In What Sense Does The Spirit Enlighten All Mankind

Brightfame52 said:

Whenever a person seeks the True God, they are saved, blessed of God to hunger and seek after righteousness, and they shall be filled. Man by nature doesnt seek after God Rom 3:11, now he may seek a god, but its on the broad road of destruction. Its like this with man by nature Prov 14 12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man[by nature], but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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Paleouss said:

Greetings JesusFan. I hope your week is off to a good start.

Just looking through some of these posts of everyone . Thought I might inquire with you regarding some verses that are in question. As I think you know, I am more in line with you than Van. I am clearly not an Open Theist. However, on some verses, I'm with Van.

Regarding 1Cor 3:2...

It seems to me that Paul clearly says that he spoke to the people he was addressing as if they were carnal minded. For he says, "could not speak to you as to spiritual people" and then says he spoke to them as if they were "carnal" people. Now, carnal minded people, even if saved, are not spiritual minded people (for they are carnal minded).

Therefore, if the lost are carnal minded (which they are, otherwise they would be spiritually minded). Then 1Cor 3:1-2 seems to clearly suggest that Paul was feeding these saved, carnal minded, people the same as he would the unsaved carnal minded. And what he says he feeds carnal minded people, is "milk" (1Cor 3:2). Of course it also seems clear in 1Cor 3:1-2 that Paul is saying that carnal minded people, even if saved, cannot be fed meat or solid spiritual food (which fits nicely with 1Cor 2:14).

It seems to me the obvious answer to the question, "could God give spiritual milk to the lost if He so chose?", is a resounding yes! So the question is, "does Scipture tell us that God did so choose to give some spiritual milk to the lost"? This 'spiritual milk' must be distinguished from spiritual meat or solid foods. The carnal minded, either saved or unsaved, cannot ingest solid spiritual foods.

It seems that there are verses that would suggest that God does give some form of milk to all the lost, which are carnal minded. The sower parable is anther good example of this. However, here I disagree with Van that the Spirit is not involved. (2Co 9:10 NKJV) 10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have [sown] and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

Regarding 1Cor 2:14...

The two words I put in red, above, are the main points of contention in this verse, imo. Many, it would seem, think this word means "to acquire" as in "posses" or "not given". In other words, the natural man does not acquire, because they are not given, the things of the Spirit of God. But this word does not mean that, imo. It means, does "not accept" (like the ESV and NASB translation). Meaning, the natural man rejects the things of the Spirit of God. I think we all here would agree with this statement regardless of how we translate this verse, i.e., that the natural man rejects the things of the Spirit of God.

However, the various forms of what they are getting and rejecting is shown in the parable of the sower.

This understanding of 1Cor 2:14 then fits very nicely with 1Cor 3:1-2. It doesn't deny God's sovereignty because God is the author of this milk (that is a "spiritual thing" that the natural man does not accept (as in rejects). God provides this seed (2Cor 9:10), God uses the vessel, all for His work and the heaping of coals upon the unbelieving that reject Him.

Peace to you brother.

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Van said:

Once again, this poster ignores and denies Luke 13:24. This is all they have, folks, endless claims that scripture does not mean what it says.
Not Luke, 13:24, not 2 Thessalonians 2:13, not James 2:5, not 1 Timothy 2:6, and on and on.
They make claims like the rich young ruler was saved because he sought eternal life. On an on folks, the totality of their denial is mind-boggling.

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Van said:

Once again, this poster ignores and denies Luke 13:24. This is all they have, folks, endless claims that scripture does not mean what it says.
Not Luke, 13:24, not 2 Thessalonians 2:13, not James 2:5, not 1 Timothy 2:6, and on and on.
They make claims like the rich young ruler was saved because he sought eternal life. On an on folks, the totality of their denial is mind-boggling.

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Brightfame52 said:

Man by nature does not seek God Rom 3:11 so quite naturally when man does seek God, the True God, they are already a new creation. Thats the only way man isnt in nature.

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JesusFan said:

Do you agree with God that the natural unsaved person is at war against God, and cannot submit to Him?

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Van said:

Once again, this poster ignores and denies Luke 13:24. This is all they have, folks, endless claims that scripture does not mean what it says.
Not Luke, 13:24, not 2 Thessalonians 2:13, not James 2:5, not 1 Timothy 2:6, and on and on.
They make claims like the rich young ruler was saved because he sought eternal life. On an on folks, the totality of their denial is mind-boggling.

Click to expand...

Van said:

Once again, this poster ignores and denies Luke 13:24. This is all they have, folks, endless claims that scripture does not mean what it says.
Not Luke, 13:24, not 2 Thessalonians 2:13, not James 2:5, not 1 Timothy 2:6, and on and on.
They make claims like the rich young ruler was saved because he sought eternal life. On an on folks, the totality of their denial is mind-boggling.

Click to expand...

1. to arrange under, to subordinate
2. to subject, put in subjection
3. to subject one's self, obey
4. to submit to one's control
5. to yield to one's admonition or advice
6. to obey, be subject

1. of any law whatsoever
   
   1. a law or rule producing a state approved of God
      1. by the observance of which is approved of God
   2. a precept or injunction
   3. the rule of action prescribed by reason