For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Timothy 1:6-9 NIV
I believe this, but then I get confused when I say "If God chose me, why didn't He chose everyone " Why do I have faith and so did God choose or did I choose ?" I know my questions are often "weird" because I use deep thought, but we do have free will so ????????
2007-10-04 02:27:13 · 14 answers · asked by I Love Jesus 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
All are chosen, all are called. Only few accept the call and believe in the choice. The ball is in our court, not God's.
2007-10-04 02:50:25 · answer #1 · answered by capitalctu 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a great question to ask Wendy. My guess is that you have heard throughout your life that God has a special purpose for your life, right?
This type of 'prophesy' causes people really ponder when their special time is, and what they are meant to do for God. It is very overbearing, because it makes you second guess yourself and wonder if you are loosing your opportunity to do God's special task. The worst part is that you never get a tangible response from God, which adds to the confusion.
Laying on of hands is a way that humans symbolize the transference of the holy spirit. Other religions do the same thing, because it is a tangible act. You can feel human hands, where you can't feel God. (goosebumps don't count, as Led Zepplin can cause goosebumps)
According to Paul Grace is given to us from Jesus, but Paul doesn't address the millions and millions of people who don't get grace from God.
What if Christianity is based on stories of a Jewish rabbi that were told and retold for 160 years before anyone wrote them down? Have you ever heard a family story that you were there to witness originally? How does that story change over the years? Have you seen how things are added to it, and how main elements of the story are embellished over just a few years? Now imagine what the story would be like after 160 years when all the original participants weren't even alive.
That is Christianity.
2007-10-04 02:40:00 · answer #2 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You understand the timelessness of God, right? He knows the beginning from the end, you believe this? OK, why did He choose you, because He knew you would respond and take the gift of life, because, He knew you from long before you were born, He was there when you heard His message. He is there when you excepted Him as Lord. And He is there when you enter His rest.. He is everywhere and always present. Always with you He will never leave you.. Oh what a LORD WE Have.. IHS Jim
2007-10-04 02:55:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God passed up all of the sons of jesse and picked david to be King,He has certain ones that he picks to Lead and they have hearts after his own heart,it has nothing to do with faith,for moses even asked God to give the job of delivering the people out of eygpt to his brother it has to do with heart condition.God has picked each and everyone for some postition,but there are certain ones he has chosen.and yes we have a free will but believe me if you are chosen to do something for the Lord he will not let you go you will do it.And the laying on of hands imparts spiritual gifts and infills you with empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
2007-10-04 02:40:22 · answer #4 · answered by God Child 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The passage you quoted says that God has called "us" to a Holy life because of His own purpose and grace. The "us" there doesn't have to be interpreted as "Christians" because God calls all people to a Holy life.
When he says this grace was given to us in Jesus before the beginning of time that is a statement about eternity. God is not subject to time. And if for God time does not unfold or progress linearly as it does for us then the fall of man, the extending of grace, and the end of days are all essentially now (although "now" only has meaning in the field of time). God extended us grace before there was such a thing as time. Now, for us Jesus appears in the field of time and for us grace corresponds to his life, death, and resurrection.
Thhis is my perspective anyway, it corresponds greatly to CS Lewis' perspective in Mere Christianity.
2007-10-04 02:38:47 · answer #5 · answered by ledbetter 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are called. Not chosen. The chosen ones were the 12 apostles. There are also 144,000 chosen in the last days. You were called and you believed. Every person has a chance to believe. If someone never hears the gospel then they will be judged according to their responsibility to believe in the Creator. God has left His fingerprints on everything. And if a man believes in God he knows that he is accountable for his actions because he knows that when he dies he will see God.
2007-10-04 02:43:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can answer you readily enough -- however, I am not sure we are on the same wave length, so to say. Thus my answer might not make sense to you.
If you should want to have the answer any way, contact me and I'll give you an email address so that the answer can be shown in its appropriate detail. (not that long an answer, however, if understanding differs -- there will be exchanges)
I will use the scriptures to prove all things as is my habit, bytheBible.
2007-10-04 02:43:43 · answer #7 · answered by Fuzzy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go so deep into the thoughts that you go "beyond" them. Human mind is dual and we can never obtain the Absolute while stuck in the "good and evil" concepts of human conceptual mind! Be STILL and Know I AM God!
2007-10-04 02:32:46 · answer #8 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to Jesus' words He chose us and appointed us to bear fruit that should remain:
John 15:16 You did not choose Me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
2007-10-04 02:45:07 · answer #9 · answered by seekfind 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God simply knows our choices but He cautions us about being too presumptuous about His wisdom. His thoughts and wisdom are far beyond anything we can comprehend. We are advised to Respond to this Salvation and live life fully here and beyond.
2007-10-04 02:52:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