Free Will?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

• Do our choices in life affect whether God will save us?

• Can all men choose both good and evil?

• Are men naturally incapable of seeking and loving God?

• Does man have zero control over his own eternal destiny?

• Could God justly hold mankind responsible for sin if we were incapable of doing anything but sin?

• Does God want all to be saved or just some?

• Does God love every persons or just the few elect?

• Why does God save some and not all?

• Does God give commandments that man cannot keep and then hold him responsible for failing to keep them?

• Is God a respecter of persons, that is, does He give unequal favor to some people?

Note: It is clear that it is God that chose to offer salvation to mankind by offering His Son, and it is clear that it is God who, in the end, will choose who will enter into His kingdom (His “elect”) and who will not. The purpose of this page/study is to determine what role mankind’s choices on earth have (if any) in God’s choosing of whom He will save.

VIEWS TO CONSIDER:

• EVANGELICAL VIEW: Calvinists believe that God alone chooses who he will save (independent of our choices, hearts and desires) and changes their hearts so that they believe, love Him, exercise faith etc., while Arminians believe that God has given fallen man the ability to accept or reject God’s invitation to believe and repent unto salvation, therefore the decision is ultimately left to man as to whether he choose life or death.

• LATTER DAY SAINT VIEW: Similar to the Arminian Christians, Latter Day Saints believe that God has given fallen man the ability to accept or reject God’s invitation to believe and repent unto salvation, , therefore the decision is ultimately left to man as to whether he choose life or death. However, God knew, even before the foundation of the world, who would choose him in their mortal lives, and calls those his elect. Though God does let us choose life or death, God is involved in all aspects of our lives.

PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER:

• Election / the elect / appointment / choosing

• Faith is a gift of God

• Foreknowledge of God

• Foreordination of God

• God commands / invites all men to believe & have faith

• God commands / invites all men to choose

• God commands / invites all men to repent of their sins

• God commands / invites all men to seek Him

• God draws men to Him

• God hates some

• God judges all men according to their choices

• God loves all / the world

• God responds to man’s choices

• God saves according to His purposes / grace / mercy

• God wants all to repent and be saved

• God’s purposes / plan / will / decrees will come to pass

• God’s ways are equal & fair, not unequal (no unfair favor)

• God works in believers

• Gospel is preached to every creature (living and dead)

• Hearts are changed by man and God

• Hearts: Some evil, some good

• Holy Ghost testifies to all

• Jesus died for all?

• Jesus died only for some?

• Judgments of God are just

• Lack of faith is rebuked by God

• Life is a test / God tests man

• Man can reject / turn from their God-given callings

• Man can reject / turn from their God-given salvation

• Predestination

• Repentance is given by God

• Respecter of persons, God is not

• Saved through…

• Salvation of the wicked & disobedient is impeded by God

• Salvation is promised / guaranteed to God’s true followers

• State of fallen man without Christ

• Wicked are lovingly invited to repent

ELECTION / THE ELECT / APPOINTMENT / CHOOSING: Those that God chooses for salvation are called his “elect”.

• 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ

• 1 Peter 2:3-4 Ye… chosen of God

• 1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious

• 1 Peter 2:8 Even to them which stuble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto

• 1 Peter 5:13 The [church that is] at Babylon, elected together with [you], saluteth you; and [so doth] Marcus my son.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

• 1 Timothy 5:21 I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels

• 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall

• 2 Thessalonians 2:13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth

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

• Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed

• Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

• Deut. 7:6-8 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

• Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

• Ephesians 1:4 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

• Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

• Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

• Ephesians 2:13 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins

• Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

• Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

• John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

• John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

• John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day (Compare to John 12:32 I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me)

• John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

• John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

• Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

• Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

• Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

• Matt. 15:13-14 Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone

• Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few [are] chosen.

• Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

• Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace

• Romans 3:10-18 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God… there is none that doeth good, no, not one

• Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified

• Romans 9:11-13 (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

• Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

• Romans 9:16 So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy (Note: Saved by grace).

