"marks,
[You seem to be copy and pasting reams of information here.]
You seem to be sincere. Sometimes those who post are not serious, so I offered you some very solid teaching.
I am not that smart, but over time I have found some gifted persons who are very gifted and proven over time.
[Much I've read in the past, such as MacArthur, Pink, Packer, others.]
okay..
[As I've perused through a lot of what you've posted, I'm seeing much the same as I've seen in the past.]
Some of what i offered is more in detail than those things you have seen...
[There is an awful lot of text given to restating the assertion ad infinitum.\]
That is just to show many have seen the same thing
[There are a lot of places where the passage being discussed actually seems to me to be saying something a little bit different than the analysis given.]
If you do not mind me offering a suggestion...read the link as if your pastor wrote it and it contains truth, before you attempt to punch holes in it, or quibble about the wording. If you read the links in a defensive mode you might be prone to miss the authors intent. By all means, investigate what is written, however. The Bereans investigated the Apostle Paul after all
[I do appreciate your willingness to engage with me on this topic.]
I participate in part to learn and grow, and when possible help others to do the same. I am studying things related to these topics quite often. You have not attacked or mocked these teachings as some do, so it is easy to respond biblically.
[ For me, I'd need to slow way down.]
Not a problem, take your time..The truth delights to be searched out and investigated
Marks...have you ever read psalm 119 through and imagined it was you who wrote that Psalm???
[Changing words from their historical and customary meaning isn't something I consider lightly.]
Search it out.
[So far I've not found the evidence convincing, simply put.]
That is between you and God. I try to answer and give a reason for the hope that is in me.I cannot "convince" you. Any truth we receive is because God allows us understanding
[So let me ask you this question then. I've.asked this to others who seem to believe as you do, but I've never received an answer.]
I will always give an honest answer, you might not like my answer, but it will be honest.
This is my question.
[Since I don't believe that God has limited salvation to the pre-chosen,]
Not yet. Many on CB, are asking the wrong questions to solve that issue biblically
[and does not extend an honest and sincere offer of eternal life to all,]
The gospel is sincerly offered to all who hear the gospel preached. many have lived and died never hearing the gospel, they have died in their sins.
[does this mean that I could not be a born again person?]
It might mean that very thing in that the inability to welcome divine truth is a sign of the unregenerate. On the other hand many who are granted repentance and faith by the Spirit of God, do not fully grasp many of the truths and implications of the So great Salvation we have In Jesus.
I do not read in scripture that salvation is a doctrinal test.
That being said many will perish for not receiving a love of the truth.
Jesus assures us that His SHEEP will hear His voice. I have not seen any post where you deny the trinity, or like mormons believe in additional revelation outside the scripture.
keep in mind it is one thing to deny truths and mock and scoff...it is another to have questions, both doctrinal, and emotional that might hinder reception of the truth.
Is it possible that I'm actually saved, born from God, yet in error on this point?
Yes, that is most likely the case. In such a case, we are brothers In Christ . we are responsible to be our brother's keeper.
If God has saved you by a God-given faith,then we are brothers despite different levels of understanding.
In such a case, if i find it difficult to love a brother or sister for who they are now, I am compelled to love them for who they will be at glorification.