Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1908-02-27

'Whosoever will, let himtake of the
water Of life freely. Rom. 22-t7. If
a man cannot will to come nor perform
the act why did Paul say, He that
cometh to God must believe that he
isY'
Question. If the water in John 5
means natural water and the man is
born again III or of the water, why is
it that he cannot tell whence it com
eth or whittier it goeth2
Ans. will my friend tell what sit
refers to in his question. If it refers
to the wind in John, 3-8, | would like
to ask him if he has been born again.
If he has | would also like to ask him
how much more he could tell about
the wind the day after he was born a.
gain than he could the day before the
new birth.
My friend now gets off into election.
l suppose from what he has said
against faith, repentance and baptism
being conditions upon salvation from
sin is promised that he means uncondi-
tional election. Now, | believe cleo
tion as taught in the Holy Scriptures,
but let us see whether or not that cleo
tiOn is unconditional. If uncondition-
al and that election was made before
the foundation of the world and is un-
changable, what does Paul mean when
he says, Brethren, my hearts desire
and prayer to God for Israel is that
they might be saved Rom. 1891. If
they were of the ''eect' they were al
ready saved and if ''non-elect' they
were lost and could never be saved.
Again, ,''If By any means l might pro-
woke to jealousy them that are my
flesh and might save some of them. -
Rom. 1t:14. ''By their unbelief they
were broken off, but thou standest by
faith" Rom. 1920. Those who were
broke off were Jews and were at one
| time in covenant relationship with God
and recognized as his people. Paul
said they we're broken off because of
! their unbelief. The Jews retained the
power of God upon the condition that
they remained faithful to him.
Behold through the goodness and,
severity of God toward them that felt
severity, but towards thee God good
ness if thou continuest in his good
] ness, otherwise thou shalt be cut off
and they, if they continue not in un-
belief shall be grated in. Rom,
1912.
Now let us consult Peter upon this
! subject. According as his divine
power has granted unto us all things
that pertain unto life and godliness
through the knowledge of him who
hath called us to glory and virtue
whereby are given unto us exceeding
great and precious promises, that by
these We might be partakers of the di-
vine nature, having escaped the cor
ruption there is in the world through
lust Pet. 1874. Further we find
him urging the brethren to add the
Christian graces, those things that SO
much adorn the christian character
and says: "If ye do these things you
shall never fall but if you lack these
things We are blind and hath forgotten
that ye were purged from your old
time sins" and in the 10th verse,
Wherefore rather give diligence to
make your calling ard election sure for
if ye do these things ye shall never
fail. Verse II says, For so an en-
trance shall be ministered unto you
abundantly to the everlasting kingdom
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "
If their calling and election wera al
ready sure why does Peter admonlsh
them to make it surey Why all these
admonitions if man can do nothing tC
make his election sure or to secure ar
entrance into the everlasting kingdom
If salvation is unconditional and God
alone has will in the matter, why
are not all people saved since Goo
wills not the death of anyone, but that
all should come to repentance?-2nt
J Pet. 3-9
Finally my friend says, Don't &c
beyond nor stop short of what is writ
ten but rightly divide the word OF
truth. =" The reader may decide as tC
whether or not he heeds his own ad
mnnitions | have tried to answer al
. of his questions of any Importance anC
gave him a"Thus sayeth the Lord fol
everything, and will humbly and hon
estly try to answer as many more.
A. NJ.