tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72622026016788375272024-03-13T22:41:27.134-04:00Bible TruthsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-77661285759985684272012-10-15T00:50:00.000-04:002014-11-17T00:30:22.083-05:00Bible Truth #414 - Revelation 21:5-6<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rev&c=21&t=KJV#5" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Revelation 21:5-6</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">“I will give unto him that is athirst...”</span> <span style="color: black;">There are many passages in the Bible that are similar in nature to this phrase, and all make it sound as if Christ’s redemptive work on the cross is universal - or some would say “<i>not only limited, but ALSO universal</i>.” The problem is those who think this way have given fallen man an ability he does not have. The “thirsting” about which God is here referring is a spiritual thirst, not a physical thirst. Man, in his fallen state, is spiritually dead (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-96-ephesians-21-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-129-ephesians-24-6.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-42-colossians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Colossians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and can not thirst for spiritual things. Nor can he hear or even see spiritual truth. Jesus said that a man can’t even see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-56-john-33-640.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:3</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Just as a physically dead man will never be thirsty, neither will a spiritually dead man, a lost man, thirst for the water of life that only Jesus Christ provides.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-weight: normal;">The Arminian may keep saying or thinking, “</span><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">That’s wrong, ‘him that is athirst’ means whoever thirsts.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">” Absolutely! The question is, “Who will be thirsty? Will every man be thirsty?” The emphasis is on the word “be” - as in who will be in that state? The answer - Only those whom God has quickened. And God quickens the dead spirit in a lost man based on nothing that man did </span>(</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-44-2-timothy-18-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 1:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-162-titus-33-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God quickens only those He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> (</span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">I will still hear arguments from Arminians who say, “<i style="font-weight: normal;">A lost man can choose to believe, he just has to have faith.</i>” </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: black;">You’re right, he just has to have faith. The problem for the Arminian is the only faith that saves a man comes from God, and God does not give every man faith <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-232-2-thessalonians-32.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Thessalonians 3:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">). A lost man’s faith will not save him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The only faith or belief that saves is the faith and belief that God gives a man </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-152-romans-123.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 12:3</span></a>; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/04/bible-truth-364-ephesians-28-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:8</span></a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a>; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">. And if God gives a man faith and belief, that man IS saved. A lost man has no saving faith on his own (</span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-232-2-thessalonians-32.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Thessalonians 3:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and if a man uses his own belief, that which is not from God, it is vain belief and will not save him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/10/bible-truth-316-1-corinthians-151-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 15:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The rejoinder I get from Arminians is then some like this: “<i>Then why does God tell a man to repent when he can’t do it?</i>” </span>God commanding all men to repent is not for the purpose of giving them the opportunity to be saved, but to show those who HAVE been saved the utter futility of the flesh (which is the only thing a lost man has) generating anything toward his own salvation. Jesus said the flesh counts for nothing (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-168-john-663.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:63</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let me give you an example: you and a lost man are standing on the top of a 10-story building. God has miraculously given you the ability to fly (like Superman). You show the lost man your ability and tell him he can fly too if he will just have faith and believe he can do it. Sorry, it will not happen. He will either laugh at you and walk away (the normal reaction - </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">) or he will take that step and fall 120’ to the ground (those that believe in vain - </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/10/bible-truth-316-1-corinthians-151-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 15:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God just proved to YOU that without Him working in that lost man, he is NOT going to fly. What better way to prove to you, not to the lost man but YOU, what better way to prove to YOU that man can’t fly other than by us telling him to do it? THAT is one reason for God commanding all men everywhere to repent, NOT to give them an “opportunity” to be saved. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">And since God determined the time and place for every man to live (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-78-acts-1726.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 17:26</span></a><span style="color: black;">), did not God determine who would even hear the Gospel? How did the hundreds of millions who lived before Christ have an “opportunity” to be saved? Answer - they didn’t, they had no opportunity whatsoever to be saved. Obviously the vast majority of them were NOT chosen in Christ (for salvation) before the foundation of the world.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">The bottom line of this Bible Truth is that a spiritually dead man will <b>NOT</b> thirst for something spiritual.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-38793756682983650992012-09-27T01:36:00.000-04:002014-11-16T01:32:19.484-05:00Bible Truth #413 - Acts 16:30-31<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=16&t=KJV#30" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Acts 16:30-31</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">30 ...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">You may remember the story. Paul and Silas had been traveling and arrived in Philippi of Macedonia and caused some <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">trouble</span> by casting a demon out of a young woman. The problem? She was a slave and had been making her masters a great deal of money by fortune-telling. So Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. That night there was a great earthquake which loosed the shackles that had bound them and opened the doors of the prison. The jailer was going to commit suicide but Paul called out to him that all prisoners were still present. After the jailer called for light and came in to the prison cell, he fell before Paul and asked the above question.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The response of Paul and Silas is one that can be confusing to some who look at this verse alone without looking at it within the context of every other passage involving the regeneration of the dead spirit in man. It was Paul who wrote passages like </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-1-1-corinthians-214.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 2:14</span></a><span style="color: black;"> that tell us a lost man can NOT understand anything from the Holy Spirit and he rejects it (truth). Nowhere in the Bible will you find an exception. Nowhere will you find it written that a lost man will occasionally accept it. The places in Holy Scripture where the Arminian may point out a lost man accepting the free gift of salvation is, in fact, a saved man whose spirit has been quickened by God and he is now responding to the work God had already accomplished.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Paul penned the statement of fact in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;"> that a lost man can NOT please God. This means he can NOT “accept” Christ or repent of his sin, he can NOT please God. Would not a lost man repenting be pleasing to God? NO! If God were pleased then it would make His words in Romans 8:8 a lie! Again, there is no exception to the truth of God’s word. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Paul wrote to Titus and Timothy telling them that we are NOT saved because of anything we have done (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-44-2-timothy-18-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 1:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-162-titus-33-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">) - and believing or repenting IS something we do. True belief and repentance are gifts from God and are done AFTER God quickens the dead spirit in a man. A man with a dead spirit repenting or believing is working from the flesh and Jesus said the flesh counts for nothing (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-168-john-663.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:63</span></a><span style="color: black;">). To be saved a man must be called by God and God does NOT call everyone to salvation (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-281-1-corinthians-126-27.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 1:26</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Paul is not the only one who spoke about this. Jesus said that we believe because God did a work in us (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">). We didn’t <i>choose</i> to believe because we came to a realization of the Truth! We believed because God gave us belief! (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">) Once God gives a man belief, he believes, period. He is not given a choice whether to believe or not. God not only gives a man the ability to believe, i.e. enabling him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-36-john-665.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:65</span></a><span style="color: black;">), He gives him belief. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jesus spoke words of truth when He told the Pharisees that they don’t believe <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">because they are children of the Devil</span> (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-23-john-842-47.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 8:44</span></a><span style="color: black;">), not of God. Because these Pharisees were not chosen, they had no hope of becoming children of God <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-185-ephesians-211-12.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:12</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-186-1-thessalonians-413.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Thessalonians 4:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">). A man is either a child of God or not. You aren’t conceived a child of the devil and then once you’re saved you become a child of God. Because God’s Elect are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">), we were ALWAYS children of God. Yes, we’re lost and dead in our sins until we come to the point in our lives when God quickens our spirit but we were always His, we were never children of the Devil. And how do we become children of God? We become children of God NOT<b> </b>by human decision. (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">) </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Paul was simply telling the Philippian jailer to believe, KNOWING that if he didn’t believe it’s because God had not done a work in him and if he did believe, God HAD done a work in him and had given him belief <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a>; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a>)</span>. It is no different with us. When we witness to someone or if a man who is lost goes to church and hears the Gospel preached - if he doesn’t believe it’s because God has not done a work in him and given him belief. So if a man walks out of church still lost after hearing God’s Word preached it’s because that’s exactly what God wants. (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-13-isaiah-5510-11.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 55:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-76892576452934655022012-09-23T01:08:00.003-04:002014-11-15T02:10:08.211-05:00Bible Truth #412 - Acts 2:37<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Pricked in their heart? Who pricked their heart? Did they prick their own heart? Or did God prick their heart? The answers are no, they did not prick their own heart, God is the one Who did it. And the only reason they were pricked in their heart is because God took out their heart of stone and gave them a heart of flesh (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-163-ezekiel-3622-31.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ezekiel 36:26</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Hearts of stone feel nothing. And the reason He gave them a heart of flesh is because they were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God gives His people a heart to know Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-286-jeremiah-245-7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jeremiah 24:7</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and fear Him for their own good and for the good of their children (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-289-jeremiah-3236-39.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jeremiah 32:39</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He opens some hearts and doesn’t open others (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-91-acts-1614.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 16:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God turns hearts to hate His people, whether they be children of Israel or Christians (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bibletruth-268-psalm-10524-25.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 105:25</span></a><span style="color: black;">). And He does all of this while making some men believe they have free will!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Were ALL pricked in their heart? Maybe all of those present had their heart pricked that particular day when Peter preached, but are all men pricked in the heart when they hear the message? Obviously not. Again, it is God who pricks the hearts of men with the Gospel and He doesn’t prick every man’s heart just as He doesn’t call every man to salvation (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-281-1-corinthians-126-27.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 1:26</span></a><span style="color: black;">). And those He calls, He also justifies and glorifies (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-4-romans-828-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:29-30</span></a><span style="color: black;">), they aren’t given a choice. As a matter of fact, not every man even has a chance to hear the Gospel as thousands die every day without hearing it - and many solely because of where they live. But it was God who determined when and where they would live (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-78-acts-1726.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 17:26</span></a><span style="color: black;">) so whether we like it or not, God determines whether a man will hear the Gospel or not. However, the sad truth is that every one who dies without Jesus is going to Hell whether they had an opportunity to hear the Gospel or not.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">But the point of this Bible Truth is that these men were pricked in their heart and only then did they realize they were sinners and that God was drawing them - and those the Father draws, Jesus <b>WILL</b> raise up, no ifs, ands, or buts (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-34-john-644.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:44</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-23627182154941536032012-09-19T23:27:00.003-04:002014-11-14T01:51:59.203-05:00Bible Truth #411 - 1 Samuel 25:39<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal and has kept back His servant from evil. The LORD has also returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own head.” Then David sent a proposal to Abigail, to take her as his wife.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">David said that the LORD kept him from doing evil. Here is another example of the man wanting to do one thing but God stopping him and making him do another. Where is the free will here? This is no different from than the time God prevented King Abimelech from touching Sarah when he took her to be his wife after Abraham said she was his sister (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-213-genesis-201-6.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Genesis 20:6</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Would you like an example from the New Testament? The same thing that happened with Paul when he intended to preach in Asia and Bithynia but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-127-acts-166-7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 16:6-7</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Think about that - God prevented Paul from preaching the Gospel. How does that fit into the Arminian theory that God wants to save each and every single person?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">If God does not want you to do something, you will not do it. If God does want you to accomplish a task, you will do it. God has a plan for each and every single person who was ever conceived, or who will be conceived, and there is no one who will not accomplish God’s will for their lives (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-188-psalm-572.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 57:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-189-psalm-1388.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 138:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/01/bible-truth-341-revelation-1715-17.html"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 17:17</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">To do anything, God may use you or He may use someone else, but because He has already declared the end from the beginning (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/12/bible-truth-328-isaiah-4610.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 46:10</span></a><span style="color: black;">), what He wants done not only will be done because He works all things in accordance with the counsel of His Will (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-104-ephesians-111.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">), it has ALREADY been done.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So is it a surprise to anyone that God kept David from doing evil? David knew it and he didn’t have God’s Word in text like we have it today.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-76039980920324934862012-09-17T23:34:00.000-04:002014-11-12T01:01:12.786-05:00Bible Truth #410 - 2 Timothy 2:19<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Ti&c=2&t=KJV#19" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 2:19</span></a> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">The Lord <u>knoweth</u> them that are his.</span> <span style="color: black;">Wow. When you combine that with what the Lord told the workers of iniquity <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”</span> (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-62-matthew-722-23.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 7:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">) it is very clear there are those the Lord knows and those He doesn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Lord</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><u>knoweth</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">them that are his.</span></span> It is NOT: those that know Him, or think they know Him. A man may claim to be a Christian, he may have prayed to accept Jesus, he may have walked the aisle, in Jesus’ Name he may have done many wonderful works, or preached and even cast out demons - but if he does not belong to Jesus, standing in front of the Great White Throne Judgment he will hear those dreadful words </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”<span style="color: black;"> God hates the workers of iniquity - not the iniquity, but the workers thereof (<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-66-john-1627.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 5:5</span></a>).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Lord</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><u>knoweth</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">them that are his.</span></span> He knows only those the Father has given Him, and those the Father has given Him WILL come to Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-3-john-637.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:37</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Who are those the Father has given Him? His Elect. Those who were chosen and placed in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">). These are they for whom He shed His Blood and died. (<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/03/bible-truth-360-mark-1424.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Mark 14:24</span></a>, <a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-136-ephesians-525.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 5:25</span></a>)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">The Lord <b>knoweth</b> them that are his.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-52860341558120269172012-09-16T01:46:00.003-04:002014-11-10T23:24:35.280-05:00Bible Truth #409 - 1 Samuel 25:32-34<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Sa&c=25&t=NASB#32" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Samuel 25:32-34</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">32 Then David said to Abigail, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">33 and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">34 “Nevertheless, as the LORD God of Israel lives, who has restrained me from harming you, unless you had come quickly to meet me, surely there would not have been left to Nabal until the morning light as much as one male."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">There will be some who say that Abigail made a decision of her own volition to approach David with gifts in an effort to appease his anger against her husband Nabal. David tells us otherwise in verse 32, <i>God sent her to meet him.</i> This is just another example of God directing the footsteps of men (and women) and working in people to will and to do according to His good pleasure (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-348-psalm-3723.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 37:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-188-psalm-572.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">57:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-189-psalm-1388.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">138:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-137-proverbs-35-6_30.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 3:5-6</span></a><span style="color: black;">, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-32-proverbs-169.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">16:9</span></a>, </span></span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-175-proverbs-1921.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">19:21</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-303-proverbs-2024.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">20:24</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-183-proverb-211.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">21:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">; <a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-248-isaiah-1422-27.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 14:27</span></a>, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/12/bible-truth-328-isaiah-4610.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">46:10</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-306-jeremiah-1023.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jeremiah 10:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-122-lamentations-217.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Lamentations 2:17</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-15-philippians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">), He works ALL things after the counsel of His will (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-104-ephesians-111.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">David was so filled with wrath against Nabal that he had in mind to kill not only Nabal but every man in Nabal’s household. He had his plan and had set it into motion, but God intervened. He not only sent Abigail to David, God also restrained David from harming Abigail too - <span style="color: blue;">“...<span class="Apple-style-span">who has restrained me from harming you...</span><span class="Apple-style-span">”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span>God moved the king’s heart like He moves rivers of water (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-183-proverb-211.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 21:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">God worked then as He does today. We <b>do not</b> become children of God by the will of the flesh (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">). </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-14493733456729291652012-09-14T01:42:00.004-04:002014-11-09T07:06:26.161-05:00Bible Truth #408 - Ezekiel 18:4<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eze&c=18&t=KJV#4" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ezekiel 18:4</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This passage is simply another verse that supports the fact that everything and everybody is owned by God. He can do with the soul of any man what pleases Him. Here are a couple of supporting passages:</span></div>
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<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-353-psalm-241.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 24:1</span></a><span style="color: black;"> tells us <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">the earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.</span> Everything belongs to the Lord and He can do what He wants with anyone and anything. This is the meaning of the word sovereign, and God IS sovereign. This is why His Word will NOT return void but WILL accomplish that which pleases Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-13-isaiah-5510-11.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 55:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">). This is why He works out EVERYTHING after the counsel of His own will (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-104-ephesians-111.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and because He is in control, and because He orders our steps (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-348-psalm-3723.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 37:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-32-proverbs-169.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 16:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">), Paul tells us in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-61-romans-828.html"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:28</span></a><span style="color: black;"> that all things work together for good, NOT our good as too many want to believe. If that is what you believe read </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-61-romans-828.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:28</span></a><span style="color: black;"> again or click on the hyperlink.</span></div>
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<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-382-2-peter-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Peter 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;"> tells us that there are false prophets who deny the Sovereign Lord who bought them. Jesus did not buy salvation for them, He bought them<b>.</b> Since He bought them, can He not do whatever He wants with them? The fact is, the matter has already been determined. Christ is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-351-revelation-138.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 13:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and anyone who would be saved in history had to be chosen and placed in Christ before the foundation of the world - and we were! There were some chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and there were those who weren’t - actually it is more like MANY who weren’t. This is the same thing that Paul tells us in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-74-romans-919-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:20-21</span></a><span style="color: black;">, the Potter can do with the clay as he sees fit, He owns it. If God wants to make a pot for dishonorable use, He can, and does - every day. For more thoughts on </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-382-2-peter-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Peter 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, click.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In the verse from Ezekiel above we learn that God owns the souls of every man AND the soul that sins will die. And by “die” one should understand He is referring to everlasting death in the Lake of Fire. Now who is the prophet talking about? Who is the soul that sins? If you know your Bible you know that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=3&t=KJV#23" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 3:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So if the Arminian wants to believe that Jesus died for the sins of each and every person who ever lived, O.K., assuming that premise (which I believe God’s Word says is false - </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-49-1-john-21-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 John 2:1-2</span></a><span style="color: black;">), just because Jesus died for the sins of every single person who ever lived does not mean that He purchased salvation for them, He purchased THEM, so He owns them and can do what He wants with them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">God is sovereign, every soul belongs to Him, and He can have mercy and compassion on whomever He pleases (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-83-romans-914-18.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:15</span></a><span style="color: black;">). We were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and redeemed because of nothing we do (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-44-2-timothy-18-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 1:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-162-titus-33-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). We are Christians, we are Elect, we are “the called ones” according to His purpose (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-61-romans-828.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:28</span></a><span style="color: black;">). We become children of God NOT by human decision (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-18013773601012727942012-09-09T00:26:00.008-04:002014-11-09T07:04:29.972-05:00Bible Truth #407 - Psalm 145:18-20<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=145&t=KJV#18" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 145:18-20</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">20 The LORD preserveth all that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I’m certain some will say that is another passage that proves lost men can, and are able to, call upon Jesus to be saved. We know there are no contradictions in the Bible so how does that understanding of the passage reconcile with passages like </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;"> where Paul tells us that a lost man can not please God? Will the Arminian say that a lost man calling out to be saved is not pleasing to God? “<i>Yes, of course a lost man calling out to God is pleasing to Him.</i>” Well... If it is pleasing to God then a lost man can’t do it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">He is near to all who call upon Him <b>in truth</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jesus said He is the way, the truth, and the life (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=14&t=KJV#6" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 14:6</span></a><span style="color: black;">). How can any man who doesn’t know Jesus know truth? Jesus also said God is spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-285-john-422-24.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 4:24</span></a><span style="color: black;">). A man with a dead spirit can do nothing in the spirit, nor does he have the truth. All he has is the lie of the flesh. Again, a lost man won’t call upon Him at all, much less call upon Him in truth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Do the lost fear God? I’m sure some do but only in the superstitious way that certainly does not result in salvation. Nothing a lost man can do results in salvation (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-44-2-timothy-18-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 1:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-162-titus-33-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). This fear is a reverential fear of God that is a result of God quickening the dead spirit in a man and saving his soul from eternal damnation.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">He also will hear their cry,</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">God does not hear the cry of a lost man, he does not hear a the prayer of a sinner. God has hidden His face from those who are not made righteous through the Blood of the Lamb. His hand is not so short that it cannot save, nor His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But man’s iniquities have made a separation between him and God, and his sins have hidden God’s face from him so that God does not hear. (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-130-isaiah-591-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 59:1-2</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">How does the aforementioned understanding of the passage reconcile with </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;"> where Jesus Himself said the lost hate him and will not come unto Him? There are many passages of Scripture that say the same thing, that tell us what a lost man can’t do, or won’t do. There are no exceptions to any of them. The lost man can’t understand anything from the Holy Spirit (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-1-1-corinthians-214.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 2:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and won’t call out to God because he is dead (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-96-ephesians-21-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-129-ephesians-24-6.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-42-colossians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Colossians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">and will save them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This is not “save” in the context of salvation for a number of reasons. First and foremost is the Biblical principle that is found throughout the Bible that the lost man is incapable and unwilling to call upon Someone he hates and Someone he does not understand. Second is the meaning of the Hebrew word from which “save” is translated. </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=H3467" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">Yasha</span></i></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=H3467" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Strong’s Concordance #H3467</span></a><span style="color: black;">, does not mean to be saved from eternal damnation for if it did, it would contradict the rest of the Bible. </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=H3467" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">Yasha</span></i></a><span style="color: black;"> means to be liberated or delivered, to be saved in battle - victorious, to be saved from moral troubles.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">He preserves all that love Him</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Of course, because all that love Him are those whom He has quickened, those whom He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and those whom He foreknew and predestined to be saved (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-4-romans-828-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:29-30</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">but all the wicked will he destroy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This also is not surprising since He hates the wicked (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-66-john-1627.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 11:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He works out everything for His own ends - even the wicked for a day of disaster (<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-37-proverbs-164.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 16:4</span></a>).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So YES! The Lord IS near to all that call upon Him in truth, and WILL fulfill the desire of them that fear Him, and WILL hear their cry and save them - but these are all things of which the lost sinner is incapable, or because of his nature, is unwilling to do. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-38411190979020383142012-09-03T08:37:00.004-04:002014-11-07T00:21:48.841-05:00Bible Truth #406 - Luke 6:46-49<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=6&t=KJV#46" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Luke 6:46-49</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">46 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;">And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">47</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;"> Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">48</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;"> He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">49</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;"> But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I’m sure that most Christians are familiar with this parable, and have heard it called the parable of the wise and foolish builders. God’s Word tells us that wisdom comes from Him (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Job&c=38&t=KJV#36" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Job 38:36</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Pro&c=2&t=KJV#6" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 2:6</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and that wisdom of a man is not wisdom at all, and will perish (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Isa&c=29&t=KJV#14" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 29:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In verse 47 Jesus said, <span class="Apple-style-span">all those who come to me...</span> Who will come to Him? It certainly won’t be a lost man because Jesus said in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;"> that those who do evil (lost men) hate the Light and will NOT come to it - and of course the Light is Jesus (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=8&t=KJV#12" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 8:12</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=9&t=KJV#5" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 9:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jesus continues in the same verse, <span class="Apple-style-span">and heareth my sayings,... </span>again, who will hear His sayings? Jesus told the Pharisees in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-23-john-842-47.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 8:43</span></a><span style="color: black;"> that they do not understand what He is telling them because they <i>CAN’T HEAR HIS WORD!</i><b> </b>Is He telling them they are deaf? No! He is referring to their spiritual ears. They can’t hear with their spiritual ears because the are spiritually DEAD, therefore spiritually deaf (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-96-ephesians-21-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-129-ephesians-24-6.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-42-colossians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Colossians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">). So lost men not only won’t come to Jesus, neither can they “hear” Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">He continues in verse 47 - <span class="Apple-style-span">and doeth them,... </span>Do you think a lost man doing what Jesus said would please God? A lot of believers would say yes, of course. Please let me remind you what Paul told us in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;"> - they that are in the flesh (i.e. all lost men) can not please God!<b> </b>So there isn’t a lost man anywhere that will do what Jesus said. Only those whom God has quickened will even hear the spiritual truths Jesus spoke, and then act on them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The question remains - whom will God quicken? The obvious answer is He will quicken only His children. Before you jump to the incorrect conclusion that everyone on the planet is a child of God, please read again Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-23-john-842-47.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">John 8:42-47</span></span></a><span style="color: black;">. Everyone is NOT a child of God. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The Gospel of John also records that we become children of God not by human decision (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Two things:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">- you can’t “become” a child of God unless you weren’t a child of God to begin with, </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">- we “become” a child of God not by human decision.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It is only these people, God’s children whom He has quickened, whom Jesus said was like a wise man who built an house by digging deep and laying the foundation upon a rock. Jesus is the rock (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=9&t=KJV#33" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:33</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Cr&c=10&t=KJV#4" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 10:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Pe&c=2&t=KJV#8" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Peter 2:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">) upon Whom one’s faith is properly set, and which will stand against any test. So the idea of God choosing to whom He gives wisdom perfectly reconciles with the idea of God’s sovereignty in Election in choosing those He placed in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Just as wisdom comes from God for a select few, so too salvation comes from God for His chosen, a select few.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-13003668618579377992012-08-31T23:37:00.005-04:002014-11-03T01:06:10.957-05:00Bible Truth #405 - Acts 26:28-29<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=26&t=KJV#28" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 26:28-29</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.<br />
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Some have pointed out to me that the Bible has used the word “persuade” in our efforts to evangelize the lost. “<i>Why would God want us to persuade anyone if they couldn’t be persuaded?</i>” </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I see this question as someone grasping for straws in trying to prove man has the ability to come to Christ, the ability to believe, and the ability to repent - all in, and of themselves, and outside God’s working in them. Here are some examples of persuade being used:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=16&t=KJV#31" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Luke 16:31</span></a><span style="color: black;"> - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be <b>persuaded</b>, though one rose from the dead.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=18&t=KJV#4" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Acts 18:4</span></a><span style="color: black;"> - </span><span style="color: blue;">And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and <strong>persuaded</strong> the Jews and the Greeks.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=19&t=KJV#8" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Acts 19:8</span></a><span style="color: black;"> - </span><span style="color: blue;">And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and <strong>persuading</strong> the things concerning the kingdom of God.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/07/bible-truth-393-acts-2823-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 28:23-29</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">- <span style="color: blue;">And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, <b>persuading</b> them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.</span> (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/07/bible-truth-393-acts-2823-29.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #393</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">None of these examples make the least bit of difference and none change God’s Word! As a matter of fact, it was Jesus Who said in the passage from Luke that men will not be persuaded <i>even if one rose from the dead!</i> As is always the case, Jesus is right - One HAS risen from the dead and are men persuaded? Not in the least.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I’m sure the man who believes in decisional salvation would disagree and say, “<i>But men ARE persuaded. Many come to Jesus every day through persuasion.</i>” Oh? So Jesus is wrong? Sorry, Jesus said men will NOT be persuaded. There is no room for an exception.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">But regarding salvation, lost men aren’t persuaded, they’re convicted. God is simply using the efforts of those who proclaim the Gospel to quicken the dead spirits of some lost, giving them eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand. Then, and only then, can they be convicted by the Holy Spirit because the man without the Spirit, i.e. the lost man, understands nothing from the Holy Spirit. It is foolishness to him and he will not accept it (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-1-1-corinthians-214.