matter. “Chasing God daily, in case they are wrong” I thought at times through studies, I was convinced of one direction to proceed. And than I listen and hear words such as yours and again, I am caused to search the Scriptures even more. It is the “Living Word” I am drawn to and for that I am so very Thankful. 🕊🙏
maybe summarized by . . . we believe because of receiving the Spirit of God. If under the spell of unbelief, ask around. Other than asking a person of faith, what can you do?
All good doctrine here. It would be helpful, however, to add that God does have conditions for election, but He hasn't specifically revealed what He bases His choices on (just not the merit of the sinner). Romans 9:17 (duly referenced by Sproul here) gives one example of God's purpose in a (negative) election (i.e., of Pharoah). We also learn elsewhere that few wise, mighty, or noble people are elected (vs. many more foolish, weak, base, and despised) - see 1 Corinthians 1:26-28. Maybe it would be more helpful to change the "U" of TULIP to "Unrevealed Election."
@@kato1400 If you mean that God foreknew who would not listen to the Word or would turn away from the Call of the Spirit, then yes, He ordained (allowed) them to be subjected to their own choices. Gods “sends” no one to hell.. in fact He yearns for all people to seek Him & salvation.. but there are many who will not turn from the Siren’s Song of Sin, & along the broad way they march, & God lets them go… He does not force them to love their Creator. And somehow, God is unfair and those who are damned are His fault. Black is white, & white is black. “It’s all God’s fault.” Such is the Great Lie from the father of lies.
God had to create a place of Damnation for Lucifer and the 1/3 that followed Out of Heaven before he created Man: Who was Created lower than the Angels 😇 PLEASE GET THIS.. If the Angels of Heaven failed, and they did fail. How would you expect man to out perform Angels? Our Father built that relationship with us in the garden of EDEN. God loved each and every ONE of us in the Garden BEFORE SIN. When Sin was Introduced every HUMANKIND BORN OF THE ORIGINAL CREATION OF MAN. Must Be Redeemed. Jesus is the Redemption of and for All Mankind's Humanity and DOMINION. This is a real big word with real big consequences. Look up The Pursuit Church Minot North Dakota 😊
Unbiblical nonsense? Or it means your Biblical ignorance is "showing", likewise your laziness to search the Scripture to know the Truth. Likewise without God the Holy Spirit guidance no person can understand what the Scripture teaches.
R.c was a dangerous liar, the world is safer without him, he makes God to be unfair by saying salvation is for some but not for others just because eh... just because, like willy nilly whatever, God just thought rc. Was cool and he made him elect and God didn't like rc's neighbor so he just made him to go to hell, it's ridiculous because God is more than fair! When you have a big head I guess you got to fill it up with big words.
Hopefully not too many will listen to this unbiblical tripe. The mission & purpose of God sending His Son was/is to redeem EVERYONE who will & CAN call upon Jesus from the sting of death caused by sin... not just a pre-chosen elect few & no one else.
Mike, so all those people who will live eternally in hell, those “everyone”, who you say, “will and can call upon Jesus” and thereby be redeemed, BUT WERE NOT REDEEMED, what went really wrong for them? Did God’s mission and purpose, so far as they were concerned, fail? Or did those people just somehow forget to call upon Jesus? Mike, I listened to this lesson. And I listened to you-not only what you said, but how you said it. Tripe? You will and can discover that R.C. Sproul is one of the most loved and listened to American pastors ever. That, of course, does not mean that he is always right, but if millions of people consider his teaching not a waste of time, maybe you should take him seriously enough to really study what he is saying. You will and can discover that Sproul didn’t invent the doctrine of election. If you care enough to look you will find the names of many wise and educated Christians who believe like Sproul does on this doctrine-the Apostle Paul not the least of them.
@jayhubbard7595 R.C. was an all in Calvinist. Calvinism is another gospel. Calvinism preys on the under-discipled just like all false gospels. People either freely, willingly receive Jesus as Savior (Ephesians 1:13, 2:8-13, Isaiah 1:18, 45:22, Matthew 11:28, Romans 10:9-13)...or they freely, volitionally reject Jesus (John 5:40, Matthew 23:27, Acts 17:32, 2 Peter 2:1, 1 Timothy 4:10)
@@mikelyons2831 Mike, can we back up a little bit? Remember that verse in the New Testament where Paul writes the we are "saved by grace through education, argument, and rhetoric"? Remember where Lewis compared orthodoxy to arithmetic? He wrote that where there is only one right answer (say to the question of how many Saviors there are) all the wrong answers are not equally wrong--in fact, some are much closer to right than others. Calvinism not only is not a false gospel, it is not a gospel at all. No Christian thinks that believing like John Calvin did is the Good News--they believe what the Bible says, that only Christ Jesus can, and has, saved them. Calvinism is just one attempt to best understand what Christians believe to be the only written revelation of God to men, the Bible. You and I are attempting to do the very same thing--every mature Christian is. "Tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." I want that kind of peace for everybody, especially those like us who disagree on matters of faith. I leave you with these thoughts: no one learns anything from someone with whom they already agree. And, why would anyone want to listen to someone talk about the Prince of Peace, who sounds, in a word, angry?
RC your God is too small. Even Augustine, the revered standard of theological correctness, could not wrap his mind around the freedom of choice (free will) created in man. He blew both hot and cold on the subject. Your little mask of doctrinal efficiency is too turgid for Jesus. Luke 13:24 STRIVE to enter through the narrow door. Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. IAM GRATEFUL TO JESUS THAT RC WAS NOT THE INSTRUMENT TO WITNESS SALVATION TO ME! I WOULD NEVER HAVE QUALIFIED!
