Greetings, I do have a testimony to share on God's Sovereignty . The Lord made Himself known to me by revelation, using the example of the potter and the clay . Romans 9:21 There is no teacher like the Holy Spirit ! No man could ever teach like that ! To see yourself as clay in the Hand of God will quickly teach you the "Myth" of Free-Will !
Harold, thanks for weighing in. I rejoice in your coming to a thorough knowledge of what it means to be clay in the Potter's hand. But I'd also have to advise you to be very careful when talking about receiving revelations. The Bible is the ultimate teacher and the Holy Spirit certainly speaks to the heart, but always in confirmation to the fully revealed Word of God.
I believe very strongly in God's sovereignty, but also that every person makes free choices in perfect conjunction with God's will.
Chris G.
· 1 year ago
Brandon, Thanks so much for your insight. I love Spurgeon's quote when asked how he reconciled free will and election. You likely know it but he said, "You don't have to reconcile friends." The danger is when we take an extreme view of one or the other at the expense of the "opposing" view. I believe, like you, that every person makes a free choice that is perfectly in line (or conjunction as you stated) with the sovereign will of God.
Tom Fellows
· 10 months ago
Bro. Brandon, I'm sorry to dig up one of your old posts and comment on it. :) But I have to say that I find myself in the exact same boat you are in. While I can't say I've been a Calvinist, I do find myself very interested and exploring it. Mainly because of all the ruckus that has been stirred up toward those that lean that direction.
Like you, I honestly think the correct answer lies dead in the middle. God is indeed sovereign and maintains control over all the affairs of the world and mankind. Yet, the Holy Spirit draws all men unto Christ, and that is accomplished through the presentation of the Gospel. At the same time, man has the prerogative to either accept that message or reject it.
Frankly, when I look at the 5 points of the "TULIP", I can honestly see some truth in all of those points. However, I cannot see a just and loving God choosing to save some, yet willingly condemn others to Hell. I can, however, see him willingly allowing someone to make that choice to reject Him, although He would be deeply grieved by anyone that would consciously reject such eternal hope.
Myself, I've always found myself wrestling with the concepts of predestination and election and figuring out how it all fits within the scope of how I believe. I reckon it shows that we'll all know one day when we get to Heaven for sure!
Sorry to be so long, and thanks for your insights!
Simple Mann
· 7 months ago
Tom,
I hear that question a lot, "How can a just and loving God choose to save some and willingly condemn others to Hell?"
I think the better question is, "Why would He ever choose to save any?"
We know that in the days of Noah, He wiped out the entire population except for six lone survivors because of the wickedness of the people. It is not outside of His character to direct His wrath at sinners. The thing is to understand that He is JUST; that is not diminished because of His love. He is JUST, and He is MERCIFUL. And as the prophet Hosea relates, He will have mercy on those whom He will have mercy. Ultimately, HE is God, and He can pretty much do whatever He likes (except sin). Doesn't make it easy for our little minds to understand, but there it is.
All Comments
I do have a testimony to share on God's Sovereignty . The Lord made Himself known to me by revelation, using the example of the potter and the clay . Romans 9:21
There is no teacher like the Holy Spirit ! No man could ever teach like that ! To see yourself as clay in the Hand of God will quickly teach you the "Myth" of Free-Will !
Harold, thanks for weighing in. I rejoice in your coming to a thorough knowledge of what it means to be clay in the Potter's hand. But I'd also have to advise you to be very careful when talking about receiving revelations. The Bible is the ultimate teacher and the Holy Spirit certainly speaks to the heart, but always in confirmation to the fully revealed Word of God.
I believe very strongly in God's sovereignty, but also that every person makes free choices in perfect conjunction with God's will.
Thanks so much for your insight. I love Spurgeon's quote when asked how he reconciled free will and election. You likely know it but he said, "You don't have to reconcile friends." The danger is when we take an extreme view of one or the other at the expense of the "opposing" view. I believe, like you, that every person makes a free choice that is perfectly in line (or conjunction as you stated) with the sovereign will of God.
Like you, I honestly think the correct answer lies dead in the middle. God is indeed sovereign and maintains control over all the affairs of the world and mankind. Yet, the Holy Spirit draws all men unto Christ, and that is accomplished through the presentation of the Gospel. At the same time, man has the prerogative to either accept that message or reject it.
Frankly, when I look at the 5 points of the "TULIP", I can honestly see some truth in all of those points. However, I cannot see a just and loving God choosing to save some, yet willingly condemn others to Hell. I can, however, see him willingly allowing someone to make that choice to reject Him, although He would be deeply grieved by anyone that would consciously reject such eternal hope.
Myself, I've always found myself wrestling with the concepts of predestination and election and figuring out how it all fits within the scope of how I believe. I reckon it shows that we'll all know one day when we get to Heaven for sure!
Sorry to be so long, and thanks for your insights!
I hear that question a lot, "How can a just and loving God choose to save some and willingly condemn others to Hell?"
I think the better question is, "Why would He ever choose to save any?"
We know that in the days of Noah, He wiped out the entire population except for six lone survivors because of the wickedness of the people. It is not outside of His character to direct His wrath at sinners. The thing is to understand that He is JUST; that is not diminished because of His love. He is JUST, and He is MERCIFUL. And as the prophet Hosea relates, He will have mercy on those whom He will have mercy. Ultimately, HE is God, and He can pretty much do whatever He likes (except sin). Doesn't make it easy for our little minds to understand, but there it is.
Blessings,
Simple Mann
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