But man fulfills his resposiblity(spiritually) to the law in that he IS able to willingly offer that lawful substitute provided by God.Pastor Larry said:Yes. As you say, he is unable, but he is still responsible. The very fact that he had to offer an atoning sacrifice means that he was responsible, and his failure had to be atoned for.
Man is responsible to the truth God reveals, and that is 'MY' contention in these particular matters.
Man is unable to DO meritorious good but that does not negate that man can choose that which is good on his behalf in which he fails. This is displayed in the Law and its sacrifices.
Now you are adding to the discussion something I have not contended which is "coming to God without God enabling".Is he? Is he able to come to God without God's prior enabling? I don't think you have proven that at all.
Our definitions are different here in that you hold God must make the person able to respond in any positive way, while I contend God enables mans ability by revealing truth at which time man is now responsible for accepting or rejecting it.
Mans responsiblity is to whatever truth God has revealed to him, whether in nature or by revelation. Man is resposible toward how he deals with the truths God has revealed to him. Mans resposiblity to revealed truth in defined specifically in Rom 1-5 and how when man had the truth of God and KNEW the truth, he perverted it to fulfill his own pleasures and because of this God gave him over to his sins. (Rom 1 and 2)
but also in many other places in scripture
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Also, to show man is resposible AND able in light of revealed truth - we have Peter stating this what asked what must we do [to be saved].
Umderstanding that man can not ACTUALLY save himself (they knew this becuase of the Law), but he can choose to accept the sacrifice made on his behalf and thereby recieve salvation to himself. IOW- due to God revealing there is a substitute man is now enabled to respond at that moment to the truth revealed to him.Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Act 2:40 ¶ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.
Paul in speaking of reconsiling the world pleaded or begged them to BE reconsiled to God.
John also in all his works spoke of man being enabled in light of God revealing truth to be held responsible as to whether they accept or reject truth.
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