ECT The Righteousness Which is of God

musterion

musterion

Well-known member
Jerry Shugart said:

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor.4:3).​

This proves these people who are described as being "lost" have the ability to believe the gospel but because their minds are blinded to it by Satan they do not believe it.
Click to expand...

Or...

2 Corinthians 4:4 (DNT) in whom the God of the age this blinded the minds of the unbelieving ones, in order that not to see distinctly the illumination of the glad tidings of the glory of the Anointed one, who is an image of the God.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (ASV) in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them].
Click to expand...

Paul may be speaking of those who, similar to Pharaoh, had already made up their minds; as Pharaoh was hardened by God for his refusal to change his mind, they are blinded by Satan for theirs. But I don't believe Paul is speaking of ALL who simply hadn't heard yet.
 
beloved57

beloved57

Well-known member
Jerry Shugart said:
The fact that a person's mind can be blinded to the truth means that those who are blinded have the ability to see.

After all, it is impossible to blind someone unless they can first see!
Click to expand...

How does a blind man has the ability to see ? The Gospel is hidden from them.
 
Jerry Shugart

Jerry Shugart

Well-known member
Ask Mr. Religion said:
Being overcome in your anti-Calvinist zeal, you are making no sense here, confusing capacity and ability. They are related, but they are not synonyms.
Click to expand...


The word "ability" means "the quality or state of being able...mental power to perform" (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary).

When we look at this verse we can see that those who are described as being "lost" had the mental power to believe the gospel:

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor.4:3).​

The reason why the "god of this world" blinded the ones who are lost is for the express purpose that the gospel of Christ should not shine unto them.

That means that they were blinded so that the would not believe the gospel. That means that those described as being "lost" have the mental power to believe the gospel.

After all, you cannot blind someone unless they have the ability to see!
 
beloved57

beloved57

Well-known member
Jerry Shugart said:
The word "ability" means "the quality or state of being able...mental power to perform" (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary).

When we look at this verse we can see that those who are described as being "lost" had the mental power to believe the gospel:

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor.4:3).​

The reason why the "god of this world" blinded the ones who are lost is for the express purpose that the gospel of Christ should not shine unto them.

That means that they were blinded so that the would not believe the gospel. That means that those described as being "lost" have the mental power to believe the gospel.

After all, you cannot blind someone unless they have the ability to see!
Click to expand...

Also them in the flesh can't please God. They don't have the ability Rom 8:8

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

What does that word cannot mean ?
 
Jerry Shugart

Jerry Shugart

Well-known member
beloved57 said:
Also them in the flesh can't please God. They don't have the ability Rom 8:8

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

What does that word cannot mean ?
Click to expand...

Those words are addressed to Christians, as the context indicates:

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Ro.8:12-13).​

These words are addressed to Christians (Ro.1:7-8) so the word "brethren" and the pronouns "we" and "ye" are directed at Christians.
 
beloved57

beloved57

Well-known member
Jerry Shugart said:
Those words are addressed to Christians, as the context indicates:

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Ro.8:12-13).​

These words are addressed to Christians (Ro.1:7-8) so the word "brethren" and the pronouns "we" and "ye" are directed at Christians.
Click to expand...

What Paul said was told to believers about them that are in the flesh, they who are in the flesh can't please God, they don't have the ability. That destroys your lies.Christians are not in the flesh Rom 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
 
beloved57

beloved57

Well-known member
Jerry Shugart said:
The very fact that a person can be blinded from believing the gospel proves that they have the ability to believe it.

After all, a person must first be able to see before they can be blinded.
Click to expand...

Those who are lost can't believe the Gospel because it is hidden from them. 2 Cor 4:3

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
 
Ask Mr. Religion

Ask Mr. Religion

☞☞☞☞Presbyterian (PCA) &#9
Gold Subscriber
LIFETIME MEMBER
Hall of Fame
Regeneration (quickening) precedes faith and repentance

Regeneration (quickening) precedes faith and repentance

Jerry Shugart said:
That means that they were blinded so that the would not believe the gospel. That means that those described as being "lost" have the mental power to believe the gospel.
Click to expand...
As my earlier response indicated, original man possessed the ability to believe, but, via the god of this world, Adam fell and with him so did all of his progeny.

None after Adam possess the moral ability to believe on their own account until re-born. For, yes, they are spiritually dead (blinded, speaking metaphorically).

It is only when God the Holy Spirit quickens them (Eze. 36:26), that they can and will believe, given that the moral ability to choose the righteousness has been restored by the Holy Spirit. We refer to this quickening as regeneration (born again).

See:
http://theologyonline.com/showthrea...ed-Religions&p=4883816&viewfull=1#post4883816

Then this:
http://theologyonline.com/showthrea...e-God-Unjust&p=4828729&viewfull=1#post4828729

You seem to be arguing that a blind man can will himself to see again. He can no more do so than the lost can will themselves to believe. Something outside of them must change their current state. That something is God the Holy Spirit. ;)

Hope this helps.

AMR
 
Jerry Shugart

Jerry Shugart

Well-known member
Ask Mr. Religion said:
It is only when God the Holy Spirit quickens them (Eze. 36:26), that they can and will believe, given that the moral ability to choose the righteousness has been restored by the Holy Spirit. We refer to this quickening as regeneration (born again).
Click to expand...

Yes, according to the bankrupt theology of the Calvinists "regeneration" (receiving life) must happen prior to believing. However, the Scriptures tell another story:

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (Jn.20:30-31).​

Here we see that believing results in life. But according to your mistaken idea life precedes believing.

I think that I will go with the Apostle John on this!
 
Jerry Shugart

Jerry Shugart

Well-known member
Nang said:
You still do not understand the truth of the argument explaining lost abilities, that can only be restored by the gift of new capacities.
Click to expand...

Why do you change the subject?

Will you not admit that before one can be blinded he must first be able to see?
 
intojoy

intojoy

BANNED
Banned
Jerry Shugart said:
I will let Paul elaborate. First he speaks of the "good news" of the grace of God:

"But now the righteousness of God without law is made known, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Ro.3:21-24).​

This righteousness which is of God comes to all those who believe, and they are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Then notice in verse 21 that Paul says that this righteousness of God which is apart from law is "witnessed by the law and the prophets," a term that is in reference to the Old Testament. Then in chapter four of Romans Paul begins to prove that the OT does indeed speak of this righteousness of God which comes upon all who believe:

"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt" ((Ro.4:1-4).​

When Abraham believed God he received the righteousness which is of God mentioned in the passage I quoted from the third chapter.So you are right:



Pin a rose on your nose!
Click to expand...

See? You're not all bad jerry.
Merry xmass
 
intojoy

intojoy

BANNED
Banned
beloved57 said:
Those who are lost can't believe the Gospel because it is hidden from them. 2 Cor 4:3

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
Click to expand...

Which included you and nagula and ask mr wrong and I before we all believed bud!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top