• Romans 9:17 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.

• Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth.

• Romans 9:19-20 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

FAITH IS A GIFT:

• 1 Cor. 12:4-9 Now there are diversities of gifts… For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge… To another faith

• Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Note: “Gift” here is likely referring to faith, but it also could be referring to grace which, by definition, is a gift”)

FOREKNOWLEDGE: God has known the hearts and choices of people even before they were born (before any of their choices on earth). He knows who will be saved and who He will allow to enter His Kingdom in the final judgment.

• 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father

• Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain

• Acts 17:24-26 God… hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation

• Jer. 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations

• Rom. 4:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren

• Rom. 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.

FOREORDINATION (ordained, chosen, appointed etc. before creation):

• 1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation

• 2 Thess. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth

• 2 Tim. 1:9 God… hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

• Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain

• Eph. 1:4 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

• Jer. 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations

• Luke 22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined

• Rev. 13:8 Lamb slain from the foundation of the world

GOD COMMANDS / INVITES ALL MEN TO CHOOSE:

• Duet. 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

• Josh. 24:15 If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

• Ezek. 18:30 Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions

• Ezek. 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

• Heb. 3:8, 15 Harden not your hearts

• James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves therefore unto God… cleanse your hands… purify your hearts… humble yourselves

• 1 Peter 2:15-16 So is the will of God, that… as free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of malisciousness, but as the servants of God

• Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him

• Heb. 11:6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is; that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

• Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely

• Rev. 2:20-23 Jezebel… and I gave her a space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds

GOD COMMANDS / INVITES ALL MEN TO BELIEVE / HAVE FAITH:

• 1 John 3:23 This is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment

• Acts 16:30:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

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

• John 20:27 Be not faithless, but believing

GOD COMMANDS / INVITES ALL MEN TO SEEK HIM:

• 1 Chr. 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength

• 1 Chr. 28:9 If thou seek him, he will be found

• Amos 5:4 Seek ye me, and ye shall li

• Amos 5:14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live

• Deut. 4:29 thou shalt seek the Lord thy God

• Heb. 11:6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is; that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

• Hos. 3:5 Israel return, and seek the Lord

• Isa. 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the Lord

• Isa. 55:6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found

• Jer. 29:13 Ye shall seek me, and find me

• John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled

• Matt. 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God

• Matt. 7:7 Seek, and ye shall find

• Prov. 8:17 Those that seek me early shall find me

GOD COMMANDS / INVITES ALL MEN TO REPENT / TURN TO GOD:

• 1 Sam. 15:29 [The Lord] he is not a man, that he should repent

• 2 Peter 3:9 Lord is … longsuffering … that all should come to repentance

• Acts 2:38 Repent, and be baptized every one of you

• Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord

• Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

• Acts 11:18 Gentiles granted repentance unto life

• Acts 17:30 God… now commandeth all men every where to repent

• Acts 26:20 Turn to God, and do works meet for repentance

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

• Isa. 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil

• Isa. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

• Jer. 35:5 Return ye now every man from his evil way

• Luke 13:3 Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish

• Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins

• Mark 1:15 rRpent ye, and believe the gospel

• Mark 6:12 They went out, and preached that men should repent

• Matt. 3:2 Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

• Matt. 3:8 Bring forth … fruits meet for repentance

• Matt. 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

• Matt. 9:13 I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

• Rev. 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly

• Rev. 2:21 I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not

GOD DRAWS MEN TO HIM:

• John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me

• John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him

GOD HATES SOME:

• Ps. 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity

• Rom. 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated

GOD JUDGES MEN ACCORDING TO THEIR CHOICES (WHETHER GOOD AND BAD):

• 1 Peter 1:17 The Father, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man’s work

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

• James 5:9 James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned. Behold, the judge standeth before the door

• Jeremiah 17:10, 14 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings… Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved

• Matt. 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

• Matt 7:1 Judge not that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again

• Matt. 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you (require of you the payment for your sins), if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses

• Ps 7:8 Judge me according to my righteousness

• Ps 26:1-2 Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity; I have trusted also in the Lord.

• Ps 62:12 Unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

• Ps 84:11 The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will be withheld from them that walk uprightly.

• Rev. 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them, And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire

• Rev. 22:7, 11-12 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book…. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still, and he that is holy, let him by holy still. And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be… Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosever maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches

• Rom 2:5-8 God… will render to every man according to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath

• Rom. 8:1,13 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit… brethren… if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live

GOD LOVES ALL / THE WORLD (RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED):

• 1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

• 1 John 4:16 We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son

• Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Note: This rich young ruler did not accept Christ’s invitation to follow him, yet Jesus still loved the man)

• Rom. 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

GOD PLEADS FOR THE WICKED TO REPENT:

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

GOD RESPONDS TO MAN’S CHOICES (GOOD AND BAD):

• 2 Tim. 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

• James 4:8 Draw nigh unto God and he will draw night unto you

• James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore unto God

• Jer. 29:13 Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

• Luke 11:10 Every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened

• Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted

• Matt. 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith

• Matt. 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

• Rom. 2:4 Despiseth thou the riches of [God’s] goodness… not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath

• Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and door, I will come into him

• Zach. 1:3 Turn ye unto me… and I will turn unto you

GOD SAVES ACCORDING TO HIS GRACE / MERCY / PURPOSES (not according just to our works, for such a judgment would condemn us all):

• 2 Tim. 1:8-9 God… hath saved us., and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His eternal purpose and grace which was given us in Christ

• Rom. 11:5-6 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work

• Titus 3:4-6 God according to his mercy he saved us

• Titus 3:7 According to his mercy he saved us… being justified by grace

GOD WANTS ALL TO REPENT AND BE SAVED:

• 2 Peter 3:9 [God] is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance

• 1 Tim. 2:3-4 Our Savior.. will have all men be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth

• Acts 17:24-27 God hath made the world… and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell… that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

• Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.

• Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost

• John 16:8 And when [the Holy Ghost] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness

GOD’S WAYS ARE EQUAL & FAIR, NOT UNEQUAL, NO UNFAIR FAVOR:

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

GOD’S PURPOSES / WILL / PLAN / DECRESS WILL COME TO PASS:

• Isa. 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

GOD WORKS IN BELEIVERS:

• Phil. 1:3-6 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you… Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

GOSPEL IS PREACHED TO EVERY CREATURE (LIVING AND DEAD):

• Col. 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven

• 1 Peter 3:18-21 He (Jesus) went and preached unto the spirits in prison which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved

• 1 Peter 3:18-21 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit

• 1 Tim. 2:3-4 God our Savior… will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth

• 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance

• Acts 1:8 Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth

• Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature

HEART IS CHANGED BY BOTH MAN AND GOD: BLUE passages speak of God changing the heart, RED speak of man changing the heart.

• 2 Chron. 12:4 He did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord

• Acts 15:8-9 God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

• Acts 16:14 And a certain woman… whose heart the Lord opened… attended unto…

• Deut.29:4 Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

• Ezek. 36:26-27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

• Heb. 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

• Jer. 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

• Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

• Ps. 141:4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

HEARTS: SOME EVIL, SOME GOOD: (Passages that speak of an evil heart are in RED, good heart in BLUE)

• 2 Chron. 12:4 He did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord

• Deut. 15:9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought

• Eccl. 8:5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

• Eccl. 8:11 Sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil

• Eccl. Gen. 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually

• Gen. 8:21 the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

• Heb. 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

• Heb. 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

• Isa. 57:15 I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones

• Isa. 66:2 To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.

• Jer. 3:7 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

• Jer. 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

• Jer. 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

• Jer. 11:8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.

• Jer. 16:2 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:

• Jer. 17:9-16 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings… O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters…. As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee. (Note: This passages teaches that many have deceitful and desperately wicked hearts, but some, like the author of this chapter, have continuously sought and followed the Lord and therefore asks to be healed).

• Jer. 18:2 And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

• Jer. 23:19 They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

• Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh

• Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders

• Matt. 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

• Matt. 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies

• Prov. 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

• Ps. 7:9-10 The righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart

• Ps. 34:18 Lord saves such as be of a contrite heart

• Ps. 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

• Ps. 147:3 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds

HOLY GHOST TESTIFIES TO THE WORLD:

• 1 John 5:6 It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

• 1 Peter 1:12 They did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

• 2 Peter 1:21 Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

• John 16:8 And when [the Holy Ghost] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness

JESUS DIED FOR ALL?

• 1 Cor. 15:22 For in Adam all die,… in Christ shall all be made alive

• 1 Cor. 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?… but thanks be to God, which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

• 1 John 2:1-2 Jesus Christ… is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world

• 1 John 4:14 And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world

• 1 Tim. 2:5-6 Jesus… gave a himself a ransom for all

• 1 Tim. 5:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers

• 2 Cor. 5:15 [Christ] died for all, that they which live should not hence-forth live unto themselves, but unto [Christ]

• Acts 17:31 By [Jesus]… [God] hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead

• Gen. 12:3 In thee (in thy seed, Christ) shall all families of the earth be blessed

• Heb. 2:9 Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man

• Isa. 61:1-2 The Lord will “comfort all that mourn”

• John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

• John 4:42 this One is indeed the Savior of the world

• John 6:51 I am the living bread… if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world

• Rom. 5:18 By the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life

JESUS DIED ONLY FOR SOME? (Limited Atonement):

• Acts 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood

• Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her

• Isa. 53:12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors

• John 10:11, 15 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep… As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

• John 17:9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine

• Matt. 26:28 this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins

JUDGMENTS OF GOD ARE JUST: Though we cannot always see it clearly, God’s judgments of men (the hearts of whom are perfectly known of God) are perfectly just and good. We, as fallen beings with limited understanding, are not to complain against God’s judgment or to suggest that we know better, for He always knows better.

• Rom. 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

• Rom. 9:20 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?

• Rom. 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonor?

• Rom. 9:22 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

LACK OF FAITH IS REBUKED BY GOD AND HIS SERVANTS (Note: The fact that God rebukes fallen men for their lack of faith strongly suggests that fallen men have the ability to choose to believe, for surely God would not rebuke men for something that for which they have zero control)

• 1 Cor. 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

• 1 Thess. 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

• 1 Tim. 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

• Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

• Acts 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting

• Acts 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

• Deut. 32:20 I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

• Heb. 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering

• James 1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

• John 20:24-27 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

• Luke 9:41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

• Mark 4:40 Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

• Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

• Matt. 6:30 (see also Luke 12:28) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

• Matt. 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

• Matt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Christ speaking to sinking Peter)

• Matt. 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

• Matt. 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

• Luke 9:40-41 I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you?

• Rev. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

• Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

LIST IS A TEST / GOD TESTS MAN:

• Gen. 22:1-2 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

• Deut. 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

• Ps. 11:5 The Lord trieth the righteous

• Ps. 7:9-10 The righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart

• James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life

• 1 Peter 1:6-7 Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations, That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ

• Rev. 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life

• Rev. 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth

MAN CAN REJECT / TURN FROM THEIR GOD-GIVEN CALLINGS:

• John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (Note: Judas was among those called to bring forth good fruit, but he chose to reject the Lord and reject his Jesus-ordained calling as an apostles)

MAN CAN REJECT / TURN FROM THEIR GOD-GIVEN SALVATION:

• 1 Tim. 1:18-20 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare, Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

• Peter 2:20-22 XXX

• Heb. 2: XXXX

• Heb. 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame

• Heb. 10:38-39 If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them draw back unto perdition

