I had a conversation with a gentleman (quite dubious about Jesus saving everyone) who insisted that some people just refuse to believe the Gospel, even when it's presented to them in the clearest, most concise way possible. Some people, he said, are just so stubborn and so stiff-necked that they refuse the Gospel when it's presented to them on a silver platter.
My response was, "You mean like Paul did?"
It had never occurred to this guy that Paul had heard Stephen preach one of the most powerful and convicting sermons in history, only to hold the coats for and cheer on the mob that stoned Stephen to an awful and bloody and painful death. Nor had it ever occurred to this gentleman that when Jesus was condemning the Pharisees as blind guides and vipers and whitewashed tombs, Paul was a proud and learned member of that very class.
Yep. Paul was a blind guide and a viper. Yep. Paul, of his own volition, refused to believe the clearly-preached Gospel, and participated in the murder of a man he heard preaching it. Truly a lost cause if ever there was one. So what was God to do? He knocked him from his horse on a desert road. He blinded him. He spoke to him audibly, and taught him the Good News with a clarity heretofore unknown. And then God used this same Paul to preach and teach and heal and minister and give of himself completely, even in death.
Yep. I guess some people just refuse to believe... until God institutes a course correction anyway.
Love,
Andy
Quote from: pickr on March 18, 2010, 10:55:14 PMMy response was, "You mean like Paul did?"
:thumbsup:
If there is one set of verses that show that noone can resist when Father starts to drag you, then it's what you mentioned.
Very clear and impossible wriggle out.
OTOH I've seen so many twisting of words that I'm not 100% sure about that :sigh:
:iagree: :goodone: :banana: :rocker
Quote from: WhiteWings on March 18, 2010, 11:04:08 PM
Quote from: pickr on March 18, 2010, 10:55:14 PMMy response was, "You mean like Paul did?"
:thumbsup:
If there is one set of verses that show that noone can resist when Father starts to drag you, then it's what you mentioned.
Very clear and impossible wriggle out.
OTOH I've seen so many twisting of words that I'm not 100% sure about that :sigh:
I think I know what you mean! :)
But, I really didn't intend to make my friend wriggle... just to think and pray about that old rascal Paul before the fateful trip to Damascus. And I think my friend is doing just that. I'll report back if he decides to share his thoughts with me again.
Love to you all from a frequent lurker. You are all my dear friends, even if you didn't know it. :)
Quote from: pickr on March 19, 2010, 12:14:01 AM
Love to you all from a frequent lurker. You are all my dear friends, even if you didn't know it. :)
Let us know more often. A forum trives by activity and idea's. And my guess is you have many worthwhile idea's.
Interaction is (one of) best way to learn.
:thumbsup: