Understanding God’s election

[Osterloh]

11 hours ago, Marathoner said:

 What are we chosen for? Why were we elected by the Holy Spirit?

The OP quotes verses telling us WHY God elects some of us.

[Osterloh]

20 hours ago, BornAgain490 said:

This statement seems contradictory. If by "believers" you're referring to people who are born again (spiritually regenerated), then a born again believer is someone that is faithful. The unregenerate are faithless because they aren't born again. 

I've had problems with this.

Some of the epistles are written to the "faithful".

I've taken this to mean the believers

who love Jesus enough to obey Him, etc. etc.

They were NOT written to believers in the church

who continued to be habitual (unrepentant) sinners!

These people are NOT faithful.

[Osterloh]

18 hours ago, Mr. M said:

The Elect are those who accept a stewardship

from the Spirit, and are faithful.

Father God elects/chooses/calls those people who He desires

to be born again and sanctified unto holiness.

The Scriptures promise that these people

are guaranteed to make it into heaven.

Th OP explains all of this.

[BornAgain490]

12 hours ago, Marathoner said:

What are we chosen for? Why were we elected by the Holy One? Scripture informs us: it's so we might walk in those works that God ordained for us to walk in. I write about those good works we are created in Jesus Christ to do. 

The election of God is not about salvation; it's all about His purpose upon this earth. 

True, we are called out of darkness, drawn out by Father God to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus, to be ministers of His light and to be His servants in a dark and hurting world.  But to suggest that we aren't saved from the wrath and judgment of God to come, i.e., the lake of fire, weeping and gnashing of teeth, outer darkness, complete separation from God, is to dismiss the very words of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

God elects us that we might serve Him, and He grants unto us a spiritual rebirth for service in this present evil age, but He has given us an ultimate promise beyond our service, namely: salvation: to know Him, to be known by Him, to be saved from Him and by Him, to have an eternal relationship with Him, and to enjoy His presence forever.  

2 Thessalonians 2:13:  "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

[BornAgain490]

22 minutes ago, Osterloh said:

They were NOT written to believers in the church

who continued to be habitual (unrepentant) sinners

Repentance is not a suggestion but a command of Jesus, who commanded his hearers to "Repent".  (Matthew 4:17;  Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3, 5). 

Therefore, someone that is unrepentant,  continues to live like the devil, can say a thousand times a day that he believes, but when his statement of belief is clearly refuted by the way he lives, he is a liar.   

As God's word indicates: not all who say they believe actually do believe. Even the devils believe and tremble at the sound of His name. (James 2:19).

[Osterloh]

20 hours ago, BornAgain490 said:

As God's word indicates: not all who say they believe actually do believe. 

What do you think? ...

Were the epistles only written to those who actually believe,

i.e. those who actually are faithful,

i.e. those who are involved in habitual (unrepentant) sinning.

[Osterloh]

On 10/30/2024 at 12:17 PM, missmuffet said:

The elect are those who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ and have come to a saving faith.

So, you are Arminian ... you believe man is able to believe in Jesus and the Gospel ... just with His free will ... and has no need of help from God.

Please, what is your opinion of Lydia's experience in Acts 16:14?

Thanks for your interest.

[enoob57]

On 10/30/2024 at 2:27 PM, Knotical said:

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

So, then God is willing that some perish even though He says differently...
 

[BornAgain490]

2 hours ago, Osterloh said:

What do you think? ...

Were the epistles only written to those who actually believe,

i.e. those who actually are faithful,

i.e. those who are involved in habitual (unrepentant) sinning.

Is you're question in regard to only the Pauline epistles?  As a wise owl once said when asked, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?"  Let's find out. 

Romans 1:7 - "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called saints:"

1 Corinthians 1:2 - "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus"

2 Corinthians 1:1 - "unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia"

Galatians 1:2 - "unto the churches of Galatia: grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ"

Ephesians 1:1 - "to the saints which are at Ephesus"

Philippians 1:1 - "to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi"

Colossians 1:2 - "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse"

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - "unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ"

2 Thessalonians 1:1 - "unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"

1 Timothy 1:2 - "Unto Timothy,  my own son in the faith"

2 Timothy 1:2 - "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son"

Titus 1:4 - "To Titus, mine own son after the common faith"

Philemon 1:1 - "to the church in thy house"

Yes. Those epistles are written to believers, the church the body of Christ, exhorting them, edifying them, encouraging them, correcting and rebuking them at times.  

Since those epistles were written,  billions of people have read them, faithful believers and unrepentant sinners alike.  

Edited November 1, 2024 by BornAgain490

[missmuffet]

2 hours ago, Osterloh said:

So, you are Arminian ... you believe man is able to believe in Jesus and the Gospel ... just with His free will ... and has no need of help from God.

Please, what is your opinion of Lydia's experience in Acts 16:14?

Thanks for your interest.

I am a born again Christian and a child of God who believes that Jesus Christ

died on the Cross for my sins.