Interesting thread....

Just a thought, I think the reason TD is such a difficult truth is because we are still created in the image of God and retain a sense of morality, conscience, etc. So from a human perspective, we are not 'all bad.' Certainly we don't 'desereve' eternal damnation.

But in a spiritual sense we are as dead as a door nail. I agree with Pilgrim, that the churches are in bad shape. I believe another Awakening is in order.

In my own personal experience, I have had many moments when I am met with the crushing reality that I am living for myself and my own glory. It is in those moments that my coldness and hardness melts and I cry unto the Lord that He will continue to mold me and humble me that I may live to His glory, honor and praise. I believe God's elect do experience, some more intense, some more extended, what it is to be sinner's in the hands of an angry God in this life. The elect feel what it is to be spiritually detached and hell-worthy creatures (when we are regenerated and whenever we sin). But they also experience the burning desire to serve, honor and glory in Him which is the ultimate state of being that cannot be lost.....

The unregenerate are dead to any of these spiritual realities.



But the elect do not struggle with the 5-points, they believe God is just and would be just to leave us over to ourselves. The non-elect do not give thought to these matters or are offended and reject them as un'reason'able.

God is a GOd of love and mercy. But God is Holy and we should and will tremble before Him. God is so Holy that the only way we can even approach Him is through His Son who gave Himself up that the elect be reconciled and comforted.

To recommend another great work by RC Sproul, check out the 'Holiness of God' which will serve as a reminder to the fact that God's mighty ways are incomprehensible.

AC




The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine