burwelm,
Thank you for your “two cents,” it is certainly welcome. However you still have not answered my questions asked after your previous post in this thread. Perhaps this time you will reply to those questions as well as to the questions below.
You say: “Maybe one day everyone will be open to it.”
Consider this: If that is a true statement then how can Jesus’ words found at Matthew 7:13-14 (13 “Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.”) be true?
You say: “The person must chose to listen to God before God can soften their heart.”
Consider this: The above statement is not correct. Yes a person must “[choose] to listen to God” but it is the individual, not God or Satan, that does the ‘softening or hardening’ of one’s own heart; otherwise and the responsibility is removed from the individual. That would allow him to rightly claim before God’s judge: “It is not my fault! Softening of my heart was not done for me!” Or, “It is not my fault! Hardening of my heart was done to me!”
Also, please correct me if I am wrong, but is it not the case that healthy relationships are built only when there is good two-way communication. So please tell me how is it that God speaks to me, you, and everyone else; tell us please, to what do you “listen”?
You say: “Salvation is a relationship with God. It is about knowing God.”
Consider this: Satan has a relationship with God. The demons know God and his son. While those things are involved obviously neither is the key or main factor, so what is? How is it that one avoids being in the group that Jesus addresses at Matthew 7:21-23? Those ones certainly seem to “think” they are “saved” but according to Jesus they are not. According to Jesus’ words what were those ones missing? It can be answered in one word. (Hint: Satan, the demons, Adam and Eve, all those ones _______ God and lost/lose his favor as a result. The opposite of what they did/do is the main or key factor to having God’s favor.)
You say: “To have a relationship with God, therefore the person must make a conscious effort to try to know God.”
Consider this: That statement is true as far as it goes but something more is needed for you are still missing the main factor. Let me ask you, are you saying those ones Jesus speaks to at Matthew 7:21-23 do not “make a conscious effort to try to know God” and that is why he rejects them? What’s the real deal Lucille?
What kind of “knowledge” of God is required? Please read this post: http://www.jesus-christ-forums.com/home/viewtopic.php?p=58950&highlight=#58950
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