Nr. 47: Are people predestined to salvation or is it a personal choice that is crucial?

Nr. 47:

Are people predestined to salvation or is it a personal choice that is crucial?

This is a very difficult question purely theological! In practical terms, everything is on how the individual relates to Jesus and the gospel!

Predestination doctrine (predetermined doctrine):
This is from Wikipedia about the Calvinists who preached Predestination: Calvinism has several different directions, with some mutual differences. One can not find all aspects of the Calvinist faith in Calvin's works, much of it from other theologians. Among the most influential beyond those mentioned above, we find Calvin's successor Theodore Beza, the Dutch theologian Franciscus Gomarus, founder of the Presbyterian Church of John Knox. There are also later influence from the English Baptist John Bunyan, the American preacher Jonathan Edwards and the neo-orthodox theologian Karl Barth.

A key element in Calvinism, which distinguishes it from other directions, its unique soteriologi, that is, learn about salvation. It emphasizes that man is unable to do anything to obtain salvation and that God alone is the initiator at every stage of man's salvation, including faith and repentance. This doctrine was definitively formulated at the Synod of Dort (1618-1619), but Calvinists will of course say that this doctrine has been around since biblical foundation. Synod of Dort rejected while the alternative, and in many ways the opposite notion known as arminianisme. Calvinism is thus a monergistisk frelsessyn, which is the opposite of the synergistic vision of salvation. Monergismen teach that God alone saves and preserves a human being, and that no people can affect their own salvation. The reason that people repent and believe, that the Father draws him (John 6:65).

Calvinism has sometimes been called augustinianisme, because key points in soteriologien was formulated by Augustine of Hippo in his dispute with Pelagius. In contrast to the free will as it was argued by Charles Finney and other dissenters (often called pelagianere or semi-pelagianere) Calvinism put strong emphasis on the persistent goodness of creation combined with man's ultimate decline and civilization's destruction through sin. It therefore sees salvation as a new act of creation made by God rather than as something that some people who are being saved achieve.
Items in Calvinist theology: Calvinism emphasizes the complete destruction of man's ethical nature, set against God's sovereign grace in salvation. It teaches that man is totally unable to follow God or escape his condemnation, and that the only way to salvation is that God overrides their unwilling hearts so that they turn from rebellion to willing obedience.
Everyone is in this view fully at the mercy of God's grace. He could be a fair way to condemn all men for their sins, but have chosen to show mercy to someone to bring honor to his name. A man saved while another is lost, and this happens not because of will, faith or virtue, but because God has made an excellent decision to show mercy. The person must act to believe and be saved, but the obedience of faith, according to Calvinism God's gift, not a choice made by free will.

Calvinists believe this demonstrates the reach of God's love when he saves those who can not or will follow him. It is believed that the remembrance of this doctrine removes the pride and complacency. Sanctifying sought by Calvinists through a continual reliance on God, which cleanses the believer's heart.

"Life is religion" the Calvinist way of life is the result of a fundamental religious consciousness that is centered around God's sovereign grace. Calvinism presupposes that God's goodness and power have a free and unrestricted trade fields, and this leads to a conviction that God works in all life aspects, both secular and sacred, public and private, and the spiritual and the physical.

As a result of this view believed that God's plan is to present and develop in any event. This leads to an absolute dependency on God, who not only associated with pious acts as prayer, but also with all other things in life.

Based on the Mosaic law other bids is not allowed images in Calvinist churches. Scriptures are the only permissible decorations.