@@johnnilan8240 If you have entered through the narrow gate then you should praise and thank God that He made it possible for you to do so, for no one comes to Christ unless they are sent by the Father & through the Work of the Spirit. God always makes the first move, and that move is to awaken our hearts such that we are then *able* to respond to Him. The Bible clearly teaches that apart from God’s enabling, no one seeks after God… No one. Walter Martin, the Bible Answer Man, which was a radio Q&A program from years ago, said that it always appears to us that we came to God, but that once we look back at the gate from the inside, written on the gate is, “I chose you.” This is the mystery of salvation. We only choose God because He first chose us. There are no surprises to God. God prepares beforehand a way for each person who will come to be able to come, which they would not otherwise be able to do if God did not elect them.
@@johnnilan8240 If you have entered through the narrow gate then you should praise and thank God that He made it possible for you to do so, for no one comes to Christ unless they are sent by the Father & through the Work of the Spirit. God always makes the first move, and that move is to awaken our hearts such that we are then *able* to respond to Him. The Bible clearly teaches that apart from God’s enabling, no one seeks after God… No one. Walter Martin, the Bible Answer Man, which was a radio Q&A program from years ago, said that it always appears to us that we came to God, but that once we look back at the gate from the inside, written on the gate is, “I chose you.” This is the mystery of salvation. We only choose God because He first chose us. There are no surprises to God. God prepares beforehand a way for each person who will come to be able to come, which they would not otherwise be able to do if God did not elect them.
@@johnnilan8240 If you have entered through the narrow gate then you should praise and thank God that He made it possible for you to do so, for no one comes to Christ unless they are sent by the Father & through the Work of the Spirit. God always makes the first move, and that move is to awaken our hearts such that we are then *able* to respond to Him. The Bible clearly teaches that apart from God’s enabling, no one seeks after God… No one. Walter Martin, the Bible Answer Man, which was a radio Q&A program from years ago, said that it always appears to us that we came to God, but that once we look back at the gate from the inside, written on the gate is, “I chose you.” This is the mystery of salvation. We only choose God because He first chose us. There are no surprises to God. God prepares beforehand a way for each person who will come to be able to come, which they would not otherwise be able to do if God did not elect them.
@@johnnilan8240 If you have entered through the narrow gate then you should praise and thank God that He made it possible for you to do so, for no one comes to Christ unless they are sent by the Father & through the Work of the Spirit. God always makes the first move, and that move is to awaken our hearts such that we are then *able* to respond to Him. The Bible clearly teaches that apart from God’s enabling, no one seeks after God… No one. Walter Martin, the Bible Answer Man, which was a radio Q&A program from years ago, said that it always appears to us that we came to God, but that once we look back at the gate from the inside, written on the gate is, “I chose you.” This is the mystery of salvation. We only choose God because He first chose us. There are no surprises to God. God prepares beforehand a way for each person who will come to be able to come, which they would not otherwise be able to do if God did not elect them.
Evangelizing versus de- evangelizing.If the dice was thrown right,you are saved,if not.......wonder how many people decide they will de-christian themselves.Maybe some preachers should stop spreading "the good news",which is actually bad.I see no grace in such ideas.
@frankmichaud9107 You got it WRONG Frank. Total depravity is a calvinist farse. Evil false calvinist teaching that all your favorite Theologians who couldn't catch the red flags obviously right out in front of them.
THIS IS ALIE !..EVERYONE IS A FREE MORAL AGENT ! !…WHY DOES IT SAY,…”if ye have not the spirit of CHRIST YE Are none of his( people),acts 2:41 …after they OBEYED THE PLAN OF SALVATION,IT SAYS THEY WERE ,ADDED TO THE CHURCH ,OBEYING THE PLAN IS OBEYING,acts2:38 !…the ONES THAT DON’t are LOST!…THAT ACTION,MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE !…YOU’re. NOT WITHOUT ANY DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY ! !….THAT IDEA IS DEMONIC !…FROM THE DEVIL ! ! UNITED PENTECOSTALS HAVE THIS SAVING TRUTH ! !
@@SheldonRunkle We only become “free moral agents” able to obey God, once the Holy Spirit leads us to repentance, removes the chains of sin, and gives us new hearts for God. Once we are Born Again (regenerated), we are “free indeed.” Jesus says, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Once we are freed, we can choose to obey & become servants of Christ. Or we can choose to become prodigals & invite God to bring judgment & chastening into our lives. The Bible says clearly that no one (on his own) seeks after God.. all have fallen away. We are DEAD in our sins. Someone who is DEAD cannot respond. However, if the Holy Spirit awakens our hearts, then we are able to respond to His call. This is why evangelism is important & why we are commanded to do it, so that those whose hearts have not been hardened by the world may be awakened to repentance & salvation as led by the Spirit
Nonsense. Gospel salvation doesn't take precedence over the creation of man. Redemption by definition is plan B. The Edenic creation of man, with Adam as the federal head, was the fulness of God's plan from which He rested and ceased from all His labors according to scripture. Calvinism violates the Sabbath declaration of scripture. Predestination doesn't mean God had an ulterior plan. Predestination means there has only been one trajectory, one purpose, and one plan which was realized at creation, and reestablished in Christ. The Eden creation of man was Trinitarian. Adam was created "in Christ".
do like; "there has only been one trajectory, one purpose, and one plan which was realized at creation, and reestablished in Christ.", great word. But, no, Adam was created by Christ, not "in Christ" (John 1:3,10, Colossians 1:16), for had he been "in Christ" he would have not sinned, yet sinned, having God the Father to send God the Son to redeem us. This is why Jesus had to become the "Last Adam" or the "quickening Spirit" (1 Corinthians 15:45), so as to now have; "Christ in us, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:27. John 3:16.