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 2:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The circumstances of our Gospel proclamation have no effect on the lost because nothing we do will quicken a man who is dead in his sins (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-96-ephesians-21-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-129-ephesians-24-6.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-42-colossians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Colossians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">), nothing we do will cause a lost man to come unto the Light (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and nothing we say or do will cause a lost man to please God and “accept” Christ (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">No matter the method we use to proclaim the Gospel, God will quicken only those He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Only those God has appointed to eternal life will believe (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-18-acts-1346-48.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 13:48</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Only those belonging to Jesus will believe (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-28-john-1025-29-3-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 10:26</span></a><span style="color: black;">) because only God’s children will even be able to listen to God’s Word (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-23-john-842-47.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 8:42-47</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Once again, we become children of God NOT by human decision (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-23591013375043012902012-08-25T10:58:00.001-04:002018-08-02T20:09:06.883-04:00Bible Truth #404 - Romans 3:28<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=3&t=NKJV#28" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 3:28</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Justified by faith... and where does a man get this faith, this saving faith? Answer - God gives each believer a measure of faith (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-152-romans-123.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 12:3</span></a><span style="color: black;">). This is why some get more than others. But why doesn’t He give EVERY man saving faith? Most Christians who believe in decisional salvation think God wants to save every man. So if man receives faith from God, why doesn’t He give every man saving faith? Arminians will say, “<i>Because most men don’t want it.</i>” </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Really? Unfortunately, NO lost man wants it, he wants nothing to do with God. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So why doesn’t God give every man saving faith? Answer - Because He doesn’t want to save every man!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Some may try to claim God wants every man to be saved by quoting </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-125-1-timothy-21-6.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Timothy 2:4</span></a>, <a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/01/bible-truth-330-1-timothy-49-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Timothy 4:10</span></a>,<span style="color: black;"> or </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-86-2-peter-31-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Peter 3:9</span></a><span style="color: black;"> but those passages can easily be explained without contradicting the rest of God’s Word (click on the links). However, I have yet to hear an explanation justifying their position from one who believes in decisional salvation for passages like </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-1-1-corinthians-214.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 2:14</span></a><span style="color: black;"> that tells us a lost man will accept nothing from the Holy Spirit and will consider it foolishness; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;"> that tells us a lost man can’t please God; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-28-john-1025-29-3-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 10:25</span></a><span style="color: black;"> where Jesus Himself tells us why a lost man does not believe; and </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;"> where Jesus tells us the lost hate Him and will NOT come unto Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It should be obvious that the lost have no faith, especially since God told us not all men have faith (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-232-2-thessalonians-32.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Thessalonians 3:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Does a man come to Christ without faith and when God sees he is sincere He then gives him faith? That is absurd. Without faith no man is going to come to Christ. A lost man hates Christ and will not come to Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Why, or better yet, how can a lost man come to Someone he hates? Why would God give faith to someone He hates? Some will say, “<i>God doesn’t hate anyone! He loves everyone!</i>” Not true - God hates workers of iniquity (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-66-john-1627.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 5:5</span></a>)</span>, the wicked and those who love violence (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-66-john-1627.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 11:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">), abortion doctors (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Pro&c=6&t=KJV#17" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 6:17</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and liars (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-66-john-1627.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 6:19</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Any one of those passages by itself proves God does not love every person on the planet which means a lot of Christians believe an incorrect interpretation of John 3:16. See </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-66-john-1627.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #66</span></a><span style="color: black;"> for more info. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">But, getting back to faith - does God give a lost man faith to enable him to come to Christ and then if he “rejects” Christ take that same faith away? If true, someone please show it to me in Scripture.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">A man is justified by God-given faith alone and not because of anything he does (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-44-2-timothy-18-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 1:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-162-titus-33-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-8465268916267333732012-08-24T02:28:00.005-04:002014-11-03T23:58:29.850-05:00Bible Truth #403 - Judges 7:19-22<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jdg&c=7&t=KJV#19" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Judges 7:19-22</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.<br />
20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.<br />
21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.<br />
22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">And the Lord caused each man in the Midianite camp to turn his sword on each other. Here is another example of the Lord working ALL things after the counsel of His will (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-104-ephesians-111.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God made each of the Midianites want to kill each other. He worked in their minds to make them believe it was necessary to kill their fellow Midianites, or He worked in their minds to make them think they were striking at the followers of Gideon. Either way, God was at work!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Were they acting of their free will here? I’m sure if you could have stopped the carnage and asked one of these men if it was their decision to slay each other the answer would be yes! But did they truly have free will? NO! God was working in them to will and to do according to His good pleasure (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-15-philippians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This is no different than the way God works in each of His Elect, those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">). At a point in time God chooses in the life of one of His Elect He quickens their dead spirit <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">through faith, the faith that God gives them</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-152-romans-123.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 12:3</span></a>; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/04/bible-truth-364-ephesians-28-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:8</span></a>) as a gift.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> God simultaneously gives them </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">belief (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a>; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a>), repentance (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-12-2-timothy-224-26.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">2 Timothy 2:25</span></a></span>)</span></span>, and understanding (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-46-luke-2440-45.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">Luke 24:45</span></a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-1-1-corinthians-214.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 2:14</span></a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-347-2-timothy-21-7.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">2 Timothy 2:7</span></a>). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">God then draws them to Christ, and here’s the important part that is lost on most believers who think they “accepted Christ,” Jesus WILL raise them up</span><span style="color: black;">. There is no if, there is no except, there is no maybe, there is absolutely no option for their so-called “<i>free will</i>.” Jesus said, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: <b>and I will raise him up at the last day.</b>”</span> (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-34-john-644.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:44</span></a><span style="color: black;">) ALL those drawn, Jesus raises up.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The specific point to which I am referring that relates to this Bible Truth is when God works in a man and makes him believe (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Just as God worked in the minds of the Midianites to make them slay each other and then flee, He works in the mind of one of His Elect and gives him belief, not the ability to believe (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-61488090055068516142012-08-22T09:04:00.002-04:002018-11-06T02:44:41.802-05:00Bible Truth #402 - Psalm 41:9<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/41/9/s_519009" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 41:9</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This is prophesy regarding Judas and his betrayal of the Son of God unto the Jews for crucifixion and was quoted by Jesus in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/04/bible-truth-362-john-1318.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 13:18</span></a><span style="color: black;">. Many times in God’s Word He tells us that He has a plan for the lives of every human being who ever lived. No one will go through their lives not fulfilling God’s purpose for them (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-188-psalm-572.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 57:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-189-psalm-1388.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 138:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/01/bible-truth-341-revelation-1715-17.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 17:17</span></a><span style="color: black;">). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">When this prophesy was made by the psalmist in history, God had already determined in eternity who it would be. When God created time, everything that was going to take place in history, has already occurred in eternity (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/12/bible-truth-328-isaiah-4610.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 46:10</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Here in Psalms we see that Judas was as much an integral part of God’s purpose as was King Herod and Pontius Pilate (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-194-acts-427-28.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 4:27-28</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God had ordered the steps of ALL those involved (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-32-proverbs-169.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 16:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-183-proverb-211.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 21:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">God owns each and every human being who was ever born <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">(</span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-353-psalm-241.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 24:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-382-2-peter-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Peter 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and can have mercy and compassion upon whomever He wants (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-83-romans-914-18.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:15</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He has an expected end (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-14-jeremiah-2911.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jeremiah 29:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">) for each and every person because we were created for His pleasure (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/03/bible-truth-359-revelation-411.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 4:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Free will? Sadly, no. God is working in each one of us to will (think, reason, believe) and to do (act, behave, live) according to HIS good pleasure, not ours (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-15-philippians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">). So we not only do want He wants us to do (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-175-proverbs-1921.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 19:21</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-303-proverbs-2024.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 20:24</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-104-ephesians-111.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">), we think and believe according to His plan <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a>, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana";">Philippians 1:29</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">)</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Judas was God’s chosen vessel unto dishonor (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-74-romans-919-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:21</span></a><span style="color: black;">). His act of betrayal was God’s plan for him and God endured with much long-suffering the vessel of wrath (Judas), who was prepared and predestined for destruction (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-37-proverbs-164.