Born Again,
I’m awaiting your response.
Jason (and to the same extent Craig),
I don’t not see a lack of humility in sharing your stories. If anything I give glory to God that these things have happened and that God was able to use you to reach out to others. What wonderful testimonies! I consider it a shame if you DON"T share them, for how is God going to get the glory if you don’t testify of these things. (And yes I know that Jesus told His disicples not to boast about the healings and casting out of demons, but rather that their names are written down in heaven, but as long as the glory is God’s, He is exalted. Praise the Lord!) I get encouraged by hearing stories like this, though I do exercise a measure of caution because some are made up. But I don’t sense that with either of you. I believe you because I’ve gotten to know you through the other things you’ve said here in the forum. There is truth and honesty in your words. There is a kindred spirit that comes through that I can’t explain exactly, and know you are true brothers in the Lord (I think you get what I mean).
I know that you take these testimonies personally and understand how you might be reluctant to share. But I think they were meant to be shared. God caused these things to happen and wouldn’t it be selfish of you if you didn’t make His Presence known? Maybe it won’t make the unbelievers believe, but it sure encourages my heart, for I can identify through my own experiences the magnitude of the greatness of God that He is there.
Let me share one recently of my own:
My wife, who is from the Phillipines, received a phone call a couple of months ago from her nephew and his wife that their three-month old baby was in ICU in critical condition with a hole in her heart and it’s not looking good. Now many times when her family calls from the Philippines, as a relatively poor country, it usually involves asking for financial help, which when we can afford to help we do. However, her nephew didn’t ask for money at all, but only that my wife pray for the baby. You see, my wife’s family looks up to her because of her faith in Christ and has seen answered prayer because of that faith. So my wife and I pray for the baby’s health. But then my wife inquires about her nephew’s salvation and we learn that he isn’t saved, though he has heard the message. My wife encourages him and leads him to Christ over the phone, to which he experiences the joy of salvation and becomes so excited that he runs to fetch his wife so that my wife can lead her to Christ as well, which she excitedly does. My wife encourages them to find a church where they can learn the Word of God and grow. And we end up sending them a substantial amount of money to help with the hospital care of the baby, even though he didn’t ask for it.
After she hangs up, we both have a heavy heart for the baby, because we sense that this newly saved couple, while joyously saved, could become quickly discouraged if something happened to that baby. So we begin to fervently pray for this baby to be raised up and healed, like we never prayed before. I meant we wept for tears pleading for God to help this couple see His Glory in this situation.
Three days later, her nephew calls up and informs us that the doctors can no longer find the hole in the baby’s heart. It healed up on it’s own. Praise God for answered prayer! The baby is doing fine and the couple are active members of a local church. Mine eyes have seen the Glory of the coming of the Lord!
Sorry if I went off topic, but in light of what’s been shared, I couldn’t help it.
On the contrary, I worry that I would be selfish to ask people to accept something of this sort merely on my own say-so. Craig’s situations are quite different, of course, and I’m glad about that. 
As to the people who were helped, they know something miraculous happened; whether they thank God for it or not is their business, but I don’t want them coming back to me as though I had anything to do with it by my own power. Moreover, in the case that is of most importance to me personally, I would vastly much rather that that person’s privacy not be breached; which I would have to do, in order to go into more detail. I would rather people think me a liar first.
I’m much happier about that, too. 
You wouldn’t be asking nothing, you’d just be telling it. Why should you care what other people think? They called Jesus a blasphemer, a glutton, and a wine-bibber, but that didn’t stop him from hanging out with sinners. If you are a man of your word and have demonstrated integrity, what you say wouldn’t be merely on your say so, but built upon your reputation as one who tells the truth. It’s their problem if they don’t wish to believe it.
I’m all for privacy. Notice I didn’t use any proper names in my story. Unless you are intimately familiar with who I am and who my family is, or are nosey just the say, you have no idea who I’m speaking of. But if you feel that someone mightv possibly know who you are talking about in this forum, you could always employ Paul’s tactic, “I knew a man in Christ…” 
As far as one who attributes that power to you, I’ve had people say that I saved them, but I quickly corrected them and told them that God saved them, I’m only the messenger boy. But then they told me that’s what they meant, God saved them. I think most folks know who to thank for their miracles. Certainly not you nor I.
