The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Edwards on "Seek the Lord"

speratus said:
My problem with "making use" is that it implies activity. Actually, I like your analogy of rainfall better than mine of the hammer (Man does not pour water on himself in baptism). Man is altogether passive in the proper use of the means of grace. Romans 10:17.

Pilgrim said:
Sorry, but this is totally untrue. Man is ultimately active in the use of God's appointed means. No one can hear the Word preached unless they transport themselves to where it is being preached. No man can read the Word, nor anything else in written form unless he makes an effort to do so. No man can do anything unless he exerts some effort.

Calvin, Institutes, Vol.3, Part 15, Chapter 14
We must strongly insist on these two things: That no believer ever performed one work which, if tested by the strict judgment of God, could escape condemnation; and, moreover, that were this granted to be possible, (though it is not,) yet the act being vitiated and polluted by the sins of which it is certain that the author of it is guilty, it is deprived of its merit.

The motive for using the means by the unregenerate man is certainly not of faith, but nowhere is it said that man must FIRST exercise true faith in their use. And in fact, it is utterly impossible for any unregenerate man to exercise "proper" faith until he has been sovereignly regenerated by the Spirit. The unconverted are never told to sit at home and wait for God to move upon them. They are commanded and encouraged to make use of the means.

You may not see yourself as a hyper-Calvinist, but your language and view(s) are certainly consistent with those who are. Again, man is totally passive in REGENERATION... but not in the use of the means before regeneration nor in conversion after regeneration.

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Psalms 105:4 (KJV) "Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore."

Isaiah 55:6 (KJV) "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:"

Hosea 10:12 (KJV) "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

Amos 5:6 (KJV) "Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour [it], and [there be] none to quench [it] in Bethel."

Acts 17:24-28 (ASV) "The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined [their] appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."<br>
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The inspired prophets of God and the Apostle Paul are against you, dear speratus, for they urged ALL men to seek God and to do righteousness (outward conformity to the law) in the hopes that God would have mercy upon them and give them life.