Two People, One Saved, One Unsaved: What Made the Difference?

Posted on January 4, 2008 by Charles Churchill

Differences in theology often come down to articulation. Take the mechanics of salvation and damnation as an example. To reduce the number of variables, let’s imagine twin brothers. Of course, being twins, they both have basically the same upbringing, they both have the same parents, they attend the same schools, they go to the same church, have a lot of the same friends. They have, as much as is practical, the same life.  Of course, to talk about them, they’ll need names, so let’s call them Angel and Cretin.  Perhaps you see where I am going with this.

Angel, believes on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by grace through faith, is received into the family of God. Cretin does not. They each die in their respective states.

Now here is my question for you: What caused the difference between these two people? What is it that made the one accept Christ and the other to reject him? Was it environment? Was it genetic? Do you deny that such a scenario could even occur?

Answering questions like this will tell you quite a bit about your faith.

Give it a shot.

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  • http://musingsfromthehinterland.blogspot.com R. Sherman

    I perceive, perhaps incorrectly, that you and I are on different sides of the “Reformed Divide.” Thus, my answer is rather simple. Cretin chose not to accept the truth that was presented to him. For me, any other explanation implies an arbitrary and capricious God whose creation was designed ultimately to consign a certain number of entities to everlasting torment. I appreciate the reformed view, but why have a judgment if the answer of some will be “You didn’t choose me.”

    Cheers.

  • http://musingsfromthehinterland.blogspot.com R. Sherman

    I perceive, perhaps incorrectly, that you and I are on different sides of the “Reformed Divide.” Thus, my answer is rather simple. Cretin chose not to accept the truth that was presented to him. For me, any other explanation implies an arbitrary and capricious God whose creation was designed ultimately to consign a certain number of entities to everlasting torment. I appreciate the reformed view, but why have a judgment if the answer of some will be “You didn’t choose me.”

    Cheers.

  • http://thepreacher.cac2.net Charles

    Randall,
    I appreciate the response. The question I have, is what made Cretin choose as he did? Where did that difference in him come from? I know Wesley describes Prevenient Grace as the grace that God gives men that they might freely choose Him, but what I want to know is what makes one man take that grace and see God as lovng and good and another man take that grace and hate God? If the grace is given equally to all men, it must be something in each man that is unequal. What I’m asking is what is that difference that grace cannot overcome?

    That’s what I’ve never heard articulated in a way that helps me understand it.

    Again, thanks for the read and the response,
    Take care,
    Charles

  • http://thepreacher.cac2.net Charles

    Randall,
    I appreciate the response. The question I have, is what made Cretin choose as he did? Where did that difference in him come from? I know Wesley describes Prevenient Grace as the grace that God gives men that they might freely choose Him, but what I want to know is what makes one man take that grace and see God as lovng and good and another man take that grace and hate God? If the grace is given equally to all men, it must be something in each man that is unequal. What I’m asking is what is that difference that grace cannot overcome?

    That’s what I’ve never heard articulated in a way that helps me understand it.

    Again, thanks for the read and the response,
    Take care,
    Charles

  • http://musingsfromthehinterland.blogspot.com R. Sherman

    I’m not sure that question has an answer, because everyone’s metaphysical journey is different. I will say, I think God made Man with the ability to choose; the ability to obey or disobey. I think the Holy Spirit touches each Man’s heart when s/he is confronted with Truth. Why some choose Truth and others do not, I do not know. Perhaps it is simply that Falsehood and Lies are more attractive. As with Adam and Eve in the garden, the taste of the Fruit was more attractive than obedience. Why did they choose that, when they walked with God, Himself. It is in the nature of God’s creation, perhaps simply because God wanted to create a being which would love Him of the being’s on volition. Thus, he created Man and gave him the power to reject the creator.

