Forums118
Topics9,223
Posts196,066
Members1,325
|
Most Online5,850 Feb 29th, 2020
|
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
Here is a link to show exactly where the Space Station is over earth right now: Click Here
|
|
4 registered members (Karen Y, Dina, dedication, 1 invisible),
1,808
guests, and 13
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Does God Choose or does Man... ?
[Re: Mountain Man]
#96131
03/02/08 02:34 AM
03/02/08 02:34 AM
|
Active Member 2012
14500+ Member
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
|
|
We're talking about God choosing individuals for salvation. That's the context of this topic. In this context, God is pleased for us to inquire of Him how He does this.
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.
|
|
|
Re: Does God Choose or does Man... ?
[Re: Tom]
#96148
03/02/08 07:37 PM
03/02/08 07:37 PM
|
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
|
|
Yes! Nevertheless, eternity isn't long enough to totally grasp it. Praise the Lord, though, we can know enough of it now to be saved eternally.
The science of salvation, the science of true godliness, the knowledge which has been revealed from eternity, which enters into the purpose of God, expresses His mind, and reveals His purpose--this Heaven deems all-important. {CT 14.2}
Christ crucified for our sins; Christ risen from the dead; Christ ascended on high as our intercessor-this is the science of salvation that we need to learn and to teach. This is to be the burden of our work. {CT 22.2}
The revelation of God's love to man centers in the cross. Its full significance tongue cannot utter; pen cannot portray; the mind of man cannot comprehend. . . . Christ crucified for our sins, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on high, is the science of salvation that we are to learn and to teach. {AG 178.2}
The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience. {DA 494.4}
If it were possible for us to attain to a full understanding of God and His truth, there would be for us no further discovery of truth, no greater knowledge, no further development. . . . Thank God, it is not so. Since God is infinite, and in Him are all the treasures of wisdom, we may to all eternity be ever searching, ever learning, yet never exhaust the riches of His wisdom, His goodness, or His power. {Mar 365.5}
The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are known; but through the eternal ages new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind. {Mar 366.1}
|
|
|
Re: Does God Choose or does Man... ?
[Re: Rick H]
#96266
03/05/08 04:48 PM
03/05/08 04:48 PM
|
Active Member 2012
14500+ Member
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
|
|
Yes, it's free will, because a person decides whether or not they will respond. The goodness of God *leads* us to repentance (Romans 2:3, 4), but a person may refuse to repent (and unfortunately, many do) even though they are moved to repent by the Holy Spirit.
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.
|
|
|
Re: Does God Choose or does Man... ?
[Re: Tom]
#96339
03/06/08 01:17 PM
03/06/08 01:17 PM
|
OP
Group: Admin Team
3000+ Member
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,219
Florida, USA
|
|
Mans response as they are moved by the Holy Spirit, hmmm, I call it 'presenting ourselves to God' but it seems to be nearly the same thing..
Last edited by Richard; 03/06/08 01:17 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Does God Choose or does Man... ?
[Re: Rick H]
#96357
03/06/08 04:38 PM
03/06/08 04:38 PM
|
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
|
|
We have a part to play in getting saved and staying saved, right? The following quotes describe the beautiful balance: Man, in the work of saving of the soul, is wholly dependent upon God. He cannot of himself move one step toward Christ unless the Spirit of God draws him, and this drawing is ever, and will continue until man grieves the Holy Ghost by his persistent refusal. . . . {HP 27.2}
The Spirit is constantly showing to the soul glimpses of the things of God, and then a divine presence seems to hover near, and if the mind responds, if the door of the heart is opened, Jesus abides with the human agent. . . . {HP 27.3}
The Spirit of God does not propose to do our part, either in the willing or the doing. . . . As soon as we incline our will to harmonize with God's will, the grace of Christ stands ready to cooperate with the human agent; but it will not be the substitute to do our work independent of our resolving and decidedly acting. Therefore it is not the abundance of light, and evidence piled upon evidence, that will convert the soul. It is only the human agent accepting the light, arousing the energies of the will, realizing and acknowledging that which he knows is righteousness and truth, and thus cooperating with the heavenly ministrations appointed of God in the saving of the soul. {HP 27.4}
We are to do all that we can do on our part to fight the good fight of faith. We are to wrestle, to labor, to strive, to agonize to enter in at the strait gate. We are to set the Lord ever before us. With clean hands, with pure hearts, we are to seek to honor God in all our ways. Help has been provided for us in Him who is mighty to save. The spirit of truth and light will quicken and renew us by its mysterious workings; for all our spiritual improvement comes from God, not from ourselves. The true worker will have divine power to aid him, but the idler will not be sustained by the Spirit of God. {FW 48.1}
In one way we are thrown upon our own energies; we are to strive earnestly to be zealous and to repent, to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts from every defilement; we are to reach the highest standard, believing that God will help us in our efforts. We must seek if we would find, and seek in faith; we must knock, that the door may be opened unto us. The Bible teaches that everything regarding our salvation depends upon our own course of action. If we perish, the responsibility will rest wholly upon ourselves. If provision has been made, and if we accept God's terms, we may lay hold on eternal life. We must come to Christ in faith, we must be diligent to make our calling and election sure. {FW 48.2}
Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church, and the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples. But like every other promise, it is given on conditions. There are many who believe and profess to claim the Lord's promise; they talk about Christ and about the Holy Spirit, yet receive no benefit. They do not surrender the soul to be guided and controlled by the divine agencies. We cannot use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use us. Through the Spirit God works in His people "to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. 2:13. But many will not submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is why they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive. {DA 672.1}
|
|
|
Re: Does God Choose or does Man... ?
[Re: Mountain Man]
#96361
03/06/08 05:24 PM
03/06/08 05:24 PM
|
Active Member 2012
14500+ Member
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
|
|
Mans response as they are moved by the Holy Spirit, hmmm, I call it 'presenting ourselves to God' but it seems to be nearly the same thing.. I'm not following you Richard. Are you thinking that God forces certain one's to respond to His Spirit? Please share your idea.
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.
|
|
|
Re: Does God Choose or does Man... ?
[Re: Tom]
#96370
03/06/08 06:43 PM
03/06/08 06:43 PM
|
OP
Group: Admin Team
3000+ Member
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,219
Florida, USA
|
|
We were talking in church with some of what I call my "Wise Men" about how God brings us to Him, and we couldnt get a handle on if we choose to respond or if the Spirit moves us to respond, so we called it 'presenting ourselves to God' and left it at that for the moment...
Last edited by Richard; 03/06/08 06:44 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Does God Choose or does Man... ?
[Re: Rick H]
#96376
03/06/08 08:20 PM
03/06/08 08:20 PM
|
Active Member 2012
14500+ Member
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
|
|
Both are true. The Spirit moves us to respond, and we choose to respond (or choose not to respond).
What made you think of the idea of "presenting ourselves to God"? Just curious.
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.
|
|
|
|
Here is the link to this week's Sabbath School Lesson Study and Discussion Material: Click Here
|
|
|