HE CHOSE US

[David in NJ]

That gives me an edge.

Jesus is recorded as asking 307 questions in the Gospels. In contrast, he directly answers only three of the 183 questions he is asked. Just three. And on at least one occasion he does not know the answer to a question addressed to him (Mark 13:4a and 32).
5 Questions That Jesus Asked
1) “Who do you say that I am?” ( Matthew 16:15) ...
2) “What do you want me to do for you?” ( ...
3) “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” ( ...
4) “When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
5) “Do you love me?”
it is commonly estimated that Jesus asked around 300 to 307 questions throughout the four Gospels.

Some key insights into Jesus' questioning:

Mark’s Gospel contains about 67 questions from Jesus.
Matthew’s Gospel records approximately 109 questions.
Luke’s Gospel has around 90 questions.
John’s Gospel includes over 40 questions.
These questions serve various purposes, often provoking thought, challenging assumptions, or drawing individuals into deeper reflection on spiritual matters. Jesus used questions not only to teach but also to invite personal engagement, revealing His wisdom and the listener's heart.

In the Gospels, Jesus is often noted for answering fewer questions directly than He asked. Scholars estimate that Jesus directly answered only around 3 to 8 questions. Most of the time, He responded to questions by asking another question, telling a parable, or offering an indirect answer. Why? His method aimed to provoke deeper thought or challenge the underlying motives behind the questions posed to Him.

Kinda what I'm doing, and you-see how it works @GodsGrace?

Here are a few notable examples of direct answers Jesus gave:

The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:36-40 – When asked which is the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus directly answered: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Are you the Son of God?

Luke 22:70 – When asked by the religious leaders if He was the Son of God, Jesus answered, "You say that I am."

No instant noodles here.
Not being facetious, but you have already labelled me-so what's the point of further dialogue?

J.

@Taken included here

When i was in college i recieved a 3.96 GPA

How did i do that?

i was the bottom of my high school graduation class
i did not go to college until i was 25 years of age = 7 full years AFTER graduating high school at the BOTTOM

So, how did i get excellent grades in college, having little background to even be there?

#1 - "For all things are possible with God" = HE unlocked my closed mind with the GOSPEL

#2 - i followed the SAME Method of study/inquiry as you stated in your Post here = ASK QUESTIONS = SEEK ANSWERS = ASK QUESTIONS

Myself along with some other classmates would study TOGETHER by TESTING each other = ASK/SEEK/FIND

 

[Johann]

When i was in college i recieved a 3.96 GPA

How did i do that?

i was the bottom of my high school graduation class
i did not go to college until i was 25 years of age = 7 full years AFTER graduation high school at the BOTTOM

So, how did i get excellent grades in college, having little background to even be there?

#1 - "For all things are possible with God" = HE unlocked my closed mind with the GOSPEL

#2 - i followed the SAME Method of study/inquiry as you stated in your Post here = ASK QUESTIONS = SEEK ANSWERS = ASK QUESTIONS

Myself along with some other classmates would study TOGETHER by TESTING each other = AKS/SEEK/FIND

I've learned this method of testing when I was at the Ark here in Durban-also observing the debates between the rabbis in real time, asking a question WITH a question.

Good ol' years.

Shalom Achi.

J.

 

[David in NJ]

I've learned this method of testing when I was at the Ark here in Durban-also observing the debates between the rabbis in real time, asking a question WITH a question.

Good ol' years.

Shalom Achi.

J.

Have a Great Day in the LORD Today my Brother.

i am now going over to the local chabad rabbi's house to trim some branches over their Succoth Booth

Lift UP Asher and the relationship the LORD has established between our families so that the LORD will graciously remove the veil of Moshe so that they can SEE their MESSIAH in the TORAH of TRUTH.

 

[Johann]

Have a Great Day in the LORD Today my Brother.

i am now going over to the local chabad rabbi's house to trim some branches over their Succoth Booth

Lift UP Asher and the relationship the LORD has established between our families so that the LORD will graciously remove the veil of Moshe so that they can SEE their MESSIAH in the TORAH of TRUTH.

My, my! Then you do know what I'm talking about!

I have a burden and passion for more outreach ministries here and have come to know Ethan and his team from One for Israel.
Absolutely wonderful brothers and sisters in Messiah.


