We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Two points I would like to make here.

Firstly, the use of "κόσμος" here is NOT to be limited to any particular group, like the "elect", which is what some who are obsessed with this, will have it read here. Let us honestly look at the lexical evidence on the use of "κόσμος", in this passage.

a. J H Thayer, "particularly the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race"
b. Edward Robinson, "the world, for the inhabitants of the earth, men, mankind"
c. W F Arndt and F W Gingrich, "the world, as mankind"

It is very clear from the above definitions of leading Greek lexicons, that the "entire human race" is here (as in John 3:16, and elsewhere) referred to. Keep one's theological bias out of the plain meaning of the Holy Bible.

Secondly, for those who would yet, on theological grounds, still argue that Paul here means the "elect", then I will ask this one question. As I have said elsewhere, the "elect" of God, according to the Calvinist's "theory", have been "predestined before the foundation of the world", to eternal life. This is a fixed thing that has been determined by God. And the "elect" WILL be saved. IF, Calvinism has got this right, then the question must be dealt with, why would God have to "beg, entreat, beseech", which is the meaning of the Greek, "παρακαλέω", these who have already been GUARANTEED eternal life as they are ALREADY ELECTED? Surely they WILL come to the Lord, and their "wills have been enabled" by "irresistible grace", which they CANNOT REFUSE! WHY "PLEAD" with those who WILL be saved anyway? These words can ONLY be used to describe the NON ELECT WORLD, as the above Greek lexicons rightly say!

 

Those Jesus are reconciling aren't having their sins counted against them. This is particular redemption at work, not a universal reconciliation.

 

Many are called, but few are chosen!

 

says you... however What I have said above you have not refuted or contradicted!

 

Sure, the Bible says this. Your point being?

 

The message of the Gospel goes out to all sinners, but only those who are Christ sheep will heed that call!

 

Most, "Christians," would not like it if God saved everyone because most, "Christians," want to be saved because of, "free will".

Think about it.

 

Nope, says 2 Corinthians 5:19. Nice try though...

 

Yeah the atonement certainly has a lot of issues if you want to take that penal substitution stance.



Of course I think the Calvinist version would have just broken in without asking.


I find the whole God vs God idea absurd.


I believe God the FATHER is exactly like God the SON. A lot more merciful and reasonable.

 

Of course it's to the entire world, so is the ten commandments, so is "Be perfect as my Father is perfect", are you trying to make a point? Just another example of NOT UNDERSTANDING THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS, the only true Reformed Faith.

Arminians are so close to the Church of Rome it's astounding, if there were to be a debate, Arminians would have to take the Roman Church's side, for they agree with the Church more than does Reformed Theology.

You are confusing God's PRESCRIPTIVE WILL, which goes out to all men, ALL MEN ARE TO REPENT, ALL MEN ARE TO COME TO CHRIST, that doesn't mean they can any more than we can be perfect or obey the ten commandments, in fact the bible is FILLED with commands we are unable to do. So yes, God's COMMAND is that all men repent, all men come to Christ, the problem is they can't, John 6 "You are UNABLE to come to me....", "The natural man is unable to yield to the things of God", "can't understand the things of God, for they are Spiritually discerned".

Amateur hour

 

Stop looking for excuses.


1 Corinthians 10

13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.


The problem is not you "CAN'T" stop sinning, the problem is you WON'T. According to God you have the right, privileged and obligation to NEVER SIN AGAIN.

Right off the bat if you think you can't do that, your already sinning not having faith in the word of the lord.


When you sin its not because God didn't provide something for you to. When you sin it is YOUR FAULT.

Got to learn to repent and take responsibility.



Only lazy people who want a license to sin say they can't stop. EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE. The disobedience is real.

There is no hey lord well you didn't give me a perfect conscience, you didn't give me this or that, MY fault, My Fault and only My Fault, unless God says otherwise.

 

Your lack of understanding of Scripture and Reformed Theology is breathtaking. Only through the Spirit of God can one understand. So with your verse, are you saying it's possible that man can live without ever sinning? I think you are. You should read the Heidelberg Catechism sometimes, it gives such a great explanation of each commandment, bottom line we all break each one every day.

Guys like this don't have a high enough view of Go'd holiness, but have a much too high view of themselves. It's Arminianims greatest critique isn't it, it's man centered, this guy is actually saying "We CAN live the rest of our lives without sinning", amazing.

Have no idea what you mean by excuse, I'll say it again, maybe you'll read it slowly, God has a prescriptive will, it goes out to all, the Ten Commandments is a perfect example, they are not Ten Suggestions, but COMMANDMENTS, yet not one person in history has fulfilled them save Christ. If we could fulfill the commandments there would be no need for a savior, buys like this poster who have such a low view of God, like unbelievers, ever ask a unbeliever if they are going to Heaven "Yeah, I think I'm a good person", sadly not understanding that if there is ONE SIN IN OUR ACCOUNT WE GO TO HELL, the ONLY WAY to Heaven does not lie in us, it lies in Christ, HE is our righteousness, He lived a righteous life in our place, and took the elects sins on the cross. In the Great Exchange, His righteous life is reckoned to us, and our sins are also taken away, that is punished once in the definite atonement.

There are many cults, as well as the Roman Church who teach what you do, they actually believe that we are full of excuses, and that they can really be as righteous as Christ, no real need for Christ of course, of we can learn from Him, but it's ALL ABOUT MAN, serious I'm so sick of cults, and cult like teaching, that folks is what this is.

 

Ignorance. He is knocking on what? Everyone's door? NO THE ANOPOLIS DOOR, HE'S KNOCKING ON A CHRISTIAN CHURCH'S DOOR, WHY DON'T YOU STUDY YOUR BIBLE BEFORE IGNORANTLY COMMENTING, you don't know the Bible, you don't know Arminianism, you don't know Reformed Theology, have you no fear of God? Don't you worry you might twist His word? You should, I sure do

 

Yeah just use the opposite on them. Ask "Since God created knowing billions would not have the gospel, and since He has the power to provide it, His withholding scripture is equivalent of passing over them, what's the difference"? The difference is that what the bible teaches has PURPOSE, imagine the Arminian God, frustrated, loves everyone, begs for them to come, WITHHOLDS SCRIPTURE SO THEY CAN BE SAVED, but is so sad, then God kills them (He kills all if you are unaware), and grieves "Oh I loved you so much, why weren't you smart/good/in the right place at the right time, now I'm going to have to hate you for all eternity, hold on let me change my love into hate), it's such a joke when light in shined on it, IT'S HERESY, its NOT SCRIPTURAL, and to date I've not found one critic who actually UNDERSTANDS what Reformed Theology is.

Sunday School, 5 years old, day one, "we are ALL SINNERS AND DESERVE HELL, understand children", "Yes". That's enough. Grown up twisted heretical Arminian "Oh uh I like think we all deserve a chance", well guess what Mr. heretic, WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, WE CARE WHAT GOD SAYS, we believe Him in faith, and if you actually step out in faith, put your traditions behind you, and let God talk, you'll see that not even the Sparrow dies without His will, each turn of the dice is decided by Him, every fish, bird, bacteria is all held together and it's purposes and movements are all from the Lord, this is what God says, so I will believe Him, hopefully you will also

 

According to your theology it doesn't matter how intelligently I study the scripture because understanding is solely based on Election.

Either way if I believed your nonsense I would only complain to God for allowing it rather then complain to you with some chimp like understanding of cause and effect.