S
Silas
Guest
So you're a Christian, bro?
So you're a Christian, bro?
Prove that from scripture. John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9 have already been answered. Reread them, they're obvious. Bring the one from 1 Tim. 2:4 and Ezk. 18:23, and I'll try to answer them.
How about this? Disprove it without scripture. Clearly scripture is as subjective as one wants to make it, and when people believe they are performing exegesis, they are actually doing eisegesis. John 3:16 is all the proof I will ever need, because it clearly states what it states.
God swore by His holiness, never by His love. God saves primarlly for His own Glory and not primarlly for Love. Read the scriptures, that much is clear. I think we as people like to think of God as this big nice guy who always does everything for his creatures. Thats not the picture the Bible paints. God does everything for His own Glory! This God of the Bible is Sovereign and does everything that is Right and Just because He is that and Holy and Perfect. The question that the saints in the Bible poses is not "why doesnt God save everyone" but instead "why have He saved anyone at all." And yes, God cannot over look sins. So the Bible says.
I'm not going to get into why or for what reason God saves anyone (or even if one would want to be saved by Him). But, what do you make of that explanation that God is love? I mean, John 3:16 does state that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, etc. I understand what you're saying, but I wouldn't take love out of the question, unless you want to dispute that definition as well.
Nah, unconditional means that He's a respector of no man. He saves whom he wills to save and hardens who he wills to harden. Sorry if I confused you. I was speaking in terms of election to salvation where God is unconditionally electing His saints.
Actually, unconditional means without conditions or not dependent on conditions. Unconditional love is given no matter what. It's like the love of a mother for her children. If God loves based on certain things, then His love is not unconditional but conditional. And to be clear, I am not equating love with saving people; as I understand it, God loves everyone, but some people reject Him.
Sorry, I dont know what you mean here. Explain please.
Basically, the same as above: his love is not unconditional if it is based on certain parameters or criteria. The holy and holier than thou thing was referring to how you say that He has to hate sinners to remain holy. I'm saying that since God is already holy and complete in an of Himself, there is nothing that he can do or abstain from doing that would change this. So God loving sinners does not make him any less holy, in fact it would seem to make Him more holy.
Its good to ask this kind of question. We shouldnt be lazy with God's words but be good beareans. So here:
"Kosmos" is used of the Universe as a whole: Acts 17:24 - "God that made the world and all things therein seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth."
"Kosmos" is used of the earth: John 13:1; Ephesians 1:4, etc., etc.- "When Jesus knew that his hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world He loved them unto the end." "Depart out of this world" signifies, leave this earth. "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." This expression signifies, before the earth was founded—compare Job 38:4 etc.
"Kosmos" is used of the world-system: John 12:31 etc. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the Prince of this world be cast out"— compare Matthew 4:8 and 1 John 5:19,
"Kosmos" is used of the whole human race: Romans 3:19, etc.—"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."
"Kosmos" is used of humanity minus believers: John 15:18; Romans 3:6 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you." Believers do not "hate" Christ, so that "the world" here must signify the world of unbelievers in contrast from believers who love Christ. "God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world." Here is another passage where "the world" cannot mean "you, me, and everybody," for believers will not be "judged" by God, see John 5:24. So that here, too, it must be the world of unbelievers which is in view.
"Kosmos" is used of Gentiles in contrast from Jews: Romans 11:12 etc. "Now if the fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them (Israel) the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their (Israel’s) fulness." Note how the first clause in italics is defined by the latter clause placed in italics. Here, again, "the world" cannot signify all humanity for it excludes Israel!
"Kosmos" is used of believers only: John 1:29; 3:16, 17; 6:33; 12:47; 1 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 5:19.
OK, the problem I have here is that you are (or whoever wrote this is) reading into this; this is eisegesis, not exegesis. In every instance, the word kosmos seems to apply legitimately as "world." It may have different connotations based on the context, but in each case it still means the world. The world simply signifies the world, and I fail to see how there would even be the connotation of only the elect in John 3:16.
In a more liberal sense, yes.Meaning, I attempt to follow the teachings of Christ, and honor God by following his lead. Many would argue against me being a "true Christian", but I think it's the heart that matters most. Jesus taught me some wonderful things, and led me to a place I don't want to leave...
Much Love,
Liberal? Whats that?
Bro, NEVER EVER trust your heart - its desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). How can you know if you are a true Christian? Read the Book of 1John, it gives you the "test." Do you acknowledge that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior? Do you trust in your own goodness? Do you love the world? Do you love Christians? Do you count Christ precious? Do you love the things of the world? Does the world love you? Do you have a desier to preach the gospel? Are you growing in holiness while having more of the evils within you revealed? etc., etc.
Thanks for your reply Cage. Are you a J. Witness? You sound like me...I trip, fall, etc., too. But, I repent and trust Christ knowing that all of the good works I do is to no avail, but that only Christ is my righteouness. How about you? Is your trust in Christ co-operating with your good deeds, or are you doing good deeds but knowing that it apart from Christ, it is worthless before God? Also you mentioned something about spirit. What do you mean by that?
I'm not JW, nor have I adopted any other label within Christianity. I am fine knowing I follow the footsteps of Jesus, and that I do so by the Holy Spirit. All my works before my acceptance were perhaps in vain, yet if I do any good work now, it is only because of Gods Spirit in me.
About that Spirit...Well, I fully believe God's Spirit is Love my friend. Feel free to disagree, but it has convicted me like nothing else has, and I understand its power, guidence, purity, holiness, and mercy. It can come only from God, and this is what I cling too, along with the knowledge that God is Love, and that this same Spirit was fully manifest in Jesus the Christ. I follow Christ because he did his fathers will, if I am saved [in a perfect after life] because I follow him, then that my friend is a great bonus. If not, then I will die knowing I did my best to serve God, and appreciate what he gave me [in this life].
Much Love,
I agree that God is Love and that is the first attribute anyone sees when they are born again? But, God is Trice Holy and His Perfect Love flows from out of His Perfect holiness; as does the rest of His attributes. Let your central interpretative motiff be God's Holiness, rather than love or wrath or mercy or grace, etc., and you'll have a better biblical understand of God, I believe. So whats your undestanding of Jesus? What is His part in Salvation?
I could never comprhend God's fullness, so I'll focus on his spirit until I come to further understanding, or when God reveals it to me. It's not for me to focus on what he might and might not do, and who he might accept. I'm content enough knowing that he Loves and wants mankind to embrace his Love. I have a narrow view, but straight is the gate and narrow the path that leads to life. Love leads to life and that is what I choose. Jesus leads us into God's Love, and keeps us if we so choose to stay, and that is his part in salvation for me.
What does holy mean to you, silas?