Paul argues that we boast in a proven faith because we know that it will endure and our hope will not disappoint. (Romans 5:1-5) And Peter argues that those of us who have been born again to a living hope will be glorified at the return of Jesus Christ. James argues the same thing, telling his readers that those with a proven faith will be granted the crown of life.
No Scripture states that we boast in our faith. Paul wrote that we boast in "the hope of the glory of God."
Romans 5:2 through whom we have
gained our access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And
we boast in
the hope of the glory of God.
No Scripture teaches that born again Christians will remain faithful; in fact, as I have shown you before, Paul admonishes the Elect to remain faithful to inherit the promises.
2 Peter 1:8-11 (WEB) 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten {{{
the cleansing from his old sins}}}. 10 Therefore, {{{
brothers and
sisters}}},
be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For
if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11
For thus you will be richly supplied with the
entrance into the Eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:17 (WEB) 17 You therefore,
beloved, knowing these things beforehand,
beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked,
you fall from your own steadfastness.
James teaches us of the Believers responsibility to remain faithful to inherit the Crown of Life.
James 1:12-16 (
James instructing the Church) 12 Blessed is a person who
endures temptation, for when he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him... 16
Do not be deceived, my
beloved brothers.
Lord Jesus teaches His disciples to always be careful, so they may be found worthy to stand before Him.
Luke 21:34-36 (WEB) 36 Therefore,
be watchful all the time,
praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to
stand before the Son of Man.”
Revelation 3:11 (WEB) 11
Hold firmly that which you have, so that
no one takes your crown.
Paul reminds his readers that salvation depends on the activity of the Spirit and our being given a new spirit in Romans 8
Romans 8:9-11
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
The essential characteristic of those whom God will grant eternal life is the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit will raise from the dead all those who have been given the spirit of Christ. This is a true statement. None of those who have been given the spirit of Christ will be lost. Period.
The guarantees that Spirit indwelt Christians have is dependent on them to remain diligent to walk by the Spirit who lives in them.
Romans 8:12-14 (NIV) [
Written for Christians] 12 Therefore,
brothers and
sisters, {{
we}}
have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For
if you live according to the flesh,
you will die; but
if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,
you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:3-4 (WEB) [
Written for Christians] 3 For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 4 that
the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled
in us,
{{{{
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.}}}}
Paul taught us that the indwelling Spirit will only give Eternal Life to the Christians who sows to the Spirit
without giving up.
Galatians 6:7-9 (
Writing to the Church in Galatia) 7
Do not be deceived:
God cannot be mocked. A man
reaps what he
sows. 8 Whoever
sows [continuous sowing]
to please their flesh, from the flesh
will reap destruction; whoever
sows [continuous sowing]
to please the Spirit, {{{
from the Spirit}}} will
reap eternal life. 9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time
we will reap a harvest
if WE (believers)
do not give up.
The Spirit indwelt believers are admonished to live sanctified lives onto God, and that the Spirit indwelt believer who rejects this is rejecting God.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (
To the Christians in Thessalonica) 7
For God called us not for uncleanness, but
in sanctification. 8 Therefore
he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but
God, who has also
given his Holy Spirit to you.
Nonetheless, the term "foreknow" doesn't mean "look ahead in time." It means, "have a prior relationship with."
To know, is to have experiential knowledge, or at least knowledge of something.
To foreknow, is to have experiential knowledge ahead of time.
Not the way I mean "cause."
Your use of the word "cause" expresses very clearly what you mean.
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CadyandZoe said: has caused us to be born again
CadyandZoe said: In order for God to save Egypt from a famine, God caused Joseph to have a dream, God caused his brothers to get jealous, God caused his brothers to throw them into a pit, . . . and so on and so on. The Good that God creates depends on his effort to arrange or direct the elements of every situation to produce his desired outcome.
God causes every single event and choice along the way. We can't escape this fact of our reality.
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The Spirit indwells to give life only those who believe (
John 7:37-39) through the preaching of the Gospel (
Romans 10:17).
God elects to indwell and give life by His Spirit to those who believe.
John 7:37-39 (WEB) 37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty,
let him come to me and drink! 38 He who
believes in me,
as the Scripture has said, from within him will
flow rivers of living water.” 39 But he said this about
the Spirit, which
those believing in him
were to receive.
