Jethro Bodine
Member
Since he controls the when, where and how of when you'll hear the testimony of the Holy Spirit through the gospel message it most certainly is determined by him, not us, when we will be enabled to respond to his call.But I can't believe that God predestined WHEN we would acknowledge Him or respond to Him.
I shared the scripture that tells us we have been turned over to frustration in the hope of us being set free from our bondage to decay...I said that most persons come to know God when they're deep down in the barrel.
So do you believe God puts us there just so we could get to know Him?
I can't believe that.
Romans 8:20-21
20For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
You didn't decide that. GOD DID. It is "not by its own will" that creation is subjected to futility and frustration. God did that "in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay." Our miserable, frustrating lives are intended to drive us to the freedom of the children of God.