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The Response of Man

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Bro. James

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Free will kibbitzing

A careful reading of Ephesians 1 and 2 should lead one to believe one is saved by God for His purpose and pleasure. He supplies all the requirements--from before the foundation of the world. It is a done deal--man is still tinkering with his new chronograph. God is not bounded by time nor eternity.

Oh yes, free will--we all have one. Problem: It is enslaved to our depraved nature. We know not how to choose wisely without God's intervention. Consider: Saul on the road to Damascus--persecuting That Way--thinking he was doing God a service. God got his attention and turned him around--willing or not. Paul later said God had chosen him before he was born. There is that Purpose of God again.

God's ways are not our ways. I am thankful that He overrides our wills--whether we are willing or not. He allows us to exercise our free wills in terms of service--we usually mess that up too. See I Cor. 3--the part about wood, hay and stubble.

God is The Potter--we are clay--from the mire.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Selah,

Bro. James
 
B

BobinKy

New Member
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...Bob
 
webdog

webdog

Active Member
Site Supporter
Rippon said:
You believe that God will not override their rejection of Him?! Huh? All people in the natural reject the Lord. Non-Cals and Calvinists alike pray that the Lord indeed will overpower their rebellion and bring them to Himself. Do you really disagree with this? Honestly?
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I disagree with it. I don't pray for God to 'overpower their wills', I pray for God illuminate the truth to them, to use people in their lives to bring them to Him. Your theory by my account alone has been quashed.
 
Q

quantumfaith

Active Member
webdog said:
A high school friend of mine goes to your church, Bill Scott.
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Will have to seek him out, don't know him right off hand. We had approximately 1500 for services last sunday, the first service in our new facility. Remind me of you "real name", PM if you desire.
 
webdog

webdog

Active Member
Site Supporter
quantumfaith said:
Will have to seek him out, don't know him right off hand. We had approximately 1500 for services last sunday, the first service in our new facility. Remind me of you "real name", PM if you desire.
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I just realized that Andy Stanley was a guest speaker at his church in Atlanta (Buckhead) and he doesn't attend your church...sorry.
 
Q

quantumfaith

Active Member
webdog said:
I just realized that Andy Stanley was a guest speaker at his church in Atlanta (Buckhead) and he doesn't attend your church...sorry.
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Andy circulates between three campuses in the Atlanta area. Occasionally he will visit some of us (Strategic Partner Campuses).

Jeff Henderson, I believe is or has been the current pastor at Buck Head.
 
HankD

HankD

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
A few years ago I read of a citrus farmer in California who had raised oranges for 20 plus years.

He remarked that this past year’s crop was simultaneously the largest as well as the smallest crop of oranges ever.

Impossible?

No. Because of the climatic conditions of the harvest year the individual oranges were larger in size than he had ever seen and the total collective weight of these oranges was larger than any previous crop.

On the other hand the total count of oranges was the smallest he had ever seen.

The news account seems impossible at first because we didn’t know these facts of weight versus count.

I believe there are factual elements of God’s sovereignty versus man’s responsibility that we just don’t know and not only that they are presently beyond our comprehension as well.

Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

... with God all things are possible.


HankD
 
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glfredrick

New Member
Tom Butler said:
I've been thinking (a dangerous thing). If God overcame your rebellion, made you suddenly love him when you didn't want to, saved you in spite of your love of sin; if you suddenly realized, Wow this is crazy. I didn't want to change, but I'm changed. I loved sin, but for some reason, I now love God; if you said, this is not what I wanted, I fought this all the way, but I couldn't help myself--

Would you be mad at God for violating your free will? Or would you be glad?

If you had a brother who was lost, would you have any problem asking God to save him, to change him, even if it meant violating his free will?

Or would you pray, Lord please save him, but if it means violating his free will, forget it. I want him to love you willingly.

I know, I know, but indulge me here.
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Thanks for sharing my testimony of salvation! :thumbsup:

Oh, and I am SO glad. Praise God who is no respector of persons and who does what He wills!
 
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glfredrick

New Member
Winman said:
Many millions of people who never get saved come to hate sin. An alcoholic will say, "I used to love drinking, but no more. I lost my wife and kids, I lost my job, I"ve lost the respect of everyone who knows me, my health is failing, I can't do this anymore."

Sin itself has changed the hearts and wills of millions of people who never get saved. To deny this is to deny reality.
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But, a hatred of sin does not transform one into a non-sinner.
 
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