Unregenerate man is incapable of choosing God.
Php 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. . .
Nomad, are you suggesting mankind has no freewill to respond to a calling while being in an unenlightened state?
So that I am speaking to the same meaning:
Unregenerate to mean:
1. Not spiritually renewed or reformed; not repentant.
2 Sinful; dissolute
Take your quote of Phil 1:29 as an example.
For it has been granted is the Greek "eucharisthe" meaning to "To grant an
act of grace".
For instance the calling of Abraham was an act of Grace while he was unregenerate! and going back to the Garden it was an act of Grace that God sought Adam & Eve under the tree (they were enlightened to Gods Ways) , in both instance they possessed
free will to decide, now one was unenlightened to the things of God whereas the later, knew God, but both instances being in the same sinful state.
The Philippians no different.
If you check the RV "It has been given as a favour" (I also like Rothinghams) this was "the grace [charis] that God has given the Macedonian churches" (as per 2 Co 8:1):
These believers are being told it was by Grace they have been
“able” to rejoice because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (See Acts 5:41).
(FREE WILL)
It is one of
privilege the Philippians are able to serve God and Christ, of course their response is the putting to death their own free will and making it the Fathers and Sons.
(FREE WILL)
As it goes on to teach
“but also suffer for him” Phil 1:29
It is a privilege to suffer with Christ – now this call to suffering is achieved by His Grace for the purpose of both Yahweh, His Son as per Heb 2:10 and in all believers as per James 1:3,4; 1 Pe 1:6,7.
(FREE WILL)
Now you would have us believe the Philippians, Abraham, Adam & Eve were incapable of choosing to respond to His Grace filled offer?
Many who are filled with the darkness of this age are able to use their free will to decide to believe!
If this not be so we have No free will.
Wrong!
Rom 11:5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
I understand where you are coming from; meaning that no
human works can be claimed by Grace. When Noah found Grace in the sight of his Lord it was as a result of his response to Gods Call, His Word, Acts of Mercy and Love and so on. Noah was required to work at putting to death his own will (though imperfectly because of sin) , he did this through the Word of Gods Power – this work is one of merit in Gods sight; when this takes place God imputes righteousness because we are in agree with him as to our sinful state.
In other words
“When our thinking is in harmony with His” we are found to be in His Grace – the degree to which we allow this mind being in us, will demonstrate how well pleasing we are in His sight.
The Son is perfect example of this and was highly exalted and rewarded for his faith and obedience.
Nomad , are you able to explain the Merit in these words? Matt 3:17
Who ever told you God is not partial? Examples:
Joh 5:21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
Joh 17:9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
Nomad,
These above quotes are poor examples of proving or disproving God’s impartiality.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: Acts 10:34
He shows no partiality or favour because of rank, family or wealth (See Jas. 2:1,2,3,4; cp. Deut 1:16,17; 10:17; 16:19; Lev. 19:15.
And I am surprised once more you come into conflict with the Gospel and the Word? You ought to know apostle Paul taught this message through Asia Minor Rom. 2:10-11; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25.
God's characteristic of being impartial is no doubt one of the foundation beliefs in the Word and to refute would be going to the very nature of God's character.
Only a proud man would debate such matters.
Insight