"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 1:4)
To my brethren out there who still believe that we chose our own salvation, I might want to risk sounding offensive by saying that's rather egotistic.
The Truth is, on our own, we have no ability to save ourselves.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Dear Grim reaper
Date: Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:28:31 +0800
From: Wei-Yee Chan
Organization: Google Inc.
To: Fred A. Miller
Fred A. Miller wrote:
> On 12/08/2009 06:05 AM, Wei-Yee Chan wrote:
> EVERYONE "fits" into His plan because he knows what we will do LONG
> before we do "it." To understand the "elect" we need to understand that
> God knows what we're going to do....if we will choose Christ or not, LONG
> before that choice (acceptance or rejection) is ever made. He doesn't
> choose
> who will or won't, but simply KNOWS in advance who will and who won't. We
> are to continue our work NOT knowing what he knows.
>
> Fred
> --
I beg to differ. That's what I thought in the past too, but I was
wrong. God chose us. On our own, we're just like drowning people who
can't save themselves.
http://mb-soft.com/believe/txn/elect.htm
Here's some food for thought: How can sinful people ever make the right
choice without any divine intervention from God?
It's partially right to say He knows who will be saved, but it's not the
entire Truth. He knows because He chose us. (John 15:16)
Related:
Is the Doctrine of Election Biblical?
Misunderstandings of the Doctrine of Election
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Purpose of The Wicked
Why the wicked exist, in response to a humour post.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Dear Grim reaper
Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:05:58 +0800
From: Wei-Yee Chan
To: Fred A. Miller
Fred, the people whom we detest are put in their place by God Himself.
Once they've fulfilled God's purpose, they'll "disappear" for good. As
in the case of $in-gaporeans whose purpose was to arouse my anger
towards $in and show me what not to be, God struck them dead once they'd
completed their "mission". Long before I cursed them, God has already
damned them (Ephesians 1:3-4). The ones who're still standing (as least
for now) are meant to remind me that God's Will is fair. Remember, I
used to think that God was being cruel and unjust for not saving everyone?
Now, I'm not saying the wicked are willingly working for God and
sacrificing their souls for my sake - I'm really saying they're all part
of God's wonderful plan for our salvation.
Obama and all the God-damned people will go, but not until they've done
what God had intended them to do.
Fred A. Miller wrote:
>
> Dear Mr. Grim Reaper,
>
> So far this year you have taken away my favorite singer Michael Jackson,
>
> favorite actor Patrick Swayze, and favorite actress Farrah Fawcett.
>
>
>
> Just so you know, my favorite politicians are Obama, Pelosi, & Reid.
>
>
>
> Thank you.
>
>
>
>
> --
> "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined,
> but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to
> maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt
> to abuse them, which would include their own government."
> --George Washington
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Dear Grim reaper
Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:05:58 +0800
From: Wei-Yee Chan
To: Fred A. Miller
Fred, the people whom we detest are put in their place by God Himself.
Once they've fulfilled God's purpose, they'll "disappear" for good. As
in the case of $in-gaporeans whose purpose was to arouse my anger
towards $in and show me what not to be, God struck them dead once they'd
completed their "mission". Long before I cursed them, God has already
damned them (Ephesians 1:3-4). The ones who're still standing (as least
for now) are meant to remind me that God's Will is fair. Remember, I
used to think that God was being cruel and unjust for not saving everyone?
Now, I'm not saying the wicked are willingly working for God and
sacrificing their souls for my sake - I'm really saying they're all part
of God's wonderful plan for our salvation.
Obama and all the God-damned people will go, but not until they've done
what God had intended them to do.
Fred A. Miller wrote:
>
> Dear Mr. Grim Reaper,
>
> So far this year you have taken away my favorite singer Michael Jackson,
>
> favorite actor Patrick Swayze, and favorite actress Farrah Fawcett.
>
>
>
> Just so you know, my favorite politicians are Obama, Pelosi, & Reid.
>
>
>
> Thank you.
>
>
>
>
> --
> "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined,
> but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to
> maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt
> to abuse them, which would include their own government."
> --George Washington
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Crucifix - a Christian or pagan symbol?
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has sparked a heated debate with the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and Italian mayors over the role of the crucifix in Italian society (Christian Telegraph, November 18, 2009). But, a more fundamental issue should be addressed. Is the cross even a Christian symbol in the first place?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Death Swallowed Up By Life
“And he died…and he died…and he died” (Genesis 5). The repeated refrain reverberates in our ears echoing the dreadful damnation. But Christ has taken our damnation, and in its place has given salvation! “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Rise up, your Lord is risen! Death has been swallowed up by life!
Joke - Worm Experiment
A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon.
Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:
The first worm in alcohol - Dead.
The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead.
Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead.
Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive.
So the Minister asked the congregation - What can you learn from this demonstration?
A little old woman in the back quickly raised her hand and said,
"As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!"
Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:
The first worm in alcohol - Dead.
The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead.
Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead.
Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive.
So the Minister asked the congregation - What can you learn from this demonstration?
A little old woman in the back quickly raised her hand and said,
"As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!"
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Did the Apostle Paul Poke Nero in the Eye?
The Apostle Paul’s example makes it clear to us that it is not a person’s rank in the state which determines whether he is worthy of respect and honor. As we hear the chorus of statists saying that "we should respect our [sic] president" or any other government official, we can remember the Apostle Paul who, like the Lord Himself, was "no respecter of persons."
Sometimes resistance, or just a good poke in the eye, is exactly what is needed; Christians can follow the example of Saint Paul in good conscience, and in good fun. Though there may be consequences, we need to have confidence in the rightness of our cause and in the goodness of the Lord, and let the chips fall where they may.
Sometimes resistance, or just a good poke in the eye, is exactly what is needed; Christians can follow the example of Saint Paul in good conscience, and in good fun. Though there may be consequences, we need to have confidence in the rightness of our cause and in the goodness of the Lord, and let the chips fall where they may.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
'Soft Preaching' Produces Hard People
A popular Christian author and pastor says one can look to Jesus when it comes to dealing with false teachers and bad theology.
In his newest book "The Jesus You Can't Ignore", John MacArthur looks at the Lord's many personal, often explosive encounters with the religious teachers of his day. MacArthur says although Christ was compassionate to those who were needy, he had a different tactic with proud, arrogant religious leaders.
And while MacArthur acknowledges that the gospel makes people uncomfortable, he says it prepares hearts for the only cure for sin -- which is Jesus Christ.
In his newest book "The Jesus You Can't Ignore", John MacArthur looks at the Lord's many personal, often explosive encounters with the religious teachers of his day. MacArthur says although Christ was compassionate to those who were needy, he had a different tactic with proud, arrogant religious leaders.
And while MacArthur acknowledges that the gospel makes people uncomfortable, he says it prepares hearts for the only cure for sin -- which is Jesus Christ.
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