Rom 11:7 What then? What Yisroel sought for, that is what it did not obtain; but hannivcharim (the elect, the chosen ones) obtained it. And the rest were hardened (9:17-18)
Rom 11:8 As it is written, "G-d gave to them a ruach tardemah (spirit of deep sleep), eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, until this very day" [Isa 29:10].
Rom 11:9 And Dovid said, "Let their shulchan (table) become a snare and a net, a trap and a retribution for them;
Rom 11:10 " Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." TEHILLIM 68:23-24 TARGUM HASHIVIM; [69:22-23].


2Co 3:14 But their minds were hardened; [Ro 11:25] for until the present day the same veil remains unlifted at the Kri'at HaSefer Torah (the reading of Torah in shul), because the veil is taken away in Moshiach.
2Co 3:15 But even today, whenever Moshe [Rabbeinu] is being read, a veil lies on their levavot.
2Co 3:16 But whenever one turns to Adoneinu HAMMASVEH is taken away. [SHEMOT 34:34; YESHAYAH 25:7; Ro 11:23-26]
2Co 3:17 Now Adoneinu is HaRuach and where HaRuach Adoneinu is, there is cherut (freedom). [YESHAYAH 61:1,2; Yn 7:39; 8:32,36; Ro 8:2; Ga 5:1,13]
2Co 3:18 Now all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the kavod of Adoneinu [SHEMOT 16:7; 24:17] as if reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same demut from kavod to kavod, even as from HaAdon, HaRuach.

Correct, let's keep on praying for that veil to be removed-the sooner the better!

Later brother.

J.

 

[Ritajanice]

Short commentary.

What happens when God removes the veil?
The “eyes of our heart” are opened when the veil is removed from our heart by Jesus and we can clearly see His hope, our inheritance, which is incredible; and the power He has made available to us who know Him intimately – the same power that raised Jesus from the dead!

 

[Johann]

Short commentary.

What happens when God removes the veil?
The “eyes of our heart” are opened when the veil is removed from our heart by Jesus and we can clearly see His hope, our inheritance, which is incredible; and the power He has made available to us who know Him intimately – the same power that raised Jesus from the dead!

Short commentary-

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV):
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

This passage applies to both Jews and Gentiles, indicating that Satan, referred to as "the god of this age," blinds the minds of unbelievers to prevent them from seeing the truth of the gospel.

2. Ephesians 4:17-18 (NKJV):
“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

Paul describes how the Gentiles are darkened in their understanding and alienated from God because of the blindness in their hearts, a spiritual veil that keeps them from seeing God's truth.

3. Romans 1:21 (NKJV):
“Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

This passage shows how people (Gentiles in this context) can become darkened in their understanding, further emphasizing the spiritual blindness or veil over their hearts due to their rejection of God.

4. Acts 26:17-18 (NKJV):
“I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

Jesus sends Paul to both Jews and Gentiles to open their eyes, a direct reference to spiritual blindness that affects all who are separated from God.

The veil is not exclusive to Israel; both Jews and Gentiles are described as being spiritually blinded to the truth of the gospel. The veil is removed through belief in Christ, who brings light to those living in spiritual darkness (John 8:12). Spiritual blindness is a condition that affects anyone-Jew or Gentile-who rejects God’s truth or is hindered by Satan from seeing the light of the gospel.

So let's continue praying for them, that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened and receive the Messiah as their Savior, wonderful, gracious Gift, sealed with the Holy Spirit, born again.

J.

 

[Biblepaige]

Here's Ephesians 1:4.
Let's see exactly WHAT is predestined.

Ephesians 1:4
4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

God chose us IN HIM.....
God chose that we would become saved IN JESUS....
God's plan was that man would follow Jesus and be saved.
IN JESUS we are saved.
Jesus said that without Him we can do nothing....John 15:5
We cannot be saved on our own but ONLY THROUGH CHRIST.

God predestinated that we would thus be holy and blameless before God
BECAUSE of our choosing to believe in Christ.
John 3:16
16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Jesus didn't say we should wait for God to save us because it was predestinated from the beginning of the world.
He said we MUST be born again - and then taught us HOW.
John 3:7
7“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

And here's HOW:
John 3:36
. 36“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”


Well then, the bible has a big conflict, doesn't it?
Why do you think the NT is lying?
What verses do YOU have that state that a name cannot be erased from the Book of Life
when I clearly stated verses that state that it can.

