Election?

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him . . ." (John 6:44a NIV)

Can I exercise my "free will" to come to Jesus? Not according to Jesus!

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (Eph 1:4-5)

The fact that I am saved is God's doing, not mine. Yes, I had to believe in my heart and confess Him before men, but God gave me the ability and desire to do that! Thank you God for chosing me! Why you did, I don't know, but thank you!

 

Wow, JonHenry, quite profound!

I agree with Carly.

All I can add is that it's God's territory. It's His business. I don't understand all the depths & magnitude of God and nobody else on this Board does either.

But I am in awe that the Creator of the Universe, the Eternal God of All Time & Eternity, would Love ME enough, a worthless nothing out of all people who ever lived and ever will live, to send His Precious Son to die a cruel, undeserved death, bearing all my sin and wickedness, to redeem me and clothe me with His righteousness and give me Eternal Life. Me. Out of all the people who ever lived and will live. That's enough for me. I don't have to figure it all out because some day I'll be like Him and then will know all the answers. That's enough for me. I'm just supposed to share the Gospel and leave the rest to God.

Someone else here had it right.....JUST TRUST.

 

Scott....by all means...we must continue to seek after God,and ask for His wisdom...but some things no matter how we try...we haven't the capacity to fully fathom in the flesh....I just feel we can't be so dogmatic on these particular issues...well, as far as to presume we have it all figured out. Some things remain a mystery. We see now as though thru a glass darkly...but then face to face...1 Corinthians

 

I believe God has elected those who are saved, apart from His foreknowledge. I believe He acted upon the Pleasure of His Will Alone. To say He looked ahead at the time I would be saved and said 'he will believe, therefore I will elect him to belief' is a contradiction which includes the necessity of my works in order for God to provide His Gift of Grace and Salvation. No matter how big a slice we cut from the pie, Works and Grace cannot intermingle. They are diametrically opposed. Works can only be a factor in determine the blessedness of the elect in this world and their rewards in the future. Otherwise, Grace is no more Grace.

God Bless.
Bro. Dallas

 

To which I would say, 'edges are honed and service rendered improved.

God Bless.
Bro. Dallas