I was thinking about something and it crossed my mind that every time Jesus speaks about Christians He says the words elect and chosen. Even the apostles used the word elect in instances. So my question is Do you think God chose us first or did we choose God? Does that mean God knows already who will go to heaven and some are destined not to? I hope i get a answer to this cause it is quiet confusing.
This might help, or add, to your confusion. :laugh:
The law is a mystery to most people, but it's really quite simple if a few facts about it are understood.
First, for every written law there is an unwritten law implied by that which is written. (predestination by default)
Second, the law can be broken by Commission or Omission.
Third, The blindfold on the statue of lady justice is meant to represent no respect of persons where the law is concerned.
Let's take a look at the law in relationship to the wages of sin and Jesus fulfilling that law.
First, the law required a death before it could be satisfied, in dying, Jesus fulfilled that law,
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;
Jesus's death nailed the law of "death for sin" to his cross, Jesus's death "NEVER" took away anyone's sins, only the "LAW",
this opened the "possibility" that the whole world "MIGHT BE" saved without dying for their sins.
Mt 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy
the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but
to fulfil.
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of
ordinances (law/wages of sin) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him
might be saved.
By Jesus fulfilling the law of death for the sins for the whole world, the unwritten implied law is that the whole world is eligible to be free from the law of death for sin,
1Jo 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and
not for ours only, but also for the
sins of the whole world.
and no Judge can "Arbitrarily" deny a defendant the eligibility to be free from the law without also violating the law himself. (predestine)
To do so, either inadvertently or Arbitrarily would be a "violation of omission" resulting in a mistrial, and possible removal of the Judge from the bench if it was Arbitrarily, showing a respect of persons is prohibited by law.
Ac 10:34 God is no respecter of persons:
If no one comes except God calls them, then God is obligated by law to make this "call to salvation" to all before "JUSTICE" resides in any judgment rendered.
Ro 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came
upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one
the free gift came
upon all men unto justification of life.
Of course God has promised that the gospel would be preached to the whole world before the end and none would perish by "his Arbitrary will".
Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is ........... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The doctrine of limited Atonement clearly shows a inadequate understanding of law and the principles on which law functions.
In believing Jesus death took away sins, instead of the law, Calvin wrongly assumed Jesus's death had only a "limited atonement" for those who are saved.
However Jesus's death only nailed the ordinance of law to the cross, not sin, this is why
the law of death for sins can be taken away for the whole world, that they
might be saved without dying,
yet sin/death can still remain.
Calvin also failed to understand that in Jesus fulfilling the law for the whole world, it also established an unwritten law that the whole world is eligible to be free from the law and this "freedom" must be offered, as a matter of law, if "JUSTICE" according to law is to prevail.
Individual sins can only be taken away when the individual is willing to conform to Jesus image by sacrificing the "Body of sin" so that the "spirit" may come in to give new life to the soul. (born again)
Every soul is born in a "body of sin" condemned from birth, Adam's sin condemned all flesh, but Adam's sin never condemned any other soul.
All flesh is at enmity with God, but all souls are not, souls do not share in the condemnation/depravity of the flesh.
Ro 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Each soul only gives an account for it's own sin, and only after reaching the age of "knowing good/evil". (accountability)
Eze 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son:
Ge 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your
eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods,
knowing good and evil.
Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If
ye were blind, ye should have
no sin: but now ye say,
We see; therefore your
sin remaineth.
In order to conform to Jesus's image, each soul must make the decision to shed the blood/crucify their body of sin, as Jesus was willing to crucify his body,
Mt 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of,
Le 17:11 For the
life of the flesh is in the blood: and
I have given it to you upon the altar
to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Heb 9:22 and without shedding of blood is no remission. (of sin)
Personal sins can only be
"taken away" when the soul is willing to shed the blood/life of it's body of sin, because of it's sin.
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ro 6:6 Knowing this, that our
old man is crucified with him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed,
How can it be truthfully said that people perish because God's sovereign will chose them to perish
after God said none perish because of his will,
and yet people do perish in spite of God saying none perish because of his will,
If God's sovereign will that none perish as stated, can't prevent people from perishing, then there is no guarantee God's sovereign will as stated, can save the chosen either.
If sovereign will can fail on the one hand, it can fail on the other,
Sovereign will introduced into the plan of salvation, either way, lost/saved, takes more away from God's sovereignty than it credits to him.
Calvin's error pits Jesus/God against each other, Jesus dying to fulfil/take away the law for the whole world that they might be saved from having to die,
And God predestine some to perish without any consideration of the law and Jesus's death that they might be saved.
According to law, God can not/will not stand in the way of anyone being saved, without violating his own law,
This leave
Man's "UNBELIEF" as the only obstacle to the whole world being saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath
not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
raying: