LIBERATED
Today, we set the stage for our discussion on Election vs Free Will. Too many people jump to their talking points without taking the time to discuss what it truly means to articulate through definition the area to be discussed. What does this mean for you and I?
Simple, there are some facts that both sides must agree upon due to their absolute validity found in scripture. Our first one is the characteristics of God.
He IS ALL POWERFUL:
Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus looked at [them] and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Psalms 147:5 “Great [is] our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding [is] infinite.”
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
HE IS ALL KNOWING:
1 John 3:20 “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”
Psalms 139:4 “For [there is] not a word on my tongue, [But] behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.”
HE IS ALL PRESENT:
Psalms 139:7-12 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You [are] there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You [are there.] 9 [If] I take the wings of the morning, [And] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light [are] both alike [to You.]”
Jeremiah 23:23-24 “[Am] I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.”
These simple rules represent the cornerstone of defining our paradoxical concern that we are trying to understand. How does God, who is all powerful, all knowing, and all present rescue us from ourselves? From our sin? We know that we are purchased by Christ’s death, and have His resurrection as a literal symbol of a good transaction that we can hold to. Allow us to introduce to you our four individuals who will be our “lab experiments”
Susan, Molly, Fred, and Doug.
For the sake of our argument, we will assume that while each person is different, they have similar intelligence, comprehension, and capacity to communicate. Equals in the eyes of needing a savior to rescue them from their sin. Equal in the ability to understand.
Next week, we will discuss how these four individuals would play within a Calvinist world. We will define the Calvinist arguments. However, for now please allow me to encourage you who might be reading, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal savior today is the day of salvation. Please stop what you are doing and ask Him to come into your life and help rescue you from your own sin. You can never be good enough and will never succeed in what God has already done for you.
2 Corinthians 6:2 “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
If you ever have questions, please reach out to Mill House Ministries and we will be happy to help!
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL