> General Discussions
Chosen
hammerandnails:
Dear Ricky,
I greatly admire your honesty!
At least you are being honest and you are not the least trying to pretend who you are not.
That is priceless! ;D
At least you are not deceived: "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing,
he deceives himself." Gal.6:3
I don't know your backround, but I can tell you this, (which I believe it reflects also the beliefs of some other people who posted)
If you are low, if you are miserable, if you are broken and in darkness, if you had build some sand castles,
if you don't know what to believe, if you are a thief, a liar, a deceiver, if you came to the end of yourself, if you are rejected by the world system, if you are afflicted, if you are confused, if you blaspheme,
and you question God's integrity and His will, and on and on.....my dear Ricky, YOU ARE IN THE QUALIFICATION LIST!!!!
Furthermore, Ricky, if and when God desires to drag you to Him, and choose you (relax about that!!) I can tell you
in the presence of my Lord Jesus Christ whom I serve, and adore, and knows the condition of my heart,
if that should happen, YOU WILL KNOW BEYOND ANY SHADOW OF DOUBT THAT YOU ARE,
and you WILL KNOW THE IF ANOTHER MAN IS CHOSEN OR NOT, BECAUSE YOU WILL SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE!!! ;D ;D
Is like being in a foreign country where everybody speak gibberish, and from the distance, you hear someone
speaking English. You will run towards that person!!!! Nobody around will be able to understand it but you!!! :o
I believe that we are tested every moment, we are placed in circumstances where the Lord will see
and judge our response to those circumstances.
Live like you want to pass the test!!!
I too wanted to be a general, when I was but a soldier.
Is nothing wrong with a soldier!!!! ;) ;)
I rather be a darn good soldier, than a real bad general!!
Shalom
Ariel
mharrell08:
Hello Ricky,
You have received some wonderful advice from the many members who have responded which I hope helps you find the answer you seek.
I want to make one point though. The only reason being one of the elect seems like such a humongous task is because we, all of us, look at it from our prospective instead of God's. When we think about 'calling upon the name of the Lord', 'our righteousness far exceeding the Pharisees', 'abiding in him', and etc. it seems very daunting. No one can do all these many things themselves. But, is anything too hard for God?
From the Lord's prospective, it is rather easy to bring one into the kingdom of God. Look how fast Saul, being the chief sinner of all time, was converted and his will was made to follow the will of the Father. The more we realize it is Christ IN US, doing good, than we see that with God, all things are possible including being chosen and faithful. Our hope is not based on whether or not 'we' can do anything, but rather Him that is in us.
1 Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Cor 4:7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Everyday I pray that my focus stays on Him working through me instead of me working to please him. I used to pray and hope for the latter and be very disappointed in myself when falling short. Now I grow stronger as my focus stays on him as it is not I who is growing stronger, but the spirit IN me. Christ says he could raise up stones to do his work [Matt. 3:9]...surely he can do the same with little ol' me. :D
Our confidence in hoping to be one of the elect and in the kingdom of God lies not with ourselves, but with Him. If I were to think of myself trying to meet this high calling, I would be distraught as well. But when we look to Christ, who makes us complete IN HIM, we can trust that, God willing, we will see him as he is on the last day.
It is not a sense of pride or haughtiness when we recognize that through Christ we can be in the 1st resurrection; it is a symbol of faith and hope that God will keep the promises that He makes all throughout the scriptures. Let your confidence and assurance be on Christ rather than yourself and be not swayed with your personal shortcomings...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...[Rom 3:23].
Hope this helps,
Marques
Ricky:
Hey, I can hear you all speaking words of truth and great wisdom, thankyou. You all have something that that I would like to have to. It appears that God is holding it back from me right now for what ever reasons He has, but maybe it is not for me, and I am just suppose to be the puppy around here barking at you all coz I could be jealous and just a big crybaby and you guys get good pratice at being the elect before you all even get there. Is there 1 person out there that can honestly say, Yes I am know I am chosen? Or are you just hoping for the best, while I prepare for the worst, that way it wont hurt so much. Thankyou all for your kind words of wisdom, you all have helped. Ricky
mharrell08:
--- Quote from: Ricky on November 18, 2008, 03:25:28 PM --- Is there 1 person out there that can honestly say, Yes I am know I am chosen?
--- End quote ---
No
2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his...
Rom 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
--- Quote from: Ricky on November 18, 2008, 03:25:28 PM ---Or are you just hoping for the best, while I prepare for the worst, that way it wont hurt so much.
--- End quote ---
Romans 8
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Being delivered from the bondage of corruption is now the worst? In that case, what in the world is the best?
Where is your faith? Is anything too hard for God? As we both know the answer is an emphatic 'NO', why do you doubt that the Lord can mold you into His very image? I understand the humility to speak of 'not knowing' if we are to be chosen and faithful, but why do you continue to imply that it is impossible for someone like you?
You are still looking within yourself for this glorious accomplishment. It takes Christ IN YOU for one to be chosen and faithful. When you continue to cast doubt, you are not casting doubt on yourself. Rather, it is Christ himself which you cast doubt on. Whether through ignorance or not, that is the message you are stating. Put your trust and confidence in the Lord...what do you have to lose?
Marques
Kat:
Hi Ricky,
--- Quote ---Is there 1 person out there that can honestly say, Yes I am know I am chosen?
--- End quote ---
You can only know you are in the race, but the thing is you must finish the race to be in the first resurrection. As much as I love this truth and being with the believers here, I do realize that God could quite easily bring about circumstances that would take me away from it all. That would only mean that I was never one of the Elect. But I will continue "with fear and trembling," hopefully until the end, as I know God could complete this work in me as well as anybody.
Here is a excerpt from Ray's Bible study 'Free Will is anOxymoron.'
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,5154.0.html -------
If God is determined that you and I will obey Him from here on out, guess what? There’s no other alternative. We will do it! But the only thing is, He doesn’t tell us for sure that we are one. Christ knows those that are His (John 10:14). We don't. Philippians 2:13, God will do it, He works in you to will and to do. But then verse 12, with fear and trembling. Why? We don't know for sure we are one.
Paul said less I become a castaway (1 Cor 9: 27). But you say, ’how could Paul become a castaway?’ He said it could happen. He said I don't take it for granted, it could happen you know, unless I be a castaway, so I'm going to endure to the END.
Isn't that what Christ said, he who endures to the end (Matt 24:13), all the way to the end. The runner who stumbles and falls 2 feet before the finish line, does not win the race.
----------------------------------------------------
mercy, peace and love
Kat
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