Christ will witnesss even if we don't, but God has given us the honor and privledge to be His ambassadors, even if it involves suffering. We are led by Him, and love compels us to witness.
The Apostle Paul knows full well that faith is a gift, for Christ appeared to Him and spoke His faith into existence sovereignly. If God's choice of Paul had to do with Paul's faith, he would have said. Instead he says the contrary so often. Rom 9, Eph 1-3, John 3, 1 Cor 12 (faith in Paul's list of gifts).
If it is true that our efforts (to persuade others to accept Christ) are irrelevant/unnecessary, then it doesn't matter whether we witness or not. Everybody who God wants to end up in heaven will be there. Why should I live a life of pain and suffering as an evangelist when my efforts are irrelevant? If the answer is "God says to do it", then God wants us to spend our lives doing painful things that don't actually cause any eternal result. Your answer is flawed.
I think using Abraham as an example in this sense is weak. God could have given Abraham and Sarah a son without them having sex. Inactivity by Abraham would have in no way prevented Abraham from having a son. This example stands in contrast to the question being asked here which is "Does the activity or inactivity or clumsiness of the Calvinist (in witnessing) have any causal effect on whether a person ends up in heaven or hell?" If NOT, then our efforts in witnessing are irrelevant.
@GuyWilliams100 It seems correct to say that our effort in the salvation of others is irrelevant when it is all God's will to save some and not others. However, this by no means says that we are not to witness to others. I say this because Jesus says to go unto all the world and preach the Gospel. Therefore, we sow God's seed to as many people as possible, and the Holy Spirit uses us (not because He needs us, but because He wants us) to do what He wants (whether saving a person or not).
I can't imagine a Calvinist that would not be willing to defend what they hold dear to their heart. Imagine if Paul never stood his ground when it came to the Christian beliefs being challenged by other pagan religions.
Christ will witnesss even if we don't, but God has given us the honor and privledge to be His ambassadors, even if it involves suffering. We are led by Him, and love compels us to witness.
The Apostle Paul knows full well that faith is a gift, for Christ appeared to Him and spoke His faith into existence sovereignly. If God's choice of Paul had to do with Paul's faith, he would have said. Instead he says the contrary so often. Rom 9, Eph 1-3, John 3, 1 Cor 12 (faith in Paul's list of gifts).
Isaiah538 3 months ago
Dear theo4Christ,
If it is true that our efforts (to persuade others to accept Christ) are irrelevant/unnecessary, then it doesn't matter whether we witness or not. Everybody who God wants to end up in heaven will be there. Why should I live a life of pain and suffering as an evangelist when my efforts are irrelevant? If the answer is "God says to do it", then God wants us to spend our lives doing painful things that don't actually cause any eternal result. Your answer is flawed.
GuyWilliams100 6 months ago
I think using Abraham as an example in this sense is weak. God could have given Abraham and Sarah a son without them having sex. Inactivity by Abraham would have in no way prevented Abraham from having a son. This example stands in contrast to the question being asked here which is "Does the activity or inactivity or clumsiness of the Calvinist (in witnessing) have any causal effect on whether a person ends up in heaven or hell?" If NOT, then our efforts in witnessing are irrelevant.
GuyWilliams100 7 months ago
@GuyWilliams100 It seems correct to say that our effort in the salvation of others is irrelevant when it is all God's will to save some and not others. However, this by no means says that we are not to witness to others. I say this because Jesus says to go unto all the world and preach the Gospel. Therefore, we sow God's seed to as many people as possible, and the Holy Spirit uses us (not because He needs us, but because He wants us) to do what He wants (whether saving a person or not).
theo4Christ 6 months ago
Comment removed
r0ckm0nk3y 1 year ago
Very helpful thank you
twanablevins 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Calvinism is a cult!
calvinismisacult 2 years ago
You realize that Calvinism isn't a religion, right?
tomopotamus 2 years ago
I can't imagine a Calvinist that would not be willing to defend what they hold dear to their heart. Imagine if Paul never stood his ground when it came to the Christian beliefs being challenged by other pagan religions.
TheGiftofChrist 2 years ago