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Post by josh on Aug 11, 2008 4:37:05 GMT -5
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Aug 11, 2008 13:35:31 GMT -5
The Scripture you had at the beginning, Lk 14:16-24, is a great Scripture that proves resistible grace. God genuinely invited them to the banquet, but they rejected the offer. And God was angry with them because they were able to come but they were unwilling to come.
Without the moral influence of the Holy Spirit, no man would come to Christ. God does not force our will, but God influences our will. He does this by sending the Holy Spirit to present the truth to our minds. And the truth on our minds influence our will. The truth of sin, judgment, and the cross influence our will. And we could submit to this influence or we could resist this influence. We could accept God's offer, or we could reject God's offer. That is our free will choice.
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hat sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." John 6:44-45
The way that the Father draws us to Christ is by teaching us the truth. God must first enlighten our minds, and this influences our will. And if we learn from what we are taught, we will come to Christ.
This is why preaching the Gospel is so important. Because that is God's way of drawing men unto Himself. The truth of the Gospel draws men to Jesus Christ. The truth presented to the mind influences man's will.
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djpray
Junior Member
"Filipino" Preacher Man!
Posts: 86
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Post by djpray on Aug 11, 2008 19:53:43 GMT -5
Jesse, Is the "moral influence of the Holy Spirit" the same for everyone? In other words, does God exert the same amount of moral influence on everyone? And if not, why? Thanks Derek
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Aug 11, 2008 19:58:37 GMT -5
This is from my atonement booklet:
Christ died for all men (Isa. 45:22; 53:6; 55:1; Eze. 18:30-32; Matt. 23:37; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 2:10-11; Jn. 1:29; 3:16; Rom. 2:11; 5:15; Heb. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; 1 Tim. 2:11; 4:10; Tit. 2:11; Heb. 2:9; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 2:22; Rev. 3:20), and He died for all specifically because all men have chosen to become sinners of their own free will (Isa. 52:3; 53:6).
There is no partiality with God (Rom. 2:11; 2 Pet. 1:17). God wants everyone to repent and be saved (Ps. 145:9; Eze. 18:32; 33:1; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Pet. 3:9). The atonement makes salvation possible and available, it is a gift that God offers to all to accept and receive (Jn. 1:11-12; Lk. 14:16-24; Rom 5:18) through a decision (2 Cor. 5:20) to repent and believe, though many reject God’s gracious offer (Isa. 65:2; Lk. 7:30; 14:16-24; Jn. 1:10-11; Rom. 10:21; 2 Thes. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:17) and resist His grace (Gen. 6:3; Matt. 23:37; Lk. 7:30, 13:34; Acts 7:51).
God is trying to save all men (Jn. 3:16, 6:44-45, 12:32; 16:8; Acts 17:30-31, 2 Pet. 3:9). God gives light to all men (Jn. 1:9). God is convicting all men (Jn. 16:8). God is drawing all men (Jn. 6:44-45, 12:32). God is calling all men (Matt. 11:28, 22:9; Lk. 5:32; Acts 17:30; Rev. 22:17). God’s grace has appeared to all men (Rom. 5:15; Tit. 2:11-12). But many are unwilling and refuse (Isa. 30:9; 30:15-16; Jer. 8:5; Eze. 20:7-8; Matt. 11:20-21; 23:37, Mk. 6:6; 7:30; 13:34; 14:17-18; 19:14; 19:27; Lk. 14:16-24 ;Jn. 5:40; Acts 7:51; 17:27; Rev. 2:21).
Again, God is trying to save all men (Jn. 3:16, 6:44-45, 12:32; 16:8; Acts 17:30-31, 2 Pet. 3:9). God gives light to all men (Jn. 1:9). God is convicting all men (Jn. 16:8). God is drawing all men (Jn. 6:44-45, 12:32). God is calling all men (Matt. 11:28, 22:9; Lk. 5:32; Acts 17:30; Rev. 22:17). God’s grace has appeared to all men (Rom. 5:15; Tit. 2:11-12).
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djpray
Junior Member
"Filipino" Preacher Man!
Posts: 86
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Post by djpray on Aug 11, 2008 20:47:00 GMT -5
Jesse, So basically, your answer is "Yes, God exerts the same amount of moral influence of the Holy Spirit on all people, everywhere in the whole world." Correct? Derek
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Aug 12, 2008 17:11:04 GMT -5
God gives everyone as much moral influence as they need. All are without excuse.
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