Believing is what saves. "Believe and you will be saved." We are saved through faith (which is believing). And of course, I believe/know that both are through regeneration. I intentionally worded it the way I did to prevent a deflection from the issue into yet another category conversation---the DoG. You know---give an inch, they will take a mile.
I should have clarified. Believing as a response does not save. We are not saved by believing/submitting/repenting as an act of the will. Being saved as a result of an act of the will is not being saved by grace.
Well, it has become abundantly clear that @BillyBob65 is a synergist. He actually thinks that the two —the work of God and the work of the individual— complement each other in Salvation. BBob thinks God's work is not complete but needs man's act of will to complete it.
Now this is funny as funny can be. My brother makesends seems to have trouble understanding basic bible words . God is the one that sent out the messengers not Me. It was God that sent out the Apostles to spread the gospel many passages make it clear but we will start with Matthew 28:18-20 Mark 16:15,16 Luke 24:46-49 Acts 9:6 Acts 10:4,5 and Romans 10:8-18 need i give more examples? It is not my will but God's will that he has joined man in his mission. I only submit to God's will and not question why he chose to have man be his spokesman.
I hope you mean, God has joined man INTO God's mission?
Yes that is what I thought I said.
You present the following as proof of something. I don't know what, but obviously you are thinking something needs proven here.
You are still sidestepping the fact that fallen man is incapable, nor does he will, to do what God requires. Please proceed to explain how the mind of the flesh, unwilling, and unable, Per Romans 8, to submit to God's rules, is nevertheless capable of valid repentance and believe and submission.
No problem. I admit "response" is ambiguous. By "response" to grace I meant our response to saving grace is repentance.
No Man is not incapable that is a lie it is man does not will to do what God requires but he is not incapable. God wants interaction with man he does not want puppets. He set up his plan where man is to go and spread the gospel and baptize the believers. That is God's design not man. If God did not think man was capable of hearing and obeying he would not have sent man. It is your understanding that is falling short not Gods. I was going to deal with this a little better but for tonight this will have to do.
“Repent” “Believe” “Choose” “Seek” If a man in sin cannot submit, then he cannot repent. A mind set on sin does not submit, because it loves sin.
Living in the flesh Inability to leave the flesh Those who continue in fleshly thinking will not submit.
A command given by a sovereign does not imply ability to respond. It demands obedience to him as the one who created them. If man had that ability, why the need for the perfectly obedient Jesus come as one of us, born under the law and his substitutionary, propitiatory death on the cross?
Jesus not only made it possible, but he also made it automatic (the fruit of) union with him through faith. It is what happens when one learns that they have been in rebellion towards God. That is what they repent of, and it is the faith in him that causes the turning towards him.
A collapsing of categories. That is, using a scripture (Joshua 24:15) that speaks of a covenant relationship that already exists (one they are already in) and contains the conditions of the covenant that are laid on the human participants presented in black and white (do this and then---or do this instead and then---), and using it to arrive at a doctrinal position that involves entering into a covenant that has no stipulations placed on the individual. One enters the covenant through faith (union with Christ). It is an invalid hermeneutic.
Same as above. Collapsing categories.
Scripture in fact teaches the opposite. The above OT passages are a call to be obedient to the Sinai covenant law. When it comes to the NC which is entered into through faith in the person and work of Christ, it does not teach that this is done through any work of the flesh---and choosing is a work of the flesh. Instead it says quite clearly and without equivocation.
What are you believing? Is it not the words of Christ? Do you get to select which words you are going to believe or do you believe all the words of Christ? Is not the words of Christ truth and life? Is not the words of Christ the gospel of Christ? Does the gospel of Christ not have the power unto salvation?
Your claim confuses evidence of acceptance with the basis of acceptance. It does not say God receives those who respond. That would be acceptance on the basis of merited works.
On the contrary they it says they cannot without a life giving action in them from the life giver.
The command does not imply the ability to obey. Does God command, "be ye holy"? Yet, none can do it, but Christ Jesus. Man is unable because of his will--that is true. But thus, unable. He is corrupt to the core, and so, unwilling. The commands are not meaningless. They establish the standard. And so they point to our inability and our need for Christ.1. God Commands All People to Obey → This Implies Ability to Respond
God never gives meaningless commands.
Acts 17:30 – “God now commandeth all men every where to repent.”
If repentance were impossible, the command would be unjust.
Joshua 24:15 – “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.”
Joshua tells Israel to choose, not because they cannot, but because they must.
Isaiah 1:16–18 –
“Wash you, make you clean… cease to do evil; learn to do well… come now, and let us reason together.”
God reasons with sinners and calls them to change.
Scripture assumes people can respond to God’s call.
2. The Bible Says People Can Seek God
Isaiah 55:6–7 –
“Seek ye the LORD… let the wicked forsake his way… and He will have mercy.”
God calls the wicked themselves to turn.
Acts 10:34–35 –
“In every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.”
This shows God receives those who respond.
Romans 2:6–7 –
God will reward those who “seek for glory… by patient continuance in well doing.”
People are judged by their response.
3. People Are Condemned Because They Refuse
The Bible never says they cannot—it says they will not.
John 5:40 –
“Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”
The problem is the will, not inability.
Matthew 23:37 –
“I would… and ye would not.”
Jesus rebuked their unwillingness.
Titus 2:11–12 –
“The grace of God… teaching us… to deny ungodliness.”
Grace teaches and calls all men to obey.
4. God Provides What He Requires
God doesn’t leave man helpless.
1 Corinthians 10:13 –
God provides a way of escape.
Deuteronomy 30:11–14 –
“This commandment… is not too hard for thee… the word is very nigh unto thee.”
God says obedience is within reach.
5. The Real Problem Is Sinful Choice, Not Total Inability
The Bible teaches:
Man chooses sin – James 1:14
Man must repent – Acts 2:38
Man is responsible – Romans 14:12
If man were incapable, judgment would be unjust.
But Scripture says:
These are real commands.
The Scriptures show that God commands all men to repent (Acts 17:30), to choose whom they will serve (Joshua 24:15), and rebukes them because they will not come (John 5:40). God would not command what man is incapable of doing. The problem is not inability, but unwillingness. Therefore, fallen man is responsible to respond to God’s word.”
This is not engaging with what I posted. It is nothing but an accusation, an implicit claim that you do believe all the words of Christ and I don't because I disagree with you. I explained---and from Scripture---what your assertion of interpretation of that passage and all the others you used out of category context was an incorrect interpretation. If you disagree that what I posted does not successfully do that, then don't just claim your rightness---show it.
