Sheep or Goat?

I knew you would seek to change the subject, because you have no basis for your assertions. Icon asserted "no one" but somehow post #83 got a like!

I set my mind on your likely rebuttal efforts, but then changed my focus to your likely deflection efforts.

Matthew 23:13 demonstrates the fallen can at times seek the kingdom, and not be compelled by "irresistible" grace. No one is a goat, the sheep usually refers to fallen mankind, of My sheep refers to those of fallen mankind who are open and receptive to God's word, and My sheep refers to those made spotless by the blood of the Lamb.

 

Jhn 15:5 KJV - I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

More fault finding addressing individuals, more change of subject deflection, more of the same .

John 10:26 (NASB) “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.

Obviously those not "of My sheep" are not open or receptive to God's word. Apparently the logical necessity of those "of My sheep" being open and receptive is beyond the grasp of some holding differing views.

John 8:47 (NASB)
"He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God."

To be "of God" or "of My sheep" is to be open and receptive to God's word. Those that deny this truth, deny the obvious.

 

Yes, this is an interesting verse. Apparently it is possible for "professing" Christians to "abide in Jesus" but because God has not credited their faith as righteousness, Jesus does not "abide in them." Thus as with all who are not saved, all their works of righteousness are as filthy rags to God. The only way to bring forth "much fruit" is to be born anew, a new creation created for "good works" which means those who have been redeemed (transferred spiritually into Christ) and sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit (indwelt with the Spirit of Christ.)

 

Another "you, you and you" post, deflection on display.

I presented the result of study, two verses on the same topic, and somehow its not exegetical, but the object of ridicule. People who are open and receptive to God's word are "of God" and "of My sheep."

 

You made this claim before, and I responded before with Colossians 1:13, and then we get the nonsense asserted yet again.
ESV
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
NASB
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

 

They become His sheep when the Holy Spirit does His transformation work unto the elect, as he brings them to faith in H=Jesus and receiving the eternal Life God chose them to now have!

 

In the kingdom of satan and died in our sins!

 

How can we be born as heep when we are born fallen in sin though?

 

Matthew 23:13 demonstrates the fallen can at times seek the kingdom, and not be compelled by "irresistible" grace. No one is a goat, the sheep usually refers to fallen mankind, of My sheep refers to those of fallen mankind who are open and receptive to God's word, and My sheep refers to those made spotless by the blood of the Lamb.

 

I see the elect as being His sheep, but that they still must receive Jesus as Lord and Messiah thru faith in order to be that in sight of God!

 

Let us try to get this whole thing into focus.

1. The Elect are sheep (of Christ's fold) according to Matthew 25:31-33.
2. The Elect have always been predestined (Ephesians 1:5) and as a consequence of being predestined, God purpose for them has always been to be sheep.
3. Before the Elect are converted they are lost sheep that are not yet of Christ's fold but they will eventually become part of His fold (John 10:16).
4. The Elect, even before they are converted, are not goats. The sheep have always been sheep; either lost sheep outside the fold or sheep that are part of the fold. Goats are those who have never been Elect.

This whole topic really has to do with the divine purpose of God. In John 10 we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd who calls His sheep by name (the Elect) and they respond. In Matthew 25 we see Jesus the rightful judge, separating His elect (sheep) from the reprobate (goats). A goat is never a lost sheep that becomes a sheep after it is saved. I really do not know how many times this needs to be stated.

 

The Goat and the Sheep are both lost though, and the sheep does not have eternal life until saved by Christ, correct?