Understanding God’s election

[Mr. M]

Just now, BornAgain490 said:

God converts the sinner by regenerating their dead spirit.  The sanctification process begins immediately upon the new birth. Sanctification is a process that continues until glorification. You should know this. 

What I know from the scripture that you ignored is that sanctification requires obedience. I cannot join you in the assumption that being born again insures you will obey. 

Being born from above (literal translation) is only effective when wisdom is received from above. This is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit.

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Being born again does not make you immune to envy, self-seeking, and confusion. It is not just the world that is in a state of confusion, but also in the church. I pray regularly from the scriptures on this reality.

Psalm 71

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust:

let me never be put to confusion.

[Mr. M]

1 hour ago, Knotical said:

The elect are those who were chosen to follow Jesus Christ and were given saving faith upon conversion.

The Elect are those who accept a stewardship

from the Spirit, and are faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

[other one]

3 minutes ago, BornAgain490 said:

The Lord made it very clear: You must be born again.  If you love me you will keep my commands. 

If we say we love Him yet we live no different than the way we lived before we claim to have be converted or born again, who's the liar? 

I certainly don't disagree with that, but we ourselves make that decision if we keep his commands, it isn't forced on us, and it is the will of God that we all come to that place in life.

I personally would say that it is hooking our spirit (which was disconnected with Adam and Eve) back up with the Father through the Holy Spirit, which indwells us upon us confessing our belief in Jesus's resurrection and Lordship.

If we declare him as Lord and do not follow his commands (not the ten commandments) then we just make ourselves liars and fit for the fire.

[BornAgain490]

10 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

What I know from the scripture that you ignored is that sanctification requires obedience

God requires obedience.  Sanctification is being made separate, holy, and distinct from the world, and it is part of the order of salvation that is only given to those that have been born again. As I said before, sanctification is a life long process. 

 

14 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

. I cannot join you in the assumption that being born again insures you will obey

Being born again insures you have saving faith by which you are justified, and sanctified, and adopted as a child of God, and will one day be glorified.  It is God working in you that regenerates,  justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies, and not by any effort of your own.  Anyone who claims that they belong to Jesus Christ; they  claim they have been saved by God's grace, and yet don't live a changed life, they're a liar.  

[missmuffet]

2 hours ago, BornAgain490 said:

I'm Christian, thank you for asking.  

So am I but that is not what I was asking. Besides being a Christian do you adhere to the Calvinist belief?

[BornAgain490]

9 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

So am I but that is not what I was asking. Besides being a Christian do you adhere to the Calvinist belief?

I believe the Bible, all of it. It's God's preserved inerrant word.  What do you mean exactly by "the Calvinist belief."  Please be specific, if you please. 

I also have some questions for you: (1) Do you consider John Calvin a born again brother in Christ? (2) Have you read John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion"?  (3) Have you read "The Confessions" by Augustine? 

[missmuffet]

1 hour ago, BornAgain490 said:

I believe the Bible, all of it. It's God's preserved inerrant word.  What do you mean exactly by "the Calvinist belief."  Please be specific, if you please. 

I also have some questions for you: (1) Do you consider John Calvin a born again brother in Christ? (2) Have you read John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion"?  (3) Have you read "The Confessions" by Augustine? 

You are being defensive Born. I only asked you if you were a Calvinist. I am not going to hand you up by your toenails LOL!!!!

[BornAgain490]

45 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

You are being defensive Born. I only asked you if you were a Calvinist. I am not going to hand you up by your toenails LOL!!!!

Thanks.  But, like I said, I prefer the term Christian.  

That said, I agree with lots of reformed theologians and preachers like Martyn Lloyd Jones, A. W. Pink, Voddie Bauchum, R. C. Sproul, John Piper, the folks at Ligonier Ministries, and many others, including John Calvin. But I also enjoy listening to and learning from  dispensational theologians and preachers as well, like John MacArthur, Michael Youseff, Greg Laurie and some of the others at Calvary Chapel and elsewhere.

That said, I do consider John Calvin my brother in Christ, and I consider Jacobus Arminius my brother in Christ, as well as anyone else who's been spiritually born again and unashamedly confesses Jesus as Savior and acknowledges Jesus as Lord of their life.  

How about yourself?  

[missmuffet]

6 minutes ago, BornAgain490 said:

Thanks.  But, like I said, I prefer the term Christian.  

That said, I agree with lots of reformed theologians and preachers like Martyn Lloyd Jones, A. W. Pink, Voddie Bauchum, R. C. Sproul, John Piper, the folks at Ligonier Ministries, and many others, including John Calvin. But I also enjoy listening to and learning from  dispensational theologians and preachers as well, like John MacArthur, Michael Youseff, Greg Laurie and some of the others at Calvary Chapel and elsewhere.

That said, I do consider John Calvin my brother in Christ, and I consider Jacobus Arminius my brother in Christ, as well as anyone else who's been spiritually born again and unashamedly confesses Jesus as Savior and acknowledges Jesus as Lord of their life.  

How about yourself?  

I prefer " I am a follower of Jesus Christ". Many call themselves a Christian. Some may truly be a Christian and some may not.

[BornAgain490]

Just now, missmuffet said:

Many call themselves a Christian. Some may truly be a Christian and some may not.

Christian, follower of Christ, disciple of Jesus, all mean the same thing.  But it's not what you call yourself that matters, it's who you are that matters.  If you be Christ's, you'll live like you are His.  If you don't live like you belong to Jesus, the world will know. 

I prefer the term Christian because of its historical significance. The term was first used at Antioch in the first half of the 1st century, and it was used perjoratively, meaning it was not meant as a warm greeting to be referred to as Christian.  Even today, when I tell people I'm Christian, some look with disdain upon me, others make disparaging comments not only about me, but also about Jesus and the faith as a whole.  I love how the apostles reacted when they were beaten for exercising their faith: they counted themselves worthy to suffer shame for Christ's sake.  (Acts 5:41).  May the Lord grant us all such joy, strength, and endurance in our trials.