1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Romans 5:6-9
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
My confidence in the things of God for the common good of all, cannot be moved and the portion of faith God has given me has been planted by the river of life and it’s roots have grown deep and strong. It is for your benefit I share these experiences. I take only pride in what God has done!
Taken from the Timothy Keller thread: How Universalism Has Impacted my Life
I think we have some agreement here. Here’s where we agree:
- Lydia outside of God’s interference, was unable to choose (accept) Pauls message (the gospel).
- God’s interfering with her inability to believe is not based upon her efforts or her desires. (romans 9)
Would you say you agree thus far?
Aug.
- I would not say God’s interference. I would say assistance.
- No, Although, she does not have the ability to believe in something she can’t see, she does have the ability to accept or reject the truth provided to her by the gift of faith.
Ok this is very confusing for me then. If she CANNOT accept the gospel in and of herself then how is she assisting God in softening her own heart.
Romans 9 clearly states that God’s right to having mercy or hardening someone rests NOT in their efforts or desires. So how is it here, the mercy of God does rest on her assistance?
How are these two different? If she is unable to believe in something she cannot see then how does she have the ability to accept something she CANNOT see (the gospel).
I assume you’ll say because GOD gives her the ability to see based on her acceptance of him (as she was already a worshipper of God).
The other point you’ve not responded to is that you seem to base your arguments on silence. I argued that while the scriptures do declare she was a worshipper of God. The scriptures DO NOT declare of why she was a worshipper of God.
Your position seems to be that she is a worshipper because she unlike the son of ceasar made good decisions because she was well natured? (Of course this is my point about CASINO THEOLOGY; one man born to billy graham gets to be trained to worship God while Osama Bin laden’s kid is trained to blow up people - yet it’s these very things which will determine if God gives the ability to hear the gospel—after all that’s why it was not arbitrary on Lydia)
The reformed will say she is a worshipper because GOD MADE HER THAT WAY; it was of his own calling.
Can you provide scripture that states her being a worshipper was independent of God’s mercy?
If not then you’ve not escaped the force of the reformed question:
Does God having mercy depend on mans efforts or desires?
Btw, how do you quote other poeple’s comments like you do?
Lydia is not assisting for her heart to be opened. She willingly listened to Paul’s preaching and God gave her the ability( the gift of faith that opened her heart) to accept or reject the truth given to her.
Auggy, just because God opens people’s hearts (by the gift of faith) to give them the ability to believe, not all of them believe.
I have walked in monergism shoes, but I thank God he gave me a new pair of shoes. lol.
Auggy.
You said: Can you provide scripture that states her being a worshipper was independent of God’s mercy?
Aaron37: Again, I have stated that every person has an intuitive knowledge of God inside of them. I believe God gives opportunity to every person who has responded positively to the light given them. As Paul explained in Romans 1:18-20, every person who has ever lived has had God reveal Himself to them, but this verse is explaining that revelation is not always received. Each individual has the freedom of choice.
In verses 21-23, Paul describes different characteristics of those who reject God’s revelation. These could also be descriptive of progressive steps that one takes away from the true revelation of God.
The first step in rejecting God is not to glorify Him as the supreme, all knowing, unquestionable God. This is what happened with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They questioned God’s intent behind His command (Gen. 3:1-6). They ceased to magnify and honor God as they once did. Submission to God as supreme is always humbling and therefore “self” rebels. This is very prevalent today.
Secondly, they were not thankful. This is always a sign that self is exalting itself above God. A selfless person can be content with very little. A self-centered person cannot be satisfied. Thankfulness is a sign of humility and cultivating a life of thankfulness will help keep “self” in its proper place.
After these first two steps have been taken, then the individual’s mind is freed to begin imagining foolish, wicked, and idolatrous thoughts . This leads to a hardened heart and being reprobate.
Aaron37,
So then you do agree that her being a worshipper was by the mercy of God. As I understand you then you seem to be holding that Romans 1 is stating that God does have mercy on all by opening their hearts so that they can receive the gospel.
Is this right?
Aug.
you said: Aaron37,
So then you do agree that her being a worshipper was by the mercy of God. As I understand you then you seem to be holding that Romans 1 is stating that God does have mercy on all by opening their hearts so that they can receive the gospel.
Aaron37: No, God wired every human being with an intuitive knowledge of his divine nature inside them… if you read my last post…Romans 1 clearly teaches that man can reject this intuitive knowledge of God to the point of being reprobate. Lydia positively responded to the light given her and God gave her an opportunity to believe the gospel.( the same with Cornelious in Acts 10) Again, I believe God gives equal opportunity to everyone to believe the gospel who positively responds to the intuitive knowledge( light) given them.
