Does man naturally have ability to Seek God ?

[electedbyHim]

Wasting time is a sin?
What does that mean?

Time management is important because of the brevity of our lives. Our earthly sojourn is significantly shorter than we are inclined to think. As David so aptly points out, “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath” (Psalm 39:4–5). The apostle James echoes this: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). Indeed, our time on earth is fleeting—in fact, it is infinitesimally small compared to eternity. To live as God would have us live, it is essential we make the best possible use of our allotted time.

Moses prays, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). A good way to gain wisdom is to learn to live each day with an eternal perspective. Our Creator has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Knowing that we will have to give an account to the One who gives us time should motivate us to use it well. C. S. Lewis understood this: “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.”

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul cautioned the saints, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). Living wisely involves using our time carefully. Knowing that the harvest is great and the workers are few (Luke 10:2) and that time is rapidly dwindling should help us make better use of our time to witness, both through our words and our example. We are to spend time loving others in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17–18).

There is no doubt that the responsibilities and pressures of this world vie for our attention. The myriad of things pulling us in different directions makes it easy for our time to get swallowed up in mundane, lesser matters. Those endeavors that have eternal value, then, often get pushed aside. To avoid losing focus, we need to prioritize and set goals. Additionally, to whatever extent possible, we need to delegate. Recall how Moses’ father-in-law Jethro wisely taught him to delegate some of his heavy work load (Exodus 18:13–22).

Regarding our work ethic, we remember that God did all of His work in six days and rested on the seventh. This ratio of work to rest sheds light on our Creator’s expectations relative to our own work ethic. Indeed, Proverbs 6:10–11 reveals the Lord’s disdain for slothful behavior: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a bandit” (see also Proverbs 12:24; 13:4; 18:9; 20:4; 21:25; 26:14). Furthermore, the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30) illustrates the tragedy of wasted opportunity as well as the importance of laboring faithfully until the Lord comes. We should work diligently in our earthly employment, but our "work" is not limited to that which we do for monetary gain. In fact, our primary focus in all that we do should be the glory of God (Colossians 3:17). Colossians 3:23–24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Jesus spoke of storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21). We are not to work ourselves to exhaustion in the pursuit of earthly wealth (John 6:27). Rather, we are to give our best to everything to which God has called us. In all our endeavors—our relationships, our labors, our studies, serving others, the administrative details of our lives, caring for the health of our bodies, recreation, etc.—our primary focus is God. It is He who has entrusted us with this time on earth, and He is the One who directs how we spend it.

It should be noted that rest is a legitimate and needed use of time. We cannot neglect spending time with God, both in private and corporately. We are absolutely called to invest time in relationships with others and work hard in the things of life. But we also cannot neglect the refreshment He gives us through times of rest. Rest is not wasted time; it is refreshment that prepares us to make better use of time. It also reminds us that it is ultimately God who is in control and who provides for our every need. As we seek to manage our time well, we are wise to schedule regular times of rest.

Most importantly, we need to schedule regular—daily—time with God. It is He who equips us to carry out the tasks He has given us. It is He who directs our days. The worst thing we could do is manage our time as if it belongs to us. Time belongs to Him, so ask for His wisdom in how to best use it, then proceed in confidence, sensitive to His course corrections and open to God-ordained interruptions along the way.

If you are seeking to change your use of time, the first step is reflection. Make a concerted effort to consider your time management. This article shares some of what God says about time. It would be wise to further study the topic in Scripture. Consider what things God deems valuable. Consider what He has called you to specifically. Consider how much of your time you are currently investing in these things. Consider what else is taking your time. Make a list of priorities and responsibilities and ask God to direct you regarding any changes that need to be made. Reflecting on your priorities and use of time is a good practice to engage in regularly. Some find that an intentional annual review of their time management is helpful.

Regarding time, the Bible counsels that we need to place our focus on that which is eternal as opposed to the fleeting pleasures of this passing world. Accordingly, we should move forward with diligence and divine purpose as the courses of our lives progress toward God’s ultimate goal. Time spent with God and getting to know Him, through reading His Word and prayer, is never wasted. Time spent building up the body of Christ and loving others with God’s love (Hebrews 10:24–25; John 13:34–35; 1 John 3:17–18) is time well spent. Time invested in sharing the gospel so that others will come to know salvation in Jesus bears eternal fruit (Matthew 28:18–20). We should live as if each minute counts—because it really does.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Wasting time is a sin?
What does that mean?

Means he’s probably irritated.

 

[Whatever]

Too Bad. I enjoy talking to you.

But we were not talking.

2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

The first quarrels is = of persons at variance, disputants etc., strife, contention
Quarrelsome = of those who engage in a war of words, to quarrel, wrangle, dispute

Everybody on this Calvinism vs Arminianism forum, are disputing, quarreling.

Second Timothy says a Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome.

It is not just limited to just this forum. Look at the arguments on Baptism, end times and whatever, there is constant quarreling.

Maybe you can just brush it off with a wave of the hand and say "Oh, come on, it is just innocent talking."

Brushing off commands to must not be and just justifying them as "not that big of a deal" is what I have been trying to get into your head about evil.

 

[Whatever]

Wasting time is a sin?
What does that mean?

Look at my answer to Dorthy Mae. It means that these forums are addictive. You get hooked on having to come back and get your next rebuttal in.

I have only been on here for about a month. I have neglected doing all kinds of things I could have been doing.

Eph 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

I don't think spending an hour or two on these forums quarreling with others is "the will of the Lord."

New English Translation
2 Tim 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. 24 And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes . . .

Tell me that these Calvinism vs Arminianism forums do not breed heated disputes.

 

[Edward]

A person has to be born again before they seek the True God, A New Creature before they even desire the True God.

That is not always true. There are no atheists in Foxholes.

There have been many unregenerate people who when faced with death, that they cry out to God to save them. And God does save them because that's what business He is in.


When times are good, people wont call on God. When the shtf, God's phone rings constantly.

I can not count how many testimonies of people who wer unsaved and in dire circumstances, and God shows up to save them They can't all lie. In fact they're prolly mostly all the truth.

It is written in scripture that while men were still sinners, God died for them. God says He will shake the world in the end times. Why do you thin God would ahake up the world? To bring men to dire circumstances so that they will call out to Him perhaps?

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Without Hope and Without God in the World !

Eph 2:12

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

All of us when left in a state of nature, born dead in trespasses and sins, without spiritual life, the indictment is we are in and of ourselves without hope, that is without Christ, without God, and without life.

In this condition we dont seek or even desire the True God Rom 3:11, and there's absolutely nothing a person can do to change out of this spiritually dead state, no not even his so called freewill ! No matter what we do naturally, as moral or religious persons, we are still without hope and spiritually dead to God.

The only hope a person has from escaping this spiritually dead plight is the True God ! That is God must out of pure Mercy quicken one Eph 2:1,4-5

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)

Other than this, man is without hope ! 5

Except for those upon whom he arbitrarily decided not to have mercy upon and condemned them to hell before the foundation of the world.

In

But we were not talking.

2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

The first quarrels is = of persons at variance, disputants etc., strife, contention
Quarrelsome = of those who engage in a war of words, to quarrel, wrangle, dispute

Everybody on this Calvinism vs Arminianism forum, are disputing, quarreling.

Second Timothy says a Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome.

It is not just limited to just this forum. Look at the arguments on Baptism, end times and whatever, there is constant quarreling.

Maybe you can just brush it off with a wave of the hand and say "Oh, come on, it is just innocent talking."

Brushing off commands to must not be and just justifying them as "not that big of a deal" is what I have been trying to get into your head about evil.

In your definition heavy posts, you should include the definition of “talking.” You’ll find we were.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Look at my answer to Dorthy Mae. It means that these forums are addictive. You get hooked on having to come back and get your next rebuttal in.

I have only been on here for about a month. I have neglected doing all kinds of things I could have been doing.

Eph 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

I don't think spending an hour or two on these forums quarreling with others is "the will of the Lord."

New English Translation
2 Tim 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. 24 And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes . . .

Tell me that these Calvinism vs Arminianism forums do not breed heated disputes.

If one wants to understand what others thinks you need to ask them. On a different forum I observed the fruit of Calvinism and what happened inside to those who follow that theology and learned a great deal. It was very profitable but maybe that’s because my desire is to understand others, not win. I learn by observation what no book or blob ever said. And I tested the theory in many calvinists over time. The theory matches reality (IOW TRUE.) That was very instructive.

 

[brightfame52]

edward

That is not always true.

Hi edward, Yes it is !

There have been many unregenerate people who when faced with death, that they cry out to God to save them. And God does save them because that's what business He is in.

If they cried out to the True God they were regenerated.

Like the Philippian Jailer, when he cried out, what he must do to be saved, he had been regenerated Acts 16:27-32

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

Now God may and does use dire circumstances to get the attention of His already spiritually alive elect, thats when He sends them a Spiritual advisor or preacher to teach them the word of truth, but they have to be regenerated first, to even desire the spiritual milk of the word of God.

 

[brightfame52]

Except for those upon whom he arbitrarily decided not to have mercy upon and condemned them to hell before the foundation of the world.

In

In your definition heavy posts, you should include the definition of “talking.” You’ll find we were.

Yeah, everyone is naturally without hope, and without God, and the only way that changes is if God has chosen us in Christ before the foundation, then we were vessels of mercy. But the vessels of wrath will never receive mercy from God, not Salvation Mercy that is.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Yeah, everyone is naturally without hope, and without God, and the only way that changes is if God has chosen us in Christ before the foundation, then we were vessels of mercy. But the vessels of wrath will never receive mercy from God, not Salvation Mercy that is.

That is so sad.

 

[GodsGrace]

Look at my answer to Dorthy Mae. It means that these forums are addictive. You get hooked on having to come back and get your next rebuttal in.

I have only been on here for about a month. I have neglected doing all kinds of things I could have been doing.

Eph 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

I don't think spending an hour or two on these forums quarreling with others is "the will of the Lord."

New English Translation
2 Tim 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. 24 And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes . . .

Tell me that these Calvinism vs Arminianism forums do not breed heated disputes.

I'm happy that you replied W.
I kind of thought you'd consider the question silly.

Maybe we could look at the reason why some post on forums?
I'm here because I'd be sorry if I forgot the little I know - and I would forget.
Also, I like the interaction with others that believe as I do.
Fellowship is important and discussing theology is important to me, and this is the only place I'm going to have this except for maybe a bible study here and there in the CC...not that there's anything wrong with it.

Also, remember that there are persons that read along and do not even post or do not even belong to this forum.

I think it's important for those persons to see both sides of the coin so they could ponder the answers.
I don't spend all day here and do what I need to do and what I like to do.

But I consider my time here important too, for the reasons I've stated.
You'll find that I don't argue, but debate a little and even then not too much.
THAT will be entirely up to you.

I really don't think this is a waste of time.

 

[Whatever]

Also, remember that there are persons that read along and do not even post or do not even belong to this forum.

That was the only reason I posted most of the time. I knew the person I was responding to would reject it, but at the same time, somebody thinking of becoming a Christian would probably say "the heck with that" after reading all of the vitriol, contempt, and hostility on a lot of these forums.

 

[Whatever]

On a different forum I observed the fruit of Calvinism

What is the fruit of Calvinism that you can watch by seeing words on a screen.

 

[Whatever]

Except for those upon whom he arbitrarily decided not to have mercy upon and condemned them to hell before the foundation of the world.

Well, we don't think it is arbitrary in the sense of without reason. We say unconditional election only because we do not know the actual reason why God chooses one over the other.

Jesus teaches that the Father gave people to Him. I am sure the Father had some reason why He chose them.
Joh 17:6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world.

 

[GodsGrace]

That was the only reason I posted most of the time. I knew the person I was responding to would reject it, but at the same time, somebody thinking of becoming a Christian would probably say "the heck with that" after reading all of the vitriol, contempt, and hostility on a lot of these forums.

There you go.

I do want to say that on this forum, we try diligently to maintain a friendly and respectful atmosphere.
I hope you notice that, even though at times debates do get a bit out of hand.

 

[jerry63935]

edward



Hi edward, Yes it is !



If they cried out to the True God they were regenerated.

Like the Philippian Jailer, when he cried out, what he must do to be saved, he had been regenerated Acts 16:27-32



Now God may and does use dire circumstances to get the attention of His already spiritually alive elect, thats when He sends them a Spiritual advisor or preacher to teach them the word of truth, but they have to be regenerated first, to even desire the spiritual milk of the word of God.

your not regenerated until after your saved ------------------PERIOD

 

[brightfame52]

your not regenerated until after your saved ------------------PERIOD

One has to be first saved/regenerated, then they believe in Christ. Until One is saved/regenerate, they remain in unbelief Period !

 

[Dorothy Mae]

What is the fruit of Calvinism that you can watch by seeing words on a screen.

Seeing words people write is as powerful as seeing words on a page. And people here are anonymous so they are more apt to reveal the inner man.

“As a man thinks so is he” is seen in what proceeds out of his mind. After reading quite a bit from what calvinists think, a pattern emerged that matched the theology.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Well, we don't think it is arbitrary in the sense of without reason. We say unconditional election only because we do not know the actual reason why God chooses one over the other.

Jesus teaches that the Father gave people to Him. I am sure the Father had some reason why He chose them.
Joh 17:6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world.

This is probably one of the most honest and kind answers I’ve ever received from a calvinist.

The problem then is, you cannot defend against the accusation of God arbitrarily choosing some for hell. It is the only logical answer that presents itself.

This is because no one is going to say God chooses some for hell and some for heaven because of man. That’s means our salvation is because of us and we all believer it’s due to God. Calvinism claims it’s 100% God based with no human endeavor at all, even seeking Him. There is no logical reason for this, hence arbitrary choosing is the only possible answer.

But I will tell you that this is only one of a few problems in the theology where “we don’t know” is the only answer a Calvinist can give so I won’t press you on that.

The only problem is that the calvinist can never understand the ways of God when the answer to questions about why He does what they claim He does is “we don’t know.” That is the definition of not understanding anything or anyone. If you don’t know, you don’t understand.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

One has to be first saved/regenerated, then they believe in Christ. Until One is saved/regenerate, they remain in unbelief Period !

your not regenerated until after your saved ------------------PERIOD

Whatever, the above posts demonstrate one of two kinds of Calvinist that I saw repeatedly after reading a great number of their posts. I personally hadn’t met any at the beginning and so the forum was the only way I could see what they think. I have since and the pattern is one of two repeated character outcomes of this theology and that is demonstrated in the above. What is it? Intolerance. This I have now also seen live in some christian gatherings.