What would you do if God revealed His plan for your life?

[SteveB]

No.

No one is capable of choosing. Christ and Paul both point out that no one chooses Christ, Christ chooses them.

I am claiming the EXACT same thing Paul is in his hypothetical question from Romans. I am simply asking you "What would you do if God, without repentance; revealed to you that you were one of these vessels fitted for destruction? Would you live your life any differently, or continue as if you were actually a vessel of mercy? " It's not a trick question. I'm not really interested in debating the question as much as finding out how people would react if they were faced with this hypothetical scenario.

So, when Jesus said,

Whosoever would believe....

When Paul tells us in Romans 10,

Whosoever shall call on his name....

They were lying?

Why would they lie to us about this?

Even John, and the Holy Spirit in Revelation 22 tell us

Rev 22:17 KJV And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

So, now we have 4 people saying

Whosoever.....

Are you going to say that they're all lying?

Do yourself a favor and do a word study on the topic of whosoever.

Anyone who chooses to follow Jesus will be saved.

Even Jesus said,

If anyone WANTS to be my disciple, let them pick up their cross, deny themselves and follow him.

Mat 16:24 WEB Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.​

He further stated that we must strive to enter the narrow path, because many will desire to but miss it.

Luk 13:24 WEB “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able.​

Do the word study.

 

[shnarkle]

So, when Jesus said,

So you're ignoring my question. Thanks anyways, but as I've pointed out already, I'm not interested in irrelevant topics that have nothing to do with the main question of this original post. Go with God. Be blessed.

 

[Gary Mac]

"Being saved" is at the Change. His souls who come to Him and listen will be rescued from this world and return to Eden..
as Paul said, to be transformed to our imperishable body.

what was lost at the fall.

What was lost at the fall was self and was to gain from God to become like Him to know this difference. returning to Eden would be a set back from His kingdom that is within man His temple. .

 

[SteveB]

So you're ignoring my question. Thanks anyways, but as I've pointed out already, I'm not interested in irrelevant topics that have nothing to do with the main question of this original post. Go with God. Be blessed.

Except that it's not irrelevant.

It's dealing specifically with the issues that you have raised.

This is not something that you can parse out, and ignore the items that don't fit your biases.

Paul explicitly stated that we're to rightly divide the word of truth, so that we may be complete, and thoroughly equipped to every good work.

Denying the freedom to choose the gospel is not a good work.

 

[Gary Mac]

at the fall, adam acquired the Self, by entering the satanic realm. He left God and joined the enemy of God.

No' at the fall Adam fell from self and became like God to know this difference. He gained a knowledge of God he had not known from self knowledge. You can read it eve, Gen 3:22. you have it all backwards. You act as if becoming like God to know this difference as He demands of us if we are to be of Him is and evil thing.

 

[rstrats]

shnarkle,
re: "The hypothetical question posed is 'What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: ' (vs. 22) My question is what would you do if God, without repentance; revealed to you that you were one of these vessels fitted for destruction? Would you live your life any differently, or continue as if you were actually a vessel of mercy?"

If that revealing caused me to believe in His existence and that "fitted to destruction" meant that I was slated to be tortured 24/7 for eternity in the lake of fire unless I changed, and I was convinced that that would actually be my fate, I would do everything possible to find out what changes I needed to make and then try my darnedest to make them.

 

[shnarkle]

shnarkle,
re: "The hypothetical question posed is 'What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: ' (vs. 22) My question is what would you do if God, without repentance; revealed to you that you were one of these vessels fitted for destruction? Would you live your life any differently, or continue as if you were actually a vessel of mercy?"

If that revealing caused me to believe in His existence and that "fitted to destruction" meant that I was slated to be tortured 24/7 for eternity in the lake of fire unless I changed, and I was convinced that that would actually be my fate, I would do everything possible to find out what changes I needed to make and then try my darnedest to make them.

Thanks for replying to the post, but you didn't actually answer the question I posed. God's revelation is "without repentance". There is nothing you can do to change your fate. That's the scenario I'm presenting. That's the scenario Paul is presenting as well which is why I asked it. It's a hypothetical question, but your answer does reveal something about what you believe which is that you believe you can do something to save yourself.

It's not a pleasant question to ponder so I understand why you may have changed it. At least you made an effort. I appreciate that.

