I Know I Am Elect Because...

Dr Bob, the truth is that before God predestines us, He foreknows us. "Foreknows" does not mean "elect" -- it does not mean "forelove" (a cute Calvinist adaptation but not even suggested by the Greek).

So here is where you are correct: God foreknew who would believe. Then He predestined those to His purpose. This all occurred before creation. All good.

Then in the course of time, what God knew is exactly what happened. We couldn't not believe if He foreknew we would. You got that right, too. But there's another issue -- it wasn't His will that any should perish. So, yes, it is up to us.

skypair

 

I'm not sure of what you mean by this statement

I did a word search of the word "Sheep" and read everyone. I still do not see anywhere that man is a sheep with out it meaning he is a follower of God or Christ.
Predestination says we are predestined in Christ. That's a lot different than being predestined particularity to Salvation. Calvinist for the most part do not see "in Christ" they seem to see themselves particularity in stead. Particular election to Salvation isn't in scripture. However Paul did say that Salvation has been sent to the gentiles and that they will hear it.

MB

 

I am not quite sure how you disagree. I do believe that there are/were different elections for different purposes (elect Christ, elect angels, elect Abraham, elect Israel, elect believers [i.e. all believers]). Is not "particular redemption" God saving whom He wills, which is realized in His effectual drawing unto the faith of the Gospel?

 

And Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep. He's not a goat herder.( I think I made a thread about that.)

 

Aha! I can instantly put a stop to my dear wife calling me the Old Goat!

Cheers,

Jim

 

:laugh: :laugh: "An old sheep" just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?

peace to youraying:

 

That was Baaaahd.

 

I think referencing Christ's sheep from eternity gets the goat of Arminians.

 

Oh really?

Psalms 49:14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

Never heard of the "reprobate elect" before.

 

Or...

I know I am elect because ... I have a SHEEPISH grin! :laugh:

skypair

 

If so then we don't need to be regenerated. We don't need the Holy Spirit to change us because we are already sheep. Christ died in vain because we were made righteous by election.
MB

 

So we are to assume from your citations that we ARE sheep -- literally? Can anyone say "metaphor?" What's your point, Bob?

"MY sheep hear my voice." Does that not suggest that there ARE other sheep? that maybe you should review the details of these parables and see if you aren't misguided?


skypair

 

Ah...the "I'm more intelligent" ad hominem. Haven't seen that one in a while

I agree with skypair here. YOU have stated ALL mentions of sheep are in reference to "the elect". Unless you believe we are actually odd shaped literal sheep, you really have no dog in this fight. The use of sheep in Scripture refer to more than "the elect".