I'd argue that we do not have a choice in our being saved. Once we are called by God, and he has put it in our hearts, we can be saved, but it by no merit of our own choosing. This would make God powerless. The moment we give man any of the credit to his salvation, whether directly or no, God becomes pwerless, because if his power is removed 1 iota, it is completely gone.
Rom. 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.
That last statement says it pretty much.
Saying that we accept God is also saying that that is our first step to savaltion. We are therefore the instagators of our salvation. If we are inherantly evil as the Bible states "there is none that doeth good, no, not one", then this act of accepting God is good. If it is dne of our own accored BEFORE we are saved, how is that possible if we cannot do good? I'd put forward that the Holy spirit puts it in us.
Rom. 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
here is some verses that state hoe God came to us before we accept him.
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. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Eph. 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
.
1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Tit. 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
btw, im a veeeeeeeeeery conservative christian.
reagrds,
greenlig
I got best and fairest for soccer WHOOHOOO!
