Did you choose God or did God choose you?

Jeannie · Tadpole Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

In my opinion I dont think that we have a choice in matter. I feel 100 percent that God chose us. I know some of you might have steam coming out of your ears reading that comment and I know that there are a lot of different views but like I said this is just the way I believe. I believe that God calls us and when He does who can resist. I also believe that we are called for different things...some for different jobs and some for salvation and some even for destruction. Romans 9 really got me thinking about all this stuff. Especially when God said that he raised up Pharoh for the purpose of destruction.
Whats say you?
Love in Christ Jeannie

Nobby · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:17 pm Post subject:

Jeannie · Tadpole Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

I guess when it comes to Christ, no I dont believe in freedom of choice. And I thank God for that everyday, because if I had a choice, Im sure I would have chosen sin. That was my nature. If I had even one little ounce of responsibility towards my salvation, Just one of of 100........I would have screwed it up.....trust me. I give all the glory to God. Because like I said if I had the choice.......UHG! I dont even want to think about it.
Actually, I feel stronger and stronger about this issue everytime I study the bible. For example, Paul was called to be an apostle by Christ right? Well of course the bible says that....but it also says that Paul was commanded by God to be an apostle. UMMMM I don't see where Paul had a choice here. It also says that Paul was called to be an apostle by the will of God. Again where do we see a choice being made by Paul? Honestly, do you feel that you can go against the will of God when HE wants you or calls you?
Look at Romans 9 where God says that before the twins were born or had done right or wrong, God chose Jacob over Esau. Jacob He loved and Esau He hated. (rejected)
The twins were still in the womb and God did the chooseing.
Now rather we look at that as fair or not.....it doesnt matter because our minds are too small to understand or comprehend what the Lord does or what He has planned. AND just like the bible says HE will have mercy on whom He will have mercy and He will have compassion on whom He will have compassion.
AMEN!

Lone-Traveler · Little Guppy Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Posts: 33 Location: USA

I started thinking about the hebrews that were in Egypt. And God sent Moses to call them out. He chose that nation of people to follow him.
Now I don't believe it says if every hebrew followed. Maybe some chose to stay behind.
Either way, God called them out of Egypt and when they got to Mt. Sinai God set down some rules. And he told the children you choose this day life or death. God gave them freedom of choice to follow him and his ways or to go their own way.
I see this happening alot in the bible. I believe it happens to us all.

I think everyone wonders who is God? and this wondering is the still small voice of God whispering, "come and seek me". And then we are given the freedom to choose to follow or not.

When Jesus was walking along the beach, he saw 2 guys fishing in the water. He went up to them, not with a trumpet or a big todo, but just said "follow me". I believe they had the freedom to choose at that moment whether they would go or not.

We also have the freedom to change our minds, as shown in Judas. He followed, and he turned to his own ways, and then repented of that decission in the end.

Many are called but few are chosen. I believe the choosing works both ways.
Come to me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest...
It is a free choice whether we follow or not.

That's my 2cents.

Lone

RevJP · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 9:34 am Post subject:

To suggest that we have the power to accept or reject Christ gives us power over God and denies His sovereignty. We cannot have power over the all powerful, this is a nullification of scripture.

I suppose that would lead to a discussion on the nature of free-will, however, free-will does not apply to the acceptance or rejection of Christ, as we are incapable of accepting Him without Him giving us that ability. Our nature is to deny God, to turn from Him, only by His gift can we accept Him, so our will has little to do with it.

Analogy time: I may choose of my own will to lift 2000 lbs, however, I do not have, nor will I ever be capable of lifting that much weight, regardless of my will. Consequently, in that respect, my freedom of will is inconsequential. Same for choosing God. I am incapable of doing so on my own, so my will in this respect is inconsequential.

Lone-Traveler · Little Guppy Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Posts: 33 Location: USA

I suppose we could take a look at Jonah....
He chose not to go. But God changed his mind...

hmm

RevJP · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:14 pm Post subject:

A distinct difference between choosing that which God tells us to do, initially, and choosing to believe in God at all. In Jonah's case, he already beleived in and accepted God, it was a command of God that Jonah chose to disobey.

This thread is speaking about accepting Christ - really it is about believing in God. The ability to seek God, comes from God, not from us.

Lone-Traveler · Little Guppy Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Posts: 33 Location: USA

RevJP · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:41 am Post subject:

Lone-Traveler · Little Guppy Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Posts: 33 Location: USA

Well Rev,

What did Jesus do? Did he go after them and tie them down and make them believe?

He sowed seed, the seed fell where it landed. Some took root, some didn't.

Did he scoop up the seeds that didn't grow and put them in good soil?

What are we to do?

Luk 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Luk 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Jhn 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

So we leave it at that? We expose someone to the Word of God and it is then their choice to believe or not? They then have power over the soveriegn God don't they? The Almighty is not so mighty afterall...

Who are you asking Rev?

All I know is Jesus didn't send us into the world to judge, but to be a light to those who sit in darkness. To be as he is.

Amen?
Lone

RevJP · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject:

I was actually referring to the idea of 'choice'. Does man have the ability to chose or reject God? If God is soveriegn how can man have that power over Him?

Lone-Traveler · Little Guppy Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Posts: 33 Location: USA

Jos 24:27 And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.

2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:

Tts 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

This I believe is the sin unto death. The denying of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God. And the power of the resurrection.

Man doesn't have that power over God...

2Ti 2:13 If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

But we do have that power over our own spirit. Whether we will choose to accept or deny him.
Whether we choose to believe or not.

Lone-Traveler · Little Guppy Joined: 15 Nov 2005 Posts: 33 Location: USA

In my opinion...

It's pretty futile to deny God exists anyways...We are all going to face him in the end, whether we choose to believe or not.

It's whether we go willingly or are dragged that I think matters LOL..

Nobby · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject:

t-shirtsnjeans · Tadpole Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 23

From a song I wrote:

He said I would not seek Him
Until He called my name
I heard His voice and now rejoice
And I'll never, no I'll never be the same

There is a tug at our heart when God wants us. The Holy Spirit speaks in a calm quiet voice. WE do have the choice to accept Him or reject Him, that is the free will. But we cannot seek Him out until He has chosen us.
I know before I became a Christian I didn't seek God out at all. I was living a meager sinful life and didn't care. My conscience wasn't bothered by me doing what I did and up until I felt that tug at my heart I just didn't seem to mind living the lifestyle.
Just think of Saul, he murdered and tortured Christians until God called to him and blinded him "Saul, why do you persecute Me?" Saul at that time really had no choice (at least that's the way I read it) to do what Jesus asked or told him to do.