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A bit earlier this morning, my pastor Randy Hoxie (Faith Baptist Church in Chilliwack, BC) had a heart attack and is undergoing surgery in a hospital in Vancouver right now. Please pray for the blockage to be removed and for the Lord to heal his heart (with no complications). Thank you in advance for any prayers.

The arguments given here against Calvinism are profound, and scripturally true. But I am a simple man and to me it all boils down to a very simple argument and verse. If Calvinism is true, then God deliberately creates THIS person for Heaven and then He deliberately creates THAT person for hell. 1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love. I'm sure that person that the Calvinistic god deliberately created for hell sure sees the Calvinistic god as love. I just cannot cross over that very simple hurdle. And no Calvinistic argument can change my mind. God is love. And He wants to share that love with whosever will. My loving God has NEVER created anyone for hell. If that is where you end up it was entirely your choice.

Deuteronomy 30:19 says..... 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: So, why did God(same God) give people the option to "choose" life if He already has made the choice for them?

Belief was totally selfish, on my part. I don't see how Calvinists can say our belief is 'taking credit" for salvation; unless they have never really been saved themselves.

Poor Calvinist...they are forced to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ outside of their will. However, I willingly do it.

How arrogant to think that you - a Calvinist - have everything right and can come here and tell non-Calvinists how wrong they are. Romans 9 is dealing with nations, not individuals.

Once again, I’m a simple man and there are just some very simple hurdles I cannot get over to carry me into a Calvinist mindset. Throughout the Bible following God and salvation are given as choices, not a foregone conclusion already settled by God; and I’m not even touching on all the “whosoever” verses that infer choice. Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. From the very beginning Adam and Eve were given a choice. They did not have to eat that fruit. Unfortunately man has been making poor choices ever since. Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. YE have chosen??? Huh. Not God has chosen? That’s odd if it’s all predetermined. 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Here is a choice between two opinions. Elijah asks them to choose. Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. David chose the way of truth. Interesting. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Trust in the Lord, or lean on our own understanding. If we trust in the Lord He will direct our paths. That is a choice we must make. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Why did Jesus mention a choice of two gates if it was already predetermined which gate each person would take? Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. IF???? How could Jesus possibly say IF if our salvation status is predetermined. Why would God’s word make so many references to our choosing to follow Him if it is all predetermined? Is God deceiving us? I can’t, and won’t, believe that; so I must believe that we do indeed have a choice. We can choose the straight gate of salvation, or the wide gate of destruction. Sounds pretty simple to me. My oldest son is 33 years old. For a good part of his life (since he was five until he went in the Navy at 17) he had gone to solid Bible believing churches and been fed sound doctrine there and at home. Early on he professed to be saved, but it was not true. It wasn’t long into his Navy life that he came home and told us what we already surmised: he was not saved. Since that time, he went to college and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in chemistry. Obviously, being in the sciences, he was inundated with all the evolutionary arguments and led away from any possibility of a creation account. That along with his philosophy courses and a period of time when he deliberately read nothing but books that spoke against there being a god (Dawkins, Nietzsche, and others), has made him someone who on the surface seems an Atheist. But is he, or is he just kicking against the pricks? For one, he knows the Bible better than many Christians I know. He also knows the Quran quite well and has these two, along with other spiritual books, prominent on his reference shelf at home (right among his science books). He has a strong Christian ethic and behaviors. I often refer to him as the best unsaved Christian you could ever meet. Train up a child in the way he should go… His ex-wife went off the deep end and left him 1 ½ years ago and for a short period of time he went to his counselor's 7th Day Adventist church hoping to find peace and comfort. He could not continue with that because he knows the Bible too well and couldn’t buy what they were selling. He has rejected offers to come to our church. My personal belief is because he knows he’ll be brought closer to God than he is ready for. I say all this first in the hopes that many here will pray for my son, Jacob. That he will choose Christ and get saved. Secondly, to show that God has been calling my son and he has been rejecting that call. Jacob is obviously searching to fill a spiritual hole within himself, but has been choosing to spiritually go the way of the world. I do not believe he is predestined for hell or for heaven. I believe God is calling him. The CHOICE is his. Please pray with me that he makes the right choice before it is too late.

