Why won't those that believe wake up and love James and tell him he is in total denial of the word of God? Reformed theology denies the very foundation of the word of God in saying man does not have the ability to do what the word of God tells him to do. By the way there is no place for Jesus in reformation theology, even on this site I have heard it more than once they have the basics, no they don't they totally deny the basics. The foundation of Christianity is built on faith from the word of God, not the word of men about the word of God.
Twosparrows said
James you asked: so shall you receive: John 1:10-13
especially ~ "But to all who did receive Him" and "He gave them the right to be children of God tothose who believe in His name"
James replies:
This is a good Scripture, and in no way disagrees with the Order of Salvation, or the "Ordo Salutis".
This Scripture says that the ones who received Jesus, were accepted by God and forgiven.
It does NOT say "they had the ability to chose".
This is another "whosoever" verse.
NO ONE who repents and trusts in Jesus will be turned away!
But the Bible ALSO plainly says that NO ONE has the ability to repent and trust in Jesus UNLESS God GRANTS it, or DRAWS them, or GIVES THEM the GIFT OF FAITH.
And what I am saying to you, is NOTHING NEW!
And since there has been so much time spent on this group lately slamming Calvin and Luther, and the Reformation in General, here is something from a THOUSAND YEARS earlier than the Reformation:
If anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). If anyone affirms that we can form any right opinion or make any right choice which relates to the salvation of eternal life, or that we can be saved by assent to the preaching of the gospel through our natural powers without the effectual work of the Holy Spirit, who makes all whom He calls gladly and willingly assent to and believe in the truth, he is led astray from the plain teaching of Scripture by exalting the natural ability of man, and does not understand the voice of God who says in the Gospel, "For apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5), and the word of the Apostle, "Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God" (2 Cor. 3:5).
I too, use commentaries as a witness tool to compare and contast for myself what the Holy Spirit has given to me. There are time when I may not see soemthing and after reading serval commantaries I am able to put things together with what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me for etahcing and ministering the word.
Commentaries are a good thing especially, when using more than one or two to compare and constrast. I usually use about foru or five commentaries from the old scholars and theologians such as Matthew Henry, and the Geneva Bible, and sometime John Wesley or John Darby, and a few others.
If they are all in agreement with what God has given to me then I know I'm on the right path, and ofcourse, my mentor. This is what teaching and learning is all about even Paul knew he could not understand what he was receiving from the Holy Spirit without comparing it with the writings of the prophets of old, and what God has given Him and he had learned from his mentor This is called studying to show yourself approved of God rightly dividing the word of truth, as not to mislead the hearer or reader, and this is accpetable before God... many who try to teahc should consider using commentaries to help with their better understanding what God has given them otherwise, how do you know if what you speak or wirite is from or of God without a rule to measure it by?
@sparrow, sorry, but I'm not in this with you, your post speaks for its self as does my posts. To even present such a case for a matter of discussion or consider as a Christian is unacceptable, becausee you are allowing your mind and thoughts to question the possibilities that the word of God could be right or not mean what God has said, and that's planting doubt in the minds of new Christians and those of weak faith of any such possibility reagrding the gospel that it could or could not be truth or be a possibility its to mean something else.
This is a perfect example of how satan comes in unaware and plant seeds of doubtful throughts and confusion about the truth of the gospel. And God says its evil to speak about those things you know nothing about because they bring corruption into the mind.
It best to speak sound teachings than to try to figure out any possibilities outside of what God has aleady said in His Word especially when it comes to satan and his works... we are exhorted and commanded to give no place to the devil!! Keepp the word of sound doctrine and truth in your mouth when it comes to the gospel...seek to learn more about God and His character and His work and what His kingdom come is about, and who Jesus really is, coming into strong faith to the statue of Christ without doubts, because its obvious not much is known, and its already written.
What fine, mature, Godly?, christian women jude and et are. Thanks you two ladies for showing the young Christian women on this site how NOT to act. You both are examples alright. Of what not to do, LOL How can either of you possibly believe anyone would take you serious or want to be taught anything by you? there are so many young ladies on this site not WITH you, but AT you. I've been told personally you two are a big joke on this forum. Go Figer!
WITH you, but