Originally Posted by Try2BFaithful
4th point)In answer to the 2nd Qu. Absolutely not, sometimes needed to illustrate that they like us all are guilty. In answer to the 3rd Qu. Not sure, are you?
5th point)
a. I would say rather than "sometimes"... "always, every time" for there is no one who is not guilty before God.

b. Yes, I am 100% sure of what I wrote: "Would it be in error to show that homosexuality is a result of God's punishment upon all idolaters whereby God has withheld His providential restraint and allowed some to do that which their depraved nature is want to do?

Quote
Romans 1:18-25 (ASV) "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, [even] his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."
Originally Posted by Try2BFaithful
To draw a parallel: if we had a friend that we knew was dying of cancer and we kept on at him to take the medicine that could cure him but we didn't tell him first he had the disease, we shouldn't be surprised if he refused to take it. We can and should 'use' the law to convict hearers of our preaching of their guilt. I believe Paul more or less stated that that would be a correct use of the Law in his writings.
Just a small but extremely important note in regard to your illustration, which I think is mostly correct. It isn't that anyone is terminally ill, e.g., "dying of cancer", but rather Scripture is more than perspicuous in describing all men who are born into this world as being DEAD; spiritually dead (Jh 3:3,5, Rom 5:12,14,17; Eph 2:1-5, 5:14; 1Jh 3:14) and who are but stench in the nostrils of God (Jh 11:39).

The horrible truth is that when we bring the gospel to the world, we are speaking to DEAD people who are incapable of hearing the truth of their condition and the necessity of being reconciled to God in Christ. Yet, this is how God has determined to save His people; through the preaching of the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation... for faith come by hearing and hearing by the preaching of the word of Christ (Rom 10:12-17).

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simul iustus et peccator

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