You're out of your mind. The entire bible is about obedience to God, and warning the people, including you, to turn to God in repentance and obedience. All those verbs are all based on choice. All those ifs suggest possibility, meaning choice behind it. All you do is condemn everyone except you and those you think are saved. You are just soooooo special that who cares about loving those humans in need--they are going to hell and you are not. Disappear completely.
The Creator of the universe is an ethnocentric, racist God who talks, visits and favors only this one small group of ethnic Jews, for thousands of years? And then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, It feels the need to pay another personal visit to Its favorites? But this time It chooses to defile one of the Jews’ 12-year-old virgins to prove to them that It really is the Creator because only the Creator can pop out of a virgin? And it fails? It’s favorite people don’t believe It’s the Creator. So, It comes up with another plan to make them believe, this time to die in front of them and then come back to life? But once again this Creator fails? To this day, this Creator’s favorite people don’t believe. And all this occurred thousands of years ago, and there’s no contemporaneous evidence that it ever happened, and the Creator has never been heard from since? Absurd. Laughably absurd. Embarrassingly absurd.
This honestly doesn’t deserve any kind of an answer except…your diatribe…is fully blasphemous!! Where ever you concocted this mindset from is false on every front…and in every way! The God of the Bible is…first of all holy..and pure and without error! The god you describe is not the god of the Bible…but a god of some kind of demented mindset! You need to go back and read the Bible!
@@lorrainethomas4736 Saying something doesn't make it true. What I said is factual. Facts are what is true . What you say is what every cult member says. If a Muslim says about the Quran what you say about the Bible, does it make the Quran truth?
Chosen in him before the foundation of the world
Ephesians1v4
Ain't you sumptin'!
BINGO!
Acts 13v48. He chose you! You didnt choose Him.
@@davidirvin8885 Everyone has a choice. God did not create anyone and destine them to hell without a chance for redemption. Check your ego. 1 John 1-2, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." The choice is yours to accept or reject.
Right, as God has given a “command” to believe in His Son, Act 17:30. See John 3:16, and has left it to “As many as receive him (Christ) to them he gave power (authority) to become children of God, even to as many as believe in his name” John 1:12.
In God We Trust.
Matthew 7:14
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Right, as it say's not; “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that God chooses." As this goes along with the great verse in Jeremiah; "And you shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13. There is no greater venue of seeking than the word of God, rightly dividing it, to gain the faith needed to believe. Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 10:17.
It's certainly difficult to let go of spiritual autonomy but Romans 8:7 drives home the point the unregenerate cannot come to God period ("...indeed it cannot"). It's amazing how folks are missional about proving their ability and capacity to come to God on their own. They're only cheating themselves of even more grace.
Once one is resolved to allowing God to be God and leave the question alone as to why or what basis he specifically choses one for perfect salvation (e.g. Jacob) but yet passes over another left alone awaiting perfect justice (e.g. Esau), it's beautiful! It's like getting saved all over again ❤
Thank you for the WORD in JESUS name ❤❤❤
Amen.
Our mind is at enmity with God.
Free will...actually totally in bondage to sin, to flesh, our mind hates everything about God.
Our Lord never thanked His Father for all who 'chose Jesus' but instead thanked His Father for all who He Gave to Him, his only Begotten Son to be washed in His redeeming Blood.
"that's not fair" is the outcry from those who do not like God being God
AMEN..........TRUTH, TRUTH.......GOD'S TRUTH ♥️👑✋🏾🤚🏾👑✝️👑🙏🏾🙋🏾
The Bible in no uncertain terms claims that predestination is true. Christians are elected to salvation before the foundation of the world. But who the elected are is knowledge that is exclusiove to God. Therefore we must also believe that "whosoever will may come" and that the Holy Spirit would confirm our salvation in our hearts. It's not a contradiction, it's just one of the mysteries of the Faith.
He gave us the free will and the autonomy to choose Him, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Whosoever hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him, and him with me." Of course, he knows who will choose Him. So what? It speaks to His omniscience more than anything else.
@@backwatersage Well put by both of you. My pastor likes to say "The Bible says both" and yes, that's true, but it's a matter of perspective. From God's perspective, He has mercy on whom He will have mercy, from our perspective, it's whosoever may come. Contrary to what Arminians say, the doctrine of predestination never excludes anyone, like an effective door to door salesman who knocks on ALL the doors, not just the one's he believes will buy, we don't withhold the gospel from anyone just because we think they look like someone who will never be affected by it.
Salvation is of God, not man. It is the Holy Spirit who quickens, meaning He (the Holy Spirit) wakes ones heart from its dead state. Ephesians 2 v 8 in and of our selves cannot respond to the knock as we are dead. Salvation precedes faith.
@@legodirable Duh. Who ever said salvation was of man. You can accept or reject the Holy Spirit. Give it a rest.
Yes a paradox,not a contradiction.
Amen
I love this
So glad I’m not a Calvinist. Used to buy into this unil really reading the Bible. Tulip does not jive with the rest of the Bible at all
Jesus taught this same concept in the parables ,one of them was the parable of the man that hired workers early in the day and also hired workers at the end of the day and gave them the same wages ,and said it is fair for this man to be more generous with those at the end of the day because the workers that hired on early received the wages that they earned and if God wanted to grant grace on the others it was his to grant
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned..corinthians 2:14
I don’t think it is that difficult. God knows the beginning from the end. He knows every man’s heart. He knows what our choice will be… but we have the free will to choose to follow Jesus. He gives us ample opportunity! So daily we look to Jesus, read His word, see what He is like and allow His Holy Spirit to mold us. Is there anything any better than being like Jesus! Absolutely not! So enjoy Him and the life He gives us with His presence and His promises! We have it all today and for all eternity!
He is so right thank you RC
Say goodbye to free will choice
Dominion of Sin is Captivity in the Flesh. Please go read the first chapter of the Book of John. He explains it very well.
But it is the power of Gods word that sets them free, as that is why we preach Jesus, as it (the Gospel) has such power! As faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word! Romans 1:16.
It is not over until one stops breathing, for I have heard of folks in their 80’s and 90’s being saved. God is long suffering, not willing any to be lost
Many people who disagree here are playing god. Truth offends doesnt it.
Many on here still have the 'works plus faith' Catholic thinking on salvation. I read plenty of the 'you might well be saved, but you must do this or else' way of thinking to make sure. Catholicism through and through.
I replied to @mikelyons ...in depth to the Truth. Mike brings up very valid points of opposition. This is far to serious of question to be misunderstood.
God created man in his own image and gave him Dominion is maybe among the most powerful word's in the world.
Love, Mercy, Grace and unfortunately Hatred, Revenge, Greed, Lusts of our fleshly bodies are Tragically all forms of Dominion...This is why Bad Horrible things happens to those we love and ourselves.
What victory is there for our creator if we face no adversities in ourselves or for God if we didn't have to choose to Overcome? Right from Wrong? In my Father's House/Kingdom are many Mansions .
Paul said run the race in such a way as to WIN!!! Victory is in Jesus, simple truth..
The TRUTH is UN CHANGING, what you choose to believe?, DOES NOT change the Truth.
Jesus is Lord; now you understand a glimpse into the Heart of the Father and why in a Spiritual Battle? One must have The Holy Spirit of Truth as your worldly Shield 🛡 👏 Amen
For those who still think you are saved by choice, you do not believe because you choose/follow Christ, you choose/follow Christ because you believe.
Your will is a faculty of your human soul and faith is a gift from the holy Spirit. Just to seal your fate in your belief in a sovereign free will of man read Romans 11: 32 For God has locked up all in the prison of unbelief, that upon all alike He may have mercy. Like RC Sproul says "that in the final analysis" you need faith to be saved because in your present unsaved state, you are in the sin of unbelief and thus cannot believe. In an unbelieving prison you cannot put faith in Christ to be justified to be forgiven your sin of unbelief. Get out of that one!
as you point out, we don't choose to follow Christ, but follow because of 😄a holy gift.
Why is this entire relationship with Christ so.. difficult???😢😢
I would like to give my comment..i know people find it very offense that God would actually not give salvation to people simply because he chooses not to.. i was also in this camp...
We have one verse 1 Corth 1 26-29. How not many kings or mighty and all that are choosen...i would say attitude of the of heart. But the base and despised are choosen. Again attitude of the heart..
But God does Choose people..
He choose Abraham...issac or Esaw...on and on. He chose the 12 Apostles. Paul said he was choosen before birth..
So God does chose...but in New Testament we have if any man comes to Christ he will be turned away...salvation is for all..
There are verses for both sides. And i say its both...
Paul already said we are not to argue about this. This is providence of God..
Even John MacArthur says pretty much the same thing.
We are comanded to go and preach...we ARE NOT COMANDED. To go and look at somebody so called label and see if he was chosen. Thats not our buisness..
We are also do not have all the answers . Are u afraid to say that?
There is nothing wrong with having a constuctive debate...but if gets into anger u have crossed the line..
Remember God is Sovereign and you are a created creature.. right now this beyond are human comprehension and we will have wait to enternity...
Cause remember during the 1000 year rein of Christ on Earth with earth filled with the knowledge of God. When Satan is released a mutitude of people still reject Christ and follow Satan...
And i still cannot comprehend that one...
One who cut my teeth on the pews some 70 years ago, have listened and studied to both sides of this argument and have always been left with many questions.
On one hand we have numerous specific examples of those who were clearly chosen prior to birth and as mentioned here in this sermon many references to support this position. As a Baptist and watching our denomination both grow and shrink in my lifetime noticed several trends caused by this doctrine unique to us;
1. Today, those saved, while children many now have decided to no longer attend or be connected with the body of Christ (Church). When approached to return to attendance they respond back with; “why? I’m saved and can’t lose my salvation based upon what you told me earlier. I’m elected and predestined”.
Note here, we are closing approximately 400 churches annually. Thus, as a denomination, we are desperate.
Our clergy responds; “I doubt they were actually ever saved”.
Then the question changes to; if this is true, then what about the many clergy who fill our pulpits for years only later to be revealed, they were active pedophiles, adulterers or thieves.
So, the new question to the clergy is; “were your peers ever saved?” Followed by a more confusing question, “basically, we have no clue who is actually saved among us”.
