"God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty and power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any necessity of nature determined to do good or evil."
One of the verses cited to support the assertion is Deuteronomy 30:19 which says God sets before us the choice of life or death. This is contrary to the doctrine of Total Spiritual Inability, which says we will only choose death.
Now this choice was set before us after the Fall, and therefore our being predisposed to sin did not preclude the possibility of choosing life. Therefore the actual biblical doctrine should be “Limited Spiritual Ability” of the unregenerate lost.
Humankind has three enemies, Satan, the World –with its corrupt values, and our fleshly desires. All three at one time or another set before us choices where we usually choose sin. But, according to James 1:14 we are tempted, not compelled, and therefore have some ability to choose not to sin. But even if we do choose according to God’s will, this does not result in “good works” for all our works of righteousness prior to salvation are as filthy rags. Nothing we do earns our salvation.
Biblical Assertion
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Van, Jan 23, 2023.
Page 1 of 9
-
-
-
Since individuals are chosen through faith, their faith was utilized in their election for salvation. Not the other way around! -
-
-
But the question is where do you want to take this. If you take it far enough you could reduce the gospel to telling people to stop sinning and start obeying God's laws. But we know that that doesn't seem to work. (Not to mention the problem of paying for what was already done). -
Alan Gross Well-Known Member
-
-
-
What I do find is very condemning, and contrary to the above statement...especially the bolded part.
In other words, God set before them, under the Law, the choice of life or death.
They were given, under the terms of the covenant of law, the choice to obey God, or not.
They were also informed of the consequences of their obedience and disobedience to it.
According to God's word, we love sin and hate Him, as a race.
In fact, He tells His own chosen physical nation of Israel:
" Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? [then] may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." ( Jeremiah 13"23 ).
-
Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
To be saved by grace through faith, means our faith was utilized for our salvation.
No one claimed our faith "is the cause of "election, salvation, regeneration!" But is our worthless faith is credited by God as righteous faith, then God's action is indeed the cause of our "election, salvation, regeneration."
The fictional claims of doctrine adopted by some such as KenH, was born out of human pride and self-righteousness. -
-
-
Van, if you want to stand before God and point to your worthless faith, go ahead. I will point to the righteousness of Christ alone and His faithfulness. -
God set before people, those to be saved and those never to be saved, the choice of life or death. Thus people, indiscriminately, are able to make that choice.
The gospel makes clear the consequences of our choice to fully trust in God and Christ, or not.
The claim that your understanding is self selected scriptures reflects those verses where the lost sought God simply shows you are not rightly dividing the word of truth.
It is God who changes us from a created sinner to a new creation, created for good works. -
-
But what saith the Scriptures?
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. - Romans 9:15-16 -
-
Page 1 of 9