Re: Let me put it this way

I agree with both of those posts.
Which is why I wrote this above:
Physical baptism follows as an act of obedience to outwardly show what's already been inwardly done. Just like all acts of obedience by us shows, that he has begun a work in us.

But once again, without God regenerating us, giving us a new heart, making us a new creation, we wouldn't be showing up at that baptism ceremony, not for the right reason at least, but to maybe make mom or dad happy, or a wife, or to just be deceptive for whatever reason, or maybe it's just something cool to do. Lots of people have been baptized that later denied Christ, which I know you know, just trying to make my point.

But a true believer is one who will endure to the end and be saved because it is God who does all the work through them from beginning to end. And he's not going to lose one of his sheep according to the bible. And all that the father has given Jesus will come, also according to the bible. And His sheep WILL hear his voice. And the sheep not yet in the fold he's going to go get!

It's all Him Beej. Our responses follow His work! Yes we choose Him, we follow him, we hear Him, we love Him, but we don't get to boast of those things because it was his grace that brought us to do those things. It's all His glory! Lots of people think that wouldn't be right of God to make it this way, but the bible answers that question.


Romans 9
14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.