Would God command men to do something they were unable to do?

[Allan]

Yes it is.

But lest we not forget - God commands "us" to be/do certain things, and therefore it is incubent upon 'us' to do that something with regard to the command that God gave "us" to do. Example, Like Believe. - From believing God will supply your every need according to His riches in Glory. There is an action of belief from you But God is your provider and it is the same for salvation or anything.

Now unless they hear God command them to repent, they are not in sin against this command. So to this command also necessitates the individual 'understands' this command to 'repent' by truth that is revealed to them. IF the dead can hear God command via Gods illuminating of truth and then choose that to NOT repent based upon belief of the truth revealed.

It still remains God began, God finished - and all the in between via revelation of truth and submission to this truth via belief. From the first to the Last it is of GoD

 

[Brother Bob]

God has always intended on providing His part in whatever He commands men to do. When God said thou shalt not commit adultery then I think we are able to not commit adultery or at least I don't have to go out and commit adultery let others do as they may. I can start going down the line but it would not do any good. I don't think anyone on here believes that we have to kill.

 

[Brother Bob]

Yes...you will get there, but not on your own accord. By the grace of God.

Joseph Botwinick

We don't do anything of our own accord. God's Spirit strives with us all.

 

[Brother Bob]

God always asks us to do things we are not capable of doing. Because that way we and others know it wasn't us, but Him who did it.

Instead of being so blanket tell us what it is God commanded men to do that it is impossible for Him to do.

I still have to try and figure out how it can be sin if we can't help ourselves but are forced to commit such acts. Maybe I am missing something here. Then some must be saying that Adam had to eat of the fruit and had no choice whatsoever. I thought the Calvinist believed that before the fall that Adam could choose. Sure is a strange God to me to command men to do so much that they can't do.

Wonder how many will head out tonight to do a little fornicating because they can't help themselves but show up at church next Sunday.

 

[El_Guero]

Aren't we commanded to preach the Word? Aren't we commended to be ready in season and out of season?

Are you unable to witness?

Isn't it the job of the Holy Spirit to convict? Do you think that the Holy Spirit is unable?

Your response sounds like you want people to do God's job.

Personally, I do not want to be 'god' - I do badly enough as a man.

However, having said that, I have been faithful 3 times in a week to witness for Our Lord & Savior - He commanded, and I have followed. And I am leading others in discipleship.

Is anyone else evangelizing? Are we ALL discipling others to evangelize & disciple?

Please correct me if i'm wrong, but aren't you one of the people I was talking about that would say that God would not command us to do something we can not do?

 

[reformedbeliever]

I do not beleive that God asks men to do what they can not do.

For the unregenerate you claim the "repent" command as though some can not.

Well I would like to look at something if I may.
To the Jewish nation God commanded that they keep all the law. - They could not.
And even told them to be Holy as God is Holy, but they didn't have the Spirit to enable.

They did not have the empowering of the Holy Spirit be "ABLE" to do any of this.
With God all things are possible!

Now what about Believers who have the Holy Spirit and spiritual understanding.
Surly God would never command them to do what they are "unable" to do.

God commanded that we love Him with all our heart, mind, and strength
God commanded that we are to love the brethren.
God commanded that we "Be Holy -JUST AS- God IS Holy" - Be holy just like God IS
God commanded the we are not to sin anymore.

Now I ask you, name ONE believer that has EVER done one or all of these three of many commands without fail in the sense of its scriptual definition and literal consistancy.
I can tell you the answer - NOT ONE, EVER has lived.

So why not!? I thought we are empowered and filled by the Spirit of God and by Him we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Yes, this is true. But is God looking for perfection. He asks of His own the same that He asks of them who are not.

Is God asking us to actually be perfect as He is? I don't believe so.
But is showing that we are responsible to live up to that standard of Himself, and if responsible to live up to it it necessitates that we are able to do just what God requires of us. Either regenerate or unregenerate, when we are faced with what God reveals is in direct contention with Himself or Holiness, we are held accountable to that action or choice we make at that moment.

Like Bro. Bob stated. If God commands All men everywhere to "Repent" it necessitates that all men 'hear' that command and are responsible to respond. And "IF" they hear they ARE able to respond since the according to Calvinistic Theology - Only those who can hear are able to respond.

- Just some musing IMHO

Ummmm......... lets see......... did God say that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? What is the glory of God? Perfection. We fall short. I believe the bible, not your logic.

 

[El_Guero]

Believing the Word of God . . . then you are witnessing and disipling others to do the same.

Great!

Then can we pray that the Holy Spirit finishes the work that God commanded us to begin?

:1_grouphug:

Tho't so.

Aren't we commanded to preach the Word? Aren't we commended to be ready in season and out of season?

Are you unable to witness?

Isn't it the job of the Holy Spirit to convict? Do you think that the Holy Spirit is unable?

Your response sounds like you want people to do God's job.

Personally, I do not want to be 'god' - I do badly enough as a man.

However, having said that, I have been faithful 3 times in a week to witness for Our Lord & Savior - He commanded, and I have followed. And I am leading others in discipleship.

Is anyone else evangelizing? Are we ALL discipling others to evangelize & disciple?