 

[rstrats]

Thanks for replying to the post, but you didn't actually answer the question I posed. God's revelation is "without repentance". There is nothing you can do to change your fate. That's the scenario I'm presenting. That's the scenario Paul is presenting as well which is why I asked it. It's a hypothetical question, but your answer does reveal something about what you believe which is that you believe you can do something to save yourself.

Obviously I didn't understand the intent of your post or to whom it is meant, i.e., those who are living as if they were actually a vessel of mercy. Since this doesn't apply to me I'll butt out of making further comments.

 

[shnarkle]

Obviously I didn't understand the intent of your post or to whom it is meant, i.e., those who are living as if they were actually a vessel of mercy. Since this doesn't apply to me I'll butt out of making further comments.

Now you seem to be getting it. Yes, those who believe they are vessels of mercy and have been living that way when God reveals to them that they're not vessels of mercy, but vessels fitted for destruction. Jesus says the same thing, e.g. "I never knew you". They obviously find this revelation quite surprising, no?

Part of the reason I ask this question is that it reveals some false assumptions that one doesn't want to discover on Judgment Day. Better to discover them now rather than later when it's too late. The question is applicable to anyone who is willing to answer it.

Evidently, you're not. Fair enough. I'm not one to pressure anyone to answer a question they don't feel comfortable answering, and this one is one that most people never give a second thought to. Again, I appreciate your first attempt.

 

[rstrats]

The question is applicable to anyone who is willing to answer it. Evidently, you're not. Fair enough. I'm not one to pressure anyone to answer a question they don't feel comfortable answering..."

I know I said I wouldn't continue further but your comment to me "Evidently , you're not" requires a response. How can I answer a question that doesn't apply to me?

 

[shnarkle]

I know I said I wouldn't continue further but your comment to me "Evidently , you're not" requires a response. How can I answer a question that doesn't apply to me?

The only way it wouldn't apply to you would be if you already knew you were damned. In other words, you would have come to this conclusion without any revelation from God to begin with. That's the only scenario that makes any sense. Was that what you meant when you said, "those who are living as if they were actually a vessel of mercy."

I can see how that would throw a wrench into my post. I hadn't actually thought anyone would ever come from the standpoint of being a vessel fitted for destruction to begin with. Then again, it sort of answers itself in that one wouldn't change anything if they already knew they were a vessel fitted for destruction. The revelation is anticlimactic to begin with. If that's what you meant, then I see what you mean. I also find it alarming that anyone would be so cavalier about it. Although I haven't given it that much thought until now. Perhaps if could be a perspective one could get used to after a while. I don't know. Perhaps I could handle it if I knew that there was nothing after death. if there is no conscious torment for eternity then I could see how that might lessen the blow.

 

[Our Lord's God]

God has already revealed His plan for your life - to be conformed to the image of His son, picking up your cross and walking just as he walked. You are to die to your life and live the life of Christ, that is, Christ is to live through you doing as he pleases. Your Bible tells you this several times. Here's just one:

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

[shnarkle]

18 For the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness

This is the only verse that applies to my question. It doesn't answer my question other than to suggest that one may be aware of their own damnation. My question goes a bit further than that.

 

[shnarkle]

God has already revealed His plan for your life

The topic isn't about God's plan for my life. The topic is about a hypothetical situation which you are ignoring. I specifically pointed out that I'm not interested in talking about other issues which are unrelated to this topic.

 

[Our Lord's God]

The topic isn't about God's plan for my life. The topic is about a hypothetical situation which you are ignoring. I specifically pointed out that I'm not interested in talking about other issues which are unrelated to this topic.

This thread is called "What would you do if God revealed His plan for your life?"

 

[shnarkle]

This thread is called "What would you do if God revealed His plan for your life?"

The question is within the thread itself. It is a hypothetical question. Here's the actual question:

"My question is what would you do if God, without repentance; revealed to you that you were one of these vessels fitted for destruction? Would you live your life any differently, or continue as if you were actually a vessel of mercy? Some examples of this happening in the bible are Jonah, and Jesus himself. The entire bible if full of draft dodgers who are not interested in God's plan for them.

I am not interested in discussing other scenarios, or any theology that assumes this couldn't or would never happen, or that God is somehow evil for doing something like this. Paul clearly points out that if this were the case, God is still just and righteous.

I'm just interested in finding out what anyone in general, and Christians in particular would do or how they would respond to this revelation from God."

 

[Our Lord's God]

The question is within the thread itself. It is a hypothetical question. Here's the actual question:

"My question is what would you do if God, without repentance; revealed to you that you were one of these vessels fitted for destruction?

He already revealed that to everyone who now knows Him. Everyone was a child of wrath.

Would you live your life any differently, or continue as if you were actually a vessel of mercy? Some examples of this happening in the bible are Jonah, and Jesus himself. The entire bible if full of draft dodgers who are not interested in God's plan for them.

I would respond to His call to repentance in order to be a vessel fitted for glory.

That was easy.

I am not interested in discussing other scenarios, or any theology that assumes this couldn't or would never happen, or that God is somehow evil for doing something like this. Paul clearly points out that if this were the case, God is still just and righteous.

I'm just interested in finding out what anyone in general, and Christians in particular would do or how they would respond to this revelation from God."

 

[shnarkle]

He already revealed that to everyone who now knows Him. Everyone was a child of wrath.

Correction: "IS a child of wrath"

I would respond to His call to repentance

No. You wouldn't. Again, simply look at what the actual post is stating to see your error.

in order to be a vessel fitted for glory.

Vessels of wrath are not fitted for glory.

That was easy.

Answering questions that weren't asked can be quite easy. Answering the question that was actually posted is quite impossible for most people. Ironically, I've discovered that atheists can answer the question not only quite easily, but accurately and correctly as well.

With God All things are possible.

 

[Our Lord's God]

Correction: "IS a child of wrath"

The saved children of God are no longer children of wrath.

No. You wouldn't. Again, simply look at what the actual post is stating to see your error.

Yes I would. I know that because I, in fact, DID.

Vessels of wrath are not fitted for glory.

That's right.

All were children of wrath. Now some of those children of wrath are no longer children of wrath but are children of glory, children of God.

Answering questions that weren't asked can be quite easy. Answering the question that was actually posted is quite impossible for most people. Ironically, I've discovered that atheists can answer the question not only quite easily, but accurately and correctly as well.

With God All things are possible.

 

[Kade Rystalmane]

While it may be true that goats, swine, and wolves can become lost, the Good Shepherd will not be returning any of them to the sheepfold. No amount of will or effort (Romans 9:16) can change wolves into sheep, or tares into wheat.

Mark 10:27 - "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."

Paul asks a hypothetical question in Romans 9 that Christianity is hesitant to look at for any extended length of time. The issue is one of responsibility, and the justice of God. Are those who are fashioned as "vessels fitted for destruction" responsible for their own demise, or were they created that way? Paul poses the question of why would anyone who God damns be responsible for their behavior if God created them that way? The answer from mainstream Christianity seems to be because it's their free will choice to sin. Paul doesn't respond that way though. Instead he acknowledges that the potter has the power to make one lump of clay into a vessel fitted for destruction, and another into a vessel of mercy. He essentially says, "Shut up!" because it is a Given that God is just.

The hypothetical question posed is "What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: " (vs. 22)

From an intellectual standpoint, this is a difficult issue to deal with. If one were to become acutely aware of this reality in their own life, it would be horrific, to say the least.

My question is what would you do if God, without repentance; revealed to you that you were one of these vessels fitted for destruction? Would you live your life any differently, or continue as if you were actually a vessel of mercy? Some examples of this happening in the bible are Jonah, and Jesus himself. The entire bible if full of draft dodgers who are not interested in God's plan for them.

Granting for the moment that the premise of your question is true, would it matter if God revealed which vessel I was since I can only act according to what God has determined I would act like? If I can choose how I would act, doesn't that preclude the idea that I am one kind or the other without the ability to change or accept God changing me?

I am not interested in discussing other scenarios, or any theology that assumes this couldn't or would never happen, or that God is somehow evil for doing something like this. Paul clearly points out that if this were the case, God is still just and righteous.

I'm just interested in finding out what anyone in general, and Christians in particular would do or how they would respond to this revelation from God.

Most Christians have no desire to address, much less answer this question. This is understandable, but it isn't an invitation to highjack the topic so I would really appreciate it if anyone who does decide to answer refrains from claiming this couldn't happen, or God would never do something like this, or bringing up any other topics in this thread.

I don't think anyone can logically answer the question you are asking based on the paradigm from which it is asked. In your paradigm, it is as impossible to act any different as it is to change from one kind of vessel to another.

In Truth and Love.