I Like what you said Grubal. The only issues I have with your theology is that There remains the issue of whether a person believes by their own freewill or through revelation from God. Another way to say this is to say, there remains the issue of whether those who do not believe in the Christ are controlled by Satan through a deception or corruption of the heart and mind.
If I believe, it is by freewill, then I will not even consider the motions of Satanic influence in mankind nor the mechanics of how we are manipulated. Nor therefore do I recognize the purpose of God allowing it to be done through revelation. This brings forth two completely different views of why to believe in the Christ depending upon which way one believes.
To put it simply, if I have a freewill, then I am accepting Jesus' death for me and rejoicing that someone else suffered in my stead for that which I justly should have suffered. My sense of righteousness does not concede that this is an equitable trade. If however I believe that men were deceived and did not by freewill choose to sin, then I can partake of the sacrifice of Christ with a clean conscience, knowing he was protecting us from an unjust and merciless prosecutor known as Satan.
childeye-----I Like what you said Grubal. The only issues I have with your theology is that There remains the issue of whether a person believes by their own freewill or through revelation from God. Another way to say this is to say, there remains the issue of whether those who do not believe in the Christ are controlled by Satan through a deception or corruption of the heart and mind.
Grubal-----We have a (God given) free-will, that's given to ALL that are born into this world. And when we "hear" the truth of God's forgiveness and mercy preached, the Holy Spirit uses that word to convict the heart of man, of sin. Once the man realizes he is a sinner in need of a Savior, he has the opportunity to "place" this (God given, from birth) faith in Jesus Christ his only Savior. Once he does, the Spirit "sanctify's" the man (cleanse's, sets aside the man for God,) The Spirit indwells and seals the believer for eternity. And they now are considered a "child of God" destined for eternal life with God...
childeye-----Another way to say this is to say, there remains the issue of whether those who do not believe in the Christ are controlled by Satan through a deception or corruption of the heart and mind.
Grubal----Any influence Satan may have over an unbeliever will not hold the believer back from placing their faith in Christ...
childeye-----To put it simply, if I have a freewill, then I am accepting Jesus' death for me and rejoicing that someone else suffered in my stead for that which I justly should have suffered. My sense of righteousness does not concede that this is an equitable trade. If however I believe that men were deceived and did not by freewill choose to sin, then I can partake of the sacrifice of Christ with a clean conscience, knowing he was protecting us from an unjust and merciless prosecutor known as Satan.
Grubal----That seems to be a lot of "extreme" focus and introspection and I don't believe anyone actually examines things that excessively... That would probably be a "personal" examination of this or that and wouldn't be considered, "the norm." Once we realize we're a lost sinner headed for everlasting punishment and separation from God we must make a decision to place our faith or not...
