Comments on: Gospel of John refutes salvation through perseverance theology

By: Christine Becerra

Christine Becerra — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 01:57:54 +0000

It’s amazing for me to remember how God’s ways are not ours. This difficult subject reminds me of so many others like how Jesus is 100% man and 100% God. This dichotomy is true but difficult for me to grasp. It excites me to imagine learning from God for eternity. These topics remind me of this and other verses. Romans 11:33-34 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?

By: Don Koenig

Don Koenig — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 21:31:35 +0000

In reply to Christine.

Hi Christine,

You get confused on predestination because there are two conflicting major theologies that give their own explanations on the issue. The Bible teaches predestination but it also teaches freewill. How people spin those passages depends on which of the major theologies they are coming from. I think both theologies can be true on points and wrong on other points because they cannot get into the mind of God.

I am sure my explanation of the Tares existing in the field would be explained differently by others. So I could be wrong about Satan planting counterfeit beings.

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 18:54:10 +0000

Hi Don,

Thank you so much for your response. I will go back and read verses on predestination. I tried before and got so confused. I’m curious to learn how Satan has the ability to plant souls. That’s crazy! I recall the parable that Jesus talks about an enemy planting Tares but I don’t remember any other verses that talk about this.

By: Don Koenig

Don Koenig — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 15:28:05 +0000

In reply to Jennifer.

Hi Jennifer,

I am not a Calvinist. I am a biblicist. I do not think God predestined any soul that He created to hell. The Lake of Fire was created for the Devil and his angels and all associated with him. I am saying that the souls of the Tares do not come from God. The Bible says that Satan planted them.

The Bible clearly teaches both predestination and free will. Even so, not understanding how both can be true probably is because we do not know everything.

There are many teachings available that do a good job of trying to explaining everything from one’s own theology. Many of them teach on the same subject but come up with opposing views. The fact that these teachings exist does not prove who is interpreting scripture correctly. That often takes God given wisdom and proper understanding in the light of all written revelation.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:34:19 +0000

Hi Don, you are sounding like a Calvinist. Believing that God predestined some to hell makes it hard to then affirm that it is simple belief that saves. It would then need to be being born one of the lucky ones ( the elect) and belief that saves,which is unprovable by scripture. There are some great youtube videos by Kevin Thompson that explain the verses in John. Thanks for your articles.

By: Don Koenig

Don Koenig — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:00:18 +0000

In reply to Christine. Hi Christine, The whole world was in darkness until the light of the world appeared. The vessels created to be saved saw the light of the world and received Him and He poured in living water. Cracked pots saw the light that came into the world but these vessels cannot ever hold living water. Keep in mind, that all analogies can only be taken so far. Study predestination as it is taught in scripture for more information.

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 07:06:34 +0000

What would that mean for the wheat before they came to the light? Were they living in darkness and deceived but yet attracted to the light at the same time? I’m curious to understand this some more.

By: Greg Johnson

Greg Johnson — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 18:36:04 +0000

Hey Don Great article when I read your article a verse came to mind Ephesians ch 2 vs 8&9 anyways I haven’t been able to visit your sight for a couple months and just wanted you to know I have visited other sites and yours is one of the best keep up the good work

By: Don Koenig

Don Koenig — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 03:43:10 +0000

In reply to Jim Kraft. Hi Jim, I will agree that all people can be saved and I will also agree that anyone that hears and believes will be saved and will remain saved. It comes down to the issue of how everyone can have freewill when some are predestined to be saved. The Bible clearly teaches both truths. I hope you are not arguing that there are not tares on the earth even through Jesus make it clear that there were; or that the tares planted by the Devil can become wheat? God refutes that when He masked His message to certain people so they would not see, believe and be saved. How else do you explain John 12:40?

Joh 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

By: Jim Kraft

Jim Kraft — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 02:05:49 +0000

I believe anyone can believe and be saved. First John 2:2 And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.

First Timothy 2:4 Who would have all men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. First Corinthians 15:1-4. Not everyone is going to believe, but whosoever will may come and drink from the water of life freely

Salvation is free to all. Works are for rewards or lack of rewards in heaven. No one is saved by works, but only by grace. Romans 11:6 But faith is not a work, and the only requirement for salvation. John 3:16-18

First John 5:13 These thing have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

Matthew 7:21-23 are not saved because they are trusting in their works. They never did the will of His Father. John 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent me, that all that seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Ephesians 1:13-In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, (First Corinthians 15:1-4) in whom also AFTER ye have believed, ye were sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise, unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30. Second Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, (after we have believed) He abideth faithful, He can not deny Himself. His Holy Spirit that seals us forever. Second Timothy 2:19 Those with the Spirit are His by faith alone without works. Jesus paid our sin debt in full, and we can no longer be condemned. John 3:18

We can be chastened by the Lord even to taking our life early, but never loose eternal life. First Corinthians 5:5 This guy was sleeping with his fathers wife. He would only loose his rewards, not his salvation. First Corinthians 3:11-21.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace ye are saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. You can not boast in free.

Lots of false teachers preaching salvation by works. Romans 4:5 and Romans 11:6

Thanks for the space