If Spurgeon's discourse will not convince you of God's Sovereignty while at the same time holding man accountable/responsible, then nothing will. It is pride to suppose we are something when we are nothing. Anyone who has been born of God will take no credit for his/her salvation. God calls us to Himself and he alone deserves all the glory.

I don't think you like that one cannot make the choice for himself. When God opens our eyes to that, it is the most humbling of doctrines.

If you were the lone survivor of a fatal plane crash, would you look around at the wreckage and loss of life and declare that you were smart to have chosen the seat you were sitting in, or the position of your body when the accident occurred? If you were like most people, you would wonder "why me?"

According to chpt. 11, the OT saints were saved by faith in the coming Messiah. Rahab, who was not a Jew was also saved in the same way.

The previous post by Alan supports my understanding of Scripture. The Holy Spirit is eternally One with the Father and Son, so has always been evident in and before creation - i.e. appearance to Abraham. He came upon prophets and kings in the O.T. for a specific purpose and at specific times; however, He dwells within the Believer, never to leave or forsake us. He now resides in us - as was symbolized by the Shekinah Glory indwelling the Jewish Temple in the O.T.

Do you believe that?

rogerant wrote:
I am glad that you have recanted in your characterization of Yamil/Casob/JD/Add/Addendum and Mike as being Arminians. Jacobus was much more consistent with his theology and much more charitable than this lot. I would say that their theology is closer to a Pelagias/Finney/Lindsey/Van Impe mix of dispensensational twists turns and convulsions.

I agree with your last post re: "God's love". The problem with telling people that God loves them - especially today - is that they do not even know that they are sinners separated from God. Therefore, it is a trite statement to say, "God loves you." It is like giving someone a cure for a disease that he does not know he has.

The Law was given so that we could understand our sinfulness, and to show us that it is impossible for us to keep God's Law perfectly. When we see this, we see a need for a Saviour. So, one has to see the dilema, or the Love of God means nothing to him.

Faith comes by hearing the preaching of the Word. Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit. I'm just stating what I know you know. It was only after I had spent years in God's Word that I learned there was a term for my understanding of Scripture - Calvinism.

I love knowing that before I studied theology, I studied Scripture, and the Spirit of Truth led me.

quote wrote:
I agree with you, but the question is, Is it wrong to tell sinners God loves them?

It is important that one considers God's attributes - His Sovereignty, His Holiness, His Omnipotence, Omnipresence, His lovingkindness, His justice, and on and on. Let Scripture speak for itself. God is love. He directs that love to specific people in order that He might manifest His Glory to the world. He is calling out a people for Himself - all the while and ultimately to display His Glory. Down through history, we see His Glory on display as He leads the Jewish people - then we see His Glory in Jesus Christ. For the past 2000 years we have seen His Glory in the lives of the redeemed as they fulfill His purposes.

As believers, we have been chosen, adopted into the family of God. Words can not convey this Truth perfectly. But, suffice it to say, our adoption means God loved us.

Now, to the one who has been born of God, the love of God has been "shed abroad in his heart." It is unthinkable that the child of God would not have love - not the sentimental kind defined by the world, but the love that is defined in the Word of God - patient, kind, long-suffering, not easily provoked, not rejoicing in evil, but rejoicing in the Truth. Thus, one who is born of God, would speak the Truth of the Word of God from a heart filled with Love put there by His Lord at regeneration - much like the beggar who has found bread tells another beggar where to find bread.

I agree with your last 2 posts. However, the gentiles who have been "grafted in to the vine" do not replace the Jews and God's promises to them. See Rom 11. ". . .salvation has come to the Gentiles to make them (the Jews) jealous. Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!"

To JD, I would say, look throughout Scripture and find one person who said "Lord, I want to be your person, prophet, disciple." Can't be found. God chose Abraham. God chose Isaac. God chose Jacob. God chose David. God chose Jeremiah. Jesus chose Peter and James and John, and, on and on, it goes. God does the choosing.

What a humbling revelation to the one who has been found. Why would God choose to save me? Anyone who is truly regenerated will not declare his own wisdom in coming to God. He will give all the Glory to His merciful Lord. For all eternity, the wonder of our salvation will redound to Praise for our Loving Saviour.

Consider this: In Genesis God's covenant was first made with Abraham, father of Isaac, grandfather of Jacob and Esau. In chapter 17, God says of Abraham, "I will make you a father of many nations (note nations - plural)." From there, God would work through Isaac, and then, Jacob (Israel). So, God would providentially work through Jacob (Israel) to make Himself known.

That was the purpose - that the world would see the One True God who manifests Himself in creation - active in the affairs of men. The Jewish people would bring to us the "Law of God" - preparing the way for the Messiah. In Ezekiel, over and over, the prophetic word concludes with "that they may know Me."

All of revealed history is that we may know the One, True, God - that He, and He alone, would be given Glory. The message is for the world, but only those whom God has opened their hearts and minds to will respond to His Grace and mercy in Christ Jesus.

Scripture says,

"For God so loved the world..."

"God is love..."

"God is angry with the wicked everyday..."

Let Scripture speak...without adding to it....like, saying, "God loves you unconditionally"...or, "God loves you just the way you are...."

If God did not love sinners. . .then, we would all be lost. We are born sinners, separated from God. We are by nature, children of wrath.

God, in His great mercy, draws to Himself those who are being saved. He opens their ears to hear. He opens their minds to understand.

He is calling out for Himself a people - And, when He has completed that "calling out," He will return to establish His eternal kingdom of Righteousness.

God's Holiness requires Justice - payment for sin. Do not our hearts cry out for justice against wrongdoing?

God is both Just and the Justifier. Sin demands punishment. Man is condemned before a Holy God. Who will deliver him from this body of sin and death? Christ Jesus, the Redeemer.

God's justice is satisfied with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The atonement has been made, the price paid.