Williemac
If you believe either one of these is false it is because you have not read John 15:16 which reads: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,..
Many do not understand Scripture because they lean to their own understanding. They read the Bible literally, like it is an ordinary book, and they study and critic it as such.
Below is the best illustration of what salvation is like in the raising of Lazarus. I've used this illustration many, many times in the past.
The Raising of Lazarus
After telling Martha He is the resurrection and the life, Jesus arrives at the tomb of Lazarus and cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” Could Lazarus hear the command? No, he was physically dead! But Lazarus did come forth. What had to have happened? Jesus had to qualify him and reached into the tomb to give him life.
As Lazarus was physically dead so are we spiritually dead (impossible for us to understand spiritual things).
As Lazarus was physically deaf so are we spiritually deaf (our ears are dull in hearing the true Gospel).
As Lazarus was physically blind so are we spiritually blind (we cannot see the truths of the Bible).
As Lazarus was physically closed lip so are we spiritually dumb (we are incapable to speak spiritual things).
Did Lazarus make any kind of contribution to his resurrection? Did he have the ability to accept or deny Jesus from raising him up?
All the miracles performed by Jesus we read about in Scripture ware not only to show He is God, but also to show through those miracles man's condition that he is a reprobate creature.
If we do not understand and accept that we are spiritually dead, I'm afraid many of us will have a rude awakening on Judgment Day.
Why label others if they have a different view of Scripture from yourself? If Calvin and I happen to agree on some truths of the Bible it is only because we read the same Bible and came up with the same conclusions. We are commanded to be like minded with Christ, after all.it looks like hyper-Calvinisims, which states that man has no participation in his salvation and is only saved because God first chose him. Either one of these is false.
If you believe either one of these is false it is because you have not read John 15:16 which reads: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,..
Many do not understand Scripture because they lean to their own understanding. They read the Bible literally, like it is an ordinary book, and they study and critic it as such.
God did give all of mankind the ability to think, reason, and respond. After all man was created in the image of God therefore, he is not a robot. He can decide to wake up at 6:00 A.M.. what to have for breakfast, what clothes and color to wear...etc. However, man does not have the ability to respond to the Gospel because by nature he is a sinner sold to sin, and he must be drawn by the Father to Jesus.God has given all of mankind the ability to think, reason,and respond. God gives grace to the humble and resist the proud.
Below is the best illustration of what salvation is like in the raising of Lazarus. I've used this illustration many, many times in the past.
The Raising of Lazarus
After telling Martha He is the resurrection and the life, Jesus arrives at the tomb of Lazarus and cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” Could Lazarus hear the command? No, he was physically dead! But Lazarus did come forth. What had to have happened? Jesus had to qualify him and reached into the tomb to give him life.
As Lazarus was physically dead so are we spiritually dead (impossible for us to understand spiritual things).
As Lazarus was physically deaf so are we spiritually deaf (our ears are dull in hearing the true Gospel).
As Lazarus was physically blind so are we spiritually blind (we cannot see the truths of the Bible).
As Lazarus was physically closed lip so are we spiritually dumb (we are incapable to speak spiritual things).
Did Lazarus make any kind of contribution to his resurrection? Did he have the ability to accept or deny Jesus from raising him up?
All the miracles performed by Jesus we read about in Scripture ware not only to show He is God, but also to show through those miracles man's condition that he is a reprobate creature.
If we do not understand and accept that we are spiritually dead, I'm afraid many of us will have a rude awakening on Judgment Day.