Reprobation

[savedbygrace57]

Is reprobation taught in the bible ? Should it be included in the Gospel message?

This very important truth is taught in romans 9 and other parts of the bible. BTW, Romans chapters 1-11 is the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its theological perspective. There Just is no gospel of christ , if there is no theology of the same. Rom 1-11 , moreso than any other book of the bible reveals who christ is and what he has accomplished and for whom and why ! These things must be realized in believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 9:17-22

17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Vessels of wrath are the reprobated , those are the ones that God made and or caused them to be born, for the sole purpose of demonstrating His wrath and sending them to Hell for there sins. 2 Pet also says

12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

The word made is the same word we get born. All of mankind falls into one or two groups of people ! # 1 Vessels of mercy or # 2 Vessels of wrath.

There is no in between and both have been determined by God before we were born , and not based on anything foreseen in any of us [ we were all clay] But based soley on His Divine pleasure...

 

[childeye]

Is reprobation taught in the bible ? Should it be included in the Gospel message?

This very important truth is taught in romans 9 and other parts of the bible. BTW, Romans chapters 1-11 is the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its theological perspective. There Just is no gospel of christ , if there is no theology of the same. Rom 1-11 , moreso than any other book of the bible reveals who christ is and what he has accomplished and for whom and why ! These things must be realized in believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 9:17-22

17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Vessels of wrath are the reprobated , those are the ones that God made and or caused them to be born, for the sole purpose of demonstrating His wrath and sending them to Hell for there sins. 2 Pet also says

12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

The word made is the same word we get born. All of mankind falls into one or two groups of people ! # 1 Vessels of mercy or # 2 Vessels of wrath.

There is no in between and both have been determined by God before we were born , and not based on anything foreseen in any of us [ we were all clay] But based soley on His Divine pleasure...

Thank God He made vessels of honour that would pray for vessels of dishonour.

 

[Hitch]

Thank God He made vessels of honour that would pray for vessels of dishonour.

Yeah you never know if He made a mistake the first time.

 

[childeye]

Yeah you never know if He made a mistake the first time.

Please excuse my inept brain. What mistake would that be?

I see a destiny that was created from the beginning and this destiny is the undisputable self dstruction of mankind because of vanity.

I then see an intervention in that destiny not from the beginning but in the middle proceeding both backwards and forwards in time. And that intervention is the Christ and it is grace. This Christ is the power of creation and therefore can change the outcome of what was beforehand inevitable. Because of this, the terms in scripture are somewhat askewed so that while blind are made seeing , the seeing are made blind and the death of life made into the death of death. Was there ever a mistake? Personally I don't think so.

For God subjected the world to futility unwillingly so that He might subject it to hope. It is not Love and humility in me that would say, "I'm glad he was the one that was destroyed and not me" knowing God knows I know that we were both made from the same lump of clay.

 

[elijah23]

I believe we are disciplined for each sin. However, I do not think we are disciplined forever for any individual sin or group of sins.

 

[Digger]

Is reprobation taught in the bible ?

Reprobation is indeed taught and it is prudent to be familiar with what reprobation actually is.

God gives those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness over to a reprobate mind.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The greek word "Adokimos" is the word translated as "reprobate" and "castaway" in verses Rom1:28 and 1Cor9:27

Reprobate/Castaway - G96 - adokimos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1384; unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally): - castaway, rejected, reprobate.

The many who profess Jesus as Lord who Jesus rejects are reprobates who never departed from iniquity.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


"Adokimos" is also used in Paul's letter to Titus.

Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The term is also used in Hebrews chapter 6 (translated as rejected) to describe those who to do not endure and press on to perfection but instead grow complacent (Heb 6:12) and fall away.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Heb 6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

This is why Peter would write that those who escape the corruption that is in the world through lust must press on and add to their faith thus ensuring they will never fall.

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


All of which harmonises perfectly with what Paul wrote to Timothy in regards to purging oneself of iniquity and thus becoming a vessel of honour.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.


Those who have a form of godliness but deny the power of God to free them from the corrupting influence of sin are described as reprobate concerning the faith by Paul.

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Should it be included in the Gospel message?

Indeed it should. The warnings in scripture are there for a reason. We are to take heed to them.


In reference to Romans 9, it is a much misunderstood passage.
Here are two articles which offer some clarity on the issue.

http://standingthegap.org/Romans 9.htm
http://standingthegap.org/Rom 9.htm

 

[Christ_empowered]

I always interpreted the Pharaoh story as an example of how God will use everyone--those destined for Heaven and those left to their own devices--for His plan and His glory. At the same time, I've always been fearful of having my conscience "seared" by my own sins or being handed over for destruction, cut off from the vine, etc.