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 16:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-302-romans-919-24.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:22</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We become children of God NOT by human decision (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-65787704357276334132012-08-17T23:57:00.003-04:002014-11-02T06:28:50.885-05:00Bible Truth #401 - Zechariah 12:1<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Zec&c=12&t=KJV#s=923001" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Zechariah 12:1</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">God forms the spirit of man within him...</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This is similar to the passage where the Psalmist writes that God forms the heart of every man (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-52-psalm-3313-1521.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 33:15</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God turns hearts as He sees fit to accomplish His purpose (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-188-psalm-572.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 57:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-183-proverb-211.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 21:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God is the one Who, for some, takes out their heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-163-ezekiel-3622-31.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ezekiel 36:26</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He gives His people a heart to know Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-286-jeremiah-245-7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jeremiah 24:7</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and fear Him for their own good and for the good of their children (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-289-jeremiah-3236-39.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jeremiah 32:39</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God opens some hearts and keeps other hearts closed (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-91-acts-1614.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 16:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God turns hearts to hate His people, whether they be children of Israel or Christians (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bibletruth-268-psalm-10524-25.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 105:25</span></a><span style="color: black;">). And He does all of this while making some men believe they have free will!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Who we are in God’s sight had been set long before we were ever born, set by God. Our birth had been determined (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-78-acts-1726.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 17:26</span></a><span style="color: black;">), our steps ordered (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-32-proverbs-169.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 16:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">), our works before ordained (<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-102-ephesians-210.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:10</span></a>), our days written (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-59-psalm-13916.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 139:16</span></a><span style="color: black;">), our end expected (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-14-jeremiah-2911.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jeremiah 29:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">), our souls purchased (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-165-revelation-59.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 5:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">), our eternity predestined (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-4-romans-828-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:29-30</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and our eternal life appointed (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-18-acts-1346-48.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 13:48</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We become children of God NOT by human decision (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-63133620791149242782012-08-09T08:44:00.004-04:002018-07-21T01:32:05.378-04:00Bible Truth #400 - 1 Peter 5:10<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Pe&c=5&t=KJV#10" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Peter 5:10</span></a> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Pe&c=1&t=KJV#1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Peter 1:1-2</span></a><span style="color: black;"> Peter makes it clear that he is not writing to all of humanity. He is writing to a specific group of people, the Elect of God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">He then writes in verse 10 above that God has called US unto His eternal glory. Because we know to whom Peter was writing, we can say with certainty that he is not referring to “us” in the context of humanity. However, undoubtedly there will be those who say that God has called, and will call, everybody to salvation at least once in their life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The problem is anyone who says that ignores passages that state rather clearly that is not true. Paul tells us in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-281-1-corinthians-126-27.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 1:26</span></a><span style="color: black;"> that not many wise men are called, not many mighty men are called, nor many noble men are called. If God “called to salvation” every man then Paul would have written God has called each and every man (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G1538" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">hekastos</span></a><span style="color: black;"> - </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/11/bible-truth-324-romans-123.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #324</span></a><span style="color: black;">) to salvation instead of giving examples of whom God did and did not call. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Paul also writes elsewhere those whom God calls [to salvation] He also justifies and glorifies (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-4-romans-828-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:29-30</span></a><span style="color: black;">). There is no <i>option</i> for man to accept or reject it. Within the <i>golden chain of redemption</i> there is a people God foreknew, His Elect. Those He foreknew, He predestined to be saved. Those He predestined, He called, justified, and glorified. It is already done, and it was done before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Now some will say that we weren’t predestined to be saved but predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Please... does anyone actually believe there will be someone predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ who ISN’T going to be saved? Are there any lost who have been conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The point is Paul isn’t the only one who writes about God calling US unto His eternal glory. Here Peter does as well.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-88096134500812862112012-07-28T02:32:00.005-04:002014-10-31T00:09:21.475-04:00Bible Truth #399 - Matthew 18:1-4<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=18&t=KJV#1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 18:1-4</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">3 And said, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;">Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">4 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;">Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I wrote about Jesus speaking of being converted in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/10/bible-truth-318-matthew-181-3.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #318</span></a><span style="color: black;"> so I won’t go into that here. Nor will I go into the unbiblical “<i>Age of Accountability</i>” which I wrote about in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/10/bible-truth-319-matthew-1810-14.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #319</span></a><span style="color: black;">. Please feel free to click either of the hyperlinks for more in-depth thought.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jesus said <span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: red;">“...and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This is not a blanket statement made by Christ to show all children are safe from eternal damnation. Rather, this is a simile to describe a Christian's faith - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">...become <b>AS</b> little children.</span> Children unreservedly trust those over them without question. It is their nature and God designed them that way for, among other reasons I'm sure, their own safety. God wants Christians to trust Him the same way, without reservation, because He is sovereign, on the throne, in control, and directs our steps (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-32-proverbs-169.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 16:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">). That is why we are to thank Him FOR everything (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-70-ephesians-520.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 5:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">), yes, even the “bad” things. There are no accidents or coincidences in a Christian's life - everything is incidental and directed by God. Since that is the case, children who die at whatever age, or before birth, have died as directed by God. He owns everything and everyone on earth <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-353-psalm-241.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 24:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-382-2-peter-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Peter 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and He can do with anyone as He wants for His glory. We were created for His pleasure, not ours (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/03/bible-truth-359-revelation-411.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 4:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let’s talk about little children, the </span><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/total-depravity.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">total depravity</span></a><span style="color: black;"> of the natural man, and when we inherit that nature.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Because of Adam, every human being is conceived a sinner (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-345-psalm-515.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 51:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He is a sinner from the instant of conception. His spirit is dead and unless God quickens that spirit at some point after conception that person will go to eternal damnation whether he dies at 95 years of age or in the womb. No one enters Heaven unless their dead spirit has been quickened by God. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">At some point before they step into eternity, God WILL quicken the spirit of every person He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">). This is true regardless of age - from a 95 year-old man to a fertilized egg that, because the mother is on the “birth-control pill,” the endometrium does not accept the implantation of that human life and hence the mother is directly responsible for an abortion (but that's another topic). If that child is Elect of God and was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, God WILL quicken his spirit and as such, will join many others in Heaven. But it doesn’t change the fact that at the moment of conception his spirit was dead and needed to be quickened by God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">There is nothing anyone can do to BE chosen; and if one is chosen, there is nothing he can do to be UNchosen. People are chosen because of NOTHING they did or didn’t do (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-44-2-timothy-18-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 1:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-162-titus-33-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). This is also true of those who were NOT chosen: they were passed over NOT because of anything they did or didn’t do. Just as Christians are not saved by works (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/04/bible-truth-364-ephesians-28-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:8-9</span></a><span style="color: black;">), neither are works the basis for a man’s condemnation. It is the sinful nature inherited from Adam that condemns and it is the sinful nature that must be redeemed. Because every human is conceived in sin they are condemned already. If they were not chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, because of Adam God’s wrath remains on him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-82-john-336.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:36</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The Scripture that proves an unborn child is spiritually dead is </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-161-john-33-7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:6</span></a><span style="color: black;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Therefore, anyone conceived of man is spiritually dead, flesh can give birth ONLY to flesh. Therefore, just as any man, woman, boy, or girl is saved only by the grace of God because they were chosen, salvation is the same for any child, infant, or unborn child - he/she is saved by the grace of God and ONLY the grace of God. But those who survive pregnancy and childhood and who will never be converted are wicked from birth (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/07/bible-truth-395-psalm-583.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 58:3</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">But it is a fact that many die who are unable to “make a decision” and because the flesh has come up with the idea that a man goes to Heaven because of something he did in the flesh - i.e. he “<i>made a decision</i>” for Christ - a theory had to be fabricated to give this group of people a way to get to Heaven. So the unbiblical theory called “<i>Age of Accountability</i>” has been concocted. There is NO SUCH THING in Scripture as the “</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/10/bible-truth-319-matthew-1810-14.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">Age of Accountability</span></i></a><span style="color: black;">.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Some believers have told me what happens to an unborn baby, newborn, or young child if they die is not set in Scripture so it should not be debated or made into a dogma. While that is indeed true, the principle of who will enter Heaven and for what reason IS a doctrine... the Doctrine of Election. What some men try to do is put a group of people (babies, mentally infirm) in a position where they’re <i>safe</i> from damnation because they aren’t able to make a moral decision. Sorry, that’s not in Scripture. What IS in God's Word is clear, only His Elect are going to spend eternity with Him in Heaven, period. To prove one way or another about those “unable to make a moral decision” is getting into emotionalism and is uncalled for. Those “unable to make a moral decision” are in the same position as every human being ever conceived or born - God owns them, they are in His hands, and He does with them whatever pleases Him. (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-353-psalm-241.