Does man naturally have ability to Seek God ?
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Sorry I posted a comment in the wrong thread !
The fact that no man naturally seeks God Rom 3:11 its evidence of our corrupt will, the will of man is enslaved to sin, has no desire for God, the True God.17
The natural unregenerate man needs God desperately, we need to be quickened by God by His Mercy and Love Eph 2:4-5
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)
Apart from this merciful move from God, we are without any hope in this world, being spiritually dead unto God, the True God. See no natural man by nature in a unregenerate state, craves, searches for,worships or seeks the favor of the True God of Election, but contrarily scorns and holds Him in contempt ! Rom 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
The word carnal here is the word sarx and its the very same word translated flesh in Vs 8
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
And all men by nature, in the unregenerate state, are #1 in the flesh and #2 carnal ! 18
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)
Apart from this merciful move from God, we are without any hope in this world, being spiritually dead unto God, the True God. See no natural man by nature in a unregenerate state, craves, searches for,worships or seeks the favor of the True God of Election, but contrarily scorns and holds Him in contempt ! Rom 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
The word carnal here is the word sarx and its the very same word translated flesh in Vs 8
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
And all men by nature, in the unregenerate state, are #1 in the flesh and #2 carnal ! 18
BeyondET
Well-Known Member
How did this person get the ability?
Luke 9:49
“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
By nature, there is nothing in us, in regards to our sinful flesh/nature which causes us to seek the True and Living God, neither to even understand the things of the True God Rom 3:11
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
This isn't altered until we are born of the Spirit Jn 3:6-7
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
This isn't altered until we are born of the Spirit Jn 3:6-7
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
That doesnt tell me much, for many on there way to hell who did things in Christs name Matt 7:22-23
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So I dont think you understand this thread friend, do you ?
BeyondET
Well-Known Member
Well you didn't read the next verse I see, you wouldn't have made such a statement that the person was on their way to hell.
Luke 9
50 But Jesus said unto him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against you is for you.
I would say humans since our inception have demonstrated we seek God.
The earliest humans, neanderthals,cromagnon, and earlier, left artifacts and cave drawings, graves,etc... Even statuary, depicting belief in a power outside themselves.
The earliest primitive artifacts of what are thought to be deity statues,''idols'', are of the female form.
Understandable for primitive minds who worshipped, deified, lightening because they were in awe of its power.
Women would bleed periodically,yet not die. They'd swell, and then bring forth a tiny replica of themselves. And could sustain its life from their own body part,their breasts.
Before male gods there was the goddess.
Our human history is fascinating.:)
The earliest humans, neanderthals,cromagnon, and earlier, left artifacts and cave drawings, graves,etc... Even statuary, depicting belief in a power outside themselves.
The earliest primitive artifacts of what are thought to be deity statues,''idols'', are of the female form.
Understandable for primitive minds who worshipped, deified, lightening because they were in awe of its power.
Women would bleed periodically,yet not die. They'd swell, and then bring forth a tiny replica of themselves. And could sustain its life from their own body part,their breasts.
Before male gods there was the goddess.
Our human history is fascinating.:)
BeyondET
Well-Known Member
BeyondET
Well-Known Member
Now do men ever seek after the True God ? Acts 17:26-27
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 15:16-18
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
So yes, those whom God seeks out first with His regenerating grace and His effectual call, they will be caused to seek the Lord and put their Trust in Him, yet He Himself is the originating cause of their seeking Him Ps 65:4
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.18
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 15:16-18
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
So yes, those whom God seeks out first with His regenerating grace and His effectual call, they will be caused to seek the Lord and put their Trust in Him, yet He Himself is the originating cause of their seeking Him Ps 65:4
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.18
"There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." (Romans 3.11)
This is why we need the grace of God in the Gospel.....(Ephesians 2....)
This is why we need the grace of God in the Gospel.....(Ephesians 2....)
Man by nature is without hope and without God !
Eph 2:12
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
So therefore man naturally doesnt seek for the True God Rom 3:11. Man by nature is only a child of wrath Eph 2:3
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
So explain how one in this terrible shape, can seek after the True God ? He cant, and wont. Thats not to say man doesnt naturally seek after a god, but just not the True God !
How can a spiritually dead sinner exercise his so called freewill to choose God, when he is by nature without hope and without God ? Read Eph 2:20 once again.
Eph 2:12
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
So therefore man naturally doesnt seek for the True God Rom 3:11. Man by nature is only a child of wrath Eph 2:3
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
So explain how one in this terrible shape, can seek after the True God ? He cant, and wont. Thats not to say man doesnt naturally seek after a god, but just not the True God !
How can a spiritually dead sinner exercise his so called freewill to choose God, when he is by nature without hope and without God ? Read Eph 2:20 once again.
Man naturally doesnt seek after God because we by nature are 100% carnal, even in our morality and religiosity. Scripture declares that the carnal mind is enmity against God, the True God that is Rom 8:7
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Notice its enmity against God, not against morality, religion, carnal man approves of those things. So what man needs is a new mind, a change of mind, repentance. Its imperative that man be given repentance which is a change of mind. The word repentance used in the NT Acts 11:18 is
metanoia:
Without this change of mind, mans carnal mind remains enmity against God ! 19
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Notice its enmity against God, not against morality, religion, carnal man approves of those things. So what man needs is a new mind, a change of mind, repentance. Its imperative that man be given repentance which is a change of mind. The word repentance used in the NT Acts 11:18 is
metanoia:
- a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done
Without this change of mind, mans carnal mind remains enmity against God ! 19
For all practical/Spiritual purposes the lost natural man we are in this world without God Eph 2:12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Now a person without God cannot and will not come to or seek God Rom 3:11. A person without God will not decide to choose God with his own freewill, since his will is a slave to sin. In fact, a person without God is dead to God, dead in sin. This is why in order for man to regain a right relationship with God, a fellowship with the True God, he must #1 have been chosen by God, and subsequently following, quickened by God, that is made alive by God Eph 2:1
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) 20
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Now a person without God cannot and will not come to or seek God Rom 3:11. A person without God will not decide to choose God with his own freewill, since his will is a slave to sin. In fact, a person without God is dead to God, dead in sin. This is why in order for man to regain a right relationship with God, a fellowship with the True God, he must #1 have been chosen by God, and subsequently following, quickened by God, that is made alive by God Eph 2:1
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) 20
Another reason why man naturally doesnt seek nor have the ability to seek the True and Living God, is because naturally through sin our hearts are hardened. Hence the saving drawing process by God is began by giving a new heart that isnt hard. Ezk 11:19-20
19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezk 36:26-28
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
We need a whole new Spiritual constitution to begin to seek God !
19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezk 36:26-28
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
We need a whole new Spiritual constitution to begin to seek God !
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