God bless you my Brother. That's such a wonderful testimony. When He saved me, I felt a peace come all over me, starting at the top of my head, going all the way down. I felt a load of guilt leave me, too. I agree that we have to choose Him, too. But there are some, and I know you'll cringe at this, He just simply didn't choose, therefore, they will never have a desire to chose Him, to come to Him, to live for Him, etc.......
Willis, you didn't get that from the Bible, those are the doctrines of men. My God does not PASS BY folks.
Luk 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he
passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and
passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him,
he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.
Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
You know this story Willis, about the poor man who was attacked and beaten. Note that he was only "half dead". Something to think about.
The priest and the Levite PASSED BY. Isn't that what your new found faith also teaches? That God chooses to PASS BY some men?
But the Samaritan did not pass by. The Samaritan was a hybrid, a half-breed. He was not Jew, or Gentile, but both and despised by both. Jesus likewise was the God/Man despised of men.
This Samaritan did not callously pass by, but felt compassion and went to the man's aid. He poured oil which represents the Holy Spirit, and bound the man up which represents the righteousness imputed a man. He put the man on his beast, which represent the Holy Spirit that abides with us forever, and comforts us.
At the Inn he left the innkeeper in charge, which again represents the Holy Spirit who abides with us forever and keeps us. And finally, note that the Samaritan promised to return, just as Jesus will return.
Jesus commanded us to be like the good Samaritan. We are not to pass by folks, but to try to help them.
Jesus does not pass by folks Willis, this is not what the scriptures teach, you have learned this false teaching from men.