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Is it really my Choice?
Some may claim that only those who were chosen by God (the elect) can come. This means you have no choice in the matter.Claiming that if you are not called by name you cannot come. They often reference Gods sovereignty and Romans 9:21 the potter and the clay. In other words God the creator can do whatever God wants with His creation. This writer does not in any way disagree with Gods sovereignty or this statement.
However this contradicts Gods numerous statements about Himself that clearly indicate He is partial to no man, that He does not show favoritism. It also contradicts his command to us to not show partiality or favoritism. It is like God is saying this is not right to do and then doing it Himself just because He is in charge. Now don't get me wrong, God could do this but we believe this would go against God's Just Nature. In in addition to this problem there are a whole host of other issues that come up if man does not truly have free will.
We believe a better interpretation of the chosen/elect defined in the Bible is that of a corporate election. Theologically speaking this would be Molinism named after a 16th century Jesuit. Simply put, those who choose to place their faith and trust is Jesus as their savior are the chosen/elect. God knows who the chosen/elect are because He can see the end from the beginning. This does not mean that you do not have free will and no choice. When the Bible says "chosen from the beginning of time" it is saying that God determined at the beginning of time that whosoever freely places their faith in Jesus are the chosen, the elect.
If you are confused think of this simple analogy. The King is having a party and has invited anyone who will come. He determined beforehand that through His mercy and grace He will greatly bless all of those who attend. In this case the King is God and knows all, he already knows who will attend. However this fact does not take away from your ability to attend or not. You can come and God already knows you are coming. You can decide to reject Gods offer and God knew you would do that too. No matter what choice you make, God will not be surprised.
Now when we read the Bible and see on one side of the door "whosoever will" and upon entrance you look
back and it says "chosen from the beginning of time" it makes perfect sense. This answers the question of God being fully in control and man really having free will.
Here we paraphrase a quote from Jesus offering you a choice " repent or perish" Luke 13:1-5 (ESV). I want to point out that over and over again in scripture it is presented as a choice you must freely make. Jesus loves you and it would be wise to rely on His complete knowledge and not our blurred vision.
This means it really is your choice to accept or reject the salvation God is offering you in Jesus. Most of us at
FaithWriters have been exactly where you are right now. We had to set aside our pride, repent from our ways and place our trust firmly in Jesus. We pray that your eyes and heart will be opened to the truth of Jesus. Opened to Gods forgiveness and eternal life. This life is your one chance to make the right choice.
Some may claim that only those who were chosen by God (the elect) can come. This means you have no choice in the matter.Claiming that if you are not called by name you cannot come. They often reference Gods sovereignty and Romans 9:21 the potter and the clay. In other words God the creator can do whatever God wants with His creation. This writer does not in any way disagree with Gods sovereignty or this statement.
However this contradicts Gods numerous statements about Himself that clearly indicate He is partial to no man, that He does not show favoritism. It also contradicts his command to us to not show partiality or favoritism. It is like God is saying this is not right to do and then doing it Himself just because He is in charge. Now don't get me wrong, God could do this but we believe this would go against God's Just Nature. In in addition to this problem there are a whole host of other issues that come up if man does not truly have free will.
We believe a better interpretation of the chosen/elect defined in the Bible is that of a corporate election. Theologically speaking this would be Molinism named after a 16th century Jesuit. Simply put, those who choose to place their faith and trust is Jesus as their savior are the chosen/elect. God knows who the chosen/elect are because He can see the end from the beginning. This does not mean that you do not have free will and no choice. When the Bible says "chosen from the beginning of time" it is saying that God determined at the beginning of time that whosoever freely places their faith in Jesus are the chosen, the elect.
If you are confused think of this simple analogy. The King is having a party and has invited anyone who will come. He determined beforehand that through His mercy and grace He will greatly bless all of those who attend. In this case the King is God and knows all, he already knows who will attend. However this fact does not take away from your ability to attend or not. You can come and God already knows you are coming. You can decide to reject Gods offer and God knew you would do that too. No matter what choice you make, God will not be surprised.
Now when we read the Bible and see on one side of the door "whosoever will" and upon entrance you look
back and it says "chosen from the beginning of time" it makes perfect sense. This answers the question of God being fully in control and man really having free will.
Here we paraphrase a quote from Jesus offering you a choice " repent or perish" Luke 13:1-5 (ESV). I want to point out that over and over again in scripture it is presented as a choice you must freely make. Jesus loves you and it would be wise to rely on His complete knowledge and not our blurred vision.
This means it really is your choice to accept or reject the salvation God is offering you in Jesus. Most of us at
FaithWriters have been exactly where you are right now. We had to set aside our pride, repent from our ways and place our trust firmly in Jesus. We pray that your eyes and heart will be opened to the truth of Jesus. Opened to Gods forgiveness and eternal life. This life is your one chance to make the right choice.