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AJC said:
I respect all the feedback - but what about the lost, those that never had a chance, our dear ones that we care about and pray for - in reality the prayers mean nothing (they have more to do with our faith) but in terms of affecting the outcome, it's a lost cause becasue the end result is predetermined.
AJC,

Perhaps you didn't read my comment about the problem NOT being "Unconditional Election" but rather "Total Depravity"? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratchchin.gif" alt="" /> The reason I ask you that is because your question is one which most ask who have no idea about man's natural condition or who have rejected the biblical teaching concerning man's depravity. For indeed, what "CHANCE" are you talking about? Chance? as if anyone is deserving of anything from God. And even if God were to provide an opportunity to every sinner who ever lived to hear the Gospel, do you actually think that anyone would respond in faith? Man is spiritually DEAD!! (Gen 6:7; 8:21; Psa 14:1-4; Jer 17:9; Jh 3:18, 19; Rom 3:10-18; Eph 2:1-5; 4:17-19; et al) Further, every man, woman and child that is conceived has the guilt of Adam imputed to them and they inherit a sin nature. Therefore if God had chosen to save but even one single individual, it would have been undeserving on their part and pure grace on His part. ALL are worthy of damnation.... NO ONE is deserving of a "chance" to be saved.

It is 100% true that all that God has determined will come to pass exactly as He has purposed. (Is 44:7; 46:9, 10; Psa 135:6; Dan 4:35: et al) But God's foreordination or predestination doesn't relieve men from being responsible to do what is required of them, even if is involves repenting of their sins and believing upon Christ.... even though they are totally incapable of doing so and in fact have no desire whatsoever for God, Christ or salvation. (Rom 9)

The question should not be nor is it, "Why did God hate Esau?", but rather the only correct question is, "Why and how did God love Jacob?" When a person is given to know their own sinfulness and their total inability to love God and trust in Christ, God's sovereign electing grace becomes one of the most precious truths they shall ever know. The greatest mystery becomes and will remain forever and ever is "Why of all the people on this earth did God reach down and set His love upon ME and make ME His own in the Lord Jesus Christ?" The only sufficient answer we can ever respond with is SOVEREIGN FREE GRACE!

In His grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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