
Originally Posted by
RogerW
Greetings Urban Missionary,
How could this happen to the one who has been saved by grace since Scripture promises "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Ro 8:28)? God does not force His will upon any man. He changes our will by giving us a new heart and His Spirit. So if someone who appears to have been born again turns away from God, I would have to conclude they had never truly been born again of the Spirit. Remember Scripture tells us that not every one who says to Him Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt 7:21).
Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Eze 11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Eze 11:21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.
Eze 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
This is looking at predestination and election from a negative perspective. God didn't have to choose to save any man. None of us are deserving of God's mercy and grace. If God had not chosen to intervene in the hearts of some men, then no man would be saved. If no man would be saved then the whole creation for which God so loves would cease to exist. Man would finally altogether destroy everything that God created. Therefore God has determined in eternity, before creation to save a people for Himself. In this the world and all that He created will be preserved forever. No, God has chosen not to extend grace and faith to every man, but we have no right to question God about whom He chooses to show mercy and grace. He is the Potter, we the clay, He will have mercy and compassion on whosoever He wills.
This is not the way of salvation. Eternal life is not a free gift offered to be accepted or rejected. Eternal life is a free gift GIVEN to all who are given the gift of faith to believe. Since salvation beginning with regeneration, then sanctification and finally glorification is all the work of God through us, it is impossible for any to reject the gift of life GIVEN by God. What He begins He will complete until the final day.
Many Blessings,
RW
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