Aaron37,
Ok so Lydia’s being a worshipper was NOT due to God’s mercy? What do you suppose is the reason for her being a worshipper?
Aug.
Lydia was reponding positvely to the light (intiuitive knowledge) inside of her, Auggy. This intuitive knowledge has nothing to do with God’s mercy. It is inside of every human being created.
Defintion of intuitive
adj…
Known or perceived through intuition.
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Does the light inside of people mean they KNOW (intuitively) WHILE the god of this age blinds them so that they cannot see the light of the gospel?
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How does Lydias closed heart fare in light of her responsibility of her intuitive knoweldge? Prior to God’s opening her heart IT WAS CLOSED. Or would you say it was never closed by God but rather she closed it by her own choice?
Aug
Aug.
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Yes, as long as they don’t reject this kowledge ( like the ones in Romans 1) they will have an opportunity to believe in Jesus. It is clear that God commands light to shine out of darkness into men’s hearts.( 2 Cor 4:6) The glorious gospel of Jesus Christ can penetrate the worst darkness the devil can produce.
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Everyone’s heart is closed due to the spirtual death nature that we are all born with… Again, as long as you don’t reject this intuitive knowledge the way they did in Romans 1…God will provide an opportunity for you to believe the gospel.
Auggy.
My turn to ask questions.
I agree with you that man does not have the ability to believe in something they cannot see. That is why when the word of God is preached the faith of God is released to the sinner to give him the ability to make a choice the same way Lydia did in Acts 16:14. Also, the same way Cornelious did in Acts 10.
Paul was always trying to “persuade” people to believe the gospel. If monergism were true there would be no need to persuade, huh auggy?
Definition of persuade - cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody’s arm; "You can’t persuade me to accept the gift of salvation!
Auggy, where is monergism in the act of persuasion? Would it be monergism at work if God needed Paul to twist people’s arm to believe?
Definition of monergism- the doctrine that the Holy Ghost acts independently of the human will in the work of regeneration.
I agree with you that man does not have the ability to believe in something they cannot see. That is why when the word of God is preached the faith of God is released to the sinner to give him the ability to make a choice the same way Lydia did in Acts 16:14. Also, the same way Cornelious did in Acts 10.
I’m confused still…So before the word of God is preached and the faith of God is NOT released, do they have a responsibility to do what is right, (I advise reading Romans 1 - NO ONE WILL GO WITHOUT AN EXCUSE).
Paul was always trying to “persuade” people to believe the gospel. If monergism were true there would be no need to persuade, huh auggy?
Actually, if Monergism were true, persuasion would still be a tool God uses in calling the elect. Nothing contradictory about that except that in most LFW thinkers, Monergism demands people are robots.
Auggy, where is monergism in the act of persuasion? Would it be monergism at work if God needed Paul to twist people’s arm to believe? Where is God’s unfailing in persuasion? Is God trying to persuade people via Paul as his vessle? If God needed Paul to twists people’s arms then I suppose he’d make Paul real strong enough to actually save the people who needed their arms twisted. For if he did not give Paul the strength to twist someone’s arm then I would say God does not have the unsaved’s best interest at heart. And if he does not have their best in mind, then I would say God does not love them (read Talbott’s and People’s conversation for this very topic).
Definition of monergism- the doctrine that the Holy Ghost acts independently of the human will in the work of regeneration
That sounds like prevenetive Grace, the grace which INDEPENTENT of human will frees them so they can make a chioce?
I’m still baffled as well that you don’t believe the god of this world has blinded the unbeliever so that they cannot see or hear the gospel.
If you cannot accept Pauls words than I guess I can just say Romans 1 is false because I know that men don’t and cannot know because they’ve been blinded from the gospel by the god of this world.
Aug.
Satan does blind people to the gospel, but It is clear that God commands light to shine out of darkness into men’s hearts.( 2 Cor 4:6) The glorious gospel of Jesus Christ can penetrate the worst darkness the devil can produce.
Romans 1 is true… rather you believe it or not. Monergism acts independently of the human will. So,…
- What are you persuading if Paul is not trying to persuade the human will?
- How does God act independently of the human will and at the same time need to persuade the human will?