Why did you accept Christ?

[Benjamin]

Originally posted by TexasSky:
Whetstone,

To me the verse that says we love Him because He first loved us is very straight forward. Christ loved us enough to live 33 years as a human being. Christ loved us enough to die for us. Christ loved us enough to forgive us, even when we did everything we could to hurt Him. We, in turn, respond to that love.

That said, before my calvinist friends leap on that. .. let me answer you before you ask. If Christ forced that love. If Christ said, "I'll make you love me," it would not be love.

Love, in its purest form, is clearly defined by Christ Himself. It is showing the actions of love, even if the receipient appears to be or IS undeserving of that love.

If a man kidnaps a woman, screams, "I love you, and I'll make you marry me," it isn't love. It may be imprisonment, it may be rape, it may be marriage, but you cannot FORCE love.

If a man says to a woman, "I love you. Even though I know you do not love me in return. Even though you've hurt me," and waits, patiently, for that woman to say, "I want to be with you." THAT is love.

If you, as a man, would not settle for sex and shared housing with a woman who you had to force to be with you - why do you think God would settle for less than REAL love?

TexasSky,

I’m so on the same page as you on this. I was just talking about it day before yesterday. Part of what I said is God is Love and that’s what He wants from us is our love, for Him, for each other, for our neighbors; His letter to us is full of it. He can do anything but He doesn’t choose to do some things; if He chose to make us love Him it wouldn’t be real love. God gives His love freely with such grace behind it, that’s what God’s all about, He wants us to love. We have no concept on earth of just how much depth there truly is to real love as He knows it. What a wonderful place heaven must be and what a price He paid for the gift He gave us to show us the way and it was His glory to do so.

(1Jo 4:15) Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

(1Jo 4:16) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

So, my answer is because I heard His Word and He showed me His truth about love and I loved Him for it. It was my choice to love Him, but I had no choice because of love. What makes the difference? The love in my heart. How did it get in my heart? God is everywhere and He is Love.

 

[whetstone]

I don't know when I'll have time to answer 4study. I apologize. I have a busy night- which leads on into a busy weekend. I also maintain my own forums so those come first. I would be interested in continuing this conversation, so at the very least if I can't get back to this thread, feel free to join my forums at www.spurgeon.us/forums/index.php and we can take it in bite sized chunks. Anyways God bless.

Daniel Allen

 

[4study]

whetstone,

Time is not much of a luxury I have either. That's why I'm choosy about what posts I take part of. I'll take a look at your forum if I have time.

Would you be interested in continuing this using Private Messaging?

 

[whetstone]

Starting a new thread in my forum would be nice. we don't have a lot of clutter there like we do here. Your choice. I'm open to either.

Dan

 

[AresMan]

The recognition of and fear of hell leads to justification.
The hope and joy of heaven leads to sanctification.

 

[4study]

whetstone,

Yes, that would be fine. I'll register there over the weekend. What area on your website should I look under for the new thread?

 

[webdog]

I wish you two would continue the discussion here for all to read. It's been very interesting.

 

[4His_glory]

You can go over to Dan's Website too, if you want to continue reading this discussion.

 

[whetstone]

Originally posted by 4study:
whetstone,

Yes, that would be fine. I'll register there over the weekend. What area on your website should I look under for the new thread?

You can feel free to start it up and name it whatever you'd like. I have a forum called 'election' which would be suitable for all Calvinistic discussions. God bless!

Dan