"Do not refuse the free pardon, the full salvation which Jesus grants to all who trust Him. Do not hesitate and delay. You have had enough of resolving, come to action. Believe in Jesus now, with full and immediate decision. Take with you words and come unto your Lord this day, even this day." ---CHS, All of Grace
Choose to believe?
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by AresMan, Sep 13, 2008.
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Of course the elect are not "programmed" like robots. All people have wills and make personal decisions and act upon them. However, I believe that it takes an effectual work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit on the will (heart) to illuminate that will to the truth of the Gospel. If one regards the Gospel as true (through the power of the Holy Spirit), one by definition believes it. One will respond according to what one believes. I do not believe that God directly causes all actions; but rather that God regenerates hearts such that responses and acts pleasing to Him effectually result. Absolutely anything good that we do that pleases God must ultimately be credited to God. We cannot claim the credit for anything righteous toward God apar from His work in us. -
Ares -- just a few answers to your questions.
In the end, we are all convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit but are not all convinced at once by Him that we need or want a Savior.
Your question really should be does every man have enough information to justifyingly choose God. That answer is yes. It really comes down to their belief in the "everlasting gospel" -- "fear God and give glory to Him," Rev 14:7. Notice this is this very gospel that Paul says that the heathen are without excuse for not doing, Rom 1:20-21 -- "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,... " IOW (application today), if there is a tribe that exists that has never heard, God would provide a "Way" for believers of the "everlasting gospel" to be justified and enter into the MK with the OT saints who never knew Christ.
skypair -
It is the Holy Ghost who reveals truth to an individual. It is then that individual's response that makes all the difference.
My response was positive towards the Holy Ghost's intervention in my life.
There is nothing wrong with what God has offered, it is only the wrong choices made by men that ultimately seal his doom.
It is not some are planted with the seed to bring about regenerative results and some are not, for none of us were in Him before we're saved. So being His Chosen is an after-effect of Holy Ghost intervention by making Him one's choice!:godisgood: -
Hi AresMan;
I agree that man does not choose to believe. A man is either convinced or not. Why is it one believes and the other who heard the same sermon doesn't believe.
An example; Two have the opportunity to hear but one is distracted by his own thoughts and isn't attentive. The gospel is effective when it is listened to.
The Bible says it will accomplish it's purpose. A man will listen when he has been drawn.
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
It's purpose is to convince men of the truth of it. To be convinced is the product of the one doing the convincing. Which is why it is the work of God.
MB -
Isnt there a difference in beleiving and truly beleiving?
I think a beleif may be a work. If you beleive to be saved that is. Who lets you beleive? isnt it God who gives a true beleif? So it all starts with God who takes what you thought was a beleif and makes it flesh.
I struggled with this for a long time, but the beleif at salvation is from God. and its not just an "I beleive now" so I am saved when you hear the word for the first time. God can give us a true beleif the first time we hear his voice, but for others it takes time. I am not saying dont beleive until God gives you the right but I do think that God alone gives grace and after that comes true beleif..... -
Furthermore, I feel like I beleive more and more as God gives me the gift of growing in Him, but the truth is that God is the one that gives a true life in beleif not just a self pleasure of convincing yourself that you beleive enough to pray and receive a gift. I tried that 100 times and it hasnt worked yet in healing or anything, truly beleiving is becoming more and more broken and helpless before God instead of wiser or more foolish.
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