Calvinism five points:
Calvinist theology is often summarized in the so-called five points, which is a contraction of the provisions made at the Synod of Dort and which were published in response to the five challenges from arminianerne. Calvin himself never used such a model, but points are a useful tool to identify key elements that distinguish Calvinism from other Christians directions.
The five points are:

Total syndeforderv: As a result of the Fall, all people are slaves to sin. Man is thus in its nature is not ready to love God, but would rather serve their own interests and reject God. Man is incapable of choosing to follow God's commandments and be saved, because it no longer is in its nature.
Unconditional election: God chose in eternity ones he will save, without any conditions or reservations. Because the election took place before the selection was born, this means a predestination.
Limited atonement: By Christ's death was the punishment for sins committed by God decided to save served. Christ's atoning sacrifice only took away the sins of the elect, and not all of humanity.
Irresistible Grace: God's grace given to those God has chosen and predestined to salvation, and overcome their resistance so that they come to a saving faith.
The endurance of the saints: those who truly have been saved, you can not lose salvation. The Saints used by Calvinists for those who are truly saved by God's election, and not in the example. the sense found in the Catholic Church (see the weekend, end of quote).

There is much here, I know that many people have a view that is up to this (including Luther and many others). When God is omniscient and knows who voluntarily leave their salvation, and who do not voluntarily leave their salvation. This is something, and we have many scriptures that point in that direction.

Acts 13. 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and praised the Lord, and all who were destined for eternal life, came to faith.

It is spoken about those who were destined for eternal life came to Jesus \ faith.
New International Version writes: "appointed", just as one has a list, then there is someone standing on it and when they say yes, they are checked. The basic text is exactly as in a building when you put a brick in place, so it is when someone accepts Jesus. Then apply it to endure to the end and the end, to experience sluttfrelsen!

But we have many other scriptures that speak in a completely different direction.

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate: for I say unto you, will seek to enter and will not be able to do so." Luke 13.24.
Here is another.
Joh. e. 1 11 He came unto his own, but his own received him not. 12 All who received Him, to them gave He power to become children of God - those who believe in His name. 13 They are not born of flesh and blood, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but of God.

What should we think and mean here? That God is omniscient and knows everything? Or that he knows a lot, but we must take the last crucial elections themselves?

Personally I think for most people, they must take the last crucial election itself, there are only a few who are predestined to salvation as Calvin taught, including Jeremiah and Paul. When they were called to be the Word preachers before they were saved, that includes also their salvation. But that said, this topic is a nutcracker in the theological area, in my opinion.

Jeremiah 1 4 words of the Lord came to me and saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I sanctified you;
prophet to the nations I appointed you. "

This is from my commentaries Galatians 1 15 But God, who separated me from the womb and called me by his grace, decided that he would

Prior Determination for his vocation and ministry, there are other men and women in the Bible who have experienced, for example. Jeremiah. I think also there today. But most people get way laid in front of them and it is created as a go of it, you'll go or not? The choice then is the individual!

16 reveal his Son to me, that I might preach him to the Gentiles. When consulted, I do not with people.

There are choices that are required to be taken in private with God. After all, the individual who will carry the call, the message and be the instrument. Human recognition and help come and will always be # 2 and that any affirmation. God is our best partner and advisor (quote end)!

There are a few that are called from the mother's womb, all others must make their own choices based on hear, believe and confess (end of quote)!

There are verses that speak of God not know everything, if he is omniscient, has all power, knows everything etc.

Luke 18 8 I tell you, he must ensure that they receive justice, and soon. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? "

Here Jesus asks if he wants good faith? One question, when you ask no one really knows anything, or I misunderstand? The way I see it, God knows what he wants and needs to know, but the end he knows. It's like a big contradiction and a paradox. God has entrusted something to us, whether we want him or not!

God allows things, even that which is against his will, even among believers. Here are just starting to read the entire Bible. Start with sending the letters in Revelation 2-3. Even the church with the very best conditions failed and lost their first love.

God has no specific day or time for the return of Jesus, it looks like? As Jesus himself says that he does not know, but what did he not? Scripture says the following:

Rom. 11. 25 Brethren, I will tell you a secret, so you should not have too great thoughts on their own terms: A part of Israel has been hardened, until the nations are entered in full numbers.

