ShadowAce,
I have on several occasions in this thread, cited larger passages other than one verse to support my belief.
By quoting Titus 1:1, I’ve shown that YOU have cherry-picked a verse from a letter that starts by addressing the recipients as God’s elect.
But let’s look at the passage you chose again. Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” What is the grace of God that brings salvation? How does this tie to your point that it is not election? What were you trying to say by using this ONE verse?
Grace and Peace,
K51
He knows, of course, what our decision will be. That is agreed upon by both sides. What is up for debate is the nature of that choice.
What is the grace of God that brings salvation?
According to calvinists, it is election, I say it is His drawing to Himself. His grace, though, is resistible. That is what defines true Love--our ability to reject it or accept it.
Do you have a scripture reference for this?
Besides Titus, that actually spells it out? The entire story of the Scripture spells it out--from Adam's choice to sin in the first place, to the parables Jesus told to examples given in Scripture (rich young ruler for example).
Scripture is the story of God Himself drawing all of humanity to Himself, and of us mainly rejecting Him. Scripture is His love letter to us, His greatest creation. He doesn't want people he chose and forced into the relationship, He wants people He chose and who chose Him freely and with love.