Frightening stuff, and not exactly the most popular parts of the Gospel message in an age where "fire and brimstone" preaching is regarded with suspicion and mocked.

 

[Hitch]

Please excuse my inept brain. What mistake would that be?

I see a destiny that was created from the beginning and this destiny is the undisputable self dstruction of mankind because of vanity.

I then see an intervention in that destiny not from the beginning but in the middle proceeding both backwards and forwards in time. And that intervention is the Christ and it is grace. This Christ is the power of creation and therefore can change the outcome of what was beforehand inevitable. Because of this, the terms in scripture are somewhat askewed so that while blind are made seeing , the seeing are made blind and the death of life made into the death of death. Was there ever a mistake? Personally I don't think so.

Then there is no point in praying for the' vessel of dishonor '. Creator God made that pot, and all the others to his own good pleasure.

For God subjected the world to futility unwillingly so that He might subject it to hope. It is not Love and humility in me that would say, "I'm glad he was the one that was destroyed and not me" knowing God knows I know that we were both made from the same lump of clay.

 

[Tina]

Reprobation is indeed taught and it is prudent to be familiar with what reprobation actually is.

God gives those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness over to a reprobate mind.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The greek word "Adokimos" is the word translated as "reprobate" and "castaway" in verses Rom1:28 and 1Cor9:27

Reprobate/Castaway - G96 - adokimos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1384; unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally): - castaway, rejected, reprobate.

The many who profess Jesus as Lord who Jesus rejects are reprobates who never departed from iniquity.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


"Adokimos" is also used in Paul's letter to Titus.

Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The term is also used in Hebrews chapter 6 (translated as rejected) to describe those who to do not endure and press on to perfection but instead grow complacent (Heb 6:12) and fall away.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Heb 6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

This is why Peter would write that those who escape the corruption that is in the world through lust must press on and add to their faith thus ensuring they will never fall.

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


All of which harmonises perfectly with what Paul wrote to Timothy in regards to purging oneself of iniquity and thus becoming a vessel of honour.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.


Those who have a form of godliness but deny the power of God to free them from the corrupting influence of sin are described as reprobate concerning the faith by Paul.

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.





Indeed it should. The warnings in scripture are there for a reason. We are to take heed to them.


In reference to Romans 9, it is a much misunderstood passage.
Here are two articles which offer some clarity on the issue.

http://standingthegap.org/Romans 9.htm
http://standingthegap.org/Rom 9.htm

Good stuff !


So would you consider Gay Christians as reprobate ?

 

[Digger]

Good stuff !


So would you consider Gay Christians as reprobate ?

There is no such thing as a homosexual Christian. Those who believe otherwise do not believe the Scripture and will perish like those in the wilderness lest they repent.

It has nothing to do with what I consider either but with what God plainly tells us. We either believe it or we don't. We either repent and forsake sin or we don't. We either obey or we don't. We either love God and our brother or we don't.

There are only two roads. One leads to life and the other leads to death. God wants us all to choose life.




1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Jer 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 

[childeye]

Then there is no point in praying for the' vessel of dishonor '. Creator God made that pot, and all the others to his own good pleasure.

So why is there no reason for praying for others? It seems to me it is God's pleasure to create those who will pray for others. This is common knowledge in the bible. For God desired there be intercession for man. Let's say God has given someone we love over to a rebrobate mind. Is it wrong to pray to God to reverse that in mercy and grace acknowledging His justice? Or is it more becoming to God that we accept His reprobation of our loved ones and become indifferent?

Are we not all at one time reprobate in some manner? Is it not true that intercession began with the High Priest Jesus whose sacrifice of his own blood seals the purity of his intent and his conviction in which he interceded for us? Otherwise we are not justified by his blood. Is God moved by the intercession of Christ?

I do hope you respond.

 

[childeye]

Good stuff !


So would you consider Gay Christians as reprobate ?

If you believe in Jesus as the True Image of God, you cannot be reprobate of mind. However lust of the flesh both homosexual and heterosexual is still lust and all mankind has it in some form or another. Hence to be right before God we must confess our sin to be honest before He Whom scripture says gave us over to the lust of our flesh.

Perhaps the intent of your question is best answered by the summary of Romans 1 which is Romans 2:1.

Romans 2

God’s Righteous Judgment

1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Add to that:
Luke 18:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

Add to that:

Romans 7:25

New International Version (NIV)

25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[a] a slave to the law of sin.

Consequently sanctification is a process that does not judge others sin but is focused on seeing and overcoming one's own. And God is able to deliver.

 

[savedbygrace57]

That God ordains some to heaven and some to hell based soley on His own sovereign perogative is a vital Gospel Truth...To deny this or be ignorant of the same, means one is Ignorant of the True God and His way of Salvation !

