Freedom of Choice - 1
Is the Redemption of Christ dependent on our choosing Repentance?
This is a reply to Roman Catholic, and Evangelical allegation that men have absolute free will in repentance.
This email was posted to mcd debate site on April 98.
[MCD: 98041016380422879]
[MCD: 98040920313415566]D: If God is in control, He pre-destined the events.
Therefore He desired that certain people be sent to hell. Anyway, Satan and His followers are destined to hell.
H: The historic Christian teaching is that God predestines no one to go to hell. Council of Orange II (529).
D: A lie from a Council and from members that follow.
In fact, God wills the Bible teaches that God desires the salvation of all men, and that Christ gave his life for all people.
"...God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:3-4.
Since Christ died for all men, cf. Matthew 18: 21-22, "There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidantly hope for forgiveness, provided his repentance is honest." Roman Catechism I, 11, 5.
D: Lie after lie. Sons of the father of lies.
Here we find the Arminian (heresy)doctrine that is expressed many isms such as in Methodism and modern Evangelicalism. Contenders to this heresy have a lower hand as the number of advocates to this doctrine are increasing speedily at the present.
Pride is found in the hearts of such believers, as they view themselves as having the merit of repentance, and those who are going to hell deserving eternal death for choosing non-repentance.
This pride was developed into the Commercial Theory of Methodism.
God does not lie or contradicts Himself. He does desire all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, and at the same time controlled their choice and ability to know by elements in them and amongst them. Eg: Ex14v4,17. Yet free-will was experienced.
Christ prayed for those who He chose to escape from Satan. Eg: Matt26v31, Lk22v61, Jn13v38; Lk22v31-2. Jn17v23-4.
And the Lord decided what a person will be before he was conceived. Eg: Jer1v4,5.
Everything is done to the Glory of God. Taking pride in one's choice is robbing of His Glory. Many are called, but few are chosen.
However, for those who perceived choice, it is just as real and undeniable to them. For mankind act upon perception rather than according to the reality. The Lord has desire according to perception, and desire according to reality.
Let Christians work out their salvation in fear and trembling; lest having brought others into the Kingdom, the names of the leaders are not found in the book of life.
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