No,there's no conflict in God's word at all.


God Bless.

 

[Biblepaige]

Short commentary.

What happens when God removes the veil?
The “eyes of our heart” are opened when the veil is removed from our heart by Jesus and we can clearly see His hope, our inheritance, which is incredible; and the power He has made available to us who know Him intimately – the same power that raised Jesus from the dead!

Amen. Only the holy Spirit can do this. We can not choose it.

 

[Ritajanice]

@Biblepaige ...plus it’s all in God’s timing, do you agree that everything is in Gods timing?

 

[Biblepaige]

@Biblepaige ...plus it’s all in God’s timing, do you agree that everything is in Gods timing?

Yes! Ive paid attention a time or two to realize that is true.

 

[Biblepaige]

The above has nothing to do with our conversation.

Which shows me that YOU DON'T KNOW what you believe.
Sad for Christianity.

Disagree. Sad for Dave.

Christianity is not what Dave thinks. And is not made less by what he doesn't know about it. Imo.

 

[GodsGrace]

No,there's no conflict in God's word at all.


God Bless.

Happy to see that you agree with me.
You seem to believe that God chooses PERSONS to be saved.
In my post I showed how Ephesians 1:4 gives the HOW persons are saved,
but not individual persons themselves.

Calvinism causes many conflicts in scripture.
This is due to the fact that it is not biblical and was never taught in the Christian faith.
Until, of course, some men made up this theology.

Here are a few conflicts:

1. Calvinists state that God has a will of decree and a will of desire.
Spurgeon agreed that God wishes that all men be saved.
MacArthur has explained it thus: God's will of decree and God's will of desire.

Which brings up the question: If God is sovereign (which all Christians believe BTW) then how is it
that God cannot decree what He desires? Is He such a weak sovereign God?

If man's free will were admitted, the contradiction would disappear, but, alas, calvinism teaches that man has no free will.
So the contradiction remains.

2. James White has stated that Irresistible grace is necessary because unregenerate man is incapable of understanding the gospel,
due to his corruption.

All Christians believe that man is born with sin...but is man so depraved (as Calvinism teaches) that he is INCAPABLE of seeking or understanding God?

Paul stated in Romans 1:16 that the gospel is the power of God UNTO SALVATION....
Calvinism renders powerless the gospel for which Jesus died.

Also, the bible is replete with verses showing that man is CAPABLE of SEEKING God:
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Lamentations 3:25
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

And many more...

3. Calvinism teaches that God's grace is irresistible. This means that man MUST accept God's grace of salvation.
It means that man has no free will.

If so, why would the bible command us as to HOW to become saved?
Why would God command us to do what HE KNOWS is impossible for us?

Man DOES HAVE FREE WILL to choose to believe and be saved:
Mark 16:16 BELIEVE AND BE BAPTIZED AND YOU WILL BE SAVED.
John 1:12 TO THOSE THAT BELIEVE IN HIS NAME, HE GAVE TO POWER TO BECOME SONS OF GOD.
Acts 16:31 BEIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS AND YOU WILL BE SAVED.
Matthew 23:37 JESUS SAID: YOU WERE NOT WILLING TO COME TO ME.
Matthew 11:28 COME TO ME ALL WHO LABOR.


And so many more.

So, yes, there are no conflicts in God's word.
But Calvinism creates many conflicts because it's a man-made religion.

 

[Ritajanice]

Context Summary. Matthew 7:7–14 describes God as a generous Father eager to give good gifts to His praying children. Jesus commands His followers to continually ask and seek, with confidence that they will receive and find.

Personally, I seek God out every day, why, because I know him in my heart/ spirit....


11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.


Romans 3




King James Version
3 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

 

[Johann]

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Psalm 14:2 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of humankind to see if there is anyone who has insight, anyone who seeks after God."

Psalm 105:4 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually."

Jeremiah 29:13 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart."

Acts 17:27 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"So that they should seek God, perhaps they might grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from each one of us."

Isaiah 55:6 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near."

Matthew 6:33 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Deuteronomy 4:29 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find him if you search for him with all your heart and all your soul."

2 Chronicles 15:2 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will let himself be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."

Psalm 63:1 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"O God, you are my God; I earnestly seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land without water."

Hebrews 11:6 (Lexham Bible Translation)
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

These verses highlight both the earnest pursuit of God by individuals and the assurance that God desires to be found by those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

See how Scripture interpret Scripture @Ritajanice?

J.

 

[Ritajanice]

Seeking God with all our heart, can mean different things to different people.

I seek God daily from within my heart/ spirit, why , because that is where the Holy Spirit resides.

I seek him to come out of my heart/ spirit for everyone to see, by the way I communicate with people , by how patient I have become etc...this is God in me coming out and showing the world a part of his character from within me.God working within my heart/ spirit to become more like Jesus.

After all we are Born Of The Spirit...Born Of God’s Living seed, the Holy Spirit.

So yes, we can all interpret the above scripture so very differently.

I could only seek God with all of my heart, after I became Born Of God’s seed...

Other than that I never knew him in my spirit, that’s the only place that I know God in my heart/ spirit.


Therefore this scripture below makes perfect sense, in that we can not seek out God, that is, not until we are Born Again by His will and by his Spirit.

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
My opinion, testimony/belief.

 

[Ritajanice]

Thanks for posting all that scripture @Johann ....

It makes us think deeply from our hearts, well , it did for me.

This is also so true @Johann ....certainly spoke to my spirit...100%

These verses highlight both the earnest pursuit of God by individuals and the assurance that God desires to be found by those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

 

[Ritajanice]

Short commentary.

When we SEEK His FACE, His Hand of STRENGTH comes upon our hearts, filling them with His life (like a hand filling a glove), righteousness, love, joy, peace, and wisdom (Proverbs 21:1, John 7:37-39, Ezra 8:22, Hosea 10:12, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 5:5, Psalm 16:11, 40:16, Isaiah 40:29-31, Amos 5:4, Psalm 69:32).

 

[Marvelloustime]

Always remember islam is a religion of darkness
and unless one repents of it they walk in darkness .
This goes for any other religoin .
Our duty and our mission , IF we really do love the lost , IS to preach to all the absolute dire necessity
to believe JESUS is the CHRIST , to confess him by mouth and beleive that GOD rose him from the dead .
This was and is just a friendly reminder to all .

@amigo de christo

 

[amigo de christo]

It ABSOLUTELY is BOTH and to deny it is to say and think, that you are smarter then God.

1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. 3“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.

God's Children believe every word that HE Speaks............whereas mature bible men/women stumble over the scriptures

"The fear of man is a snare...."

lets rewrite that sentence . the one that starts with Gods children .
Gods children believe every Word that HE speaks and into the scrips He does put them so they will mature and grow
whereas those who learned the scrips through twisted precepts of men , STUMBLE over the scriptures .
Ever learning yet unable to come to the TRUTH . mature men and women of God
have learned the scrips and not rather the doctrines of men which have twisted the scrips and done so
unto their own destruction .
the fear of man is a snare
and the lusts of the flesh can surely choke the word . Many follow another jesus
they are not and have not be SEALED by the SPIRIT
for the jesus they were drawn to , NOT BY GOD but by their own lusts , will feed the lusts of their flesh . and thus IT AINT JESUS
and it was NOT GOD that drew them to that other jesus either .

 

[Marvelloustime]

lets rewrite that sentence . the one that starts with Gods children .
Gods children believe every Word that HE speaks and into the scrips He does put them so they will mature and grow
whereas those who learned the scrips through twisted precepts of men , STUMBLE over the scriptures .
Ever learning yet unable to come to the TRUTH . mature men and women of God
have learned the scrips and not rather the doctrines of men which have twisted the scrips and done so
unto their own destruction .
the fear of man is a snare
and the lusts of the flesh can surely choke the word . Many follow another jesus
they are not and have not be SEALED by the SPIRIT
for the jesus they were drawn to , NOT BY GOD but by their own lusts , will feed the lusts of their flesh . and thus IT AINT JESUS
and it was NOT GOD that drew them to that other jesus either .

@amigo de christo