For [God] says to Moses, �I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.� It does not, therefore, depend on man�s desire or effort, but on God�s mercy. ROMANS 9:15-16
The verb elect means �to select, or choose out.� The biblical doctrine of election is that before Creation God selected out of the human race, foreseen as fallen, those whom he would redeem, bring to faith, justify, and glorify in and through Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28-39; Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:9-10). This divine choice is an expression of free and sovereign grace, for it is unconstrained and unconditional, not merited by anything in those who are its subjects. God owes sinners no mercy of any kind, only condemnation; so it is a wonder, and matter for endless praise, that he should choose to save any of us; and doubly so when his choice involved the giving of his own Son to suffer as sin-bearer for the elect (Rom. 8:32).
The doctrine of election, like every truth about God, involves mystery and sometimes stirs controversy. But in Scripture it is a pastoral doctrine, brought in to help Christians see how great is the grace that saves them, and to move them to humility, confidence, joy, praise, faithfulness, and holiness in response. It is the family secret of the children of God. We do not know who else he has chosen among those who do not yet believe, nor why it was his good pleasure to choose us in particular. What we do know is, first, that had we not been chosen for life we would not be believers now (for only the elect are brought to faith), and, second, that as elect believers we may rely on God to finish in us the good work that he started (1 Cor. 1:8-9; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:18). Knowledge of one�s election thus brings comfort and joy.
Peter tells us we should be �eager to make [our] calling and election sure� (2 Pet. 1:10)�that is, certain to us. Election is known by its fruits. Paul knew the election of the Thessalonians from their faith, hope, and love, the inward and outward transformation of their lives that the gospel had brought about (1 Thess. 1:3-6). The more that the qualities to which Peter has been exhorting his readers appear in our lives (goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love: 2 Pet. 1:5-7), the surer of our own election we are entitled to be.
The elect are, from one standpoint, the Father�s gift to the Son (John 6:39; 10:29; 17:2, 24). Jesus testifies that he came into this world specifically to save them (John 6:37-40; 10:14-16, 26-29; 15:16; 17:6-26; Eph. 5:25-27), and any account of his mission must emphasize this.
Reprobation is the name given to God�s eternal decision regarding those sinners whom he has not chosen for life. His decision is in essence a decision not to change them, as the elect are destined to be changed, but to leave them to sin as in their hearts they already want to do, and finally to judge them as they deserve for what they have done. When in particular instances God gives them over to their sins (i.e., removes restraints on their doing the disobedient things they desire), this is itself the beginning of judgment. It is called �hardening� (Rom. 9:18; 11:25; cf. Ps. 81:12; Rom. 1:24, 26, 28), and it inevitably leads to greater guilt.
Reprobation is a biblical reality (Rom. 9:14-24; 1 Pet. 2:8), but not one that bears directly on Christian behavior. The reprobates are faceless so far as Christians are concerned, and it is not for us to try to identify them. Rather, we should live in light of the certainty that anyone may be saved if he or she will but repent and put faith in Christ.
We should view all persons that we meet as possibly being numbered among the elect.
I am not the one that added anything, you are the one who said that whosever that is chosen or whatever, here is what I belive to be true.. No one can come unless they are called but the spirit will call every man, now that being said lets move on to being chosen , when I accept salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ I become Grafted into the vine and that causes me to be chosen I was not born chosen Gods chosen were the children of Israel but Jesus made is possible for everyone to become chosen Jew and Gentile
James you know absolutly nothing about me or my church so dont pretend like you do.. I am saved by grace but I am but dust and without jesus I am nothing,
I look at the lost still living in bondage and think if not for Jesus there go I..
But those lost people have the same opportunity Ihave, no they cant save them selfs but Jesus will save them if the will submit..
You dont know anything about me I have read the bible cover to cover but here is why I know what I know its not of myself I am not highminded or very intelectual however (and here is the difference beyween me and you james) I have been filled to the brim with the precious Holy Spirit of God and all the knowlege in the world cant give you the understanding that He brings.. I have read the bible cover to cover and I believe every word I dont twist it to say what I want oit to say I accept it for Gods word and let his spirit change me to fit the word not vise versa,
The reason this really matters to me is: I have a family that is not saved and I pray for them and cry out to God for him to bring them to the end of themselfs so they will see their need for him
James if what you say is true then there is no need for my prayers because their fate is sealed and I dont believe that,
Gods spirit leads me to pray for people he puts budens on my heart to pray for salvation, and healing and many other things so are you telling me my prayers for salvation are in vain??and witnesing to people telling them of this great salvation?? Is that also in vain? A divine wild goose chase?
A search for aneedle in a hay stack santioned by God??
Why do we take the gospel out to a lost and dyeing world if their fates have been seald.. sounds like a lie straight from the depths of hell to decieve people who are willing to believe it.
I am sorry you have been sold this lie james and I am praying for you to see the truth..
God healed me from the deadly incurable disease Hepatits C
It has no known cure and by the laying on of hands I was healed,in this church that James claims has taught me half truths and lies I say to you James that you can tell a tree by the fruit it bares and how many people have you seen healed from deadly diseases or cancer in the church you attend if in fact you attend one.. When ou see these things happening cancer being healed the blind seeing even fingers growing back then you know God was there that my dear decieved brother is the fruit of a church that listens to god and has the POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST.. we worshio him in spirit and truth
OOOKKKK JAMES if the names that are written in the book of life have been wriiten there from the begining and if God will cause those people to endure until the end thennnnnnnnnnn
WHAT ABOUT THE NAMES THAT ARE MENTIONED TO BE BLOTTED OUT??? it is in revelation and one other place , please tell me that?/ what you say is so close to the truth but yet so far away from the truth
You see satan decieves people this way he takes partail truths
Because yes God knows who will make it because he is all knowing but he doesnt force it on us that is a lie
Yes the spirit calls but until you accept Jesus you are not chosen when you accept him you are chosen and grated in
Thats why as children in church we sing father abraham had many sons and many sons had father abraham and I am one of them and so are you so lets just praise the Lord
Thank you PJ , I am sure it is not the intent of these people to decieve but they themselfs have been decieved, and it is our resposiblity to pray for them.. even if they irritate and offend even more so we must pray for them
elisha asked, "Is it then your opinion that God isnt almighty and doesnt have to power to draw all men to him?"
It may be the opinion of James that God only draws those He has picked for salvation while creating the rest for damnation, but Scripture tells us this is not true...
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me. -John 12:32
Christ said He would draw ALL men to Him. Of course, James will tell you that "all" never means "all" if it has to do with Christ dying for all, or that salvation is offered to all. Which really doesn't make sense when you consider that the "all" that Christ died for are the same "all" that were dead in their sins, and we all know that "all" are dead in their sins [Romans 3:23, 5:12], not just the supposed 'elect' of Reformed theology.
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 2 Corinthians 5:14
Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. Romans 5:18
You cannot take the verse above and say, yeah, we were born into sin as a result of the fall [the offence of one] and then reject that the righteousness of one [and the free gift of justification that came with the Cross] comes upon all men. You cannot say that "all" men are under judgment, and in the same verse and breath say that the righteousness of one that comes upon "all" men is not for all men... unless of course you are James, a Calvinist, who can somehow believe all have sinned, but not all are offered the free gift of justification of life, because Christ did not die for all.
Thank you for that oh so clear response to my question, I knew it was in there somewhere I just couldnt bring it up in my mind.. THANK YOU :applause::applause::applause::yay::yay:
