God gave me great peace , when I found out that there is no Hell. It really doesn't matter who is the elect and who will be in the second judgement. This is Gods choice. No matter where we end up it is still all of God.
Hi Marlene (and everyone else),
I have to give a big AMEN to that quote above, we all should have a certain peacefulness in the knowledge that it will be ALL inclusive once His Kingdom is fully established and that not one will be lost! Is being one of the elect something to strive for? Paul for one felt it was and I have to agree but God has a plan for each and every one of us, in here, outside of here, in the churches, in the world and past, present and future!
Patience is certainly one of the fruits of His Spirit and it is something that also must be strived for, jumping to conclusions about what people might say, do or write without first seeking to understand is carnal and impatient, definitely not the nourishing fruit that promotes health and growth as we journry and learn together.
George,
It was great to read the testimony about your wife, it reminded me of my own wife a few months back and her own "discovery" or Eureka! moment. We speak of spiritual things from time to time as I no longer beat her over the head with my own beliefs. Our more casual conversations have definitely produced better results than when she was firmly in the church and I was battling her on every doctrinal front, slowly she began to see that the real driving force or spirit in her (Baptist) church was money, prestige, power and control, once her eyes were opened to this she decided to leave and study on her own, reading her bible daily and from time to time discussing with me any questions that arose as she read, we had plenty of conversations about "free" will and like with virtually everyone else she had a difficult time with understanding/accepting this concept.
One day as she read Romans Chapter 9 she became very excited and the joy on her face was very evident as she ran over to me and exclaimed; I get what you mean about "free" will, it's right here in Romans!
Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor?
I will never forget the joy I experienced as she read these verses to me.
Peace,
Joe