Does man naturally have ability to Seek God ?

[Whatever]

Yes, I know. He had been doing so since the 1st chapter. Try reading Rom.1, then ask if Paul believes no one on earth has the ability to believe in God.

I've read Romans 1 a thousand times.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Show me where the word "believe" is there. It tells me that men had some knowledge that God exists, but they suppressed that knowledge and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. This is where all the false religions come from.

 

[jerry63935]

jerry



Thats wrong, when God draws us, we are saved by that. A saved person is the only person that call upon the name of the Lord. They were saved from spiritual death when God began drawing them.

such twisted doctrine

 

[journeymanisnothing]

I've read Romans 1 a thousand times.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Show me where the word "believe" is there. It tells me that men had some knowledge that God exists, but they suppressed that knowledge and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. This is where all the false religions come from.

Has it escaped your knowledge that the hearts of men weren't dark to begin with?

 

[Whatever]

Certainly they would, but that's not the point. The point is, we all have the capacity to learn and believe what we're told.

No Calvinist denies that. But merely "believing" is not saving faith. I believe the Koran exists, but I sure don't trust it.

 

[jerry63935]

Show me where the word "believe" is there. It tells me that men had some knowledge that God exists, but they suppressed that knowledge and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. This is where all the false religions come from.

exactly where i live they consider it the Bible belt i would dare say %90 where raised in Church or has attended services on a reg basis and yes they know about the Lord and the need for salvation.. facts are God does speak to the lost facts are we can reject Him

 

[Whatever]

Has it escaped your knowledge that the hearts of men weren't dark to begin with?

Where does it say they were light to begin with?

 

[jerry63935]

Has it escaped your knowledge that the hearts of men weren't dark to begin with?

has it yours? there is no 3 step program to salvation.. whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved . you either accept or reject yes one can reject
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

 

[Whatever]

yes they know about the Lord and the need for salvation.. facts are God does speak to the lost facts are we can reject Him

No Calvinist would deny that people can reject Him. The question is, why do some accept Him?

Joh 6:65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."

Joh 8:47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

It is clear that all those in the Bible belt that rejected Jesus were not of God, they could hear, but not hear.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

No Calvinist denies that.

Then why are you arguing with me?

But merely "believing" is not saving faith. I believe the Koran exists, but I sure don't trust it.

Good, because everyone had the ability to believe the word of the Lord and reject all others.

 

[Whatever]

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded

Your verse says no man regarded. But the last verse says this:
Pro 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil."

So again, who is it who listens?
Joh 8:47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

Again, the many refuse and go down the wide path, the elect listen and go down the narrow path.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

has it yours? there is no 3 step program to salvation.. whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved . you either accept or reject yes one can reject
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

Hello jerry63935.
I don't subscribe to the false teaching that people are incapable of turning to God. That why our Savior appeared,

so that your faith and hope are in God. 1Pet.1:21

ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, Eph.1:13

 

[Whatever]

Then why are you arguing with me?

You are arguing with me because you don't understand Calvinism.

Good, because everyone had the ability to believe the word of the Lord and reject all others.

Don't think so.
Joh_10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Joh_10:26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep

Only sheep have the ability to hear Jesus and follow Him. Goats will not hear. Goats do not turn into sheep. Goats are born goats and stay goats.

 

[Whatever]

Then why are you arguing with me?

You are arguing with me because you don't understand Calvinism.

Good, because everyone had the ability to believe the word of the Lord and reject all others.

Don't think so.
Joh_10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Joh_10:26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep

Only sheep have the ability to hear Jesus and follow Him. Goats will not hear. Goats do not turn into sheep. Goats are born goats and stay goats.

 

[brightfame52]

I haven't "gone around" anything you've cited. I discuss the scripture you cite, which agrees with the scripture I cite, like this,

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God. Rom.3:19

The reason for the law is contrary to what you believe, because it's for the welfare of every mouth" and "the whole world." Why? Because everyone has the ability to understand it if they want to.

Well face the fact that man by nature doesnt seek after God, not one person !

 

[brightfame52]

such twisted doctrine

When God draws us, He has imparted life, motion, activity, thats the New Man, Spiritually.

 

[jasonc]

All this energy ,I wonder how many exude such time to the lost ,prayer and fasting .

I will admit my guilt .

I'm called to a reformed church

 

[journeymanisnothing]

You are arguing with me because you don't understand Calvinism.

Don't think so.
Joh_10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Joh_10:26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep

Only sheep have the ability to hear Jesus and follow Him. Goats will not hear. Goats do not turn into sheep. Goats are born goats and stay goats.

So if you go to the last chapter, the reason for the gate, Shrpherd, sheep parable is because people thought the scribes were following God. They believed their teachers were shepherding them. The proof they weren't is that they hated Christ.

Although mankind is referred to as animals, they're not and never have been.

 

[jasonc]

It's a reference to the parable of the sheep and goats.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

Well face the fact that man by nature doesnt seek after God, not one person !

God gives man by nature reasons to believe in him. When Paul discovered that Jesus possessed the power to strike people blind even before he was crucified, he was more terrified than when Jesus struck him blind later.

 

[brightfame52]

God gives man by nature reasons to believe in him. When Paul discovered that Jesus possessed the power to strike people blind even before he was crucified, he was more terrified than when Jesus struck him blind later.

Again, man naturally doesnt seek after the True God, nor understands Rom 3:11

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.