The clergy certainly doesn’t know.
They have honored, ordained and anointed peers and in many cases their teachers in the seminaries. Only, later, to find out, they were practicing great evil and ungodly behavior.
My experience and observation related to this matter has been the clergy has no valid response or defense to these facts of our current reality. That’s why we will continue to close churches rapidly.
When you tell a 10 YO, you are saved. No sin you ever commit will ever separate you from God. Your salvation was a gift and you had nothing to do with it, many believe and ….. Here we are. Churches with pulpits filled with pedophiles and ungodly clergy that believed Calvin and Sproul. Hope he (Sproul and his peers) is right or his judgement will be great for his arrogance and being a stumbling block to millions.
For me, I have no clue but chasing God daily, just in case they are wrong.
@@timbat4899
You raise many good points, but as with many of these actions you mention, we must ask, what does the Bible say? I believe it’s Paul who says, “God will not be mocked.” those who do these things will not be saved. The “secret sauce” to use a phrase, is *repentance*. What is repentance? It is emptying yourself of YOU (denying yourself), taking up your cross (taking on the work & priorities of God), and following Him (submitting to Christ as Lord of your life). If a person has truly repented, then God changes their heart and the person now desires the righteousness of God. People who desire God do not live according to world but according to the Word! John MacArthur says that a person who claims to follow Christ & lives for the world has deluded himself.. I agree.
To repent, one must *turn* from their sins & live for God. The only way one can turn from sin is if God has given him a new heart which yearns for God. You knows that this has happened because you feel the Holy Spirit in your heart giving you joy & peace. This is how you know you’re saved, and not some other person telling you.. they can’t know. Only God knows, and if God is in your heart, then you know.
Now consider for a moment. If people who have been regenerated by God are not permanently saved, then did God make a wrong choice? Once you’re saved, God will not let you become “unsaved” or “lost”. If you act disobediently, God will bring adversity & judgment into your life until you repent & return to obedience.. this is the prodigal son parable. But if a saved person does not repent & persists in sin, then God will take his life in order to preserve his soul, and he will be saved as though singed by the fire. 🔥
As a Christian, I’ve found I can’t get away with anything. Others can cheat, steal, & lie and get away with it. If I do any of those, I get caught or things happen which makes me suffer. Those who belong to God cannot succeed by following the world.
“By their fruits you will know them.” If a person claims to follow Christ but follows the world instead, then he does not know God, and God is not working in him. He will be one of those who will call out Jesus’ name at the Judgment, and Jesus will say, “Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity, for I never knew you.” The wheat & tares grow together.. both claim to know Christ.. but they will be sifted at the Judgment.
The problem is not with Calvinism.. the problem is that many people, including Christians, do not understand what the Bible is saying and the price of the cross.
You must die to yourself and put God first in all things.. all actions words, & thoughts.
You must obey God in all things, repenting to God each time you fail.
You must acknowledge that everything you have belongs to God. Hold out your open hands and pray to God to give or take whatever He wishes in your life.
Strive to empty your cup (your life) from all selfish desires, dreams, & goals. Ask God to fill your cup with His Love, Grace, & Desires for your life.
As Paul says, pray continually. Now obviously, you can’t pray in the middle of doing something where you have to intensely focus, or when you sleep, or when you’re talking with people, but God, as your greatest Love, should never be far from your mind.
You should read the Bible consistently and pray for wisdom & enlightenment.
You must love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, & strength, and love all others as yourself.
You should promote peace and not animosity or dissension.
Follow all the beatitudes.. every one.
Now no one can do all the above, but with the Holy Spirit living in your heart, you should see that God is working within you, making you more like Christ over time.
You must make God #1.. He will not be anything less.
If you totally submit to God, then you will understand how salvation is a gift of God, that you did nothing to earn it or gain it. Faith is not a work or a free choice.. it is a *response* to conviction of your heart by the Holy Spirit brought on by the hearing or reading of the Word.
The Bible says that all who earnestly seek God will find Him.
Again, seeking God is a response, not a choice. No one truly seeks God on his own.
@@jmbrown3502❤ Well said Tim! Many struggle with election. It’s certainly can’t be denied ..plainly in scripture. So many try to dismiss it as unfair. Your explanation makes it simple & precise, but most won’t surrender to Christ on a daily occurrence, or stay continuously seeking Him and confessing our sins. I’m reminded continually about the narrow gate that keeps me of a fearful reverence of a Holy God. Your response was the most articulate explanation, I’ve heard on this topic. I’m not educated in these matters and my 73 years experience as a craftsman by trade, I can only assume you have Seminary training. Love your comment.
I have read Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Cost Of Discipleship.
You appear to be alluding to his theology, since mention Repentance and him being the founder of the Confessing Church in Germany.
I believe American Churches today’s emphasis is growing in numbers rather than in these areas of repentance and confession.
@@DB-cx6cb
Thank you very much for your kind words.. I simply wrote what I felt the Holy Spirit was leading me to say, & I give Him all the glory! I am familiar with Bonhoeffer’s life and the part he played in Germany, but I wasn’t echoing him directly. I feel that anyone who reads the scripture carefully and in prayer, keeping the overall intent of scripture in mind, will come to a similar theology. Actually, I listen to John MacArthur videos a lot, and I have great confidence in John because he only gives an interpretation of a passage of scripture after freshly studying all other related passages to prevent possible misunderstandings. I believe that this is the way to interpret scripture to avoid novel interpretations based on one or two passages.
