1689Dave
Well-Known Member
Many believe God looked through time and chose those who would choose Him for salvation. But the totally depraved condition of each person suffering the effects of Adam's imputed sin will not allow for this. As scripture says there is none righteous, no not one. So God's choice is not based on a single person doing the right thing as if he could.
Scripture also says God is no respecter of persons. So this moves his selection of those he planned to save in Christ on the cross as a purely arbitrary choice. Not that Christ's death or His plan to elect was arbitrary, but for his glory. But the choice of one person above another for salvation or damnation was purely arbitrary. As Paul says;
“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Romans 9:15–16 (KJV 1900)
And; “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Romans 9:18 (KJV 1900)
“Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Romans 9:21 (KJV 1900)
“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” Romans 9:22–24 (KJV 1900)
So this throws an entirely different light on God's purpose for creation. Paul says election and reprobation are for God's glory. “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Ephesians 3:9–11 (KJV 1900)
In the end, if you believe thank God for saving you. You had nothing to do with it.
Scripture also says God is no respecter of persons. So this moves his selection of those he planned to save in Christ on the cross as a purely arbitrary choice. Not that Christ's death or His plan to elect was arbitrary, but for his glory. But the choice of one person above another for salvation or damnation was purely arbitrary. As Paul says;
“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Romans 9:15–16 (KJV 1900)
And; “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Romans 9:18 (KJV 1900)
“Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Romans 9:21 (KJV 1900)
“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” Romans 9:22–24 (KJV 1900)
So this throws an entirely different light on God's purpose for creation. Paul says election and reprobation are for God's glory. “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Ephesians 3:9–11 (KJV 1900)
In the end, if you believe thank God for saving you. You had nothing to do with it.
