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Do they elect know they are elect or is it wait and see ?
skydreamers:
Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
This great man of God, Paul, seems pretty aware that there is always a chance for "disqualification", so we all need to stay humble and be continually spiritually striving for that great reward offered to the Elect. We can be confident but not boastful. We can be hopeful but not complacent. This is not an easy race to run...having to always stay on your spiritual toes... ;) :D
Peace,
Diana
Deborah-Leigh:
Mrsnacks
Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy wherein he wrote 2 Tim 4 : 6. For I am already about to be sacrificed, my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering: the time of my spirit's release from the body is at hand and I will soon go free. 7. I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE DEPT THE FAITH.
He was ELECT! Why? Because although the Spirit of Christ warned him what awaited Paul should he go to Rome....HE WENT THERE ANYWAY...He did not avoid his death...he went into the embrace of death by execution! He was faithful unto death and I believe Paul defined what elect is....FAITHFUL TO DEATH.
If any of us can say we are that faithful and then die instead of avoiding a death sentence...then sure...you are elect and know it....Paul put his money where his mouth was and the Scriptures endorse his claim! He left the brethren to go and be executed. They knew it. Just as Christ declared to his Disciples that He was about to be executed...Paul too declared to his brethren that he too would be leaving them.
TO DEATH... that is the finale....We do not know what Paul suffered but we did not hear of him again after that final letter to Timothy.
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
YellowStone:
Hi All,
These types of discussions always worry me. Diana, I like your inclusion of Pauls words.
1Cr 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Paul does not say: "Run in such a way SO you win"; rather, he uses the words "as to" which means (to me) that the receiving or not the prize is irrelevant, for it is the 'running' of the race that counts.
Will any here feel justified for having been chosen? Will any look upon a fellow brother or sister in this forum who was selected but not chosen and say: "I knew it, I just knew it...."
I have a huge problem with this and the moment I even feel a little like I am more than I am, I know without question that I have returned to my carnal nature and I go straight back to GO....
Mat 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard.
Mat 20:2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
Mat 20:3 “About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.
Mat 20:4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’
Mat 20:5 So they went.
“He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing.
Mat 20:6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
Mat 20:7 ” ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
Mat 20:8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
Mat 20:9 “The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.
Mat 20:10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.
Mat 20:11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.
Mat 20:12 ‘ These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
Mat 20:13 “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?
Mat 20:14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.
Mat 20:15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
Mat 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
This last verse is the clincher for me, 'So the last will be first, and the first will be last.' Seems to me, that it is those who have no inkling of being chosen that will be. I myself have no idea what God has in store for me, and I love it. All I have to do is follow His lead and listen with my heart as His Spirt speaks. I believe for myself that if I focus for a second on the prize, I have failed in running as to win it.
Running must mean baring the fruits of the Spirit in al that we do, say and feel.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Well this is the way I see it, no offense to anyone intended.
What will be, will be of God and not me. God's plans will not change.
Love to all in Christ,
Darren
Deborah-Leigh:
Darren
You quote : Mat 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
As I understand this scripture it is referring to the first to receive the covenant of God being the OT Israel and the last to receive the new Covenant.
We know that no one in the OT will be in the first Ressurection. Those who are raised in the order of the Resurrection to life in Christ lived AFTER those who will enter into their salvation last. Those in the New Covenant are the called who live after the death of Christ and not the first chosen who lived before! God does have an order.
This might make sense to someone!... :D
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
DuluthGA:
Thanks, you raise good points Darren, which humble me. I certaintly don't feel I like know I am 'a chosen' all the time. This then would be one of those moments I do not. ;D
"Seems to me, that it is those who have no inkling of being chosen that will be."
I will now go and contemplate how I can somehow, when I do feel it, un-feel this "sacred secret" [from Joe's thread] that is given to me. ;D
Really, I understand what you are saying. I, however, am preparing to serve Him in the best ways I am able, if He should indeed choose me. And I pray for Him to "pick me, pick me!" I humbly want to help Him.
Phil 1: 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
:) Thanks again for good insights. With joy, Janice
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