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To: 5thGenTexan
Subservience. We must choose to let God take command of our lives and be Lord over us. God does not control us - but we choose to follow His leadership and direction.

So you don't agree with Ephesians 2:8 ?

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

How do you arrive at that? Of course I believe I am saved by grace. What do you think motivates me to make Him my Lord and follow His direction in my life?


Just noting that in the phrase "We must choose to let God" the word "let" means "allow", or "permit". Almighty God, being maker of Heaven and Earth and sovereign over his creation, is not subject to a person "letting" him do something.

Interestingly the first post included "God does not control us - but we choose to follow", in effect, that the work of saving us was our own, i.e., we made the right choice.

But in the second post there is the phrase "What do you think motivates me to make Him my Lord and follow"

Certainly I can't first initiate my salvation and God also first initiate my salvation as well - one or the other must be the original cause, which the second post intimates.

Perhaps the wording of the Westminster Confession can summarize well:

"The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,[1] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[2] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,[3] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.[4]"

The following proof texts are used:

[1] HEB 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
[2] 2CO 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. EPH 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
45 posted on 09/21/2012 8:35:36 PM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves.)
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To: PieterCasparzen
Just noting that in the phrase "We must choose to let God" the word "let" means "allow", or "permit". Almighty God, being maker of Heaven and Earth and sovereign over his creation, is not subject to a person "letting" him do something.

I did not say we had power over God. I said we must choose. He gave us the ability to choose; it is the basis of why we are here. He already had the angels, who are obedient without choice. We are special because we can choose to not follow. And before you go there, yes, God gave Satan the power to choose, knowing full well what the choice would be. That was all part of the plan. Sin had to enter in to the Universe and God doesn't sin. Satan was the vehicle.

46 posted on 09/21/2012 8:59:17 PM PDT by 5thGenTexan
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