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 24:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-382-2-peter-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Peter 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/03/bible-truth-359-revelation-411.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 4:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">However, if someone wants to insist that it is indeed our sins that condemn us and not our sinful nature, and since infants and mentally infirm cannot make a moral decision and therefore have not sinned, then they must remove </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=3&t=KJV#23" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 3:23</span></a><span style="color: black;"> from their Bible. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: blue;">FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD</span>;</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">There is no exception for babies or mentally infirm. Someone may ask, well how do babies sin? That is beside the point. God identifies sin, not man. When God had Paul write ALL HAVE SINNED, God means exactly that, <span style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">ALL HAVE SINNED</span></b>.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The very existence of an unredeemed human is a stench before God, every breath an unredeemed human takes is sin. Every heartbeat of an unredeemed child is sin. They that are in the flesh (ANY lost person) can not please God (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">). That means if God would be pleased by someone “accepting” Jesus, a lost man can’t “accept” Jesus! If God would be pleased by someone truly repenting of their sin, a lost woman can’t truly repent of her sin!! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Do you think God is indifferent? That is, if someone can not please God, is it possible they can not displease God? That someone can remain “neutral” in their relationship with God? No.<b> </b>If someone is not pleasing God, they are displeasing Him, hence their activity is sin. Paul confirms this when he writes whatever is not from faith is sin (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-132-romans-1423.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">Romans 14:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Does Paul write “whatever adults do that is not from faith is sin.” ?? NO. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The bottom line is that at conception, the spirit in that one cell human being is DEAD and must be quickened by God before death for that soul to enter into Heaven. And it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but God's mercy (<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-83-romans-914-18.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:16</span></a>).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-21080398615088018082012-07-25T01:40:00.006-04:002015-01-15T05:39:59.363-05:00Bible Truth #398 - Luke 10:1-2<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=10&t=KJV#1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Luke 10:1-2</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">2 Therefore said he unto them, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;">The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Jesus did not pray for the harvest, i.e. God</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">’</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">s Elect. Nor did He at this point teach the apostles to pray for the harvest. He taught them to pray for WORKERS to be sent. WHY?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Because </span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">God is the one who makes any planted seed grow (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-118-1-corinthians-35-7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 3:6-7</span></a>), God is the One responsible for what is IN the fields, and that’s where the harvest takes place. There is no harvest among the thorns, there is no harvest along the path, and there is no harvest among rocky soil. All these are the equivalent of the hearts of the lost who haven’t been chosen (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-38-matthew-133-9-19-23.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">Matthew 13</span></a> - <a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-38-matthew-133-9-19-23.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #38</span></a>) and just as soil can’t change itself, neither can lost men change their hearts and believe, repent, or “accept” Jesus. The heart must be changed BY GOD from a God-hater to a God-lover BEFORE a man will respond by recognizing his need for the Savior. That is exactly what takes place every time God saves a man. God changes the soil (the heart) FIRST, the soil THEN is receptive to the seed and God MAKES it grow and produce fruit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">But back to the harvest field... Jesus taught his disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to SEND OUT WORKERS. Here is a verse that reconciles and supports </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-15-philippians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 2:13</span></a>, that God works in us to think & believe and act according to His purpose. </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: red;">“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers...”</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Sounds to me like workers aren’t going to go unless they are sent. Jesus didn’t teach pray that workers go, He said, pray that God would SEND the workers. I pray you see the difference. Think about it. The difference is huge. Please read it again: Jesus didn’t teach pray that workers go, He said, “pray that God would SEND the workers.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Do you think if God sends a worker, there’s a chance that the worker won’t go? Do you think if God sends a worker, there’s a chance the worker will say, “No, I’m not going.” ? Sovereign means God gets His way and He DOES get His way</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-13-isaiah-5510-11.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 55:11</span></a>), EVERY time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Please, please pay close attention to the pronoun preceding “harvest field” in verse 38. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Whose harvest field is it? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">God is sovereign and if He doesn’t want workers going into His fields, they aren’t going. An example of this is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-298-romans-113-1518-22.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 1:13</span></a> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-127-acts-166-7.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">Acts 16:6-7</span></a> (<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-127-acts-166-7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #127</span></a>). More than once not only was Paul NOT sent, but actually prevented from going into the harvest field. So t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">he opposite of God sending a worker is also true. Do you think if God</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">doesn’t<b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">send a worker, or actually prevents a worker from going into an area, do you think that worker will go? Even if you think a man can be “disobedient” and go anyway (which I don’t believe can happen), do you think the worker will “harvest” anyone? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-118-1-corinthians-35-7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 3:6-7</span></a>)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Bottom Line - God makes the seed grow and God sends (or doesn’t send) workers into HIS fields. THAT</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">’</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">s sovereignty in Election.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-36203367690400798732012-07-24T01:55:00.002-04:002014-10-29T01:26:12.335-04:00Bible Truth #397 - Psalm 34:16<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=34&t=KJV#16" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 34:16</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In the book of Psalms the “face of the Lord” is a symbol of God’s divine favor. If God’s divine favor is against them, how can “them that do evil” turn God’s divine favor <i>toward</i> them? Is there anything “them” can do to merit God’s favor? Of course the answer is an emphatic NO! A lost man is unable to do anything that would make God save him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-44-2-timothy-18-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 1:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-162-titus-33-5.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">) because he is unable to do anything pleasing to God. (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We already know from the rest of the Holy Scriptures that every imagination of the thoughts of a lost man’s heart is <b>only</b> evil, continuously (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-5-genesis-65.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Genesis 6:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Well, since God’s divine favor is against them, that would explain why they are always thinking evil. Did not Jesus say that everyone who does evil hates Him? And will not come to Him? (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">) Again, who does evil? The answer is every lost man.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">That also explains man’s </span><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/total-depravity.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Total Depravity</span></a><span style="color: black;"> and why he can NOT, of his own volition and of his own so-called <i>“free will”</i>, do anything pleasing to God<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> (</span></span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">), because it is evil. For a man to do something pleasing to God, God must first do a work in him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and “enable” him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-36-john-665.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:65</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Not only is God’s Divine Favor against “them,” Scripture tells us that God hates them as well (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-66-john-1627.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">Psalm 5:5</span></a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-66-john-1627.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 11:5</span></a>). Is it any wonder the Psalmist tells us God wants to erase any memory of them from the earth? </span></span>Even though they may do many mighty works in the Name of Jesus, they are still workers of iniquity and Jesus will tell them to depart from Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-62-matthew-722-23.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 7:22-23</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The point of this Bible Truth is to convey the simple understanding of God’s Word. God is against every man who does evil, which is defined as all those NOT chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and to wipe out any memory of them. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-82804277375082584462012-07-22T01:27:00.007-04:002014-10-26T23:26:54.789-04:00Bible Truth #396 - 1 Corinthians 3:5<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Cr&c=3&t=KJV#5" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 3:5</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">...as the Lord GAVE to every man</span> - GAVE, the Greek word is </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G1325" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">didomi</span></i></a><span style="color: black;">. It is used elsewhere in the same context, God sovereignly acting without one shred of evidence of any prerequisite of man: </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">- the Lord gives the knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to the apostles but not to others (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-39-matthew-1310-11.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 13:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/05/bible-truth-381-mark-410-12.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Mark 4:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">- the Lord gives His Life as a ransom for many (not all) - this is the Limited Atonement (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-288-mark-1045.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Mark 10:45</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">- the Father gives His Elect to Jesus (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-3-john-637.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:37</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">- Jesus will lose none of those the Father has given to Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-106-john-639.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:39</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">- no man can come to Jesus except it were given unto him by the father (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-36-john-665.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:65</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The time when there was a requirement first, before something would be given, was when Satan tempted Jesus. He said, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">“All these things will I <b>give</b></span> (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G1325" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">didomi</span></a><span style="color: black;">)<i> </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”</span> (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=4&t=KJV#9" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 4:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Paul can not do the job, or ministry, God gave to Apollos, nor could Apollos do the job God gave to Paul. The Lord has assigned to <em>each and every</em> man (<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/11/bible-truth-324-romans-123.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 12:3</span></a>), and to each believer, a specific task - and to facilitate man's ability to accomplish that task God has given each believer a spiritual gift. Where was the free will in their lives? Where was the free will for them to do whatever they wanted to do?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It isn’t there. God has a plan for each man’s life, a purpose for every human being who ever lived. No one will go through their lives not fulfilling God’s purpose for them (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-188-psalm-572.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 57:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-189-psalm-1388.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 138:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/01/bible-truth-341-revelation-1715-17.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 17:17</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God will work in each man to accomplish His will (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-104-ephesians-111.