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Um, which ever way you take it, one thing will be clear: GOD IS SOVEREIGN!
If He chooses only a few to be saved, it is by His grace. If we have a part to play in our salvation, as it relates to our choosing Him, then that same grace will save us. In both instances we would have received His grace, which we do not deserve.
We all know John 3: 16: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." But some say that in the Greek it should be something like, "Whomsoever shall be saved will believe".
The latter tells us that we can choose Christ as Savious, the former says that the chosen are bound for salvation and nothing can stop it. Personally, I won't use my time to argue which is which; I do believe, however, that God chooses us and we choose Him. I believe that we have to make a concious decision to follow Christ, in response to His call. He calls, we answer.
What I'd talk about however is the lifestyle of a believer. 1 Thessalonians 4: 7 tells us that "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."
This means that Christians must be different from sinners, clearly. Jesus said that we will know false prophets by their fruits[St. matthew 7: 15 - 20], and it is by fruits that Christians are identified also. He also said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." [St. John 13: 34 - 35].
Love is the order of the day for all those who are His. Colossians 3 and Romans 12 are two passages of scripture which instruct Believers concerning how they should live:
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Colossians 3: 5 - 11
"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone."
Romans 12: 9 - 18
But whatever you believe, it is only through belief in the work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection and His grace man can be saved. No other way.
Do we choose? Whether yes or no, he has told us how to live. But, for your consideration:
I Corinthians 15: 1 - 2
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
We have to endure to the end in order to be saved. We have to keep believing, keep bearing fruit, keep fighting the desires of the flesh.
"But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."
II Peter 3: 8 - 9
Well, whatever you believe, believe that God is reigning. Some might be offended by His choosing, whether He decides to elect or to answer when we call, but He is God and we are the work of His hands. He will have His way. That's reason enough to worship Him and Him alone!!!
Jah Blesses!
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