Are we all God's children? - Page 2

Silas · 03-15-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoSalinas22

Isn't obvious, silas, that scripture was pointed at you. so no, it has nothing to do with the post thread.

Sorry, but I'm confused. Are you poking fun at me or were you actually making a point? Did you give your answer to the question, "are we all God's children?"

Dondi · 03-15-2007, 07:56 PM

Frankly, Silas, I think you will be more than mildly surprised at who you will see in the Kingdom of God.

Silas · 03-15-2007, 07:58 PM

Dondi, I'm sure of that! Yet, I'm possitive that it will only be those who repent and trust in Christ.

LeoSalinas22 · 03-15-2007, 08:02 PM

i would never poke fun at the subject of God. point being that people easily get offended on this forum. and to answer your question. no, all of us are not His children. Only His elect.

Dondi · 03-15-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silas

Dondi, I'm sure of that! Yet, I'm possitive that it will only be those who repent and trust in Christ.

What does repent mean to you?

Silas · 03-15-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondi

What does repent mean to you?

It's a change of mind and life style. It entials a person forsaking going their own way, but instead following the Lord, Jesus Christ. Its absolute conformity to God's will and a heading into the direction of perfection; which of course, we culminate when we meet God in the next life. Do, you think people can make it to Heaven without Repentance and Faith in Christ?

Dondi · 03-15-2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silas

It's a change of mind and life style. It entials a person forsaking going their own way, but instead following the Lord, Jesus Christ. Its absolute conformity to God's will and a heading into the direction of perfection; which of course, we culminate when we meet God in the next life. Do, you think people can make it to Heaven without Repentance and Faith in Christ?

"It's a change of mind and life style. It entials a person forsaking going their own way"

I accept this first part as repentance. When John the Baptist began crying out in the wilderness, he preached the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He said, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for Him". A heart must make room for repentance (change) in order for that change to come. One must change his mind about sin and realize the consequences of own thoughts and actions. But for this to happen, one must know what sin is, namely the breaking of God's Law. The Jews at the time knew God's Law, so John was calling for a change in their attitude toward sin, to straighten their paths. They have to be willing to obey God. That God's way is thge right way. This is only the first step in salvation.

The second step is to realize that in their attempt to obey God was also the possibility of failure, but that provision has been made by God to atone for their sins. For the Jews, faith in God's Mercy and Forgiveness was demonstrated in the sacrificial ordinances of the Levitical Law, though God preferred obedience to sacrifice. Nevertheless, the blood of bulls and goats only prefigured Christ, who ultimately replaced the Levitical system by Himself, being the sacrifice to atone for the people, to be offered to God in a building not made by hands.

When one come to the idea that their life is not what God intended and trusts God for change, then one is well on their way toward repentence. When one realizes that they have no strength in themselves to obey God and relies on God's strength (and not their own) to provide the means to obey God, then they have acknowledged God as their Savior. Forgiveness and mercy and grace are met in Christ and the person is saved.

Silas · 03-15-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoSalinas22

i would never poke fun at the subject of God. point being that people easily get offended on this forum. and to answer your question. no, all of us are not His children. Only His elect.

I agree. Hey, dont worry about poking fun, I can take a joke.

Silas · 03-15-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondi

"When one come to the idea that their life is not what God intended and trusts God for change, then one is well on their way toward repentence."

I'm not sure what you mean there. I dont want to assume that you're talking about feeling sorry of the consequence's of life, "metomellomi" (repentence), or feeling sorry for your sins against God, "Metanoia" (repentence). Which exactly are you saying is repentence?

Dondi · 03-15-2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silas

I'm not sure what you mean there. I dont want to assume that you're talking about feeling sorry of the consequence's of life, "metomellomi" (repentence), or feeling sorry for your sins against God, "Metanoia" (repentence). Which exactly are you saying is repentence?

I'd say the latter, but also maybe a little of both. Certainly when one comes to a low point in one's life, that can spark a need for repentance, like the prodigal son, for instance (godly sorrow produces repentance). But ultimately, you have to know that you've sinned against God.

Silas · 03-15-2007, 09:01 PM

You're right, the prodigal son did have godly sorrow. That is what metanoia means. Its being sorry for your sins against God, rather than sorry for the consequence of sin, which is "worldly repentence."

Dondi · 03-15-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silas

You're right, the prodigal son did have godly sorrow. That is what metanoia means. Its being sorry for your sins against God, rather than sorry for the consequence of sin, which is "worldly repentence."

I would say he did have worldy repentence. He looked at the state he was in and found it wanting. He recognize that the consequences of his actions placed him in the slop of pigs. Then he turn his thoughts on home and to his father.

Silas · 03-15-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondi

I would say he did have worldy repentence. He looked at the state he was in and found it wanting. He recognize that the consequences of his actions placed him in the slop of pigs. Then he turn his thoughts on home and to his father.

"I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you." - Luke 15:18

That's godly repentence, Dondi. Notice that sorrow from verse 17 downward (I qouted from v 18). It is Godly repentence that leads to to salvation, not worldy repentence. Those who come to Christ because their lives are lessed than what they want it to be, ususally fall away when they get what Jesus promise, namely, persecuation, trails, tribulations, etc. Did you listen to the witnessing audio? How did it go?

Prober · 03-16-2007, 02:22 AM

At least he's humble...

"I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants."

(my favorite part)

cyberpi · 03-16-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silas

That's what I was saying...I dont understand why you used that scripture against what I said. What does God's wrath, and the scripture you posted have to do with what I said, namely that not everyone is God's children?

If the assumption is that all people are potentially God's children and worth every effort to help enjoin toward good values, with good values, then I see no rebuke. Otherwise I would read Jesus' rebuke closely and enjoin towards not using God's name in vain.

I believe it is a fundamental of Christianity and other religions that a person can change, for better or worse. I submit that means assuming that ALL can be God's children.