You know Whetstone, that is a good question. But looking at the history of Israel, where God made eternal Covenants with them, and yet, because of their unbelief they no longer are "the people of God". The book of Hebrews has been called by some "the book of warnings", for we read things like, "how shall we escape if we neglect (not reject) so great salvation..."(2:3); for we (Christians) are made partners of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" (3:14), etc. Where the language makes this "conditional", and requires us to do something. </font>[/QUOTE]But OT Israel did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling them and sealing them.
We have the promise that He (Christ) who began a good work in us will complete that work.
It is Jesus and not us that keeps us and gives us eternal life.
You know Whetstone, that is a good question. But looking at the history of Israel, where God made eternal Covenants with them, and yet, because of their unbelief they no longer are "the people of God". The book of Hebrews has been called by some "the book of warnings", for we read things like, "how shall we escape if we neglect (not reject) so great salvation..."(2:3); for we (Christians) are made partners of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" (3:14), etc. Where the language makes this "conditional", and requires us to do something. </font>[/QUOTE]I think when we claim election and salvation are the same as Isreal and election we will continue to find contradictions. I believe Isreal was chosen to show the Power and MIght of God. Who He is. Others outside of Isreal could be saved. They had to follow the God of Isreal though. God did not elect all of Isreal to be saved. It must be a different election. What think you all? This is a question not a statement.
Yes, and "the promise" of everlasting life is just that, A PROMISE of something to come.
For that which you possess there is no need of a promise! </font>[/QUOTE]Then whats the sealing for? ...unto the day of redemption?
God is sovereign and exercises His will and providence not only in who, individually, receives His grace, but also in the measure of grace given.
"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Rom 12:3
"Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk And so I direct in all the churches." 1Cor 7:17
"But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you." 2 Cor 10:13
"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." Eph 4:7
Those who believe the Wesleyan, Arminian, and Pelagian errors will not understand the full weight of these verses.
Jesus atoned for SIN, thus sin has been removed from its role as a barrier that prevents man from having everlasting life through personal, individual, faith in jesus Christ.
Paul knew this
all too well, and Preached it to the Romans!
Still not a single Calvinist has been able to deal with the Greek grammar of my OP. When it comes to the crunch, they put their tails between their legs and run!
Russell and I both dealt with it. As I pointed out, your argument is self-defeating. The subjunctive case is used of salvation but does not indicate that salvation is uncertain. Since you are into arguing Greek grammar, I am sure you have Wallace's Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics. On pp. 473-4, he talks about the subjunctive mood in a hina clause. It is a purpose-result clause that "indicates both the intention and its sure accomplishment" (p. 473). He continues, "The fact that the subjunctive is all but required after hina does not, of course, aruge for uncertainty as to the fate of the believer" (p. 474, in the discussinon of John 3:16).
The answer to the question of why use a subjunctive is that the hina clause of purpose-result normally uses hte subjunctive mood.
So the fact that you didn't like the answer doesn't mean that no one was able to deal with it. No one ran. We answered several times, and here I am back again to answer yet another time.
The question is, Will you accept the truth about Greek grammar?
you say stuff like this a lot. does it give you an inner giddiness i wonder? Maybe you sit at the screen rubbing your hands together mumbling to yourself, 'run you calvinist @!%%@#! RUN!'
Thats because Calvinists do NOT face the issues honestly, but will try every means possible not to accept the truth, and place their faith more in their warped theological notions, than in the sound Word of God. A typical example is John 3:16, where they will fight to have the meaning of "kosmos" changed, even though the Greek lexicons agree that the "human race" is meant. But, to accept this meaning would be a real crisis for any Calvinist.