Would God command men to do something they were unable to do?

I don't need a defense but this is silly. The OP said God Commanded all men to repent. Well if all mean all then it would include these people also, don't you think?

 

How about Acts 17:30-31 - The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

 

How about it, if He commanded them then they must of heard then low and behold the dead in sin can hear.

 

Yes it means all, even those who are "alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them". But since they are ignorant of the command how can it be a command? That's what you said. How can they be liable for being ignorant of a command that they have not heard?

 

This is not the command to repent to all men. Besides that someone else went to the people not God Himself, you will acknowledge that but don't matter, we are talking about the Command from God to all men to repent and if they are dead and can't hear then how can it be a command so the dead in sin must be able to hear and this proves it. You fellows cut your own throat tonight.

 

Then why did Paul say they were lost because of their ignorance?

 

Men that don't repent are ignorant.
The smart ones are they that listen to the voice of Jesus.

 

I tell you fellows, I had one of the best meetings yesterday at church that I have had in a while and today has been good also, I have been without pain for 2 days now and I am really up on God's mountain tonight so nobody is going to make me mad tonight, I love all and wish you a very good nite.

BBob

 

I sure hope you don't get mad over this. I guess we don't agree on what Paul meant by ignorance.

But do you realize that you've just affirmed salvation by intelligence?

Seriously, I am glad for your sake that you are feeling well. God bless.

 

If you don't agree that it is smart to follow the Lord and there are many ways to be smart but this is to the saving of your soul, if you don't agree on that then I just don't know what to say whatever.

 

No. You will not get there. God will get you there by his grace.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Just say that the new birth is not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Then I'll agree.

 

You still get there Joseph. jeepers I said I was not going to get mad tonight so good nite.

 

Yes...you will get there, but not on your own accord. By the grace of God.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I do not beleive that God asks men to do what they can not do.

For the unregenerate you claim the "repent" command as though some can not.

Well I would like to look at something if I may.
To the Jewish nation God commanded that they keep all the law. - They could not.
And even told them to be Holy as God is Holy, but they didn't have the Spirit to enable.

They did not have the empowering of the Holy Spirit be "ABLE" to do any of this.
With God all things are possible!

Now what about Believers who have the Holy Spirit and spiritual understanding.
Surly God would never command them to do what they are "unable" to do.

God commanded that we love Him with all our heart, mind, and strength
God commanded that we are to love the brethren.
God commanded that we "Be Holy -JUST AS- God IS Holy" - Be holy just like God IS
God commanded the we are not to sin anymore.

Now I ask you, name ONE believer that has EVER done one or all of these three of many commands without fail in the sense of its scriptual definition and literal consistancy.
I can tell you the answer - NOT ONE, EVER has lived.

So why not!? I thought we are empowered and filled by the Spirit of God and by Him we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Yes, this is true. But is God looking for perfection. He asks of His own the same that He asks of them who are not.

Is God asking us to actually be perfect as He is? I don't believe so.
But is showing that we are responsible to live up to that standard of Himself, and if responsible to live up to it it necessitates that we are able to do just what God requires of us. Either regenerate or unregenerate, when we are faced with what God reveals is in direct contention with Himself or Holiness, we are held accountable to that action or choice we make at that moment.

Like Bro. Bob stated. If God commands All men everywhere to "Repent" it necessitates that all men 'hear' that command and are responsible to respond. And "IF" they hear they ARE able to respond since the according to Calvinistic Theology - Only those who can hear are able to respond.

- Just some musing IMHO

 

Salvation is not by intelligence but relvelation of truth via the Holy Spirit.

Regarding Paul - He states they are ignorant but he also says their 'understanding is darkened'. Both imply the same meaning which is without full knowledge of truth. Once it is revealed to them, they are responsible to believe or reject it that which at one time they did not know.

 

If God asked us only to do the things we were personally capable of doing then we would never learn to lean on Him and depend on Him, we would never see the power of his work through us. God always asks us to do things we are not capable of doing. Because that way we and others know it wasn't us, but Him who did it.

 

Ah, true wisdom!

:applause: