There is guesswork in the church. Otherwise we would not be on opposite sides of that fence. Try to track.
This is the context of how you used "guesswork" which doesn't sound like you were speaking collectively to the "church".
"How difficult would it be for those statements of believing to to read "All those who choose to believe" or "all those who decide to believe"? It would take all the guesswork out of it wouldn't it?"
If one rejects the gospel it is because they don't believe it. That is the definition of rejecting it. Not because they decided to not believe it---that would mean they did believe it but then decided not to. (I already know you will not be able to follow that line of thought and have something cute to say about it.) And it doesn't matter how many times one denies they are glorifying free will---when they refuse to give it up, when they "stamp their feet" at the mere suggestion that their will is not free---they are glorifying free will. There will, above God's will. But a side note; here you make a point of choosing to believe (believing) as being a work---an action---and at the same time deny that it is a work, an action, on our part that contributes to our salvation apart from the work of Christ. You will also find a way to again deny that you (and all freewill gurus) do it. So when I finish with this post, I am out of the conversation. It has returned to where it always returns. Pure repetitive bickering.
Correct, if they don't believe the gospel - they don't believe it!! They did make the choice or decision to not believe it. They rejected it - never believed it, denied it, turned away from the gospel by not receiving or even considering it.
(I already know you will not be able to follow that line of thought and have something cute to say about it.) - I do not need your snide off-line remarks -- thank you.
The whole key to receiving salvation, i.e. entering the Kingdom, eternal life, is placing your trust (also a verb, an action) in someone - which is the same as believing in someone and is the same as having faith is someone. That's God's plan - who are we to argue with it?
You do this with me a lot - start a discussion and then you get to a point where the discussion is bickering, arguing over petty or trivial matters. To me, I am still just discussing! And it's funny how you continue to enter into the threads regarding the law, time after time - you talk about bickering - it is all over the place in those threads!
I am reading nothing into it. I am understanding far better than you yourself do, the implications of what you teach. You admit it took Christ and His work to provide salvation, but it takes you and your choices, to make it valid for you, that God has nothing to do with that part, it is up to you.
You only read through the lens of your reformed theology way of thinking and there is nothing I can do about it but reaffirm and stand for what I believe with the same conviction that you state your belief. It takes my choice to believe in Jesus Christ - God does the rest. Jesus tells me that I must be born again of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. God's plan is set up in a way that whoever believes in his Son, Jesus Christ receives eternal life, i.e. enters the kingdom of God. God's plan is set up in a way that "all" who believe receive the righteousness of God through faith in His Son. God gives His gift of eternal life through faith, belief and trust in all that His Son has accomplished.
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, you and your household. . . .
If it is His word Patience, it is HIM. All you have to do is stop adding the "I" do it.
If faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God - wouldn't I be doing the hearing, accepting, believing, trusting in that word? - How can one remove the "I" when "I" am involved?
No one is arguing now or ever was over the definition of faith.
Correct, I was just showing you something I found interesting.