I would say that thought, had all Christians lived as fierce as me (have wandered intimate communion with the Lord since I was baptized in the Holy Spirit in the spring of 1982) and a few others, had the return of Jesus was a fact, but because that the vast, vast majority of believers who live in a sleep and sleep state, it "prevents" us Jesus to come back. It is a "job" that will be done!

2. Pet. 3. 11 And now everything will fall apart, how holy and godly, you should not live, 12 While you are waiting for the day of God will come, and hasten it. Then the heavens consumed by fire and the elements to burn and melt. 13 But we look forward to what he promised: a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Notice what it says in verse 12: "accelerate it." The basic text is the following there: "let it happen quickly." In the New International Version reads just like being in a run where we try to get as quickly as possible in the goal! Really think it hits!

What does it tell us? The fact that God knows everything, but he holds the "secret". Therefore stands or falls all on us and our free will. The fact that some naturally have it easier with this is safe and beneficial, but all stand or fall on what you want and want themselves. Will you be saved and come to Jesus? Or you will perish and be annihilated? The choice is and will remain like when God has given us all a free will and we're not rowing or pre-programmed for what God wants and desires for our lives and possibly a service later for him!

Conclusion: Human behavior many times as an animal with it is their own will (let instinct and second lead us). We can decide ourselves whether we will seek the Lord and walk his path of our lives! There are many people, even believers who allow flesh Leading. And as scripture says that as we sow we shall reap.

From my commentaries Galatians 6 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, he shall also reap.

This is to harvest and then apply to all people at all times. Both before, during and after the law. It is called also the law of Moses that your sin will find you. No one can go with hidden sins in life and heart, all will reap the before or since.

8 He that soweth to his sinful nature will reap destruction of it: he that soweth to the Spirit will reap eternal life by the Spirit.

Hebrews 10, 26 Sins we willfully after we have learned the truth, then there is no longer any sacrifice for sins. (See: 2 Peter 2:20, Matthew 12:45)
It is clearly evident in the NT that this is an ongoing conflict as long as we are still in nature (flesh), but that life in the Spirit is our state united in God. The flesh is real even after salvation, and many feel the contradiction between the law of the flesh and the Spirit to a greater or lesser degree. By prayer, fasting, faith and struggle you go from life in the wild - by putting dead flesh - to the life of Jesus and the Spirit. Here comes the Holy Spirit's help we built up in faith, gifts and power as we grow and mature in faith. You all must surrender completely to Jesus and put all the burdens on Him (Romans 8:26, 8:34, 1 John 2:1, Matthew 11:28-30). Here we must all be salt and light, help and guide each other in love.

9 Let us not become weary in doing good. When the time comes, we shall reap, only we do not give up.

Showing your kindness, you will reap goodness. One day you can give, another day it is you who needs to get. Then you'll have plenty left if you have sown plenty.
But management also applies to my CHRONO time. Have I managed my time right when it comes to seeking God, I have found the right balance between work and rest, involvement in and outside the home, involvement in church? God has something he wants to teach us here. But then we must begin with him.
We never read in the Bible that Jesus was in a hurry. He had time for everyone even though he had much to do. But then he did just that his heavenly father had made. And it seems that knowing what it was, he was in the quiet morning moments when he was alone with his heavenly father.

10 So let us do good to all as long as there is time, and most of those who are our brothers and sisters in the faith.

Note the use of language: our brothers and sisters in the faith. It is quite natural in a family that is a very special relationship with the mother and father and who I am married. It is also quite natural that I feel a greater closeness to a brother and sister than to other people. If I close my eyes, I can NOK say that I should love everyone equally, that I should take more account of my brother than to a beggar on the rubbish piles in Bangkok. But that's not how life is. I do not forget the beggar on the rubbish heap in Bangkok because of my sister has a greater place in my heart. Moreover, I would be torn completely apart if all the world's people should have as much space in my wallet as my children. Healthy LOGIK and healthy human thinking are also spiritually.