From: David
To: The Path of Truth
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2017 5:58 PM
Subject: Repentance
I have read on your page the entire day and have agreed with everything I’ve seen. I have to disagree with one thing though, in which I’m open to receiving correction. The issue I had was on your teaching on repentance. I agree with everything that defines what true repentance is, but disagree that it almost seems you swayed Calvinistic by the way one comes to repentance. God doesn’t command something to all men to do if they aren’t able to do it. Do you support original sin in the regards that man is totally unable to come to God through a season of godly sorrow, leading to repentance? After all, how will they hear without a preacher? Since Christ was lifted up will draw all men, therefore giving man no excuse at the judgment seat for not making effort, even striving against bloodshed to enter into the Kingdom. Romans 1 and 2 teaches by “nature” we know God’s law(10 commandments) thus being our damnation for not coming to the only One who can save us and give us eternal life. Please respond as I am a true seeker.
Thank you,
David
From: Paul Cohen
To: David
Cc: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2017 7:33 AM
Subject: Re: Repentance
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2 MKJV).
Hi David,
Not sure I completely understand your objection, but see if this helps:
All men are sold under sin and can do absolutely nothing to extricate themselves from its grasp. When the Word of God is quickened in them, however, the Father drawing them to Christ, His faith enables sinners to turn to Him and away from their sins. It is all God’s doing, though we, the ones endowed with faith, must exercise it. That too is His righteousness at work in those whom He chooses:
“For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 MKJV).
The Word of God goes out to all, as you know by the parable where the seed fell on various types of ground, though much of it didn’t make it to fruition. Because that ground wasn’t prepared to produce fruit, can it not be broken up and made fertile in due time, even the ages to come? Do you really think God’s Word is wasted in the end?
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from the heavens, and does not return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring out and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall certainly do what I sent it to do” (Isaiah 55:10-11 MKJV).
Luke 13:1-9 MKJV
(1) And some were present at the same time reporting to Him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
(2) And answering, Jesus said to them, Do you suppose that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things?
(3) I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
(4) Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were sinners above all men who lived in Jerusalem?
(5) I tell you, No. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
(6) He also spoke this parable: A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard. And he came and sought fruit on it, and found none.
(7) And he said to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none. Cut it down, why does it encumber the ground?
(8) And answering, he said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and throw manure.
(9) And if it bears fruit, well; and if not, then after that you shall cut it down.
The Lord holds all men accountable for what He gives them, in order that He may judge (correct) them. Read from The Restitution of All Things, in particular Who Then Can Be Saved?!
Paul
