The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Does God force men to sin?

Yes, God knows what we will do because He has foreordained all that we will do.

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ASV) "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; [I am] God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;" (cf. Isa 44:7; 45:21; Ps 33:11; 135:6; Dan 4:35; Rom 11:33-36; Eph 1:9-11)

2Peter 3:9 is speaking of God's will for those whom He has predestinated in Christ, aka: the elect. The CONTEXT demands that it be understood in this way. Here is the entire passage in context:

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

As you can see, the Lord is not willing that any of the us-ward (Grk: hemas us) perish, etc. So, the question needs to be asked, who are the "us-ward"? They are the "beloved of God" mentioned in the previous verses. It is the "to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ:" (1:1). So, the right understanding of the text is that God will not send back His Son till the Body of Christ is complete, and that will not be till the ones whom He has elected to be saved in this dispensation shall have been brought to Him.

This really needs more clarification, please. And, I see nothing in Col 1:24 about the salvation of others, but rather Paul is speaking about the shared afflictions in the true Body of Christ as they are in union with Christ.

In His grace,