salvation for the lost

[Gerioke]

I moved this from another thread which I made quite confusing

If we witness and pray for the lost and our enemies, does this give God a legal right to make salvation a part of their destiny even though they reject it?

God being a just God has a perfect plan so that none will perish. Is this why it is so important for us to witness? Not so they might be saved but so they will be saved?

What I am suggesting is that our witnessing and praying for the lost is more essential than just being works. It is possible that there are people out there that haven't been prayed for. Witnessing needs to be followed by prayer in order to give God the legal right to save the lost. If God is perfect then his will is perfect. If His plan is to save humanity then that would be His perfect will. Since He is just He cannot save somebody who has not asked. Jesus interceeded for us. We must interceed for the lost.

There is no need for anyone to be lost as long as they come into contact with a christian.

Maybe I'm blowing hot air but I think a perfect plan would be infallable

Does this idea offend you?

Would that be contrary to the will of Christ?

Matthew 18: 10 Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

12 How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray?

13 And if so be that he find it, truly I say to you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 15: 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

1 Timothy 2

1 I exhort, then, first of all, there be made supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all men:

2 for kings, and all who are in authority, that a quiet and peaceable life we may lead in all piety and gravity,

3 for this is right and acceptable before God our Saviour,

4 who doth will all men to be saved, and to come to the full knowledge of the truth;

[EricH]

I am probably a little dense, but is your question this:

If we pray for an unbeliever, will God save them even if they do not make a conscious decision for Christ?

Have I got it right?

[Gerioke]

I am probably a little dense, but is your question this:

If we pray for an unbeliever, will God save them even if they do not make a conscious decision for Christ?

Have I got it right?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

More or less.

Can God draw them into salvation the same way He did me? I was witnessed to and I am sure the person who witnessed to me also said an intercessory prayer.

[EricH]

I would answer it this way:

1. God can and does use our witnessing and prayers for the lost to draw people into His kingdom. They are frequently the tools He uses to give the person the ability to respond.

2. Our prayers in themselves do not impart any saving grace. The only way a person can enter into Christ's kingdom is through personal faith in Him.

3. I do not believe my lack of prayer or witnessing can thwart the decrees of God. If I am not obedient, God will use another way to achieve His purposes

A good item for discussion would be: Does God's desire that all be saved mean that He expects them all to be saved, or that they will all be saved? In other words, does God's desire equate to His decree? It seemed that was part of what drove you to ask the question.

Does that answer your question

[Gerioke]

I would answer it this way:

1. God can and does use our witnessing and prayers for the lost to draw people into His kingdom. They are frequently the tools He uses to give the person the ability to respond.

2. Our prayers in themselves do not impart any saving grace. The only way a person can enter into Christ's kingdom is through personal faith in Him.

3. I do not believe my lack of prayer or witnessing can thwart the decrees of God. If I am not obedient, God will use another way to achieve His purposes

A good item for discussion would be: Does God's desire that all be saved mean that He expects them all to be saved, or that they will all be saved? In other words, does God's desire equate to His decree? It seemed that was part of what drove you to ask the question.

Does that answer your question

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is basically where I was going with this. Or would some be lost due to our disobidience or is the damned only the evil part of a man's soul?

[Ovedya]

Ditto to what brother eric shared.

The purpose of prayer is not so much to motivate God to action from without, but to motivate God to act within us.

[Gerioke]

What does Ask and ye shall recieve man?

Could that not pertain to the salvation of others?

[Ovedya]

I would answer it this way:

1. God can and does use our witnessing and prayers for the lost to draw people into His kingdom. They are frequently the tools He uses to give the person the ability to respond.

2. Our prayers in themselves do not impart any saving grace. The only way a person can enter into Christ's kingdom is through personal faith in Him.

3. I do not believe my lack of prayer or witnessing can thwart the decrees of God. If I am not obedient, God will use another way to achieve His purposes

A good item for discussion would be: Does God's desire that all be saved mean that He expects them all to be saved, or that they will all be saved? In other words, does God's desire equate to His decree? It seemed that was part of what drove you to ask the question.

Does that answer your question

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is basically where I was going with this. Or would some be lost due to our disobidience or is the damned only the evil part of a man's soul?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I personally think that prayer should be motivated by a pure heart, out of love for the lord and compassion for our fellow man. It is not considered disobedience to God when we do not pray, because disobedience is related to a commandment. What is considered disobedience is when the Lord gives us the opportunity to preach the gospel and we refuse to do so because we are afraid or ashamed. The Lord will give us many opportunities to preach the gospel, and we should follow His lead. However, with respect to prayer, we should be motivated to pray according to the Lord's burden.

[Ovedya]

What does Ask and ye shall recieve man?

Could that not pertain to the salvation of others?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How will youreceive the salvation of others?

[Gerioke]

What does Ask and ye shall recieve man?

Could that not pertain to the salvation of others?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How will youreceive the salvation of others?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If my hearts desire would line up to God's desire which in this case would be the salvation of a lost soul then I would recieve my heart's desire.