Arminians are right in that one cannot “get saved” & then “live as you please” because one can’t lose one’s salvation. This is mocking God and God won’t be mocked. So in such an instance described by Tim in the original post, the person is either saved or he is not. If saved, then he will be chastened by God for his complacency, for complacency is a sin. Or he is not saved and God is not acting to chasten him and he’s living in ignorant but deadly bliss. The only way to really know you’re saved is by following God earnestly and seeing His power transform your life.
On the other hand, Calvinists are right that if you came to God on your own, then you could also leave God on you own, perhaps without even knowing it. So you never have assurance of salvation & you live each day terrified & wondering if you are saved.. and this is no way to live. God does not want us to live in terror, but in His love with the proper awe & respect for Him & His Word.
Also, just as complacency is a sin, so is claiming that Jesus died for everyone and paid for all sins on the cross. This is untrue.. this means that God the Father caused His Beloved Son to suffer for the sins of those who would deny Him. This makes no sense at all, and borders on blasphemy. It was very apparent to me long before I became a Calvinist that the Atonement was limited and was for the sins of the repentant & not for everyone. Arminians say this makes God “unfair”, but it does not. God is just as fair as Arminians think He is without Jesus paying for all sin. Everyone has the same chance to be saved, the only difference being what type of ground you are in the parable of the sower. If you don’t listen to the Word or you reject it, then you are not saved. If you truly repent, then you are saved.
But Arminians say, how can you come to Christ if you’re sins weren’t paid for? And the answer is, you can’t.. not because you didn’t have one or more chances, but because your ground was hard, rocky, or thorny. This is hard for some to understand because Jesus died & rose long ago, and people are being saved now. However, now and long ago are the same moment for God, because God is omnitemporal. He exists outside of time. So when a person repents & come to Christ today, God takes all his sin, past & future, and places it on Jesus on the cross. He then writes the person’s name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Only the sins of those who repent (the elect) are paid on the cross, and no one in any time has been unfairly passed over or left out. God has everything under control… God’s Plan is perfect!
Praise Him & to Him be all the glory! 🙏🏼
Thank you for your words! I can certainly see the debate and/or controversy at hand. As much as I haven’t yet learned from the Bible, leaves me at where you stand in the matter. “Chasing God daily, in case they are wrong” I thought at times through studies, I was convinced of one direction to proceed. And than I listen and hear words such as yours and again, I am caused to search the Scriptures even more. It is the “Living Word” I am drawn to and for that I am so very Thankful. 🕊🙏
If this is this truth they were saved by their righteousness not CHRIST S…
maybe summarized by . . . we believe because of receiving the Spirit of God. If under the spell of unbelief, ask around. Other than asking a person of faith, what can you do?
All good doctrine here. It would be helpful, however, to add that God does have conditions for election, but He hasn't specifically revealed what He bases His choices on (just not the merit of the sinner). Romans 9:17 (duly referenced by Sproul here) gives one example of God's purpose in a (negative) election (i.e., of Pharoah). We also learn elsewhere that few wise, mighty, or noble people are elected (vs. many more foolish, weak, base, and despised) - see 1 Corinthians 1:26-28. Maybe it would be more helpful to change the "U" of TULIP to "Unrevealed Election."
False statement in the headline. God doesn’t decide who goes to heaven or hell. God gave man free will!
And God unconditionally decided who will end up in the lake of fire where the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, against their will.
@@kato1400
If you mean that God foreknew who would not listen to the Word or would turn away from the Call of the Spirit, then yes, He ordained (allowed) them to be subjected to their own choices. Gods “sends” no one to hell.. in fact He yearns for all people to seek Him & salvation.. but there are many who will not turn from the Siren’s Song of Sin, & along the broad way they march, & God lets them go… He does not force them to love their Creator.
And somehow, God is unfair and those who are damned are His fault.
Black is white, & white is black.
“It’s all God’s fault.”
Such is the Great Lie from the father of lies.
God had to create a place of Damnation for Lucifer and the 1/3 that followed Out of Heaven before he created Man: Who was Created lower than the Angels 😇 PLEASE GET THIS.. If the Angels of Heaven failed, and they did fail. How would you expect man to out perform Angels?
Our Father built that relationship with us in the garden of EDEN. God loved each and every ONE of us in the Garden BEFORE SIN. When Sin was Introduced every HUMANKIND BORN OF THE ORIGINAL CREATION OF MAN.
Must Be Redeemed.
Jesus is the Redemption of and for All Mankind's Humanity and DOMINION. This is a real big word with real big consequences. Look up The Pursuit Church Minot North Dakota 😊
so his entire ministry was pointless then... good to know
What unbiblical nonsense. American Christianity is a religion on its own .
Unbiblical nonsense? Or it means your Biblical ignorance is "showing", likewise your laziness to search the Scripture to know the Truth. Likewise without God the Holy Spirit guidance no person can understand what the Scripture teaches.
R.c was a dangerous liar, the world is safer without him, he makes God to be unfair by saying salvation is for some but not for others just because eh... just because, like willy nilly whatever, God just thought rc. Was cool and he made him elect and God didn't like rc's neighbor so he just made him to go to hell, it's ridiculous because God is more than fair! When you have a big head I guess you got to fill it up with big words.
Hopefully not too many will listen to this unbiblical tripe. The mission & purpose of God sending His Son was/is to redeem EVERYONE who will & CAN call upon Jesus from the sting of death caused by sin... not just a pre-chosen elect few & no one else.
