The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

"....the idea you were having “fun” is exactly backward. Most people have a lot of regrets from their wild years."

Amen.
I did and saw a lot of horrible things I wished were no longer in my memory - but they are there.
(Although Jesus NEVER brings them up, I still must live with them).
Those that were raised in Christian homes and saved at an early age do not have to deal with those things in thier minds - how blessed are they.

"We are elect in the sense that God KNOWS in “our” advance before we decide if we will be his...."

Yes, that is what I mean when I use the term "elect" - a topic of endless discussion in my circles, probably in yours, too!

If you believe God is omniscient, Judas was preordained to betray Jesus, ergo doomed to hell. Idon’t know if Hitler was preordained to hell, but imagine he was. The story of the sacrifice of Jesus was written before the foundation of the world, so I figure Jesus isn't,t surprised at anybody’s choices. Our faith is a gift from God.

God is omniscient. Isaiah 46:10. He exists in all time simultaneously. This is why he knows the beginning from the end, NOT because the over-rides men’s will.

You are trying to define God’s nature via man’s perspective (this is what Calvinism does). However, God (unlike man) can absolutely KNOW an event will occur WITHOUT having to CAUSE the event to occur. We live in a cause-and-effect universe — God does NOT.

Judas (or for that matter, no human) is pre-ordained for hell. This is another incorrect conclusion of Calvinism. See Matthew 25:41. (This verse says Hell was created for Satan and his angels, not man). We (humans) will end up in hell if we commit the unforgivable sin — rejection of the Holy Spirit, which is another way of saying we decide not to follow the light that God gives us.

Could Judas have betrayed our Lord and still be saved? Yes. How? Jesus determines those who are his, not us. In our own way, WE have betrayed Jesus each time we say we are Christians and do not act like it.

God KNEW who would betray Jesus WITHOUT CAUSING the event.
He can see tomorrow, or yesterday just like we can see to our left and to our right.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.