 

[Fedusenko]

@ SavedbyGrace: Source that, please. It is easy for people to forget that we are all at different places in faith.

I am liking this conversation. I hope it continues!

 

[savedbygrace57]

@ SavedbyGrace: Source that, please. It is easy for people to forget that we are all at different places in faith.

I am liking this conversation. I hope it continues!

They need to read the thread, how I come up with what I post is all in the thread !

 

[savedbygrace57]

Rom 9 :11

11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth )

The Eternal purpose of election of Individuals as illustrated by the twins, and will always include reprobation, is never based upon the foreseen of Good or evil of the particular Individuals. Within the purpose of election, Jacob was Loved by God, and Esau was hated by God, it was only by Gods Sovereign choice, and so it is with all of mankind since the beginning of the world. Cain and Abel Illustrate the same blessed Truth, Cain was hated, and Abel was Loved, Cain a child of the wicked one, and Abel a child of promise..

 

[savedbygrace57]

Fitted for destruction or hardened for destruction !


Rom 9:22

22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

This is a solemn biblical truth that needs to preached in the everlasting gospel, that God purposed in showing His Mercy to his chosen vessels of mercy, to create other vessels to contrast that, and created them for hardening purposes to fit them, make them worthier for destruction..

We know all about the scriptures regarding how God hardened the heart of pharoah, that he would not let Gods covenant People Go Ex 4:21, but even after the plaques and having reluctantly let the people go after the death of all the firstborns, and the people having left, God told moses once again " and I behold, I will harden the hearts of the egyptians, and they shall follow ye, and I will get me honor upon pharoah, upon His chariots, his horseman, and the egyptains ahall know that I am the LORD when I have gotten me honor upon pharoah and his chariots, his horseman Ex 14:17-18

The word honour in this passage is the hebrew word:

kabad and means:

to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory

The same word is glorify in this verse Ps 22:23

23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

So God does get glory and honour out of hardening his enemies and His peoples enemies and fit them for destruction..as He did with pharoah and the egyptians..

Ex 14:17-18

17And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

18And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

 

[savedbygrace57]

Another scripture that evidences God hardening a persons heart, in preparation for their just destruction Deut 2:30

30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him:[Why ?] for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.

God could have very well softened this mans heart and made it compliant, but that was not Gods purpose..

So it is with the reprobated wicked, when confronted with the word of truth, God could give them a new heart and cause them to believe and receive it, but thats not His purpose with them in reprobation, His purpose is for them to remain in the natural enmity of their wicked hearts against the things of God, hence ripening them for the day of judgment and destruction..

 

[savedbygrace57]

Yet another scripture of God hardening a heart !


Lets look at an account in Joshua 11:19-20



19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.

20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Notice how its written, for it was of the LORD to harden their Hearts ! And why ? That He might destroy them utterly..

Its the same with the unbelieving world, The gospel to them is death, for Gods design for sending them the gospel, is to harden them against it, that He may destroy them in the day of Judgment..

2 Cor 2:15-16

15For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

16To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

The gospel has its predestined end towards the vessels of mercy and the vessels of wrath..

Isa 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent

The hebrew word for accomplish is asa and means:


to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1. (Qal)
   1. to do, work, make, produce 1a
2. to do 1a
3. to work 1a
4. to deal (with) 1a
5. to act, act with effect, effect
   1. to make 1a
6. to make 1a
7. to produce 1a
8. to prepare 1a
9. to make (an offering) 1a
10. to attend to, put in order 1a
11. to observe, celebrate 1a
12. to acquire (property) 1a
13. to appoint, ordain, institute 1a
14. to bring about 1a

So the preached word brings about the desired appointed or ordained end..

Paul said to the chosen thessalonians this 1 Thess 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.



This phrase effectually worketh..in the greek its:

In the present tense and the words are:

energeo:

1. to be operative, be at work, put forth power
   1. to work for one, aid one
2. to effect
3. to display one's activity, show one's self operative

The preached word of the gospel, are to those who are ordained to life, an operating force, a putting forth of Divine Power, in order to effect the believing..

Eph 1:19

19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,



See How scripture compliments scripture and truth ?

The same power for the non elect, the reprobate, hardens them in their unbelief, fitting them for future destruction..

 

[childeye]

What people think is the sovereignty of will, is in truth the ignorance of vanity. There exists an eternal Truth. Some see it and some don't in varying degrees. The Love of God is the goodness of men. We should all be praying He commands our wills, for if He gives us over to the will of the flesh, we become abominations. The proof of sovereignty of will cannot be established upon the denial of reality. But in the blindness of vanity, that is what blind men do.