Ronald Nolette
Well-Known Member
If you will look back at post #112 you will realize that I was speaking of Luther's "Bondage of the Will." I disagree with his near-fatalistic view of man's free-will. I do agree with him that when we choose to live by the sinful flesh we *cannot* do good. We need Christ's grace, whether we are conscious of it or not, to do good.
But I fully believe that *all men,* Christian or not, have free will and can choose to do good, as well as choose to be saved, given that the Gospel has been preached to them. We are all, however, in bondage to the Sin Nature. As Christians we have power to overcome sin in our lives, as we resist our tendency towards sin, and choose to obey God instead.
Good by whose standards? Certainly not Gods
Romans 8:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
An unsaved man is dead spiritually as Paul wrote and is incapable of doing things that please God. but you already admitted Paul is in error andthus not inspired in passages. but why should I believe you more than what Paul wrote? I know where Paul go t his authority, where do you get yours so that you can overrule what Paul wrote to the churches?
So unsaved people can do "good things" on a human level but they are not "good things" from gods perspective as is written in Gods word.