I've been having a really awesome debate with this woman on another blog, and I kind of figured I would write my own.
This debate has centered around the idea that God chooses who will be saved and who won't be (basically is the gist, I believe). Now, I don't generally like to talk deeply about things I am not well-versed in. I have to admit, I like to play devil's advocate a little bit and that requires me to know the opposing side. In this case, the idea of election is not something I've ever really thought about before. Since I can't very well discuss it fully without knowing it well, I'll just say what I believe.
I believe that Christ came to save everyone. EVERYONE. I believe that everyone has the potential to be saved. Without a doubt, many choose to turn their backs from God. If God only intends to save certain people, why did He send his Son to die for everyone?
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for
all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."- Titus 2:11-14
I also believe that not only does everyone have the potential to receive salvation, but those that do must receive it of their own accord (and just to clarify here, I'm not saying that we earn salvation, I'm simply saying that in order for us to receive it, there are certain things we must do such as denying ourselves and following God). If we are destined to be saved, it seems that it kind of removes the power of faith and free will. If we don't choose to follow God, our faith doesn't really mean anything does it?
Now, like I said, I probably don't have this idea of election down very well and have probably misunderstood some things. But I think it's an interesting idea, even though I don't agree with it, and I was curious about what you guys thought of it.
Soooo...go. Give me thoughts.
Comments (3)
The way I approach anything in the bible is first this.
Since I consider the Bible the word of God, and God cannot lie nor is guilty of vain things. Then evey word is true.
So Election, predestination, foreknowledge are true. Now how they are explained by men - that can be challenged.
God never required us to understand - just believe -trust him. Here is a take on election.
Yes He did die to save all men, but by the same token He knew by foreknowledge who would follow Him and who wouldn't. He knew your choice and how serious you are about it. By that He could predestinate.
We all have a choice, God gave us a free moral agency. Judas and Peter both had choices to make, and Jesus knew Judas would fail to go all the way. But Peter -despite his shortcomings (denying the Lord) - would go all the way.
Here is statement I believe true: God has had no new thoughts. (Since he has infinite knowledge, nothing would be new).
Some of the ways God does things, is beyond our brains to comprehend - so it is best to believe and be like what Peter said.
To whom shall we go - thou hast the words of eternal life.
When Christ said some hard things to be understood.
Well, dirty ball, I kinda agree with this fellow above me. Unless someone comments right before I do, then two above me. Anyways.
I believe in free will, faith, choosing whether or not to follow God or deny him, etc. But I also know that God knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. So that said, I know that God already knows who will follow him and who won't. In a way, then, we are kinda predestined. God gave us a choice, but he already knows what we are going to choose. That doesn't mean that he is tampering with out decision, but because he is all-knowing he already knows what our fate will be.
Its a hard topic to wrap one's head around, and it can be hard to understand how our loving God knows that people are going to wind up in hell but won't do anything to change them in time.
I don't know...I still don't believe in "election" and whatnot. Thats just a little to elitist for me.
God bless you hope you're well.