Originally posted by webdog:
"noone seeks after God" could be placed at 3b, 4b, 5b or 6b.
How do we get to 7? Nowhere does the Bible mention election, but the drawing from the Holy Spirit to ALL men resulting in our faith and ultimately our election (that salvation was intended for gentile as well as jew since before the world began). [/QUOTE]
Yes you are so right webdog. But john 1 makes it last till after 6. For Christ comes..and the world does not understand..even after he comes.
as to election..election only means Choosen by God. We must place on this..a meaning. Some say it is the Church body..and not one person. yet the Bible says it is the church..a nation..a person. It takes on the meaning of the context. Still..what does it mean to be choosen by God? not who...but what does choosen mean? I think is means..God elected to share his love with me.
so..anyway..back to what you said above. how does this come about?
Romans 10
13 For, "every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15 And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!" 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. 18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." 19 Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry." 20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me." 21 But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."
so...the preacher must go..for man will not seek...
the preacher must tell...
the sinner must hear....
the sinner must understand....
the sinner has faith....
salvation
if you wounder where i get the understand part...look down in 19. The jews were Gods Choosen nation. Did all jews understand and have faith? no. understanding must come before faith.
so my list stands as before...and yes God elects to share his love.
notice also...in 20
Isaiah was found along with those that did not seek God.
also..21
The offer is out all day long......yet men are disobedient and contrary people
In Christ...james