Please read 8:28-29. God knows who will come to Him.
@markym6683 That passage does not limit anyone from turning to Jesus
Mike, so all those people who will live eternally in hell, those “everyone”, who you say, “will and can call upon Jesus” and thereby be redeemed, BUT WERE NOT REDEEMED, what went really wrong for them? Did God’s mission and purpose, so far as they were concerned, fail? Or did those people just somehow forget to call upon Jesus? Mike, I listened to this lesson. And I listened to you-not only what you said, but how you said it. Tripe? You will and can discover that R.C. Sproul is one of the most loved and listened to American pastors ever. That, of course, does not mean that he is always right, but if millions of people consider his teaching not a waste of time, maybe you should take him seriously enough to really study what he is saying. You will and can discover that Sproul didn’t invent the doctrine of election. If you care enough to look you will find the names of many wise and educated Christians who believe like Sproul does on this doctrine-the Apostle Paul not the least of them.
@jayhubbard7595 R.C. was an all in Calvinist. Calvinism is another gospel. Calvinism preys on the under-discipled just like all false gospels.
People either freely, willingly receive Jesus as Savior (Ephesians 1:13, 2:8-13, Isaiah 1:18, 45:22, Matthew 11:28, Romans 10:9-13)...or they freely, volitionally reject Jesus (John 5:40, Matthew 23:27, Acts 17:32, 2 Peter 2:1, 1 Timothy 4:10)
@@mikelyons2831 Mike, can we back up a little bit? Remember that verse in the New Testament where Paul writes the we are "saved by grace through education, argument, and rhetoric"? Remember where Lewis compared orthodoxy to arithmetic? He wrote that where there is only one right answer (say to the question of how many Saviors there are) all the wrong answers are not equally wrong--in fact, some are much closer to right than others.
Calvinism not only is not a false gospel, it is not a gospel at all. No Christian thinks that believing like John Calvin did is the Good News--they believe what the Bible says, that only Christ Jesus can, and has, saved them. Calvinism is just one attempt to best understand what Christians believe to be the only written revelation of God to men, the Bible. You and I are attempting to do the very same thing--every mature Christian is.
"Tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
I want that kind of peace for everybody, especially those like us who disagree on matters of faith.
I leave you with these thoughts: no one learns anything from someone with whom they already agree. And, why would anyone want to listen to someone talk about the Prince of Peace, who sounds, in a word, angry?
RC your God is too small. Even Augustine, the revered standard of theological correctness, could not wrap his mind around the freedom of choice (free will) created in man. He blew both hot and cold on the subject. Your little mask of doctrinal efficiency is too turgid for Jesus. Luke 13:24 STRIVE to enter through the narrow door. Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. IAM GRATEFUL TO JESUS THAT RC WAS NOT THE INSTRUMENT TO WITNESS SALVATION TO ME! I WOULD NEVER HAVE QUALIFIED!
😂And probably still don't 😂 Oh Sovereign one. Try studying the word depravity.
@@johnnilan8240
If you have entered through the narrow gate then you should praise and thank God that He made it possible for you to do so, for no one comes to Christ unless they are sent by the Father & through the Work of the Spirit.
God always makes the first move, and that move is to awaken our hearts such that we are then *able* to respond to Him. The Bible clearly teaches that apart from God’s enabling, no one seeks after God… No one.
Walter Martin, the Bible Answer Man, which was a radio Q&A program from years ago, said that it always appears to us that we came to God, but that once we look back at the gate from the inside, written on the gate is, “I chose you.” This is the mystery of salvation. We only choose God because He first chose us. There are no surprises to God. God prepares beforehand a way for each person who will come to be able to come, which they would not otherwise be able to do if God did not elect them.
@@johnnilan8240
If you have entered through the narrow gate then you should praise and thank God that He made it possible for you to do so, for no one comes to Christ unless they are sent by the Father & through the Work of the Spirit.
God always makes the first move, and that move is to awaken our hearts such that we are then *able* to respond to Him. The Bible clearly teaches that apart from God’s enabling, no one seeks after God… No one.
Walter Martin, the Bible Answer Man, which was a radio Q&A program from years ago, said that it always appears to us that we came to God, but that once we look back at the gate from the inside, written on the gate is, “I chose you.” This is the mystery of salvation. We only choose God because He first chose us. There are no surprises to God. God prepares beforehand a way for each person who will come to be able to come, which they would not otherwise be able to do if God did not elect them.
@@johnnilan8240
If you have entered through the narrow gate then you should praise and thank God that He made it possible for you to do so, for no one comes to Christ unless they are sent by the Father & through the Work of the Spirit.
God always makes the first move, and that move is to awaken our hearts such that we are then *able* to respond to Him. The Bible clearly teaches that apart from God’s enabling, no one seeks after God… No one.
Walter Martin, the Bible Answer Man, which was a radio Q&A program from years ago, said that it always appears to us that we came to God, but that once we look back at the gate from the inside, written on the gate is, “I chose you.” This is the mystery of salvation. We only choose God because He first chose us. There are no surprises to God. God prepares beforehand a way for each person who will come to be able to come, which they would not otherwise be able to do if God did not elect them.
@@johnnilan8240
If you have entered through the narrow gate then you should praise and thank God that He made it possible for you to do so, for no one comes to Christ unless they are sent by the Father & through the Work of the Spirit.
God always makes the first move, and that move is to awaken our hearts such that we are then *able* to respond to Him. The Bible clearly teaches that apart from God’s enabling, no one seeks after God… No one.
Walter Martin, the Bible Answer Man, which was a radio Q&A program from years ago, said that it always appears to us that we came to God, but that once we look back at the gate from the inside, written on the gate is, “I chose you.” This is the mystery of salvation. We only choose God because He first chose us. There are no surprises to God. God prepares beforehand a way for each person who will come to be able to come, which they would not otherwise be able to do if God did not elect them.
What a joke. The word says that with man it is impossible to be saved. Only with gid is it possible
Evangelizing versus de- evangelizing.If the dice was thrown right,you are saved,if not.......wonder how many people decide they will de-christian themselves.Maybe some preachers should stop spreading "the good news",which is actually bad.I see no grace in such ideas.
Total heresy.
@Andy-m8b 🤣 Stated the Pround Sinner 🤣 Doctrine of total depravity is humbling isn't it. Oh Sovereign one🤣 Happy trails
@frankmichaud9107 You got it WRONG Frank. Total depravity is a calvinist farse. Evil false calvinist teaching that all your favorite Theologians who couldn't catch the red flags obviously right out in front of them.
@@frankmichaud9107You're a dunce to believe Sproul.
RCS was a Calvinistic heretic.
This is not biblical! hes describing a different god to the God of the bible
THIS IS ALIE !..EVERYONE IS A FREE MORAL AGENT ! !…WHY DOES IT SAY,…”if ye have not the spirit of CHRIST YE Are none of his( people),acts 2:41 …after they OBEYED THE PLAN OF SALVATION,IT SAYS THEY WERE ,ADDED TO THE CHURCH ,OBEYING THE PLAN IS OBEYING,acts2:38 !…the ONES THAT DON’t are LOST!…THAT ACTION,MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE !…YOU’re. NOT WITHOUT ANY DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY ! !….THAT IDEA IS DEMONIC !…FROM THE DEVIL ! ! UNITED PENTECOSTALS HAVE THIS SAVING TRUTH ! !
@@SheldonRunkle
We only become “free moral agents” able to obey God, once the Holy Spirit leads us to repentance, removes the chains of sin, and gives us new hearts for God. Once we are Born Again (regenerated), we are “free indeed.” Jesus says, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Once we are freed, we can choose to obey & become servants of Christ. Or we can choose to become prodigals & invite God to bring judgment & chastening into our lives.
The Bible says clearly that no one (on his own) seeks after God.. all have fallen away. We are DEAD in our sins. Someone who is DEAD cannot respond. However, if the Holy Spirit awakens our hearts, then we are able to respond to His call. This is why evangelism is important & why we are commanded to do it, so that those whose hearts have not been hardened by the world may be awakened to repentance & salvation as led by the Spirit
Nonsense. Gospel salvation doesn't take precedence over the creation of man. Redemption by definition is plan B. The Edenic creation of man, with Adam as the federal head, was the fulness of God's plan from which He rested and ceased from all His labors according to scripture. Calvinism violates the Sabbath declaration of scripture. Predestination doesn't mean God had an ulterior plan. Predestination means there has only been one trajectory, one purpose, and one plan which was realized at creation, and reestablished in Christ. The Eden creation of man was Trinitarian. Adam was created "in Christ".
do like; "there has only been one trajectory, one purpose, and one plan which was realized at creation, and reestablished in Christ.", great word. But, no, Adam was created by Christ, not "in Christ" (John 1:3,10, Colossians 1:16), for had he been "in Christ" he would have not sinned, yet sinned, having God the Father to send God the Son to redeem us. This is why Jesus had to become the "Last Adam" or the "quickening Spirit" (1 Corinthians 15:45), so as to now have; "Christ in us, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:27. John 3:16.
Heresy!!
You're out of your mind. The entire bible is about obedience to God, and warning the people, including you, to turn to God in repentance and obedience.
All those verbs are all based on choice.
All those ifs suggest possibility, meaning choice behind it.
All you do is condemn everyone except you and those you think are saved. You are just soooooo special that who cares about loving those humans in need--they are going to hell and you are not.
Disappear completely.
The Creator of the universe is an ethnocentric, racist God who talks, visits and favors only this one small group of ethnic Jews, for thousands of years? And then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, It feels the need to pay another personal visit to Its favorites? But this time It chooses to defile one of the Jews’ 12-year-old virgins to prove to them that It really is the Creator because only the Creator can pop out of a virgin? And it fails? It’s favorite people don’t believe It’s the Creator. So, It comes up with another plan to make them believe, this time to die in front of them and then come back to life? But once again this Creator fails? To this day, this Creator’s favorite people don’t believe.
And all this occurred thousands of years ago, and there’s no contemporaneous evidence that it ever happened, and the Creator has never been heard from since? Absurd. Laughably absurd. Embarrassingly absurd.
This honestly doesn’t deserve any kind of an answer except…your diatribe…is fully blasphemous!! Where ever you concocted this mindset from is false on every front…and in every way! The God of the Bible is…first of all holy..and pure and without error! The god you describe is not the god of the Bible…but a god of some kind of demented mindset! You need to go back and read the Bible!
@@lorrainethomas4736 Saying something doesn't make it true. What I said is factual. Facts are what is true .
What you say is what every cult member says. If a Muslim says about the Quran what you say about the Bible, does it make the Quran truth?