He is doing better but still in icu probably for several more days.

Belief is not defined in the Bible as any kind of work (in fact it is the opposite). It is a response on our part to what God has done and said.

Calvinists always seem to try this tripe trying to make "spiritual death", ie, spiritual separation from God, mean the same thing as physical death...not even comparable. Spiritual separation from God, or "spiritually dead" isn't anywhere near the same. Salvation, even in the Calvinist ideology, requires a decision...but, of course, through the In the Calvinist interpretation, we find that this decision has already been made for the participant "from before the foundation of the world." This isn't a "decision" but a forceful bringing into Christianity. It negates over 50% of Scripture concerning salvation.

A couple of months ago, I reunited with a childhood friend, Ron, who I became emotionally close to (no physical contact, which he respected).I began to share my faith in Christ with him, and he was open to it, but then suddenly after he admitted some skeletons from his past, he shut down and decided he couldn't live up to the man he wanted to be for me. He took off and I never heard from him again. I emailed him, but he ignored. I miss him very much.

Actually, you are dead wrong and teaching falsehood. The Bible teaches repentance from sin and repentance are both necessary for faith. Again, with the straw men. Repentance is not cleaning up your life - it is changing your mind about your sin and turning from it in your heart. If it is true repentance, it WILL reflect in the life - but the changed life is the result of true repentance, not the repentance itself. Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. If repentance was turning from unbelief, then that verse above would not make sense: believe so you can believe. Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Oh, it's ok, brother, you sinned against me, but now you believe, so we are all good (though you never made that sin right, hm). Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. God is not going to wipe away your sin until you repent of that sin. Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Hm, same idea here. Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Repent of your UNBel... wait, wickedness! Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Um, believe and believe? Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. Here, Paul is talking to believers - but the word means the same, and it is not repent of unbelief, but of specific sins. Revelation 2:21-22 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Revelation 9:20-21 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Six examples of UNBELIEF they were to repent of!! Oh wait, those are examples of specific sins... Doh!!

I am sorry I forgot to post an update. He came home from the hospital last night, and is doing much better. I almost wrote "He went home last night" - but thought that might not be the best way to word it!

God pursues ALL of mankind and then COMMANDS them to repent. He draws all men unto himself, just as the Bible says. But, man can resist that call to repentance. That's personal accountability. If he had to MAKE you willing, you weren't willing at all. I think you just answered yourself here... quotation of a Psalm by the Apostle Paul. So? Again, in no way whatsoever does this support your pet doctrine of Calvinism. Nobody has stated this anywhere. This is a typical Calvinist straw man being thrown up. Y'all need to be getting some new lines. Exactly! LEADS US, not MAKES US! Ooopppss! There is that "God chose me, but didn't choose you" mentality. We all would love to glorify God for all that He has done for us.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. There, mystery solved. Now go on about your business. Oh, by the way, you can glorify Him now in how you live your life. Who is this talking about? A lost person being "chosen" to be saved and being led to repentance? Verse 12 sounds like Paul is talking about saved individuals. If we are saved, yes, we have God Himself dwelling in us.

You are a broken record, endlessly repeating yourself. We cannot WILL ourselves to be born again. That is a work of the Holy Spirit enacted the moment we RECEIVE the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. In case you missed it, this is the verse right before the one you ripped out of context and attempt to give a false/twisted meaning: John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Maybe one day God might sovereignly elect you to salvation, then you might actually understand all the passages you twist and give a heretical meaning.

Yes, that is true, and nobody is disputing this ...man can't save himself by his own will ..but, he can submit to the Holy Spirits convicting his soul and come to Christ. Repeating verses over and over don't change the FACT that a person must make a conscious decision to follow Christ.

If Biden ever even references a Bible it is probably Das Kapital.

What is the difference between a well dressed man on a bicycle and a poorly dressed man on a unicycle? Attire.