• Isa. 30:15 For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

• Luke 7:30 the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him

• Rev. 2:4 I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent… To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life

• Rom. 2:4 Despiseth thou the riches of [God’s] goodness… not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath

PREDESTINATION:

• Eph. 1:5 Predestinated us unto the adoption of children

• Eph. 1:11 Predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things

• Rom. 4:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

REPENTANCE IS GIVEN BY GOD:

• 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil

• Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

• Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

• Rom. 2:3-4 Thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Despiseth thou the riches of [God’s] goodness… not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath (Note: This passage shows that God tries to lead men to repentance but they can reject it)

RESPECTER OF PERSONS, GOD IS NOT:

• 1 Peter 1:17 Call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work

• 1 Timothy 5:21 I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality

• Acts 10:34 Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons

• Col. 3:24-25 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons

• Eph. 6:9 Knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him

• Ps. 33:14-15 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works

• Rom. 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God

SALVATION IS PROMISED / GUARANTEED TO GOD’S TRUE FOLLOWERS:

• 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life

• Heb. 12:2 Jesus the author and finisher of our faith

• John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out

• John 10:27-29 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. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

• Phil. 1:3-6 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you… Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

• Rom. 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

SALVATION OF THE WICKED & DISOBEDIENT IS IMPEDED BY GOD:

• Rom. 9:32 They sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone

• 1 Peter 2:8 Unto them which be disobedient… a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed

• Rom. 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth

• 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

• 2 Thess. 2:11 God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness

• Rev. 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beat, until the words of God shall be fulfille

SAVED BY… : The Bible teaches that man is “saved by” or “saved through” various principles, particularly, principles of choice or action on the part of man, principles just as “faith“, “works“, “confessing“, “hope” etc. This language strongly suggests that these principles are conditions that, once met, qualify mankind to receive God’s salvation, that is, that faith (or works, confessing etc.) causes the salvation to be received, that these principles lead to salvation. The idea that these principles are actually fruits of an already received and God-given salvation does not seem to match such “saved through…” language.

• 1 Peter 3:20-21 Baptism doth also now save us

• Eph. 2:8 By grace are ye saved, through faith

• Gal. 2:16 We, having believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ

• Gal. 3:22 The scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe

• Gal. 3:24-26 The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus

• Heb. 10:39 We are… of them that believe to the saving of the soul

• Heb. 11:7 Noah… became heir of the righteousness which is by faith

• James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

• James 2:24 By works a man is justified, and not by faith alone

• Luke 18:42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee

• Rom. 3:22 The righteousness of God… is by faith of Jesus Christ

• Rom. 3:28 A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law

• Rom. 3:30 It is one God which shall justify… through faith

• Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access to faith into his grace wherein we stand

• Rom. 8:24 We are saved by hope

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STATE OF FALLEN MAN:

• 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Be gentle unto all men, apt to teach… that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil

• Eph. 2:1-5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

• Jer. 17:9-16 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings… O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters…. As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.

• Matt. 9:12 Jesus… said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick

• Rom. 3:10-12, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips, Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [Note: Some have interpreted this passage to mean that every fallen man except for the regenerated Christian) is incapable of seeking God or choosing any good whatsoever. However, it seems clear to me that this is statement is not describing every individual but instead it is describing mankind in general, for while it’s true that all men are sinners, not every non-Christian’s “mouth is full of cursing and bitterness“, nor are all “feet are swift to shed blood” for there are many very kind and non-violent people of all faiths. Therefore, this passage is simply saying that mankind in general is very wicked and that there are few people (people like the author of Jeremiah) that do follow God and seek Him for forgiveness of their sins.]

WICKED ARE LOVINGLY INVITED TO REPENT:

• Ezek. 18:23-32 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

• Isaiah 9:13-21 For everyone is an hypocrite and an evil doer… for all this is anger his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still

• Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

• Mark 10:21 Jesus “loved” the rich man even though the rich man rejected Christ’s invitation to follow him

• Rom. 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people

• 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil