In reply to:
[color:"blue"]I apologize if some of my posts are a bit unclear to you or others on this board.

There is no need to apologize for "unclear" posts. Given the medium we are labouring under in this type of format, misunderstandings are not a rare occurrence. What I found unacceptable is your lack of charity to me when I sincerely asked for clarification. I'm not the brightest bulb in the box, ya know! [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif" alt="laugh" title="laugh[/img]

I completely understand your zeal to give God all the glory in the matter of salvation. You won't find any objections from me on that point whatsoever. I tenaciously hold to and try to uphold "Sola Gratia" as much as any. Confessing that God also uses means to accomplish His will among men, not excluding salvation, and that in particular if understood correctly actually gives even more honour to the LORD and exalt Christ. For to imagine that the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe actually has foreordained that sinful men should have a significant part in bring forth His kingdom of righteousness is staggering; at least to my thinking. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/wink.gif" alt="wink" title="wink[/img] Paul looked upon all those who were converted under his preaching/teaching ministry as "his children" in the faith. I dare say that it would be sheer folly to accuse Paul of denying God all the glory in the salvation of that multitude of individuals. The Apostle Paul expressed it most succinctly when he wrote:

1 Corinthians 3:5-10 (ASV) "What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon."

And again,

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ASV) "But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech [you] on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God."
Lastly, I would simply point out that we must avoid falling off to one side or the other with respect to the two great truths of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. Both are equally true and thus compliment each other. The LORD gives faith to whom and when He wills. But it is not God who believes, but man, albeit by an irresistible calling. And thus, salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9) AND it is incumbent upon each individual to repent of their sins and believe upon Christ. Likewise, it is God alone Who saves. But no less true is it that no man will come to Christ unless there is a hearing of the gospel by those who are sent to do so.

In His Grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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