Val Glover

Earlier you posted this portion: Each believer is given the same hope, the same help, the same grace. What a believer chooses to do with this grace that is freely given to them, is the choice of the believer’s heart....They can choose to allow this grace to grow them into a full grown man in Christ. Or they can choose to not grow, or grow just a little, but to remain mostly as they are, which scripture describes as a babe, child or young man in Christ.... This is part of what I thought was off. I don’t believe a disciple has a choice on what to do with the given grace of God. Scripture never portrays the Creator as someone who freely offers grace and hopes they make the right choice on how to use it. Hence, my analogy with Washer’s example of the truck vs. Jesus and which is bigger? When God calls you don’t get to put Him on hold until you’re ready. Jesus also made several statements of followers who turn back not being worthy of Him. It sounds pretty all or nothing to me when He would state such things: hands on plow but turns back, let the dead bury their dead, not willing to deny themselves, etc. None of this sounds like a call of “whenever you’re ready to forgo all the world has to offer give me a call”. So, like the truck would permanently alter you physically at 100 mph, our Lord will permanently alter you spiritually, with His Spirit, over time. For me it took time to get where I currently am but there were little changes immediately when His Spirit convicted my soul. Small steps for sure with occasional backsliding but, as Shai Linne says in his song “Penelope Judd”, the Dove was there to pick me up whenever I slipped. So my backsliding became less and less and I began to detest my sins more and more. I didn’t have a choice in my changes because as I grew in my faith and love for God, I grew to hate all that our God hates and that included my own sins. Sorry...I didn’t mean to continue on like that but I hope I made some sense to you. I think the real question to ask you to consider is whether you are a “drowning in the ocean until God threw you a rope” or a “dead at the bottom of the sea” kind of guy in regards to salvation? Soli Deo Gloria ?

I liked your post and wished to reply... I can understand where you’re coming from but I have realized your thoughts on “self-willed” and the believers heart is off. The Bible shows many examples of how a creatures will doesn’t hold a candle to the will of God. Self-will equals “I know what is best more so than God” which is sin. I like the phrase “all sin has I in the middle of it”, but another word that fits that description is “pride”. Jonah thought to assert his will against God’s will and was swallowed up for his trouble until he repented. Satan was cast out of Heaven for trying to make his will dominant over God’s. Less known would be my own testimony to show how man’s will amounts to nothing when confronting God. So, anyone claiming to believe and maintains their own will contrary to God’s will may not be truly saved. Paul Washer gave a sermon where he illustrated a very good analogy of why man’s will can’t stand in the face of God. The short version of the story is would you believe me or a friend if we told you while crossing a highway we got ran over by an 18 wheeler traveling 100mph but we’re totally fine afterwards? Of course the answer would be no...you would think we’re either lying or madmen. Then...ask yourself this question? Which is “bigger”...the truck or God?? I hope this shows how futile it would be to think anyone can maintain their will against the saving grace of our Lord and Savior.?

John MacArthur - He gave me hope when I was most lost and confused over my salvation. He, also, presented the Scriptures in such a way that it became all I was interested in reading and learning from...been studying daily for almost 3 yrs now and still can’t get enough. Paul Washer - He is such a godly man of the faith and does not hold back the “hard” truth for fear of offending others. He states regularly how he loves those he preaches to too much to not tell them the truth. I have never heard/read anything from him that has not convicted me deeply to perform a self-analysis of my walk in the Spirit and a humble spirit before the face of our God.

Hey all...lot going on in here but as for my two cents: Creative - I believe it’s just a matter of the fallen state of man that causes the rates to increase. The world system set up by Satan doesn’t make it easy for anyone to stay married these days. As we continue to be drawn more and more to the idea of “self first” we tend to selfishly consider what the other can do or has done for me. Throw in there the misconception of what love is (thanks to Hollywood) and we are bound to see divorce rates sky rocket out of control. We are led to believe love is the “good” feelings we get from the other and when the “thrill” is gone so is the relationship. What we need is a re-education on what true love is and learn to focus on that if we wish to see an end of all the divorces in the world. Justin - What I think miss was trying to say is that a true Christian (a believer convicted by the Holy Spirit of how lowly they truly are and have no grounds upon which to boast of themselves - Ephesians 2:9) living in obedience to God’s word and married to a fellow true believer of the faith would never consider divorce due to being evenly “yoked” in their obedience. Unfortunately, there are lots of people who call themselves Christian but have not picked up their cross, denied themselves (their personal wants and selfish desires) to follow Christ...let alone read the Bible or joined a church or understand Jesus is Lord and not just Savior. So, any statistics could be misrepresented due to their inability to “know them by their fruit”.? Willa - Careful...your Genesis 3:16 curse is showing ??