Greetings C.M.H,

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C.M.H said:
Maybe I have an extreme case of compassion or something but I do not feel better about myself in a view that I was chosen over another FOR NO REASON.. God chose me... Great.. But what about my friend Bob, or Jason, or Joey, or Brian?? Why was I chosen instead of them? Am I any better? I think not.. I am saddened by this choice of God not because I think it was a bad choice or wrong choice, but because I was given/offered something that they could never experience.. I feel as though my friendship with them is not pointless because they are not "elect".. (I understand that I do not know who is "elect" and who is not and therefore should never assume) yet I feel as if my time here on earth is wasted because I can not offer the good news to everyone and even have it considered...

The Scriptures don't say that we are elect for no reason at all. We are chosen according to the council and purpose of God's will through His wisdom and insight. This, of course, bugs us because we want to know what all of this entails. Unfortunately, we're just not told. I can only guess that there is a very good reason for this "mystery."

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Eph 1:5 he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Eph 1:6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Eph 1:8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
Eph 1:9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
Eph 1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Eph 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will . . .

As far as your concern for your friends go, just remember that Christ told us to preach the Gospel indiscriminately because we just don't know who is elect and who is not. Just because a person doesn't believe now doesn't mean we have the right to "write them off" as reprobate.

Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . .


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C.M.H said:I want to ask a question that is WAY hypothetical yet one that bugs me every day... Who are we to define "works"??

We don't. The inspired Scriptures do that for us. Here's one of the best to help us do that:

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Rom 4:1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."
Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
Rom 4:5 And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Rom 4:6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works . . .

We can see from the preceding quote that faith, belief and trust are "counted" as righteousness and that they are "apart from works." I also pointed out in the "predestination" thread that faith and repentance are granted to the elect by God so that even these things are not your own and therefore cannot be considered "works."

P.S. I hope I'm being sensitive to your struggle with these things as you have asked. I, as well as many others, can relate to what you're going through. Believe me . . . been there, done that.

Last edited by Machaira; Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:56 AM.
Jim

Jud 1:3 . . . contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.