Actually we must understand that the Bible teaches throughout that God is absolutely sovereign and carries out His eternal will in time and space. He has determined everything because He is eternal and therefore omniscient. Nothing operates outside of His will. Otherwise He would cease to be God.
In a way that is above our ability to understand (Isaiah 55:8-9), we remain fully responsible for our free choices while God foreordains whatsoever comes to pass.
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11)
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed (Acts 13:48)
Who (God) has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began (2 Timothy 1:9)
“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed (1 Peter 2:8)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8–9)
Faith is not of ourselves.
It is the gift of God.
Boasting in your "decision" is not permitted. A sinner can only boast in the grace of God.
@_BenRatliff Have you not tried the app called #ReformedCompanion ?
Our church uses it as our go-to digital resource for all Reformed confessions and creeds.
@FREED0M_777@RealCobbso Just remember... the real meaning of the story of Noah's ark was the Lord's awful judgment and destruction of wicked humanity, but only 8 souls were spared by God's grace. My children understood that at an early age
@imshillgates@hunterballew@ianheinischmma The book would be much better than the movie. The movie shows more of an emotional element (typical Hollywood). The book will be a logical flow of an investigator
@TheCryptoMando@kit_sats The believer must be truly submissive to Hebrews 13:17
"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
@TheCryptoMando@kit_sats Jesus loves the church, and so must you. He died for her.
Hear Paul's words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
Is your name in the Lamb's book of life?
...and all who dwell on earth will worship it (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
If anyone has an ear, let him hear (Revelation 13:8–9)
Video for $HG $HGRAF education purposes that I made with Google NotebookLM. Its far from a perfect illustration but its pretty good so I thought I would share for feedback.
@thisisfoster Great article. I'm a ruling elder in a PCA church, and I have ownership in the denomination even though the Lord is the Owner and Head of her. She's not perfect and never will be, and I will always be working to promote purity and peace in her assemblies.