What are your thoughts on being part of the elect that makes it to heaven? Deep yet scary at the same time. What are your views? Those that know what i'm talking about.
2006-12-28 00:24:44 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good answers but remember the Bible tells us in the Book of Matthews:
Matthew 7:21
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
I would say this verse is for the half steppers out there who think they're going to heaven just because they go to church and shout the Lord's name but don't live a holy life...hmmmm we have a lot of those out there.
2006-12-28 00:47:59 · update #1
*** interesting answers*** :)
2006-12-28 00:53:53 · update #2
I believe the elect you are talking about is the elect that Satan will deceive, just before being tossed into the Lake of Fire for eternity. To avoid being part of that crowd we need to know the scriptures like the back of our hands. Satan will twist the scriptures, just like he does today, but since we have spent time in the manifest presence of God a lot of people will get lax in their defense against the enemy. Then he will sneak in and deceive them just like he did to Adam and Eve.
In order to be one of the elect that makes it to Heaven, we must study the scriptures like an Archaeologist studies the Earth, we need to dig into the scriptures, not just read them like a tourist, just stopping to see the interesting points. We must have a relationship with Jesus like that of our best friend, making every effort to know what is on his mind and heart. Also like your best friend, you should avoid the things that break his heart, these are called sins, and are to be avoided by any means.
2006-12-28 01:23:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
John Calvin believed that God had chosen the elect before they were ever born; and there was nothing you could do to change things.
He also went on to say that only a very tiny fraction of the people who ever lived would go to heaven. All others went immediately to hell.
Personally; I discard the teaching of predestination because we have free will; and we have the choice to serve God, or serve the animalistic tendencies of our subconscious mind.
I believe the elect are those people who made the conscious decision to serve God instead of our baser nature and desires.
2006-12-28 02:09:22 · answer #2 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That of which you speak is affectionately called "Calvinism". Though it bears the name of a man, it has been the understanding of predestination in the Bible from the Church Fathers until now. It is called Calvinism because John Calvin made the best arguement for it centuries ago amid the first serious debate about it. It has always been understood as "gospel truth" and has reciently fallen on hard times.
A Calvinistic view of salvation understands that man is not spiritually sick, needing a pill to take to become well, but he is instead spiritually dead, being unable to make ANY choices that lead to salvation (Eph 2:1-2). Man is relatively good (able to make donations to charity and help little old ladies across the street) but is spiritually debauched (hating everything that the Spirit of God does--unwilling to accept the Spirit's offerings [1 Cor. 2:13-14]). Man[kind] does not dissagree with God, he is hostile to God! That is why scripture constantly calls us the enemies of God.
The concept of election (a wholly Biblical concept) teaches that since people are evil, they will not follow Christ even if they were simply given the choice too. They will not follow Christ because they are evil, spiritually dead, and willfully rebellious against God. Jesus makes this point very clear: "You did not choose me; I chose you! (John 15:16). And carefully note Jesus' comment, "No one can come to me unless the one who sent me draws him" (John 6:44). No one has ability unless it is given to him. Paul agrees wholeheartedly: "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY...It does not depend on the man who wills, or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy" (Romans 9:15-16).
The reason that you freely believed in God is because you were made able to believe. He chose you, then you chose him! He chose you before the foundation of the world (Titus 1:1).
This is not an easy doctrine to embrace, but it, again, is the doctrine that has been understood from the founding of the church.
Let me know if I can expound on this for you!
Blessings, and see the helpful references below!
** Addendum: Without a doubt, there are fakers out there! People will cry out "Lord, Lord!" and even do works in the name of the Lord. The problem with these people is that they really don't understand the Gospel... they don't KNOW Christ. They think their good works get them to heaven "look at all we've done!" and Jesus responds: "That's good stuff, but we never had a relationship." I would say that these are not elect. They prove that by trying to earn salvation!
2006-12-28 00:27:55 · answer #3 · answered by mesatratah 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
This is a great question! The thing about being a part of GOD's FAMILY is that it is open to all. We have the job of helping to spread GOD's WORD to the rest of mankind. We were given that job by HIS SON when HE sent the Apostles out to do so. This is an awesome responsibility. In the governments that had Kings, you had to be a part of the Royal Family to be in line for the throne. In our FATHER's KINGDOM, HE adopts us as HIS CHILDREN upon our Salvation Day. We, in essence, become brothers and sisters of JESUS CHRIST! This makes it very important that we completely know and understand the entire BIBLE and teach it to others. Have a great week!
2006-12-28 00:42:23 · answer #4 · answered by Eds 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Matt 19:30
30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Matt 7:21
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
We shouldn't be afraid but take our walk with the Lord seriously and with high respect.
2Tim 1:7
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The Lord wants us to die daily to our flesh and be humble. Ask for forgiveness and be obedient. Our eyes should always be focused on Him (Jesus).
2006-12-28 00:47:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think what you are quoting is that the very elect might be deceived if possible, during the end times. But we all have a chance to get to heaven...by accepting Jesus as Lord.
2006-12-28 00:28:05 · answer #6 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
All God's people will go to heaven. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, no one will go to the Father's house except through Him.
2006-12-28 00:27:54 · answer #7 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is a part of the Elect who live decent lives according to their conscience whether they proclaim Jesus or not as their Lord. To believe that a select number of predetermined people are members of some Elect is absurd and against everything that Jesus taught.
2006-12-28 00:38:15 · answer #8 · answered by Mary W 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I'm trying to live each day as if He is coming. I can only pray to be
one of the elect. He already knows who is. It's an interesting subject.
2006-12-28 03:16:16 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am exteremely thankful to be "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world". Nothing gives a greater joy than the hope of eternal life.
2006-12-28 00:36:05 · answer #10 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