God chose you, or you chose God?

[Ken]

Please vote and post topical scriptures only on this thread.

How about polling these beautiful people on their belief in what the Bible, such as their agreement of Election or Free Will. I have seen what some people have to say about it on the boards, and it is a hot topic. but I am interested in seeing what people in general believe. If anything, seeing the poll will make them question, and seek the Truth :o)

Thanks for your suggestion Little_Lamb,

I’ve seen this issue debated many times on this forum. It would be great to see one thread that just lets everyone say what they believe and post the scriptures that support their position. I challenge those on both sides of the issue to post nothing but the scriptures you feel clearly support your position and please post nothing, but scriptures with your vote on this thread.

Thanks and God Bless

[momof2]

"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)

"Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days."
(Mark 13:20)

"Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?" (Luke 18:7)

"And He was saying, 'For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.'" (John 6:65)

"When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."
(Acts 13:48)

"As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.'" (Romans 3:10-11)

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)

"For though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, 'THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.'" (Romans 9:11-12)

"For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.' 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.' Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens." (Romans 9:15-18)

"Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" (Romans 9:21)

"What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;" (Romans 11:7)

"Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Ephesians 1:4-5)

"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth." (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

"Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity," (2 Timothy 1:9)

"For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory." (2 Timothy 2:10)

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure." (1 Peter 1:1-2)

"These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)

[Ken]

Exodus 4:11
"And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf,
or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?"

Prov. 16:4
"The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil."

Mark 4:9-12
"And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they
that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto
you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without,
all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and
hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and
their sins should be forgiven them."

John 6:39
"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I
should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."

John 10: 26-28
"But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my
voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they
shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

2 Thess. 2:9-12
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned
who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Rom. 9 9-23
"For this is a word of promise: 'At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.' And
not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; ( For
the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of
God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; ) It was said
unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau
have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 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. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth,
but of God that sheweth mercy. 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. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy,
and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For
who hath resisted his will? 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? Hath not the potter
power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto
dishonour? 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: And that he might make
known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto
glory,"

Rom. 11:8
"( According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they
should not see, and ears that they should not hear; ) unto this day."

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my
thoughts than your thoughts."

[pop james]

1st peter 2:8,9......"for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were DESTINED to do. But you are a CHOSEN race, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, Gods own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of HIM who called you out of darkness into HIS marvelous light."

[SemperReformanda]

can we get a third option to the poll..
We chose Him because He chose us? (not neglecting the responsability of believing/ choosing, but recognizing that the ability to choose is granted by God to the elect)

[SpiritLedEd]

Please vote and post topical scriptures only on this thread.



Thanks for your suggestion Little_Lamb,

I’ve seen this issue debated many times on this forum. It would be great to see one thread that just lets everyone say what they believe and post the scriptures that support their position. I challenge those on both sides of the issue to post nothing but the scriptures you feel clearly support your position and please post nothing, but scriptures with your vote on this thread.

Thanks and God Bless

"For it is by grace you have been saved THROUGH FAITH and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no man can boast." (Eph 2:8-9).

(See Ro 8:28-29).


SpiritLedEd

[sither]

God chose me to be His child and His love has brought me thru until this day.
God has a purpose in my life that he wants me to do.Just that I don't know where to start.Pls pray for me.

[Recycled]

Joshua 24:16 So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; 17 for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed.


Deut 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

Recycled

[Recycled]

Here are some more:

Deuteronomy 4:29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice 31 (for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.

Joshua 24:23 “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.”
24 And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!”
25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.

Proverbs 1:28 “ Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30 They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.

[pop james]

John 15:16......."You have not CHOSEN me, but I have CHOSEN you; and ORDAINED (appointd) you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My name, HE may give it to you......
John 15:19...."If you were of(belonged to) the world, the world would love his own: but because you are NOT of the world, but I have CHOSEN you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
Isaiah 45:4....."For jacob My servants sake and Israel my ELECT(chosen) I have even called you by your name: I have sure named you even though you have not known me....
Matt 24:24...."For there shall arise false Christ, and false prophets, and shall great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very ELECT ( those chosen by GOD)......
Matt 24:31...."And HE shall send HIS angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together HIS ELECT(those HE has chosen) from the four winds, fom one end of heaven to the other."........................should settle the debate...........Pop

[FreetoloveGod aka DanV]

When left to our old fallen natures we naturally and freely chose to rebel against God. But when we heard the word of Truth, the Holy Spirit disarmed our hostility by granting us the new birth.

With new eyes and a new understanding we most freely desired to embrace Christ as our Savior. Our affections and dispositions were changed so that this is what we want and all those who God chooses will desire Christ.

No one comes kicking and screaming. Jesus teaches that without exception all whom God called from eternity will infallibly come to faith and repentance:

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." - John 6:37

FreetoloveGod

[MissBrat]

I believe God chose me.

John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 17:9
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.


I also believe many are called but few are chosen.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(God invited us few accepted.)
(But again not everyone accepts The Son)

Personally, I don't like saying I chose God. Because to me God is so far above me. And for me to say I chose him makes me feel selfish and arogant. How can I chose God? I am just a mere human. And He is God. I guess its hard for me to come to that kind of conclusion. I believe there is an invtation to say 'yay or nay'. But who invited me in the first place? God did. God invited you first. I did not invite myself. I just accepted the invitation.

[seifer333]

I believe both. I believe God called/chose all of us, that's why we were created, but we have to answer the call/choosing, and choose God. That's what I think, but I'm too lazy to find scripture :D. You can't expect me, too, I'm only 13. Anyways, yeah.

In Christ <><,
seifer333

[elect lady]

After Adam sinned, all of mankind is said to be dead in trespasses and sins.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.

Just as a corspe is lifeless, man in his lost estate is without Spiritual life. We did not cause ourselves to be born in the physical birth as babies, and we cannot cause ourselves to be born again in the Spiritual birth.

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? Genesis 3:8,9

Psalm 14:2,3 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 3:10, 11 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD Jonah 2:9

I Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

John 6:63-71 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, tht no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Ephesians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

elect lady

[bukeye2745]

God chose us all IMO but it's my decision to follow Him and keep His commandments. I'm not His robot, I am His child.

[Light_of_Crikey]

I feel that God chose me, but I also feel like I came to Christ too early, because I didn't know anything about it, and pretty much joined "blind". I probably should have thought a bit more about what I was actually getting into though.

[LovedBubba]

Actually I never considered "election" or "calvinism" before DEC 06 when my anger just evaperated into peace... (not sure I even prayed a prayer) but the "one thing" that kept holding me back was "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." not sure how to translate that into my "new thinking" yet...

[LovedBubba]

Very Well Put

[LovedBubba]

Dear Lord our eyes and our grace and our peace.
be with sither to show sither the way that you want sither to go for only you know the next step you want sither to take...
In the mighty name of Jesus, AMEN

[bicyclerider]

In studying God's word He makes it very clear that He is the one who gave us life (Gen 2:7). He chose us to be faithful ambassadors for Him in this foreign land long before the foundation of the world (Psa 139:16, 2Cor 5:20, Eph 1:4), and to go out into the world and bear fruit for Him (John 15:16, 2Thess 2:13). For me to even consider the thought that I chose God would be an exercise in self-righteousness, not to mention an array of other self sins, for Christ shed His blood on the cross for the sins of many (Rom 5:8,15; Col 3:12), not the contrary. God bless you my brothers ans sisters; Your Brother In Christ, Anthony....Praise Jesus!!!

[Piglet]

I actually say both:)

[Bridgit]

I too would say both. God calls me and as He gave me a free will, I have a choice to accept His call or reject it. :tu

[Roxy]

Please vote and post topical scriptures only on this thread.



Thanks for your suggestion Little_Lamb,

I’ve seen this issue debated many times on this forum. It would be great to see one thread that just lets everyone say what they believe and post the scriptures that support their position. I challenge those on both sides of the issue to post nothing but the scriptures you feel clearly support your position and please post nothing, but scriptures with your vote on this thread.

Thanks and God Bless
Both!

[bej]

There are two ways we can go. Life, or death. Blessing or cursing. God or Satan. We choose to remain in the family of the fallen Adam or seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and be born again into the family of God.

1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

We choose the family we want to join, God accomplishes the change, and God predetermines the destiny of the family.

Rom.5:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of
obedience unto righteousness?

Love in Christ, Bej

[brotherbernard]

In my humble opinion,

Christ died for all the sinners in the world. He did this without any input from sinful humanity whatsoever. We contribute absolutely nothing to the atonement - NOTHING!

On the day of pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh with the purpose of wooing sinners and teaching them about Christ. Allow me to speak as the sinner I am. The Spirit of God came to my sin darkened mind and spoke to my deadened heart of things I was incapable of knowing - things such as love, peace, kindness, and hope. Wait, this was only the beginning. The Father also gifted me with a measure of faith in order that my inability to turn towards Him might be strengthened and enabled. But, and I say again, BUT - since love is never forced or coercised, once given the ability to turn, it is the individual that must use it or misuse it.