I was made alive - quickened, regenerated - the moment I turned in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. I was not regenerated first so I could believe. The conviction or sin and the enlightenment to understand the Gospel came first, then came repentance and faith on my part, then the Holy Spirit quickened and indwelt me. That is the Biblical order. Regeneration first so you can respond and be born again (which is the same as being regenerated) is a doctrine from the pit of Hell.

Your opinion doesn’t fit what the Bible says. You can bring your Calvinistic ideas into a discussion, but it doesn’t make it true. A response is needed: John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Again: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Again: John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Again, a choice: 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Again: Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Again: 1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Again: 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Again, a personal response and choice to believe is needed: Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Salvation being 100% of God doesn’t negate man’s response - and that’s where they get it wrong. The Holy Spirit enlightens us to the truth; convicts us of our sin, our unrighteousness, and our need for the Saviour, enables us to understand the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done to save us, and shows us that salvation is not something that can be earned through anything we can do. Man responds either positively or negatively to this. If we receive the truth by receiving the Saviour and His free gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit then regenerates and indwells us, we are adopted into the family of God, given an inheritance in Christ and a future home in Heaven. That’s all by His grace - but we need to receive it, and God doesn’t force man to believe or be saved. That is up to us - and yes, He even calls and compels us - but we still need to receive the Gospel to be saved.

Reader. - On the Cross....Jesus became your sin.........all of it. 2 Corinthians 5:21 On the Cross....Jesus became your sin.........all of it. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Jesus took it all upon Himself and DIED, and it ended there. He didn't come out of the Grave with your sin on Him......He left it, and that is were you sin is found. Its not on you. It's on the Cross of Christ....and its gone if you are born again. When you read that you are "made righteous", having become "the righteousness of God, in Christ", .. that is indeed the reality regarding all the born again. God has established you as "in Christ", "made righteous" and there you remain for as long as God lives. This is why the NT teaches you that : "as Jesus IS........so are the born again, in THIS world". Romans 4:8 says that God does not charge you with your sin. 2 Corinthians 5:19, said that you are not charged with any sin.......not ever again. The CROSS of Christ is the reason why So, who is charged with all your sin???? A.) Jesus on the Cross. = He is your "one time eternal sacrifice for ALL sin". = Not some.....not a few, but ALL sin.......all of it. And you say....."what about what i did yesterday". ALL OF IT. Jesus Became your sin and died for them ALL. "Jesus is the ONE TIME... ETERNAL... sacrifice for sin".. Now, in comes a heretic to tell you......."he is teaching you can live anyway you want". But that is not true. Its not true that because you are as sinless as the Blood of God on the Cross can make you, and that is ' HOLY".. "RIGHTEOUS"...... "one with GOD"......that you can now live like the devil and face no consequences.. As you will reap what you sow = down here.. Sure. Absolutely. You will "reap what you have sown" down here, as that spiritual law didn't end with the Cross of Christ. However, the judgment of God, against your sin, will NEVER FIND YOU now or in eternity, because JESUS has been judged for all your sin on the Cross, 2000 yrs ago. He's died for them all., 2000 yrs ago. WELCOME TO SALVATION ! And Reader, if you are born again.......then when you get this revelation, of being >made righteous<......it will not cause you to want to sin. It will cause you to want to crawl on your hands and knees to the feet of Jesus and wash his feet with your tears and dry His feet with your hair. THAT is what the GRACE of GOD does to you, when you understand it. It HUMBLES you.. and causes you to Love God more and want to please Him more and more and more. Thats a FACT. It will cause you to love God more. It will cause you to become more dedicated to righteous living. iT will cause you to want to please God more than you have ever wanted to before, and it will sustain that, once you get the revelation. It will cause you to say to God...."here is my life, take it God, use me, USE ME".. "I am YOURS">.. Listen... The devil's ministers, first of all, do not want you to know you are eternally : "one with God' "made righteous". They want you to believe you are just a "saved sinner", a discipleship failure, waiting to sin again and confess it again. There false Gospel is Romans 9 and not God's Grace. The truth is, you are a born again SAINT.. You exist as "seated in Heavenly places" in Christ. You. have been MADE RIGHTEOUS, by God's "gift of Righteousness" and "Gift of Salvation". The Blood of JESUS on the Cross has been applied to YOU, and it will keep you CLEAN and "made free from sin", forever. See....Jesus has become your sin, if you are born again, and YOU have become "the righteousness OF GOD, IN CHRIST". Thats who you are, if you are born again. Get the revelation SAINT, and your walk with God will CHANGE so much into HOLY Spirit power and joy and perseverance,... and the New Testament, will begin to reveal to you it's hidden Light. But you have to go here and stay here. = Hebrews 13:9 Jesus took it all upon Himself and DIED, and it ended there. He didn't come out of the Grave with your sin on Him......He left it, and that is were you sin is found. Its not on you. It's on the Cross of Christ....its gone if you are born again, and you are not just some water baptized religious cult member. When you read that you are "made righteous", having become "the righteousness of God, in Christ", .. that is indeed the reality of all the born again. God has established you as "in Christ", "made righteous" and there you remain for as long as God lives. This is why the NT teaches you that : "as Jesus IS........so are the born again, in THIS world". Romans 4:8 says that God does not charge you with your sin. 2 Corinthians 5:19, said that you are not charged with any sin.......not ever again. The CROSS of Christ is the reason why. Im an evangelist who is CALLED to deliver that message., same as Paul....same as you, if you are born again. That is the "message of reconciliation" that is The Gospel of the Grace of GOD. This is the "preaching of the Cross". This is the 'word of Salvation"...>"be you RECONCILED TO GOD".....by the CROSS of Christ. So, who is charged with all your sin???? A.) Jesus on the Cross. He is your "one time eternal sacrifice for ALL sin". = Not some.....not a few, but ALL sin.......all of it. And you say....."what about what i did yesterday". ALL OF IT. Jesus Became your sin and died for them ALL. Now, in comes the devil to tell you......."he is teaching you can live like me", and His online ministers will be the first to tell you that. But that is not true. Its not true that because you are as sinless as the Blood of God on the Cross can make you, and that is ' HOLY".. "RIGHTEOUS"...... "one with GOD"......that you can now live like the devil and face no consequences.. As you will reap what you sow down here.. Sure. Absolutely. But the judgment of God, against your sin, will NEVER FIND YOU now or in eternity, because JESUS has been judged for all your sin on the Cross. He's died for them all., 2000 yrs ago. WELCOME TO SALVATION ! And Reader, and some of you are born again.......when you get this revelation, of being >made righteous<......it will not cause you to want to sin. It will cause you to want to crawl on your hands and knees to the feet of Jesus and wash his feet with your tears and dry His feet with your hair. THAT is what the GRACE of GOD does to you, when you understand it. Thats a FACT. It will cause you to love God more. It will cause you to become more dedicated to righteous living. iT will cause you to want to please God more than you have ever wanted to before, and it will sustain that, once you get the revelation. It will cause you to say to God...."here is my life, take it God, use me, USE ME".. "I am YOURS">.. Listen... The devil's ministers, first of all, do not want you to know you are "one with God' "made righteous". They want you to believe you are just a "saved sinner", a Christian failure, waiting to sin again and confess it again. But that is not the truth. They are lying to you on Forums and from Pulpits... The truth is, you are a born again SAINT.. You exist as "seated in Heavenly places" in Christ. You. have been MADE RIGHTEOUS, by God's "gift of Righteousness" and "Gift of Salvation". The Blood of God on the Cross has been applied to YOU, and it will keep you CLEAN in God's perspective, forever. Jesus has become your sin, if you are born again, and YOU have become "the righteousness OF GOD, IN CHRIST". Thats who you are, if you are born again, and not just some religious water baptized religious fakir. Get the revelation, and your walk with God will CHANGE so much into power and joy and perseverance,... and the New Testament, will begin to reveal to you it's hidden Light. But you have to go here and stay here. God bless you to see it. = Hebrews 13:9

Thank you, Detective BT, I’ll go back with my bynockerlers. He is not on the front webpage, you had to hunt under about us. political statement our clear.