28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[j] who[k] have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
This verse from Romans seems to indicate that some folks are not called by God to be part of his purpose. Is this why it's easy for some of us to believe in God, and why others have such difficulty? They were not predestined to "be conformed to the likeness of his Son." Or to believe in him?
Don't jump to conclusions on what my position is on this. Just tell me what you think.
Vesrses taken from the Book of Romans, 8th chapter. New International Version
2007-06-24 19:22:51 · 19 answers · asked by Graham 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I guess the question was directed more at Christians than atheists, but it's an open forum. I guess I was just hoping for more than the usual ...stuff.
2007-06-24 19:33:26 · update #1
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..... I believe that God created every human being for the purpose of knowing Him and to spend eternity with Him, but also He knows that many will not. We only have to look at Paul's testimony to see that he of all people appeared to be the biggest enemy of Christ and the Christian faith. But God called and he stepped up to the plate. We are all predestined.
2007-06-24 19:34:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont' believe in predestination, personally. i think God has a plan for each and everything person. otherwise, he wouldn't be an all-loving God. it's easier than some to believe than others, ill admit that. however, i attribute that to things such as environment. the environment you live in can help determine whether you're open to christianity or not...for example, if you lived a bad life (poor, drugs, etc.) then you may not believe out of anger at such a God, "if God exists." or, even if you're born into a christian family, you may be rebellious and just not believe out of rebellion.
but i think that all are called by God. all of them. lots just don't answer it...
i think that the verse is saying that (verse 29) God has predestined us ALL to be saved and conformed to christ's likeness. but he knows that not all will, and those that do come to Him will "be the firstborn among many brothers," meaning that they will receive His birthright, eternal life.
good question, by the way. not a lot of good questions like this on here...thanks!
2007-06-25 02:30:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Know that you know nothing more or less than anyone else does about God. You can choose to say God has any characteristic or thoughts and someone else can do the same things and you can take sides and try to kill each other as people have done for centuries. Look at Fatah and Hamas...or Sunni and Shite...or Christians and Mayans. If you and your friends would quit speculation about God and use your brain and time for socially constructive issues you could help make this a better world. Don't waste your time on God. If and when He is here, He will let you know.
2007-06-25 02:34:33 · answer #3 · answered by syrious 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gladly, you asked for opinions and what people think, so here goes: From what I gather about reading the verse, (I also read the surrounding text to gain the context it was used in) That was probably a chapter that the righteous followers of God at the time used to console themselves in times of troubles and intense torment (reading the whole chapter will give you a broader view). It does not indicate that some pple are not called to be part of his purpose, infact, he wants EVERYONE to be purpose.
Try reading in another bible version, like the NLT, it may become clearer.
Good luck in your quest for answers man.
2007-06-25 03:33:43 · answer #4 · answered by Senbi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is omniscient. He knows everything. He gave man free will when He created man. But since He always knew everything there is to know, He knew how we would use our free will. That doesn't make our choices any less free. What Romans 8:28,29 says is that God chose some in eternity past and He made that choice in accordance with what He already knew. He already knew who would choose Him and who would reject Him (in time) back in eternity past. So He chose in accordance with that knowledge. Another way to say it is that God didn't choose people whom He knew would eventually reject Him of their own free will. He chose the ones whom He knew were eventually going to accept Him. Romans 8:29 says "FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. You might ask "what caused them to accept or reject Christ". Nothing caused them. Their choices were self-caused. That's what free will is all about. If something caused them to choose one way or another then they did not have free will. God gave them free will but God also knows everything, even how they will use their free will. That doesn't make it any less free.
2007-06-25 04:36:19 · answer #5 · answered by upsman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to freewill which is what got the human race off to a bad start to begin with, we should probably obey our parents especially our Heavenly Father. I think, the situation is that we are trying to put God in a box. He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us to decide and make correct choices but like all children there is a rebel in all of us. We love our children and want them to make the right choices, but if you have kids you know you can't always keep them on the right path. But what we have with God is a desire for fellowship with His creation, a parent who truly does know every right and good thing that we should and should not do. And to say all of this, to say when John Wesley explains prevenient grace, justification and sanctification we find that our God is rooting for us and wants us to be delivered. But it is all about what a person knows and feels in his own heart. We know right from wrong but we simply choose not to accept it. Thank God that His grace is a free gift. And we are going to one day be very surprised to find out who all was "predestined."
2007-06-25 02:40:27 · answer #6 · answered by Arkansas Buckeye 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Any quote from the Bible is not proof of God's existance to anyone other than someone who already believes.
I am a believer but I got that way through a personal relationship with God, not because of a book or religion. He will call everyone. You just need to be willing to answer Him when that call comes.
Seek God first. He will lead you to your form of worship.
2007-06-25 02:29:54 · answer #7 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid I think that the use of the Bible to prove the existence of God seems a mighty circular argument to me.
This book proves God exists. Who wrote it? God did. ...
So yes. I guess we are not all 'called to be part of the purpose'. But whether that is evidence depends upon your initial viewpoint doesn't it?
.
2007-06-25 06:47:30 · answer #8 · answered by Wood Uncut 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely no bearing whatsoever. That is a piece of fiction written by the delusional Paul, formerly known as Saul, a schizophrenic who suffered hallucinations whilst on the road to Damascus.
The verse cannot have any bearing on god's existence because words prove nothing, and god doesn't exist whether or not the words exist.
2007-06-25 02:27:48 · answer #9 · answered by Nodality 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
ok, what is with this New International Version? i'm confused - it it like the good news bible? in which case, you might get more info from a King James Version.... i'll look it up after i finish work & get back to you.
2007-06-25 02:32:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