Are people basically good?

[Robert]

4 hours ago, Samie said:

We were not even around when God chose us BEFORE time began. How is that compared with us with Him in heaven while we are on earth?

Samie, I'm using the context of Eph 2:6....

[Robert]

11 hours ago, JoeMo said:

It seems like you are preoccupied with "agape"

"God is agape"

Well, God is preoccupied with agape because it is who He is.  

Maybe you need some reading material?

http://www.jacksequeira.org/cross2.htm

[Samie]

10 hours ago, Robert said:

Samie, I'm using the context of Eph 2:6....

I know. And the verse says God seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ. I believe what the verse says, don't you?

[Robert]

9 minutes ago, Samie said:

I know. And the verse says God seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ. I believe what the verse says, don't you?

Are you in heaven?

If so I didn't know that heaven had the internet.

 

[Stan]

Not seeing and agape or any other kind of love here. 

[Samie]

2 hours ago, Robert said:

"God is agape"

Well, God is preoccupied with agape because it is who He is. 

Then why don't you believe that on that same day Adam sinned, God intervened FOR man right away and reinstated him to his pre-fall status, an act that cost Him His only begotten Son, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world?

Instead, you teach that God's intervention came 4000 years later, insinuating that God Who is agape simply folded His hands and did NOTHING to forestall the change but watched as man's nature for 4000 years morphed from good to bad. Is that how you portray God Who you said is preoccupied with agape?

[Robert]

42 minutes ago, Samie said:

...you teach that God's intervention came 4000 years later....

"We (humanity) were reconciled to him (God) through the death of his Son" Rom 5:10

When did Christ die?  I think it was about 34 AD.  2016 AD - 34 AD = 1982 years ago.

That's when Christ's work of legally redeeming the human race was obtained and legally ratified. That's why He cried out, "it is finished".

Rob

[Robert]

1 hour ago, Stan said:

Not seeing and agape or any other kind of love here. 

I can't produce it...It's up to God.  

When we tell our kids to behave or else are we really getting agape back?  No.  We are getting a performance (acting) that looks like agape, but it's motivated by fear and/or reward.  

E.G.

"Johnny, be good and I'll get you some ice cream". 

Or

"Johnny, you better be good or you're going to get a whipping" 

Both produce an outward compliance (maybe), but are empty of agape. 

[Robert]

1 hour ago, Samie said:

[God] watched as man's nature for 4000 years morphed from good to bad. Is that how you portray God Who you said is preoccupied with agape?

Oh, I see....Force would be better?  I mean God could have created robots, right? instead of being with free-wills. A God of agape cannot force Himself on others.  Agape does not force or coerce. Those attributes belong to the god of this world. 

[Robert]

2 hours ago, Samie said:

I know. And the verse says God seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ. I believe what the verse says, don't you?

Maybe you should start another thread?  I would call it "Our birth, death and resurrection in Christ". I'll participate. 

I say this because this is off subject....I'm guilty too....

[Samie]

5 hours ago, Robert said:

Are you in heaven?

If so I didn't know that heaven had the internet.

You teach that all died with Christ when He died. Were you in Calvary when Jesus died? If you were not there yet you believe that you died when He died, then why fault me for being seated in heaven with Christ as stated in Eph 2:6?

[JoeMo]

18 hours ago, Stan said:

I disagree.  i am not Conservative i am not Liberal  What I am is ADVENTIST   that is just how it is. 

Me too!  What a coincidence!  Only problem is, I seem to be one of the only people who believes that about myself.  Almost everyone else I know thinks I'm an overly liberal SDA or an overly conservative one.  Depends on who you talk to.  Some people don't think I should even call myself an Adventist.

STAN - How can you be both as SDA and a Jesuit?  I've heard the talk ....

[Stan]

15 minutes ago, JoeMo said:

Me too!  What a coincidence!  Only problem is, I seem to be one of the only people who believes that about myself.  Almost everyone else I know thinks I'm an overly liberal SDA or an overly conservative one.  Depends on who you talk to.  Some people don't think I should even call myself an Adventist.

STAN - How can you be both as SDA and a Jesuit?  I've heard the talk ....

I have  been closed as a Jesuit five times now. I told my mother and she said that she thought one has to be Catholic for such a title. I was never and none in my family tree that I know of. 

The Thrre Angeles Message are for all . 

[JoeMo]

3 minutes ago, Stan said:

I was never and none in my family tree that I know of. 

I was a catholic for 20 years; and I recognize other departed brethren.  I must admit, you don't fit the profile very well... 

You seem to be a good guy; so I guess that means some people are basically good.

[Samie]

4 hours ago, Robert said:

Maybe you should start another thread?  I would call it "Our birth, death and resurrection in Christ". I'll participate. 

I say this because this is off subject....I'm guilty too....

New thread started.

[Robert]

45 minutes ago, Samie said:

New thread started.

Thanks....see you there....

[Robert]

On 5/9/2016 at 6:59 PM, phkrause said:

Can mankind produce genuine righteousness outside faith in Christ?

Do you mean "Can mankind produce genuine righteousness outside "of" faith in Christ?"

Anyway, it looks like the poll (as of 5/19/2016)  is 90% "No" and 10% "Yes"....

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[Gail]

I know this is my mistake for popping in suddenly, but I recently read something about being good; about Christians being good.

I have thought for a long time that if you are looking at your performance you are a goner. But here is a thought:

Everyone is in obedience to either a good Master or a bad one. It is a matter of choice, but the choice is, Which master are you choosing? Who are you following?

Your love and faithfulness to your Master will determine all- your actions here and your destiny.

[Robert]

Okay..but here you are writing about what happens after you've come to Christ.  

My point was that outside faith in Christ it is impossible for fallen mankind to produce genuine love (agape).