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-15-philippians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Is it also possible that when Paul writes that God has assigned a specific task <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">to every man</span>, that he is writing not only of Christians, but also of those He has chosen NOT to redeem? I think it must be considered because of how He had a plan for the life of Judas long before he was born. Judas was destined to do what he did (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/08/bible-truth-402-psalm-419.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 41:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/04/bible-truth-362-john-1318.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 13:18</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-349-acts-222-23.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 2:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God owns each and every human being who was ever born <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-353-psalm-241.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 24:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-382-2-peter-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Peter 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and can have mercy and compassion upon whomever He wants (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-83-romans-914-18.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:15</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He has an expected end for each and every person because we were created for for His pleasure (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/03/bible-truth-359-revelation-411.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 4:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Do you think God would create a specific individual without a plan for his life?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Free will? Sorry, that is simply a weakness of the flesh that many believers have not yet overcome. God has given every believer a spiritual gift and we can’t work successfully outside of the “boundaries” of that gift.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-36262157737552614682012-07-20T03:25:00.005-04:002019-08-14T08:06:46.640-04:00Bible Truth #395 - Psalm 58:3<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=58&t=KJV#3" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 58:3</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Notice the Psalmist did NOT write, “Some are estranged from the womb and <em>become</em> wicked when they go astray...” Please accept the truth found in the plain language of this psalm. The wicked are born ALREADY wicked - in fact, we all are. This is proof that every baby is not Elect at its birth - that many or even most are destined to remain wicked. But it still does not prove, one way or the other, that every baby who dies is Elect.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We look at a newborn baby, or even one who has not yet been born, as pure and innocent. NOT in God's eyes. That child, like every child, is conceived a sinner (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/02/bible-truth-345-psalm-515.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 51:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">), is conceived unredeemed, and consequently his spirit is dead until God quickens it. An unredeemed human being, one whose spirit is dead, regardless of age, in God's eyes is as wicked as the most evil, vile, criminal on death row anywhere in the world (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=3&t=KJV#23" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 3:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">What makes someone wicked? What makes ANYONE wicked? Is it something they do? Is it sin they commit? No! Sin is a work of the flesh and man is not a sinner because he sins, a man sins because he is a sinner. As we are not saved by works, neither do works condemn us. The natural state of man is corrupt, </span><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/total-depravity.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">totally depraved</span></a><span style="color: black;">, and wicked. Every man is wicked because every man’s progenitor is Adam (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=5&t=KJV#12" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 5:12</span></a><span style="color: black;">). This is why the Psalmist identifies them as wicked even at birth! I say again, the Psalmist did NOT write, “Some are estranged from the womb and <em>become</em> wicked when they go astray...” They go astray because they are conceived wicked and born wicked.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Those babies who will survive childhood and reach maturity, and NEVER be saved are, even in the infancy, wicked. That is why they go astray. Just as a man sins because he is a sinner, so too a man goes astray because he is wicked (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Isa&c=53&t=KJV#6" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 53:6</span></a><span style="color: black;">). It is NOT a man is wicked because he goes astray. Now let’s take these facts to their logical conclusion: since it is a fact that most people are not saved it stands to reason that most babies are wicked.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">But the fact that the psalmist wrote <span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: blue;">“...the [wicked] go astray”</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">implies that there are those who aren’t wicked. I contend that there are those whom God has already quickened and need only to reach the point in their life where God draws them and grants them belief </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a>; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a>) and repentance (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-12-2-timothy-224-26.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 2:25</span></a></span>). Then</span> and only then will they believe, repent, and follow Jesus. Only then will they come to the Light <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">(</span></span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-3-john-637.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:37</span></a><span style="color: black;">), only then are they able to please God, and only then are they able to understand.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We become children of God NOT by human decision (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-38943801168320357422012-07-18T07:43:00.002-04:002014-10-24T01:06:48.552-04:00Bible Truth #394 - Genesis 35:1-5<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=35&t=KJV#1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Genesis 35:1-5</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">5 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This story picks up after Simeon and Levi had murdered all the men in Shechem for raping their sister Dinah in Genesis 34. Here we see once more how the sovereignty of God is working in the affairs of men, this time with the unregenerate people who would never be saved. Do you understand the significance of that? God is working in the wicked, those who will never be saved, to accomplish His will in the lives of His chosen people (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-104-ephesians-111.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">You’ve heard of people having the “fear of God” put in them, usually by someone in a position of authority. Well that makes a mockery of how God works. Here is a Biblical example of that maxim, but as you can see, it is far more than fear - God puts TERROR in their hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The normal reaction of men in those days was to go after Jacob and his sons and their families and likely kill them all or take them into bondage as slaves for the rest of their days. But God worked in them to will and to do according to His good pleasure (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-15-philippians-213.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Philippians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Not only was God ordering the steps of Israel, He was also ordering the steps of unbelievers (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-32-proverbs-169.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Proverbs 16:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Did they have free will? Like the lost today and even some saved, they certainly <i>thought</i> they had free will. But in this case their “<i>free will</i>” was to NOT go after Jacob. They made a “<i>free will</i>” decision to NOT pursue God’s chosen people. By removing from their mind pursuit and revenge, and inserting TERROR, God MADE them make the “<i>free will</i>” decision He wanted them to make.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So too God’s Elect. Before God does a work in one of His Elect, one of those He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">), every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil, continually (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-5-genesis-65.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Genesis 6:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">), he hates Jesus and will not come unto Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">), he can’t please God (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and is not saved because of anything he does (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-44-2-timothy-18-9.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 1:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bible-truth-162-titus-33-5.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and that includes “repenting of his sin and accepting Jesus as his Savior.” But then God does a work IN him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and grants him belief (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">and repentance (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-12-2-timothy-224-26.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 2:25</span></a></span>).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">There is no free will. It is only God working in people to make them think they have free will. We become children of God NOT by human decision (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-85776973235139865382012-07-14T01:09:00.002-04:002014-10-23T00:07:50.772-04:00Bible Truth #393 - Acts 28:23-29<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=28&t=NASB#23" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 28:23-29</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">26 saying, ‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, “YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.”’ </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">29 When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Dr. Luke recorded that some were persuaded and believed but others would not believe. There is no difference between what had happened here and what Luke recorded earlier about Paul’s preaching in Pisidian Antioch. (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=13&t=NASB#14" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 13:14-52</span></a><span style="color: black;">)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Paul preached the Word of God by giving a magnificent summary of God’s promise to Israel and how it had been fulfilled in Jesus. The people had begged Paul to come back the following Sabbath but when the Jews saw the crowds coming to listen to Paul that next week they were jealous and tried to discredit the things Paul was saying by contradicting him and blaspheming (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=13&t=NASB#45" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 13:45</span></a><span style="color: black;">). But Paul & Barnabas stood boldly and proclaimed that the Lord commanded them that He had placed them as a light to the Gentiles, and that they would bring salvation to the ends of the earth. The gentiles heard this, rejoiced, and as many had been appointed to eternal life believed (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-18-acts-1346-48.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 13:48</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As many that had been appointed to eternal life, believed. And the opposite of the same coin can easily and accurately be inferred - those that had not been appointed to eternal life, those that had NOT been chosen, did NOT believe. Why did they not believe? Because God had not done a work in them to make them believe (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">), He had not given them belief (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">). No amount of persuasion from even the most silver-tongued orator would convince those who did not believe. They were not given belief.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Going on to verse 26: for the most part Paul was quoting </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-386-isaiah-61-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 6:9-10</span></a><span style="color: black;"> which I covered in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-386-isaiah-61-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #386</span></a><span style="color: black;"> but there was one portion where he deviated from Isaiah and made the same change that Jesus made in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/07/bible-truth-391-matthew-1310-15.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 13:14-15</span></a><span style="color: black;">. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">However, as I wrote in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-386-isaiah-61-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #386</span></a><span style="color: black;">, Isaiah said the God closed their eyes. If anyone believes there is a contradiction and believes that they did indeed close their own eyes, I submit to you that they did so only because closing their eyes to the Truth of God’s Word is the only choice the natural man will ever make. Man in his natural state is </span><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/total-depravity.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Totally Depraved</span></a><span style="color: black;">. He will not seek God (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-299-romans-310-12.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 3:10-12</span></a><span style="color: black;">), nor will he understand anything from the Holy Spirit (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-1-1-corinthians-214.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 2:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He must be enabled by the Father (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-36-john-665.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:65</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">John wrote that we become children of God NOT by human decision, or the will of the flesh (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Jesus said that whoever does not believe in Him stands condemned already (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-315-john-318.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:18</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and the lost will never come to Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He also said that God’s wrath remains on those who reject Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-82-john-336.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:36</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Verse 29 - when the Jews left they were arguing amongst themselves. Here we see that nothing has changed in nearly 2,000 years. The Word of God says one thing but men can not let go of tradition and their idea of Who God is and how He works, to embrace completely and wholeheartedly on faith what God’s Word says.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jesus raises up EVERY man God draws (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-34-john-644.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:44</span></a><span style="color: black;">), NOT every man who <i>accepts</i> the drawing.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-19396090681605282782012-07-12T08:28:00.002-04:002014-10-21T22:09:49.165-04:00Bible Truth #392 - Matthew 19:10-12<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=19&t=NASB#10" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 19:10-12</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">10 The disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">11 But He said to them, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;">“Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">12 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;">“For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In verse 11 Jesus said not all men can accept this statement. In the context of the disciples comment, Jesus’ answer can better be understood to mean that not all men can actually do what they (the disciples) stated - not marry. Only those to whom it has been given can refrain from having a normal reproductive life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Some are born emasculated, and some kings would castrate men who were responsible for the king’s harem. But other men God has given the ability to remain celibate in order to give themselves to the cause of Christ without distractions. As Paul wrote in </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Cr&c=7&t=NASB#32" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 7:32</span></a><span style="color: black;">: </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span">But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Their celibacy is not because of physical impairment, but a matter of voluntary abstinence. And only those men to whom it has been given are able to live a life of celibacy. It is a God-given ability and against the “nature” of a man.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It is no different with faith, belief and repentance! Only those to whom God has given these gifts will be saved, and saved they WILL BE. The Bible states as much in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/04/bible-truth-364-ephesians-28-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:8</span></a><span style="color: black;">. Faith is a gift that God gives to His Elect whom He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-2-ephesians-13-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and God uses that faith to save a man. Again! It is not a lost man who uses faith to save himself, it is God who uses faith, the faith He gave him, to save him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Belief is also given (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-11-philippians-129.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">) when God works in a man and makes him a believer (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-8-john-628-29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:29</span></a><span style="color: black;">). God doesn’t give the <i>ability</i> to believe and man then has a choice, God gives a man belief and as a result that man believes. The same with repentance. No man can repent unless God grants it to him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-12-2-timothy-224-26.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Timothy 2:25</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and if God grants it, that man WILL come to a knowledge of the truth and repent.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Without God granting these gifts to His Elect and quickening their dead spirits (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-96-ephesians-21-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 2:1</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-129-ephesians-24-6.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-42-colossians-213.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Colossians 2:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">) no man would be saved because a lost man is </span><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/total-depravity.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Totally Depraved</span></a><span style="color: black;">. EVERY imagination of his heart is only evil, continuously (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-5-genesis-65.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Genesis 6:5</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He is accustomed to doing evil and cannot do good (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-6-jeremiah-1315-23.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jeremiah 13:23</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He hates Jesus and will not come to Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He is hostile toward God and can not please Him (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:7-8</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He accepts nothing from the Holy Spirit, thinks it is all foolishness and can NOT understand it (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-1-1-corinthians-214.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 2:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">). There are many other passages in both the Old and New Testament that tell us the inability of a lost man to come to Christ. A lost man is DEAD, he is not mortally wounded that he can call out for help. He is not drowning that he can reach for a life preserver if one is thrown to him. He is not bleeding to death that he can put a tourniquet on his leg to stop the flow - he is DEAD.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As Jesus said in </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-36-john-665.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 6:65</span></a><span style="color: black;">, a man must be enabled before he can do anything else and it is clear throughout the Scriptures that God enables some and doesn’t enable most.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-74650356189884868562012-07-02T01:08:00.001-04:002014-10-21T00:47:49.713-04:00Bible Truth #391 - Matthew 13:10-15<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
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<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=13&t=NASB#10" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matthew 13:10-15</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">11 Jesus answered them,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;"> “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">12</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;"> “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">13</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;"> “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">14</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;"> “In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">15</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f81919;"> FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">There may be some who claim that the people were closing their own eyes as Jesus said in v15. But are there things going on beyond what they appear? Yes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I would like first to point out that if you consider a lost man “<i>opening his eyes to the Gospel and spiritual truths</i>” as pleasing to God, then it contradicts </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-7-romans-85-8.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:8</span></a><span style="color: black;"> where Paul tells us a lost man cannot please God. If you consider a lost man “<i>opening his eyes to the Gospel and spiritual truths</i>” as NOT pleasing to God (i.e. sin), why would God then quicken that lost man’s spirit - saving him, and grant him belief, repentance, and understanding? </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">If a lost man alone is responsible for closing his own eyes, he did it because that is the only thing he is able to do. Man in his natural state is </span><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/total-depravity.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Totally Depraved</span></a><span style="color: black;">. He will not seek God (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/09/bible-truth-299-romans-310-12.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 3:10-12</span></a><span style="color: black;">), nor will he understand anything from the Holy Spirit (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-1-1-corinthians-214.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1 Corinthians 2:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The second point I want you to consider is that Jesus was quoting the Prophet Isaiah where it is written:</span></div>
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<a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-386-isaiah-61-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 6:9-10</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">9 He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">10 “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">These people, of whom Jesus was telling His disciples, are even worse off because it was God Himself that was ordering their steps and making them close their eyes (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-32-proverbs-169.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Proverbs 16:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Not only do these lost people hate the Lord (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-25-john-319-20.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 3:20</span></a><span style="color: black;">) and will never come to Him, God is working in them just as He works in the enemies of Israel to make them hate His chosen people (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/08/bibletruth-268-psalm-10524-25.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 105:25</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">God rendered them blind and God closed their eyes. These people didn’t close their eyes of their own volition. See </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2012/06/bible-truth-386-isaiah-61-10.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bible Truth #386</span></a><span style="color: black;"> for more discussion on those two verses.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Either way you look at it, we become children of God NOT by human decision (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-9-john-110-13.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:13</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7262202601678837527.post-91420388046037556172012-06-30T01:43:00.004-04:002014-10-20T00:26:20.971-04:00Bible Truth #390 - Acts 4:10-12<div style="font-family: Verdana;">
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=4&t=KJV#10" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Acts 4:10-12</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3419fb;">10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.<br />
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.<br />
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Salvation is found only in, and through, Jesus Christ. There is no other name given among men. It wasn’t given TO men, it wasn’t given TO mankind, it wasn’t given TO every man and it wasn’t given FOR every man. His Name was given among men and God gives it TO whom He pleases (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-83-romans-914-18.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 9:15</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-74-romans-919-21.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">9:21</span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">... <span class="Apple-style-span">whereby we must be saved.</span></span> “Must” in this context does not apply to men. It does not mean that every man must be saved, nor does it imply that God wants every man to be saved. If God wanted every man to be saved, every man would be saved. God DOES want every one of His Elect to be saved, for Peter wrote He doesn’t want even one of us to perish (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-86-2-peter-31-9.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">2 Peter 3:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">), and none of us will because He works all things after the counsel of His own will (</span><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-104-ephesians-111.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Ephesians 1:11</span></a><span style="color: black;">). <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">He </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">OBTAINED</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> salvation for His Elect (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://bibletruthsa.blogspot.com/2011/07/bible-truth-90-hebrews-911-12.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Hebrews 9:12</span></a>) and His Elect alone. He saved every one of those He intended to save - His Elect. That’s why He hath done </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">ALL</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> things well (</span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mar&c=7&t=KJV#37" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">Mark 7:37</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The writer of Hebrews told us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=9&t=KJV#22" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Hebrews 9:22</span></a><span style="color: black;">). But man cannot shed his own blood because it is stained with sin, the sin of the first man, Adam (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=5&t=KJV#12" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 5:12</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Nor can the blood of bulls and goats take away sin (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=10&t=KJV#4" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Hebrews 10:4</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Well if man can’t sacrifice for himself, if he can’t pay the price for his sin, and the blood of animals is insufficient for God, how can we be reconciled to God?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">“Must” in verse 12 applies to Jesus: it must be Jesus Who saves and Jesus alone. We have the words of Peter above but he was simply stating the same thing Jesus told us in </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=14&t=NASB#6" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 14:6</span></a><span style="color: black;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“...no one comes to the Father but through Me.”</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It would take the blood of a perfect sacrifice, Someone whose father is not Adam. Jesus Christ is the answer, it MUST be Him and Him alone. This is why the virgin birth is imperative and significant (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Isa&c=7&t=KJV#14" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 7:14</span></a><span style="color: black;">). Jesus Christ was born not of the seed of man but of the seed of woman (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=3&t=KJV#15" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Genesis 3:15</span></a><span style="color: black;">). He is this perfect Lamb of God (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=1&t=KJV#36" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John 1:36</span></a><span style="color: black;">), Jesus Christ is the only one Who could die for us and thereby pay the eternal price for our sins. His shed blood alone is acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It MUST be Jesus whereby we are saved.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0