Funny, isn't it, in a tragic sort of way, that even when the God of the universe puts into our hearts, faith, hope, and the ability to turn to Him for salvation - some refuse to turn, refuse to listen, refuse to love. They take the enabling gift of choosing Him and turn instead - like dogs to their own vomit. I am not able to say whether or not the Father continues in His quest for their hearts - it is not my place to know, but given the character of the Almight, I would like to think so - it fits with His loving nature.

Amazing still, is how wonderful our God is, that in His foreknowledge, i.e., knowing full well who would turn to Him and who would turn away, (thank goodnes He doesn't tell us!!) He still covers the entire earth with the seeds of his love and the hope of salvation.

Now, the exercise of my faith (a gift from the Father) is still tainted by the nature of sin that remains in me. The ability to turn towards God (a gift from the Father) is also tainted by the nature of sin that remains in me. Therefore, my faith and the exercise of my choosing is still disqualified from having any merit with God whatsoever.

So, does God choose me or do I choose Him? I guess that it is God that chooses me since He wishes that all would come to salvation. And yet, in a way, by giving me a measure of faith and the ability to turn to Him, doesn't He expect me to exercise those gifts and say YES to His wonderful love? I think so - yes, I do think so.

Here I stand, I can do no more. CHRIST PLUS NOTHING.

Brother Bernard

[The Preacherman]

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

Since all will not repent, God's will is not over-riding man's free will to chose.

[berysy]

Thank you Ken, so much has been discussed on this lately I always believed I chose God, so thank you for the scriptures on this!

Godbless,

berysy33

[BBYN]

I believe that God gave us the choice of free will, so therefore, I belive that We chose God. He DOES have the ultimate plan and He knew wether you were going to accept Him or not before you did.

God bless

-Blessed

[The Preacherman]

I think what is lost in this argument is what we are talking about?

Is it about salvation or type of calling ?

God may call someone to be an Apostle, another to be a teacher, another to be a healer, etc.

Yet many refuse his calling, many want to be healers rather than a teacher.

Others want the gift 0f toungues rather than the gift of prophecy.

Then God asks, can the pot question what it's purpose is and say I want to be a fountain ?

[Mike008]

When I was dead, God rose me up, when I was blind, he gave me sight,when I was lost,he showed me the way.....It is God who chose us and by faith we beleived him, ...WE LOVE GOD ,BECAUSE GOD LOVED US FIRST !

[RoMan838]

He moved in me...

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

[Mike008]

God chose me, because being a dead man in sin , I can not respond to the light unless God opens my heart...or I love God, becuase he first loved me.

[Thirsty]

God chose me, because being a dead man in sin , I can not respond to the light unless God opens my heart...or I love God, becuase he first loved me.
Amen Mike and as scripture says even our faith is a gift from GOD so we cannot boast....and all the glory belongs to GOD alone. Even with all the verses scripture has regarding this subject.....the sin nature wants to some how take the credit for what only GOD alone can do....and Jesus told His disciples "you did not choose me but I chose you..."

[Borg]

I believe that God chose me first, and then allowed me to choose or not to choose Him. I believe in free will, but a limmited free will. Life is like a goldfish bowl, and we are the goldfish. We choose where in the bowl to swim, but God places the bowl wherever He wants it.

[HisClay]

1 Peter 1:2, tells us that we are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God. We know that God knows all things. There is no time with Him. He sees the end from the beginning.

[NewMan96]

I voted God chose me, because I believe God must choose us, but I also believe that we must respond in faith. We needed one more option.

[Snuffy17]

God chose us, and he hopes for our love. He wants us to choose him like he chose us.

[truthhurtsdealwitit]

Yahweh knows you before you know Yahweh.

Yahweh bless!

[beloved57]

foreknowledge of God

This does not refer to foresight of actions though..

foreknowledge is a intimate knowing of the person irrespect of any of their actions..it denotes pure unconditional love and favor..

[watchman]

To be honest,I think a third option should have been given.
Both
We do not choose God unless he draws us,yet we can not be saved unless we respond to his call.
So the ligitament answer would be both.
God chose me,and I chose God.

[beloved57]

We do not choose God unless he draws us,yet we can not be saved unless we respond to his call.

This is contrary to scripture..one is saved by the work of christ on their behalf..not any response of theirs..

[watchman]

This is contrary to scripture..one is saved by the work of christ on their behalf..not any response of theirs..Romans 10:9-10 says;That if thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,and shalt believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,thou shalt be saved.For with the heart one believeth unto righteousness,and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So actually the scripture says we must have two responces #1 belief,#2 confession of said belief.

[papawjam]

Free will is a myth

[Heart 4 God]

How beautiful to discover in life that God would want to love me. I am amazed at how much love He embraces me with each day. Of all the things to be choosen for! This relationship with the Lord is above all!!!!!!!!:h