Like usual, you emphasize the parts you like and ignore the parts you don't like.
In truth, I ignore none of it, as all of God's words are equally important to me ( Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4 ), and I see many people ignoring or downplaying,
all the time, what God has to say about His choosing people to salvation ( 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, Psalms 65:4 ).
With respect, the same could be said of you, sir.
You appear to emphasize man's choice with regard to salvation, when the choice has already been made ( and continues to be made in our hearts ) against Him ( Romans 1:32, Romans 3:10-18, John 3:19-20 ), and you don't appear to see the significance of statements that Jesus has made showing that God is selective with regard to who He reveals Himself to.
Nowhere does it say humans were made for his glory - only that it was made for him.
The whole thing was made for his glory, and that includes believers:
" I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7 [even] every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. ( Isaiah 43:7 )
All of Christ's sheep were made by God, afore prepared unto glory:
" and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?" ( Romans 9:23-24 )
The purpose of our creation is very clear. No need for a degree in ancient languages to decipher it. God even repeats himself and says it twice so that there should be no doubt.
I have no degree in ancient languages, and nothing to flaunt in the face of men who seek esteem from each other.
But I do believe that I have a very good understanding of Scripture, because God, in His grace has given it to me...not because I went to a "bible college" or have stacks of commentaries around my desk like many I have seen.
All I needed to do was do what the Lord, through Paul, told Timothy to do:
" Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." ( 2 Timothy 2:15-16 ).
All of Christ's sheep have the ability to understand Scripture for themselves, because they have the Holy Spirit as Teacher ( Isaiah 54:13, John 6:45, 1 John 2:20-27 ).
Therefore, everyone that professes Christ, except for false teachers and tares, should eventually be able to arrive at the same understanding of Scripture ( Ephesians 4:11-16 ) , given enough time in the word.
You obviously hated Rev. Mitchell so much that you refused to publicly pray for him and bless him. Why do you hate Rev. Mitchell so much?
I don't hate him.
I just happen to think that he doesn't understand the Scriptures, and that he's teaching them wrong,
especially with regard to salvation.
He appears to think that man has to cooperate to gain God's favor.
I am completely from the opposite direction.
Furthermore, as a former "Fundamental Baptist" for over 25 years, I know exactly what he preaches...
That
belief on Jesus Christ is what actually
saves a person, not that the person believes because he is one of Christ's sheep ( John 10:26 ) and that a person comes to Christ in belief and true faith because it is given by the Father for them to do so ( John 6:37-44, John 6:64-65, John 17:2, Philippians 1:29 ).
From my perspective, he has the cart before the horse.
In truth, I hate no man in the judgmental sense, but I do hate false teaching.
I also hate
anything that gives man
an ounce of credit for something that is clearly the
gift of God...eternal life.
To me, you misunderstand my standing against what he ( and perhaps others ) teaches, as
personal hatred for him.
I have no such personal animosity towards Mark Mitchell...rather, it is my sincere desire that God show him what He has shown me:
That salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
If you see me once call Mark a disparaging name, or treat anyone that speaks against what I believe harshly, then you have my permission to call me on it and to remind me of the Lord's commands regarding personal conduct towards others.
But there's a big difference, at least to me, with being firmly
against something, and speaking evil of men.
I will say this about the subject:
Every time he ( or anyone else on this forum ) puts forth the idea that man can contribute to God's work of salvation, I am going to disagree with it and in some cases even straightly denounce it.
Similar to him calling "Calvinism" evil ( which I have seen him do in recent months ), I call "Semi-Pelagianism" / "Traditionalism" and
anything associated with it, a fuzzy, wuzzy God-loves-everyone gospel that pleases the masses; It couldn't be much further from the truth of the Bible than full-on five-point modern-day Wesleyan "Arminianism".
To be clear:
I believe what some call, "TULIP" because I see it in Scripture, and because it abases men and exalts God as highly as possible... and I didn't come to it lightly.
I'm not "Reformed", and I'm not a follower of John Calvin in any sense of the term.
I hope that helps to explain my position, sir.
May God bless
each and everyone of you with the knowledge of Him and His grace.
