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elect
stego:
Hi all,
I was just wondering about some of the criteria for being considered one of the elect. Is it possible to be one of the elect if one has never heard of Jesus and has never opened a bible? If not, is it possible to be one of the elect if one has not read the entire bible? Part of the motivation of my questions is that I have known a couple people in my life that are very good people, very loving, very understanding i would say of the main points of God's word (especially love your neighbor as yourself), and yet, they have barely even read God's word! Isn't it true that none of us has the full mind of God at the time of our deaths anyways, even the elect? Thoughts?
Sean
hillsbororiver:
Good morning Sean,
The way I see it is if we cannot be 100% sure we ourselves are among the elect how can we judge whether others will be or not.
There is no doubt that the Lord can and does choose whomever He pleases, we can never be absolutely sure of another person's walk with Him or how He leads them to Himself, it is a One on one experience for any and all of His own. The most comforting thought is that all will be Sons and Daughters of God eventually!
His Peace and Wisdom to you Brother,
Joe
TRUTHSEEKER:
--- Quote from: stego on October 30, 2006, 02:16:50 AM ---Hi all,
I was just wondering about some of the criteria for being considered one of the elect. Is it possible to be one of the elect if one has never heard of Jesus and has never opened a bible? If not, is it possible to be one of the elect if one has not read the entire bible? Part of the motivation of my questions is that I have known a couple people in my life that are very good people, very loving, very understanding i would say of the main points of God's word (especially love your neighbor as yourself), and yet, they have barely even read God's word! Isn't it true that none of us has the full mind of God at the time of our deaths anyways, even the elect? Thoughts?
Sean
--- End quote ---
Your concern was brought to the Lord when two of his diciples wanted to be "one at his left and ther other at his right" when Jesus established his kingdom. Jesus made it abundantly clear that such a position was not even his to give but for those who the Father prepared it for. I don't believe we will know in this lifetime if anyone is truly an elect of God. Knowing Jesus is probably a prerequisite. I haven't seen anywhere in the bible where it was dependent on knowing Jesus though. Reading the bible in its entirety doesn't qualify someone to be an elect either. Only the Father knows and He will reveal in due time who He wills to be in such a position. That's my take on it.
hillsbororiver:
Hi Truthseeker,
Here are some verses that would strongly suggest that a knowledge and a reverence of and for Jesus is a prerequisite for being saved, in this life or the next.
I would not limit the Lord in saving whomever He willed but if He did it outside any biblical knowledge He would still reveal Himself to the sinner being saved, without His Spirit we are dying flesh, not a living spirit.
Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Act 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Phi 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth;
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
Kat:
Hi Sean,
Your question,
--- Quote ---Is it possible to be one of the elect if one has never heard of Jesus and has never opened a bible? If not, is it possible to be one of the elect if one has not read the entire bible?
--- End quote ---
I agree with Joe that we can not be 100% sure, if we are one of the elect,
nor can we know for be sure, who else He leading to Himself.
But the scripture does gives us a lot of information, about who it is God does choose.
You say,
--- Quote --- Part of the motivation of my questions is that I have known a couple people in my life that are very good people, very loving, very understanding i would say of the main points of God's word (especially love your neighbor as yourself), and yet, they have barely even read God's word!
--- End quote ---
Good works are great, but is that all that would be required to be among the elect?
Gal 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. We, too, have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law, for no human being will be justified by the works of the law.
Luk 8:21 And answering, He said to them, My mother and My brothers are these: the ones hearing the Word of God, and doing it.
Joh 8:31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on Him, If you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed.
2Ti 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
The elect must be in the Word of God, to do it and continue in it, and handle it rightly.
But to understand, the elect must have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
Joh 14:23 Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them.
Because the elect can not do or understand any truth on their own,
Christ must be the head of the body.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
To be one of the elect you must suffer for rightousness sake.
Mat 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church;
Mat 10:22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
So the elect must be persecuted, but he who is faithful and endures to the end,
will be saved and be in the first resurrection.
Mat 10:22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Rev 17:14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful."
There are many requirments to be one of the elect,
and I would think a person would know, if there life is being lead in that direction.
Having the Holy Spirit indwelling is another thing that I would think a person would be aware of.
But you certainly can not know for sure, until you come up in the first resurrection.
This is the way it looks to me, in the scripture.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
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