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

The Scriptures give us the right understanding of the "imago dei":

Ephesians 4:24 (ASV) "and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."

Colossians 3:10 (ASV) "and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:"

Both passages are sandwiched in sections where Paul is speaking about right living, i.e., living a holy and righteous life. There is no mention of being partakers of God's "sovereignty". There are no reputable theologians nor writers that I am aware of that hold to what you are saying.

Re: forcing man to sin... Yes, agreed that God does not and cannot do so...

Re: God wants everyone to be saved... We are decidedly not in agreement on this one. IF I have somehow communicated that this is my view, I apologize. If it was the case that God "wanted/desired" all men to be saved indiscriminately; i.e., every man, woman and child whoever was, is or will be, then de facto all would be infallibly saved. God's decretive will is sure.

Isaiah 43:10-13 (ASV) "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour. I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange [god] among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God. Yea, since the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who can hinder it?"

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;"

Daniel 4:35 (ASV) "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?"

Romans 8:29-30 (ASV) "For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Thus, I must reject any and all views that embrace universalism.