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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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Bible Study Matt. 25;46
- Thread starter humble soul
- Start date
Those that are cast into the Lake of Fire, God wants them cast into the Lake of Fire. God reveals who they are by their own will, by their rejection of God and Christ.
Yes, you are missing something. Note that (Peter) says "longsuffering to us-ward". That is believers. The scoffers mock the 2nd coming in the Last days. (2nd Peter 3:3) But the length of time is due to God's longsuffering for those who still need to come to Christ, and will come to Christ, whom God knows, the lost.
The 'all' in (1 Peter 3:9) speaks to those believers, who have not yet come to Christ. "us-ward"
God always gets what He wants. If God wants anyone saved, they will be saved.
And, you have this same thing in (1 Timothy 2:4) "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." Who is the 'all'? Go back to (1 Tim. 1:16). Paul speaks just as (Peter 3:9) does. "in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."
Thus the 'prayers for all men' in (1 Tim 2:1) speaks to those who will come to Christ, whom God knows but they don't. Just like in (2:8), "men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands" is not talking about all men. Just the believing.
Quantrill
Actually you did say God reacts. You said that "Because God knows the future....He does not cause the future." See post #(30).
If you say God does something because He knows the future, and not because He controls the future, then you have God reacting to the future events. In other words, the future is not in His control as He is having to react to it. I am saying of course God knows the future because all in the future is part of His plan.
And, again, concerning people, God knows those who are His. From the very start. They may not know it at the time. They are lost. But God knows it. And they will be saved. God doesn't look toward the future and see you accept Christ and as a result He makes sure the Gospel gets to you. He gets the Gospel to you because you are His and He will save you.
We like to use the word 'allow' as though it removes responsibility from God. But, if God 'allows' it, how is it not caused by Him. Could He not allow it? In other words, is there anything existing or happening which is outside of God's control that He must 'allow'? 'Allow' is another of those words that have God 'reacting' to something.
It seems to me that I am giving more credit to God than you or others are.
Concerning your statement that this not understandable and request for verses, I have given verses and explanation in post #(31) and (34). You don't have to agree. But I have explained with Scripture.
(John 3:16-18) teach that all are fallen and need to be saved in order to be right with God. It does not teach that the term 'lost' is to be applied to everyone. Judas is declared by Christ as lost. (John 17:12) But this is not 'lost' as previously owned by God and then lost. Judas was never one of God's, but was given by God to Christ so as to betray Him. He was 'lost' as one of the 12 that were given by God to Christ. (John 6:70-71)
Yes the Prodigal Son teaches more. And more is some of what I gave you.
Quantrill
Edward
2024 Supporter
No, I didn't say it in post #(34). Which is why you can't quote it.
Neither did I say it in post #(64) which you just replied to.
Your comprehension is lacking. You claimed I said, 'the Lord causes things to happen because He knew it would happen'.
Explain how my statements in (34) and (64) say that.
Quantrill
How can a person be a believer if they haven’t yet come to Christ?
Are you saying Christians are first “saved”, then they believe?
JLB
Edward
2024 Supporter
You said
"... how is it not caused by Him."
So how does that mean that it was not caused by Him?
You're starting to contradict yourself here and there now. Keep reaching though. Maybe you can convince me that you didn't say that, lol.
Edward
2024 Supporter
But you have God reacting all through scripture to people, events...many things. One scripture should confirm this.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.../
If my people. IF my people. So God said He will react to what they do. It may be a wee bit hard to comprehend how God IS in control and still, we have free will. These type examples are all through scripture.
Through all of which, God's will is done. As I said earlier, as the believer goes through the history of this salvation, there is obedience and disobedience bringing about blessing or discipline from God. This is not equated with God looking in the future and seeing man is going to be disobedient and so having to react to it.
This is all of God's plan. The fall of man was God's plan. The disobedience of Adam and Eve was God's plan. The salvation created by God for that fall was God's plan. The up and down walk of the believer in this life, was God's plan. The verse you cite is also part of God's plan. The Law was God's plan. Man's failure under the Law was God's plan. Etc. Etc. Etc.
God gets everything He wants.
Quantrill
Edward
2024 Supporter
Either that or you don't know what you're saying.
GodsGrace
CF Ambassador
John was the youngest of the Apostles. He was one of the three of the inner circle: Peter, John, James.
As can be imagined, the younger persons are always more affected in an emotional way by any experience.
John was more poetic because He wanted to show that Jesus was God incarnate...every gospel was written for a different reason.
And yes, the parables actually occurred. If they didn't, then the writers were lying and NOTHING written by the Apostles could be trusted!
Mark wrote his gospel first and accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys. He wrote to show all the things that Jesus did,,,including the miracles.
We depend on the writers of the gospels to know about Jesus and what happened to Him. If we cannot trust the Apostles,,,then we cannot be sure
about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.....and this is pivotal to Christianity.
As far as Revelation...this is a book I know little about. John was old and living on an island (Patmos, in Turkey).
It would seem that Jesus appeared to him and told him what to write. If you want to read a really good book about
Revelation, read the following, written by Dr. Scott Hahn - a very evangelical Catholic that writes great books that are easy to read
and understand. THE LAMB'S SUPPER. He compares Revelation to the Mass.
GodsGrace
CF Ambassador
Sorry Humble Soul...
I've lost track of where I was headed with you.
What I meant to say is that the CC has always taught to depend on the church
for salvation. If you continue bible study, you'll find that the emphasis is now
on belief in Jesus and the idea that we are to follow Him and be disciples.
It's important to understand that your good behavior and your good works will not save you
UNLESS you're a believer in Jesus, as He is our redeemer.
We need to stop dwelling on the idea of good works and good behavior and understand more that the
Holy Spirit is dwelling within a believer. In this way we can achieve the good works and good behavior we seek.
I asked the question because I read what you posted.
Here is what you quoted, and what caused me to ask you a simple question.
Question:
Are you saying Christians are first “saved”, then they believe?
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
“Us”, “any”, and “all” refer to the same group, that must repent and believe and obey the Gospel in order to be saved, and not perish.
This promise is to all the people of the world.
Which group of people does God want to perish in the fires of hell?
JLB
Spiritual truths I suspect. May have happened but not historical facts.
Are the stories in the Bible true?
Are the stories in the Bible true? Yes, all stories in the Bible are true, but not all the stories are intended to be read as history. The parables of...
www.catholiceducation.org
Was there really a prodigal son? Or did Jesus create the character and story to teach us the importance of forgiveness?
And show how loving God the Father can be.
It doesn't bother me whether it is fact or fiction. The spiritual truth is what matters.
And show how loving God the Father can be.
It doesn't bother me whether it is fact or fiction. The spiritual truth is what matters.
Jesus really did tell these stories. That of course occurred. The writer, John didn't make them up.
GodsGrace
CF Ambassador
Parables are told to explain a spiritual truth, or a moral truth.Spiritual truths I suspect. May have happened but not historical facts.
Are the stories in the Bible true?
Are the stories in the Bible true? Yes, all stories in the Bible are true, but not all the stories are intended to be read as history. The parables of...
The only parable that most theologians believe is true is the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man in Luke 16:19-31
They believe it's true because Jesus uses names and He never did in a parable.
Everything the Apostles wrote is a historical fact. As I said, if we cannot rely on the Apostles, then on whom should we rely?
You might have asked me if the PARABLES are historical fact...if so, I misunderstood you and apologize; I won't go back to check.
The parables did not really happen...except, most probably, for Luke 16:19.......