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As promised here is the first study I will post. Please study and respond. In Christ
GOD'S GRACE VERSUS MAN'S METHODS. The GRACE of God is SO WONDERFUL, yet the word “GRACE” is so commonplace today that I am afraid there are multitudes who do not even begin to really understand even the most fundamental principles. During the course of this study, there will be times when I will have to get somewhat technical in order to prove certain details concerning the doctrine of GOD'S GRACE. I would like to state in the very beginning that I BEG the reader to bear with me during those times. It is my prayer that your understanding will be increased in so doing. Let us now examine the subject of this chapter. If we are to understand “GRACE”, then we would be well off if we look at some examples in the scriptures. Several texts will help us to see why our salvation must be ALL OF GRACE. ACTS 15:18 says, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. I am sure that the reader will realize there are two ways this statement can be interpreted. One is to believe that James was only saying that God knows everything He has done since this world first began. I am sure that you would agree that such an interpretation would be ridiculous, as THAT FACT IS SUCH COMMON KNOWLEDGE, James would be wasting his breath to say such. After all, that would be the same as saying God has a good memory, which if He didn't, He would not be God. (Right) The other way to interpret Acts 15:18 is the correct interpretation. James is simply referring to God's foreknowledge, and tells his audience that God KNEW EVERYTHING HE WOULD DO FROM THE VERY MOMENT HE BEGAN TO CONSTRUCT THIS WORLD. We will also prove as we study that since God knew everything that He would do throughout the course of history, He also therefore HAD to know everything that mankind would do. That of course means that God KNEW Adam would sin. God KNEW that all of the human race would then succumb to their rotten, fleshly nature and sin. He KNEW that the ONLY way for any of the human race to be saved and to serve Him would be for Him to become man's Savior. God also knew that everyone who would ever experience His grace and be saved through FAITH would be frail human creatures, weak through the flesh, and prone to sin. God KNEW He would be their ONLY hope. Yet dear reader, let us be encouraged to realize that IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT GOD KNEW ALL OF THESE THINGS, HE STILL CREATED US. That means He has a plan which He follows that was satisfactory to Him from before the beginning of creation. If that is true, then surely the scriptures will declare such. Notice Ephesians 1:4–11: 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: If the reader will study that text very carefully, the following truths will be evident:(1) Verses 5 and 11 both declare our salvation to be something that results from GOD'S WILL. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT SEEM TO BELIEVE THAT FACT. (2) Verse 7 shows our redemption and the forgiveness of sins are “according to the riches of HIS GRACE”. MOST OF THE RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS COMMON TODAY MAKE MAN'S FEEBLE EFFORTS AT LEAST A PART OF THE MEANS OF SALVATION. (3) The New Testament “dispensation” is the time of the gathering together the things in heaven and the things in earth as ONE in Christ (verse 10). IF WE HAVE SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD, WE REALIZE THAT THE “ALL THINGS” TO WHICH PAUL REFERS ARE NOT FLESHLY OR MATERIAL THINGS, BUT RATHER ARE THINGS WHICH ARE “SPIRIT” IN NATURE. GOD DOES NOT MAKE US “ONE” PHYSICALLY WITH ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN HEAVEN, NOR DOES HE DO SO IN EARTH. THAT SHOULD BE SELFEVIDENT. (4) God has “chosen” (i.e. elected) those of us who are truly “honest hearts” (Luke 8:15). That election was held “before the foundation of the world.” The Scriptures are quite clear about that great TRUTH; study the following: 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, yet is.
Surely the reader will realize that if some individuals do NOT have their names in the book of life, then others DO have their names there. Obviously, as the context shows, this is the Lamb's Book of Life which is a list of all those who would ever be saved. THE BOOK HAS TO BE A RECORD OF SPIRITUAL LIFE, SINCE THE TEXT WOULD OTHERWISE BE A RIDICULOUS AND UNNECESSARY STATEMENT. WHY WOULD THE AUTHOR EVEN MENTION ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN TO PEOPLE WHO WOULD NEVER LIVE OR EXIST PHYSICALLY (i.e. you would have people who NEVER WERE looking at a beast that at least “has been and is”)? The scripture shows us WHEN this GLORIOUS “BOOK OF LIFE” was written; at or before “the foundation of the world.” The previously mentioned passages of scripture definitely agree with that fact. Also, 2 Timothy 1:9–12 says: 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. I would like to call the reader's attention to the following truths in this text:(1) The calling of God's ELECT is “not according to our works” (verse 9). I HOPE WE CAN SEE THAT THIS MEANS THAT GOD DOES NOT LOOK at who we ARE IN ORDER TO MAKE HIS CHOICE WHO HE WILL CALL. HOW GOOD OR HOW BAD WE ARE OR HAVE BEEN HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MATTER. 2) The calling of God's ELECT is totally the result of God's “purpose” and his “GRACE.” THIS TELLS US THAT GOD IS SENDING OUT HIS CALL BASED ON HIS “PURPOSE”, OR IN OTHER WORDS, HIS PLANS, and certainly we realize that HIS plans are not dependent on our plans.(3) The GRACE of God was given to His ELECT people “BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN” (in Christ Jesus). THEREFORE, ANY WHO GOD CHOSE AT THAT TIME HAVE HAD SPECIAL PROVISIONS MADE FOR THEIR SAKES SINCE THAT TIME.THE SCRIPTURES BEAR OUT THIS FACT, AND IT IS SOMETHING WHICH EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF BIBLE TEACHING CAN SEE FROM THE PRINCIPLES THAT WE HAVE ALREADY LOOKED AT IN THE SCRIPTURES.(4) That GRACE which was already “GIVEN” was made “manifest” (i.e. made evident or visible) when Jesus came in the flesh and gave himself for us.(5) Paul makes a wonderful statement
in verse 12 that is the result of his realizing the glorious truths that he has been declaring; “for I know whom I have believed,” (i.e. I know who my faith is founded upon) “and am persuaded that he is able” (i.e. I have total confidence in HIS abilities; NOT my own) “to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (i.e. I have committed my life and my salvation for time and eternity totally unto Jesus Christ by FAITH). Friend, you and I must cry out as did the Apostle Paul, realizing that we cannot do ANYTHING to save ourselves or to keep ourselves saved. We are less than NOTHING. We must depend COMPLETELY on the MERCY and GRACE of our GOD and His son Jesus. Please do not be like those who could not understand these truths as Paul declared them, and therefore they made many false accusations against Paul and his teachings. We are NOT teaching that you can or should SIN MORE OR LESS and LIVE IN “CHRISTIAN” Disgrace. However, if the reader will bear with us, we will prove that these truths will inspire men and women to live much cleaner and more holy lives as they strive against sin because of the true, biblical motivation, THE LAW OF LOVE, rather than just striving to please God out of fear of damnation. Notice carefully how Paul had to keep clarifying HIS position on this subject: Romans 6:1–2: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:15: What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. It is very obvious that Paul was not in any way turning people loose to follow the ways of the flesh and live in habitual sin. However, at the same time, he was trying to get us to see that just because we are saved does not mean that we are suddenly sinlessly perfect and therefore WORTHY of the blessings of God. Paul KNEW that his salvation was purely based on the GRACE of God. Let us examine carefully the following texts of scripture: Jeremiah 1:4–5 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace, Psalm 139:13–16. 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well. 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them. Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. If God was able to choose Paul, David, John the Baptist, and Jacob before they were born (and of course they were ALL at that stage of life the same as Jacob and Esau in that they had not committed good or evil), then do we believe that He can do the same with each and every man, woman, boy, and girl that come into this world? Is God a respecter of persons that He should love Jacob and hate Esau, and yet love everyone else who comes along in spite of the fact that His foreknowledge enables Him to know ALL OF MANKIND since He searched all of our hearts before the very foundation of this world and what each and every person would do with the gift of SALVATION and the WORD OF GOD if He gave that gift to them. Romans 8:10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Romans 9:10–16 9:10 And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac; 9:11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 9:14 What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 9:16 So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. I hope that by now the reader has come to realize that since God knew all about us before the world began, He could not even create the human race and give us a chance to live EXCEPT for His GRACE. Let us look closely at Romans 8:28–30: 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. There are several things that we can conclude from this text: (1) There are particular people in this world who are “called” (Greek word translated “called” means “INVITED”) “according to His (God's)purpose.” Those “called” ones have an unusual condition in their lives; “all things work together for good.” That is not to say that everything that happens is good. It only means that when all the final ingredients are added together, the final result is GOOD. It is like the situation when a cook prepares certain foods. Many of the ingredients do not taste GOOD by themselves. For example, flour and baking powder are not very tasty ingredients. However, once you add other ingredients, the pancakes taste real good. The wonderful thing about this is to realize that our God had a perfect “RECIPE” in mind BEFORE He began His work of creation. He has never varied from that recipe since He began. One of the recipe's major ingredients is the GRACE of God.(2) The second truth we want to examine in Romans 8:28 is the fact that since NOT everyone in the world is blessed with the circumstances wherein that “all things work together for good” in their lives, it is therefore evident that NOT everyone is foreknown by God to be honest–hearted. Therefore, not everyone is “called”(invited). This is proved by the context, as Paul goes on to state the fact that everyone who God foreknows is also PREDESTINATED to be “conformed to” (i.e. fashioned after) Jesus' image. He also declares the fact that ALL who are predestinated are “called”. The Greek word here translated “called” is an altogether different word than is used in verse 28. “Called” in verse 29 means “named out”, or “called out by one's own name”. Paul is saying then that if one is FOREKNOWN, then they are also PREDESTINATED. If they are foreknown and predestinated, then they are also CALLED BY THEIR NAME (i.e. personally invited; not just extended a general invitation). The scripture goes on to state that if we are FOREKNOWN, PREDESTINATED, and PERSONALLY INVITED, then we are also JUSTIFIED (i.e. declared to be “JUST” in God's sight by “grace through faith”). To be declared “just” is the same as being declared “righteous”. Therefore God, through His GRACE, is “calling those things which be not as though they were”. Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and
calleth those things which be not as though they were. But does Paul STOP with the experience of JUSTIFICATION? PRAISE GOD, HE DOES NOT! He goes on in verse 30 to show the fact that those who are FOREKNOWN, PREDESTINATED, PERSONALLY INVITED, and JUSTIFIED,ALSO BE “GLORIFIED”. Praise God for His wonderful, glorious GRACE! When Satan seems to press in upon you from every side, just remember, EVERYTHING is taken care of for those who TRULY LOVE THE LORD! IF YOU ARE NOT CERTAIN THAT YOU REALLY LOVE HIM, CHECK YOUR HEART'S DESIRE AND ASK HIM TO SHOW YOU IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE that IS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN HIM (i.e. an IDOL). IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT YOU ALLOW TO KEEP YOU FROM THE FEEDING UPON THE WORD OF GOD THROUGH THE “BODY OF CHRIST” (GOD'S TRUE church, not just some gathering calling itself a church;1 Corinthians 12:27), THEN YOU NEED TO BEG THE LORD'S FORGIVENESS AND ASK HIM TO HELP YOU TO OVERCOME THE THING. Before we go on to other areas of this subject, let us first notice the verses which follow after the ones we have been studying. Romans 8:31–39 says: 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justified. 8:34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. If we briefly outline the statements in these verses, the truth should stand out more clearly in our minds. (1) Paul is here summarizing the statements which we have already studied. Everything verifies this fact; IF we are a part of God's ELECT which He foreknew, then WHO can actually overcome us? He shows the answer to that question is NO ONE and NO THING. (2) In verse 32, Paul is stressing the fact that since God has given the GREATEST GIFT that He could possibly give (JESUS), He certainly will not hold back from His ELECT any of the lesser gifts that they might need in their life for Him. When Paul used the word “us”, he is speaking of God's ELECT. I would like to challenge the reader with this question, IF GOD FREELY GIVES HIS ELECT ALL THINGS, what is there that is “too expensive” for the TRUE and LIVING God to not have included in this “ALL THINGS”? If nothing is left out, then there is absolutely nothing that we stand in need of (in order to serve God) that He will not provide. THAT, my friend, IS GOD'S GRACE!(3) Paul implies in verse 33 that since GOD is FOR His ELECT, then who are we as human beings to make any charge against them? (4) There are many opinions amongst Bible scholars concerning the addition of the two words by translators in verses 33 and 34. The two words (which are added twice) are “it is”. The problem of interpretation has to do with the fact that when those two words are removed, the statements are changed to questions. If those added words are removed, verses 33 and 34 read as follows: (33) Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect; God that justifieth? (34) Who is he that condemneth; Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh the intercession for us? There are several reasons that I believe that Paul's remarks are questions. One is because that would follow through with the approach of his previous statements: verse 31 is a question and is answered by another question in verse 32. It would be a method quite typical of Paul to answer the question in verse 33 by asking a couple of other questions that Paul felt they would know the answers to. Another reason to believe that the statements are questions is seen in the context of the second answer (the one that pertains to Christ). Paul seems to be implying something (which he often did when teaching) in the last part of verse 34. He seems to be saying, “Who is he that condemneth; Christ that died (etc.)?” In other words, would Christ CONDEMN us after he has DIED for us, has risen again for us, and pleads our case in intercession before the Father. After he has done so much for us, HOW can we sit back and think that he wants to “condemn” us? We need to very carefully consider the implications of what Paul is saying here. Let's look at an outline of the subject: (1) TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE (Romans 8:5–6): (a)Have their strong affections for FLESHLY things.(b)Have their strong affections for SPIRITUAL things. (2) TYPE “A” PEOPLE HAVE MINDS WHICH MAKE THEM GOD'S ENEMIES (Romans 8:7). For this reason, they are under the curse of SPIRITUAL death. (3) TYPE “B” PEOPLE HAVE MINDS WHICH LOVE TO THINK ABOUT AND LEARN THE WORD OF GOD (Romans 7:22 and 8:5–6). For this reason, they enjoy SPIRITUAL LIFE. (4) ALL FLESH (WHETHER THAT OF TYPE “A” OR TYPE “B” PEOPLE) IS LOST (i.e. under condemnation, and will have to face its appointment with physical death; Hebrews 9:27). (5) FOR THIS REASON, ONE WHO HAS NO SPIRITUAL LIFE CANNOT PLEASE GOD (Romans 8:8). All they have to offer is the flesh. (6) A PERSON OF TYPE “B” IS ABLE TO PLEASE GOD BECAUSE HE LOOKS AT THEM IN THEIR SPIRIT AND NOT IN THEIR FLESH (Romans 8:9). If we do not have His Spirit, then we are LOST. (7) IF YOU ARE A TYPE “B” PERSON, THEN CHRIST IS LIVING IN YOUR HEART, BUT YOUR BODY IS STILL SPIRITUALLY DEAD (Romans 8:10). (8) THERE IS A PROMISED HOPE FOR THE “DEAD” BODY OF A “TYPE B” (saved) PERSON (Romans 8:11). We will not take time to debate the actual TIME of the resurrection in this work, but the context clearly shows Paul was STILL waiting for his body to be redeemed as he wrote this letter near the end of his life (Romans 8:23). (9) AS LONG AS WE LIVE IN THIS WORLD, WE WILL (AS TYPE “B” OR “SAVED” PEOPLE ) HAVE SPIRITS WHICH ARE “ALIVE” AND BODIES WHICH ARE “DEAD” (SPIRITUALLY), AND THERE WILL BE A WAR CONSTANTLY BETWEEN THE TWO (Romans 8:13 and 7:22–23). (10) IT IS FOR THAT VERY REASON THAT WE HAVE TO DISTINGUISH OUR FLESH AND OUR SPIRIT AS PAUL DID (Romans 7:18). He said, “in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” and went on to explain the difference in his two natures (FLESH and SPIRIT) in verses 22–23. (11) PAUL WAS NOT SPEAKING OF HIS EXPERIENCE AS A LOST PERSON IN ROMANS 7 AS SOME PEOPLE