 

[reformedbeliever]

Instead of being so blanket tell us what it is God commanded men to do that it is impossible for Him to do.

I still have to try and figure out how it can be sin if we can't help ourselves but are forced to commit such acts. Maybe I am missing something here. Then some must be saying that Adam had to eat of the fruit and had no choice whatsoever. I thought the Calvinist believed that before the fall that Adam could choose. Sure is a strange God to me to command men to do so much that they can't do.

Wonder how many will head out tonight to do a little fornicating because they can't help themselves but show up at church next Sunday.

To be perfect. You, however believe that one can become perfect in this life. The bible disagrees. I believe the bible.

 

[reformedbeliever]

Aren't we commanded to preach the Word? Aren't we commended to be ready in season and out of season?

Are you unable to witness?

Isn't it the job of the Holy Spirit to convict? Do you think that the Holy Spirit is unable?

Your response sounds like you want people to do God's job.

Personally, I do not want to be 'god' - I do badly enough as a man.

However, having said that, I have been faithful 3 times in a week to witness for Our Lord & Savior - He commanded, and I have followed. And I am leading others in discipleship.

Is anyone else evangelizing? Are we ALL discipling others to evangelize & disciple?

How so? Have you read this thread?

 

[El_Guero]

mmmmm ......

:thumbs:

If'n you focus on what you can do, you won't have time for what you cannot do.

IMHO.

Aren't we commanded to preach the Word? Aren't we commended to be ready in season and out of season?

Are you unable to witness?

Isn't it the job of the Holy Spirit to convict? Do you think that the Holy Spirit is unable?

Your response sounds like you want people to do God's job.

Personally, I do not want to be 'god' - I do badly enough as a man.

However, having said that, I have been faithful 3 times in a week to witness for Our Lord & Savior - He commanded, and I have followed. And I am leading others in discipleship.

Is anyone else evangelizing? Are we ALL discipling others to evangelize & disciple?

 

[El_Guero]

Did you read this?

I've heard the argument on this BB and in other places that "God would not command men to do something that they are unable to do." Those who hold to such a conclusion base it upon logic rather than what the bible declares. They claim that calvinist doctrine makes God a hateful god that is not the God of their bible. When we teach the inability of men to repent and to come to Christ, without being regenerated by the Holy Spirit, are we in error? Do we teach heresy when we say that men are dead spiritually and unable to respond in a saving manner? Would God command men to do something they can not do?

 

[El_Guero]

And after your response looking for someone to bite, you posted this:

Please correct me if i'm wrong, but aren't you one of the people I was talking about that would say that God would not command us to do something we can not do?

 

[El_Guero]

And as my post indicated, you seem to be focusing upon God's work . . . as being imposible for men to do.

Yes, it is impossible for men to do what is God's job.

We are to disciple and evangelize.

Can we do that?

I think a better question would be: "Are we faithful to the commands of God? Are we witnessing and discipling?"

I know that I am.

 

[Brother Bob]

To be perfect. You, however believe that one can become perfect in this life. The bible disagrees. I believe the bible.

I believe no such thing. I do believe the inward man after being born again is perfect for that which is born of God cannot sin.

 

[reformedbeliever]

I believe no such thing. I do believe the inward man after being born again is perfect for that which is born of God cannot sin.

Maybe I misunderstood you when you told someone in this thread that they could eventually get there. We can not in this life and we will not be the one to accomplish it in the next life. Can you see a dead man deciding to make himself perfect? That is what you alluded to. Sorry if I misread.

 

[Brother Bob]

I didn't mean in this life. I meant we would eventually get to Heaven, If I am going to Heaven then I am not dead anymore but alive in Christ Jesus. Man, you all sure hold on to that dead man stuff. Man is not a log floating down the stream. You all don't believe a man can do anything just float along through this life and whatever happens then it happens. Well I am one who believes God holds man accountable for what he does in this life and the only thing you have to offer God is the kind of life you live. "Offer your bodies a living sacrifice, which is your reasonable service". I love Jesus because He first loved me, well it does say "I love Jesus" son give me a little credit will you. Oh, I forgot, you believe God makes you love Him too.

 

[El_Guero]

Where are you going with all of this?

Maybe I misunderstood you when you told someone in this thread that they could eventually get there. We can not in this life and we will not be the one to accomplish it in the next life. Can you see a dead man deciding to make himself perfect? That is what you alluded to. Sorry if I misread.

 

[reformedbeliever]

Where are you going with all of this?

I'm simply refuting the claim of some that God would not ask anything of us that we could not do. Jesus obviously commanded that we be perfect... when we absolutely can not. We have to depend on Him. Wayne, of course I believe in the responsibility of man. I was simply responding to what some claim, through their logic.

 

[reformedbeliever]

Where are you going with all of this?

Read the OP Wayne.

 

[Brother Bob]

You don't believe its the duty of a Christian to strive towards perfection as Paul did when he prayed for the thorn to be removed. I wonder all the time why do you all evangelize when you don't believe man can do what you are going out and asking him to do and that is to turn to Jesus and believe. Surely you ask people to believe in Jesus? We won't reach perfection in this life but I assure you that we will in the resurrection if you have been "born again" and have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwelling in you.