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Joe k said:
Let us look at what scripture says instead of my words;

Luke 14:23
23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

There is the same word I used. COMPEL

1) to necessitate, compel, drive to, constrain

a) by force, threats, etc.

b) by permission, entreaties, etc.

c) by other means
Joe,

Honestly.... is this how you have arrived at this view that God "compels" men to do that which is contrary to their nature? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratchchin.gif" alt="" />

The text has nothing to do with GOD compelling anyone but rather it is speaking of men being counseled to strongly persuade other men. This is exactly what Paul wrote also: 2Cor 5:11a
"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;". This is dealing with the "outward call", i.e., the preaching of the Gospel. And the only way that such persuasion can be effective is if a man's nature is changed, i.e., he is "born again of the Spirit. This is regeneration which effects the "inward call", aka: irresistible grace.

The natural resistance to God and holiness is insurmountable as can be seen here:

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Acts 7:51 (ASV) "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye."
Stephen was referring to men in their natural state who resist the "outward calling" of the Spirit through the instrumentality of prophets and preachers who bring the Gospel to their hearing. Such men in their natural state CANNOT be compelled to come to Christ in faith. Dead men can't be compelled to do anything, espcially exercise faith which doesn't even exist. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/nope.gif" alt="" />

So again, do you have any passage from Scripture which demonstrates that God can and does "compel man to act contrary to his will"??

In His grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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