TEACH, BECAUSE HE WAS SPEAKING OF A WAR BETWEEN HIS LOST FLESHLY BODY AND HIS SPIRIT WHICH “DELIGHTED” In The LAW OF GOD (Romans 7:22). The Bible makes plain in many texts the fact that NO LOST PERSON TRULY TAKES ANY PLEASURE OR DELIGHTS IN The LAW OF GOD. Their “inward man” is in darkness and cannot even receive the LAW of GOD. RIGHT IN THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT, PAUL SAYS THAT A LOST PERSON (i.e. “carnal minded is death”…Romans 8:6) “IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE”. (12) PEOPLE WHO TEACH THAT PAUL IS LOST IN ROMANS 7 ARE ALLOWING TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING THAT REFUTES HIS OWN MESSAGE. HOW CAN A PERSON “DELIGHT” IN SOMETHING THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO EVEN COMPREHEND OR BE SUBJECT TO? (Study Romans 7:22 and context with Romans 8:7 and 1 Corinthians 2:14). (13) THIS CONSTANT SPIRITUAL BATTLE CAUSED BY LIVING AS GOD'S CHILDREN IN FLESHLY BODIES IS THE REASON FOR THE SEVERE SUFFERING THAT GOD'S TRUE PEOPLE MUST ENDURE, BUT IT IS WELL WORTH EVERYHING THAT WE GO THROUGH (Romans 8:17–24). (14) IN SPITE O
F ALL OUR SUFFERING, IT ALWAYS “WORKS TOGETHER FOR GOOD” IN THE END (Romans 8:28). (15) IN THE CLOSING VERSES OF THE CHAPTER, PAUL IS TRYING TO ENCOURAGE GOD'S PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT THEY NEED TO HOLD ON TO the HOPE, AND REALIZE THAT THEIR TRIALS ARE NOT A SIGN THAT GOD IS AGAINST THEM AS THEY MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO THINK. That is why (as we have already shown) he stresses in verses 33 and 34 the QUESTIONS that he presents to the people in the conditions of persecution at Rome. “WHO CAN CONDEMN OR LAY CHARGE TO GOD'S ELECT,” (paraphrased) “GOD WHO CHOSE THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE”
? “THAT IS RIDICULOUS!!!!” “AND DO YOU PEOPLE THINK THAT JESUS IS GOING TO THROW ACCUSATIONS AND CONDEMNATION AT YOU AFTER ALL HE WENT THROUGH FOR YOU???” (16) In verse 35, Paul again answers a QUESTION with a question. He then proceeds to show that the very worst types of circumstances are not powerful enough to separate us from Christ. I MUST remind the reader that all these texts apply ONLY to those who are God's ELECT through His FOREKNOWLEDGE. HOW DOES FOREKNOWLEDGE WORK? It certainly does not work the way that many people think that it does. Multitudes of people have been taught today that God simply foreknows those who will do certain works in their effort to achieve salvation. Friend, I sincerely hope that you are not one of the many who claim they are saved by GRACE while trying to fulfill the rules of their church to obtain the “GIFT OF GOD”. The MULTITUDES are going the “broad way that leadeth to destruction” (Matthew 7:13–23)while striving to work for salvation through works such as “praying for God's forgiveness”, “repentance”, “water baptism”, “tongues”, “the MASS or communion”, “keeping the sabbath”, or even by “the keeping of the ten commandments”, etc. I am not saying this to hurt anyone or to be offensive. However, I have always been a firm believer in the fact that a person's worst enemy is someone who will send them to Hell with their false teachings before they will “hurt their feelings” by telling them the truth. The Lord “hurts” those that He loves by doing what is best for them (Hebrews 12:5–13). Surely you will agree that He sets the example for us to follow. I hope you will continue to read on as we prove the things of which we have just spoken. Please study carefully the following outline:(1) BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY EXAMINED FROM THE SCRIPTURES, ONE CAN DEFINITELY DRAW THE CONCLUSION THAT GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE HAS A VERY BIG PART TO “PLAY” IN THE PLAN OF SALVATION. No matter what you believe about foreknowledge, you will surely admit that it is mentioned often enough in the scriptures to be very important, and therefore is worthy of our consideration. (2) The texts that we have already examined have shown us the following points about God's foreknowledge: (A) GOD KNEW WHO WOULD BE SAVED BEFORE HE CREATED MAN (Revelation 17:8; Ephesians 1:3–11; Romans 8:29–). (B) GOD CHOOSES US! FALSE RELIGION REVERSES THAT PROCESS (John 15:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; Acts 13:47–48). (3) SINCE GOD KNOWS WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN, AND CERTAINLY NO MAN CAN CLAIM TO HAVE SUCH KNOWLEDGE, WHO MUST MAKE THE FIRST MOVE TO BRING TO PASS THE WORK OF SALVATION (i.e. spiritual life in the person chosen)? God or the LOST person? We must surely admit that the standard plan of what “claims to be