God's Love and Allowing Evil

[Dave L]

Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?

Does true righteousness lead to salvation, or does salvation lead to righteousness?

If salvation leads to righteousness, then the righteousness is a result of salvation which is the result of God's action so it is not the action of the person so is not true righteousness.

Only God is righteous. People are wicked by nature.

[footwasher]

Only God is righteous. People are wicked by nature.

The argument is not about people being wicked. It's about whether they can choose right or wrong.

Gen 4:6

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?7“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

[Dave L]

The argument is not about people being wicked. It's about whether they can choose right or wrong.

Gen 4:6

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?7“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

You cannot choose a spiritual right or wrong until after the new birth. God forced the Jews under threat of death to obey the law. That is not a change of heart. And the law could not save. Can the gospel save if you turn it into law? That's what free will does but it does not save.