The Constitution is the supreme law of the land here in the United States. What is to be done when someone in governmental position breaks the law? Not necessarily trying to make a point right now, just trying to generate discussion.
CES writes: “The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants”.~Albert Camus. Very insightful. Anyone who justifies the murder of the unborn cares nothing about the welfare of humanity.
I'll end with this John. I shouldn't really take any more time on this. I've really appreciated the discussion. You have to come to the Bible with an open mind and be careful not to allow theological presuppositions to affect the way you interpret it. Just take it at face value. I'm serious about this. I appreciate you John. Thanks.
You're not being honest with the text. Ephesians 2:5-7 say "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." You have to look at the complete sentence. Are you saying that all those things happen before faith? The grammar indicates that all those things are simultaneous, not sequential.
Where in Scripture does it say that God's rivives spiritual dead sinners to spiritual life before they put their faith in Christ? It's just not there in Ephesians 2:1.
Correction John: John 16:8 says, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." Jesus said the Holy Spirit would reprove the world. John 12:32 says, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." Jesus said that he would draw all men. Those are not my words. That's what Jesus said.
John, verse 2 and 3 gives at least part of the answer; at least what it looks like. The deadness that every unbeliever is under is a state of spiritual deadness. Under this condition, the unbeliever "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). That is why God must convict them (John 16:8) and draw them (John 6:44, John 12:32). Once this happens, the individual must choose whether or not they will repent and believe. That is where the individual's will comes in. Christ commanded it (Mark 1:15), and the individual must make the choice to obey that command (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Peter 4:17). The moment the individual puts his faith in Christ, he is quickened (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 3:18), regenerated ( Titus 3:5).
I enjoyed discussing theology with you, and looking to the scriptures for the answers. Thank you for making me clarify what I meant. I must admit though, when you were accusing me of being comfortable with heresy, or ecumenicalism and Catholicism or maybe even some sort of cult, I was a bit concerned. 🙂
Okay John. What I meant in saying that man has a completely free will, is that he is responsible for the decisions he makes and is not merely a puppet as some believe. I agree that all men are in Adam before salvation, and that they are in Christ after salvation. The unsaved man cannot help but sin.
John from UK, just so you know where I'm coming from, I have no interest in arguing on this platform. But surely you must agree with the scriptures that I have referenced and quoted from in my last few posts. I am just curious though, do you not agree that God holds individuals responsible for the decisions they make?
4/22/2020 12:00 PM