Christianity” today is to attempt to get the LOST PERSON to choose God. This false doctrine is based upon the misuse of several texts of scripture that are speaking to people to whom God already has a covenant relationship. He is trying to get those people to live up to His will BECAUSE they are His people. He never gives people the responsibility of bringing themselves to Him INITIALLY. (4) LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS THAT ARISE WITH PROPER INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURES WHEN WE ARE MADE TO BELIEVE THAT LOST MANKIND MUST COME TO GOD. According to many texts of scripture, a LOST person is: (a) SPIRITUALLY DEAD (John 5:24–25, Ephesians 2:1–2). (b) SPIRITUALLY BLIND (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). Â SPIRITUALLY DEAF (Matthew 13:15). Can you tell me how (in the literal) you could expect a deaf person to hear what you tell them to do; a blind person to see where they should go; or a dead person to be able to go and strive to do anything? IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!! The same is true spiritually. GOD KNOWS IT, BUT MANKIND ARE TOO IGNORANT TO UNDERSTAND UNTIL HE GIVES US SPIRITUAL VISION WITH WHICH TO SEE; IT DOES NO GOOD TO TELL A SPIRITUAL DEAD PERSON TO SEEK CHRIST. THEY DO NOT HAVE SPIRITUAL SIGHT TO EVEN BE ABLE TO SEE HIM IF THEY MANAGED TO FIND HIM. Also, they do not have even so much as “life” (SPIRITUALLY) which they can use to seek him. They are told to REPENT, but the Bible teaches that only TRUE repentance which comes from the heart (i.e. SPIRIT) is acceptable to God. God does not accept anything that only comes from the flesh. However, that is all a lost person has to work with until the Lord has bestowed upon them SPIRITUAL life. Therefore, to tell them they must repent in order to be given spiritual life is like speaking to a dead person and telling them that if they will get up and change their ways (i.e. quit lying around doing nothing at all), then their life will be restored. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN A PREACHER STANDS AT THE FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM AND INVITES LOST PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD TO “FIND CHRIST”, HE IS INVITING PEOPLE WHO ARE “SPIRITUALLY BLIND” TO COME AND SEARCH OR LOOK FOR JESUS IN PRAYER. THAT IS DECEPTION!! GOD MUST FIND THEM, AND HE DOES NOT NEED THEIR HELP TO DO THAT JOB. JESUS IS THE ONLY TRUE ALTAR, AND HE IS ONLY AN ALTAR FOR PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE SPIRITUAL LIFE (study not only the types in the Old Covenant, but also the meaning of Paul's words in Hebrews 13:10). (5) SINCE GOD CHOOSES US, AND SINCE THERE IS NO WAY AT ALL THAT WE COULD SEEK FOR HIM, HOW ARE WE FOUND (i.e. saved from the lost condition that we were in)? (a) The Bible symbolizes our condition of spiritual death as being “lost in spiritual darkness”, so God TURNS HIS LIGHT ON THOSE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN (2 Corinthians 4:6–7; see also the types in the conversion of Paul, as well as in Jeremiah 4:23–25 in connection with the CREATION TYPES). (b) Spiritual LIGHT in the Bible represents the Word of God. Another symbol of the word is the seed of conception which is sown by the father into the womb of his wife in order to bring forth conception and to produce children. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT GOD CREATED THE NATURAL IN ORDER TO PICTURE THE SPIRITUAL (Romans 1:19–20; Psalm etc.), AND WE ALSO NEED TO REMEMBER THE FACT THAT “SAVED” PEOPLE ARE CALLED “CHILDREN OF GOD” (1 John 3:2, etc.). Â SINCE WE KNOW THAT IN THE NATURAL, LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION (physically), THEN THE MEANS THAT GOD USES IN THE SPIRITUAL WILL COINCIDE, AND WE WILL SEE THE INITIAL ACT OF GOD THAT BEGINS OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE. Multitudes of people today believe the FALSE DOCTRINE that you are initially saved by being “BORN”, rather than the true Bible teaching that you are initially saved by being conceived. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Obviously, although the translators have rendered the word for “generating” as “born” in Peter's writings, since the seed of
conception is the subject matter, it should be no problem for the reader to see that the symbolic picture being painted here is the duty of the father in the “generation” process, and certainly not the mother.I agree, too much reading. How about breaking it up, and discussing it,like take God's grace, maybe there is or has been a thread on Grace?..anybody..?
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