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I think its both, actually. First, is that we are all chosen, to do certain things, especially for God. Second is that, we are also given the choice to choose, whether to or not to do someone, or God's bidding.

Okay..I am going to clarify this as I know there are several way sthis can be taken in discussion. I am speaking specifically of the predestination vs free will argument.

To further clarify, the argument is this: Do we make the choice to follow God on our own without any intervention from God at all or is God working in that.

I want to get thoughts now that I have cleared this up a bit and then I will post again.

I also would like to challenge you to post why you believe the perspective that you believe.

Okay I am going to post my thoughs on ths topic in hope that it will spark some discussion....this is a very important topic so it should be given some good discussion.

First off...we CAN choose to follow God...Jesus tells us that when he explains his parable of the soils/sower. He mentions various types of people who accept the gospel and choose to follow Christ. However..we are also told by Jesus that there will be many who cry out to him that he will tell to depart from him...the argument for election..or predestination..is impossible to overlook if you read your bible. Paul speaks of it all throughout his letters.

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

notice the words foreknew and predestined...look the definitions up in a dictionary and you will see that this is clearly stating that God chooses who he saves...

Think of it this way...how arrogant must we be to believe that WE can have a hand in our own salvation? We can choose to follow God..but unless he had chosen us, we will eventually fall away from him...only those who stand true to the end will be saved. The sad truth is...if anybody ever says to you that they used to be saved..but fell away from God...they were never saved to begin with. The argument is NOT can we turn away from God..the argument is can God LOSE a christian? The answer is no. If there is even ONE thing that God cannot do..then God would not be sovereign and would not be God. If God calls somebody to him..they WILL turn to him as he commands them.

This is unpopular because people run wild on the idea of free will..of our choices and our rights for freedom to do as we please...We elevate our own value above our value for God. God is infinitely more important than all of humanity ever has or ever will be.

Some people will argue that it isnt fair for God to save some and not all and that therefore predestination must not be true...WRONG. God created everything...How is it wrong for God to choose to save some and not others? He created us..he can do whatever he chooses to do and he will be perfectly justified in doing so. Also...God says that his wrath will be revealed to all unrighteousness. If God saved everyone..then that would have made God a liar as there would be noone for him to reveal his wrath to. We have all sinned..the wages of sin is death. That is all we deserve...think about it...if you commit a crime and go before a judge..will arguing "but I kept all the other laws but that one" make you any less guilty? You would deserve punishment for your crime. Now...the bible also tells us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

That meants that those who are in christ..those who God has called according to his purpose..are completely without fault in the eyes of God..that doesnt mean they havent done anything..it means that Christ paid the prie for their sins on the cross. They are more than forgiven..God doesnt say..you are a sinner and I forgive you..God says you are not a sinner..you are righteous..and that is because of what Christ has done. I'll stop now as this is rather long.....but I could go on for hours on this topic.