Re-examining Predestination (2 of 2)
Eddie Snipes
Why are Some Elected?
So do we choose God? The Bible has already told us, no. Does God work with the will of man and make salvation a joint effort? Absolutely not, for it is not the will of man, but of God.
Here is where we have to bring it all together while taking great care not to lose consistency with scripture - all scripture. I have never heard this taught, but it seems so clear when you examine the scriptures.
God draws man to salvation and makes the truth manifest to him. The Calvinist doctrine teaches that man is first regenerated and then given the capacity to receive grace; however, there is not one scripture by which we can draw this conclusion. It is an overstatement of how God reveals Himself. It is also built on the assumption that grace is irresistible. If man was regenerated already, we would have an odd problem unless we throw in irresistible grace. Calvinism teaches that faith comes by the regeneration of the Spirit and by this regeneration, God manifests Himself to those who are elected to grace. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Calvinism states that man cannot resist the grace that is manifested by God, yet the Bible says that those who are committed to damnation reach that state because God has already manifested Himself and the truth to them, but they have resisted and chosen the love of sin.
When you examine all things, the only way to remain consistent with scripture is to realize that man's will only comes into play when we are resisting the will of God. Never does the Bible tell us to conform our will to God; the Bible always tells us to die to ourselves and our will, and submit to the will of God. Consider this passage where Jesus died to His own will in order to receive strength from heaven. Look at Luke 22:41-43
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove ...
Eddie Snipes
Why are Some Elected?
So do we choose God? The Bible has already told us, no. Does God work with the will of man and make salvation a joint effort? Absolutely not, for it is not the will of man, but of God.
Here is where we have to bring it all together while taking great care not to lose consistency with scripture - all scripture. I have never heard this taught, but it seems so clear when you examine the scriptures.
God draws man to salvation and makes the truth manifest to him. The Calvinist doctrine teaches that man is first regenerated and then given the capacity to receive grace; however, there is not one scripture by which we can draw this conclusion. It is an overstatement of how God reveals Himself. It is also built on the assumption that grace is irresistible. If man was regenerated already, we would have an odd problem unless we throw in irresistible grace. Calvinism teaches that faith comes by the regeneration of the Spirit and by this regeneration, God manifests Himself to those who are elected to grace. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Calvinism states that man cannot resist the grace that is manifested by God, yet the Bible says that those who are committed to damnation reach that state because God has already manifested Himself and the truth to them, but they have resisted and chosen the love of sin.
When you examine all things, the only way to remain consistent with scripture is to realize that man's will only comes into play when we are resisting the will of God. Never does the Bible tell us to conform our will to God; the Bible always tells us to die to ourselves and our will, and submit to the will of God. Consider this passage where Jesus died to His own will in order to receive strength from heaven. Look at Luke 22:41-43
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove ...
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