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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Please understand that God does not cause anybody to go to hell. Rather, man chooses to go there on his own. You can see the progression of those who reject Christ in the first 3 chapters of the bo...
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JD Abshire
As James pointed out in his post, God's sovereign grace and mercy is not only stated in Romans 9 but Paul gives two historic examples. It is very clear, and easy to read. Understanding and belief is another thing. In very simplistic terms, God did it this way because he wanted to. Our problem is that we try to humanize his infinite mind and at the same time deify our finite minds (Isaiah 55:8-11). It seems we as humans are always trying to get God off the hook, keep him from looking like the bad guy. God in his sovereign, righteous and awesome majesty needs NO excuse for being God. I will be the first to admit that I do not understand it all but I believe what is in his Word. Whither I agree or disbelieve, it is of no consequence to God's eternal plan and does not change his immutable truth. I may disagree with God concerning the law of gravity but guess what will happen to 'ole JD if he jumps off a 10-story building? SPLAT! When considering the following passage pay particular attention to verse 23. Oh how all true believers should continually praise his name with thanksgiving to have been included in this collective group as vessels of mercy, prepared beforehand to experience the riches of his glory. Romans 9 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
MONA FERNANDEZ
In my opinion, God created man in His own image! Surely he never meant for us to take His image to hell ever, and Hell was never created for man, but for Lucifer and his fallen angels at that time. Now God being Holy and divine can never tolerate evil, or look upon sin. Thats why He is called God Almighty, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, The Alpha and the Omega, The First and the Last! Man chooses life or death, good or evil, We are blessed with freedom to choose, God is good at all times, merciful and forgiving, provided we repent after we sin in the flesh. All human beings are born of Original sin through earthly parents, hence we are commanded by God to be "Born again", as in the Gospel of John. Living in sin any sin, without true repentance will take us to hell. My suggestion : waste not precious time with hell and try not to question Gods perfect and infinite Wisdom by asking why God did this and why he did not?. you limit yourself to reading the Word of God and you will stay connected with the Father, son and His Holy Spirit and Heaven will be open for you and your household.!
Anonymous
Don't worry about "what God knows". That's God's job. You are trying to guess what God knows. It is a futile occupation. Concern yourself instead with what God wants. And what He wants is not futile.
Michael Tinsley
Let's get this out of the way first- 1 John 2:2 says, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. That means everybody's sins and it means for all of our sins for all time. God doesn't create people to go to hell, He gives everyone a choice in their free will. God provides the way to salvation and its up to us to believe and be saved. You can't look at a person and say he/she is going to Hell because of their actions because they might experience an epiphany on their deathbed and turn to Jesus for salvation. Only God can do that because He is omniscient. He knows who will end up unforgiven but, we don't. I can't emphasize that enough! We don't know what God knows! He gives everyone a choice and a opportunity to be redeemed. Everyone's sins are forgiven but not everyone will choose to accept God's mercy, grace, and love. We who are saved don't know who won't be so we are commissioned to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone so that they can choose for themselves. People who are unsure of their salvation look at predestination, Romans 8:30 and Ephesians 1:5 and Ephesians 1:11, and get bogged down wondering, 'Did He predestine me?' rather than believing what the Bible says about them. Romans 10:9,' if you confess with your mouth,"Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved'. God created us all with the chance for salvation and eternal life with Him. Its up to us to accept His forgiveness. He won't make us do that because that makes free will invalid, He leaves it up to us. Does God know who will not be saved? Yes, He does. Did He create them for damnation? No, He did not. God is saddened beyond measure when someone doesn't choose life eternal but He cannot make them choose, That is up to them alone. I pray that everyone who reads this is confident in their salvation and if not that this will convince them to be. In Christ Jesus, Amen.
Terry Galloway
Everything God does is to bring glory to Himself. Proverbs 16:4 NLT The lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. We know that He is sovereign, holy, just, jealous, omnipotent and in every way not like us. All creation whether it is a bird singing or a lightening bolt flashing is God bringing glory to Himself. When He creates the wicked for His own purposes, His righteousness is even more evident in those who by being born again live differently from the world, and walk in faith along the narrow road. Jesus said that the way is narrow and few will find it. Matthew 7:13-14 NLT “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. So for me the response is gratitude for my salvation that only by grace did I receive. Everyone has sinned. All deserve hell. God even sent angels to hell. He is a God of wrath and mercy. The book Knowing God by J I Packer is a classic that teaches the character traits of God. He wants to be known and understood. He wants to be loved as our perfect Father. I recommend spending time in prayer and asking Him to make your heart teachable to understand His character even better. That is how we grow our relationship with Him and thank Him for making Himself known to us. If we don't know Jesus, we need to fear hell and repent and then surrender our hearts to the One who bought and paid for us to know Him. The prayer of Jesus in John 17 explains it perfectly.
Pam Johnson
God created all things to express his endless creativity, genius, and eternal power ultimately to reflect His glory. Everything God created was perfect and holy since He is perfect and holy. But the absence of God creates sin and sin separates us from God. If we stay close to Him and obey Him we will live with Him forever when we transform to our eternal state. God did NOT create angels and humans to go to hell. He wants everyone to learn from Him and to follow His ways. When we don't, we choose to separate ourselves from holiness and perfection. Then sin enters with all of it's consequences......ultimately including hell for those who disobey.
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