  • http://musingsfromthehinterland.blogspot.com R. Sherman

    I’m not sure that question has an answer, because everyone’s metaphysical journey is different. I will say, I think God made Man with the ability to choose; the ability to obey or disobey. I think the Holy Spirit touches each Man’s heart when s/he is confronted with Truth. Why some choose Truth and others do not, I do not know. Perhaps it is simply that Falsehood and Lies are more attractive. As with Adam and Eve in the garden, the taste of the Fruit was more attractive than obedience. Why did they choose that, when they walked with God, Himself. It is in the nature of God’s creation, perhaps simply because God wanted to create a being which would love Him of the being’s on volition. Thus, he created Man and gave him the power to reject the creator.

  • http://www.curefaith.com Infidel

    The single most important factor in determining what religion a person might have, is what religion they were brought up with. A more interesting question might be why, overwhelmingly, do those brought up in Christian cultures turn out Christian, and those in Islamic turn out Islamic, and Buddhist, Buddhist? You see where I’m going with this. Why is god statistically dooming someone to hell for getting born into a different culture?

  • http://www.curefaith.com Infidel

    The single most important factor in determining what religion a person might have, is what religion they were brought up with. A more interesting question might be why, overwhelmingly, do those brought up in Christian cultures turn out Christian, and those in Islamic turn out Islamic, and Buddhist, Buddhist? You see where I’m going with this. Why is god statistically dooming someone to hell for getting born into a different culture?

  • http://thepreacher.cac2.net gymbrall

    Infidel :
    The single most important factor in determining what religion a person might have, is what religion they were brought up with. A more interesting question might be why, overwhelmingly, do those brought up in Christian cultures turn out Christian, and those in Islamic turn out Islamic, and Buddhist, Buddhist? You see where I’m going with this. Why is god statistically dooming someone to hell for getting born into a different culture?

    I can’t for the life of me imagine why that question would be interesting to an atheist. Nurture vs Nature debate? Or did you mean interesting to me? How so?

  • http://thepreacher.cac2.net gymbrall

    Infidel :

    The single most important factor in determining what religion a person might have, is what religion they were brought up with. A more interesting question might be why, overwhelmingly, do those brought up in Christian cultures turn out Christian, and those in Islamic turn out Islamic, and Buddhist, Buddhist? You see where I’m going with this. Why is god statistically dooming someone to hell for getting born into a different culture?

    I can’t for the life of me imagine why that question would be interesting to an atheist. Nurture vs Nature debate? Or did you mean interesting to me? How so?

  • http://www.curefaith.com Infidel

    Granted I already have my answer, but I’m very interested in yours.

  • http://www.curefaith.com Infidel

    Granted I already have my answer, but I’m very interested in yours.

  • http://thepreacher.cac2.net gymbrall

    Infidel :
    Granted I already have my answer, but I’m very interested in yours.

    I’ve actually posted on this before: http://thepreacher.cac2.net/2008/01/10/what-is-a-father/ (at least loosely)

  • http://thepreacher.cac2.net gymbrall

    Infidel :
    Granted I already have my answer, but I’m very interested in yours.

    I’ve actually posted on this before: http://thepreacher.cac2.net/2008/01/10/what-is-a-father/ (at least loosely)

  • http://www.curefaith.com Infidel

    ”
    What is a Father?

    Consider: this world is, in many ways, the answering of that question.
    ”

    That’s not much of an answer.

  • http://www.curefaith.com Infidel

    ”
    What is a Father?

    Consider: this world is, in many ways, the answering of that question.
    ”

    That’s not much of an answer.

  • http://thepreacher.cac2.net gymbrall

    You seem pretty smart, I figured it was enough for you.

    The reason your observation is true is because a father isn’t an incidental thing. God calls himself a Father to those who believe in Him, he says that Satan is the father of those who don’t. Within the Christian faith, and within the world, a father is a real thing.

  • http://thepreacher.cac2.net gymbrall

    You seem pretty smart, I figured it was enough for you.

    The reason your observation is true is because a father isn’t an incidental thing. God calls himself a Father to those who believe in Him, he says that Satan is the father of those who don’t. Within the Christian faith, and within the world, a father is a real thing.

  • alex

    We cannot disregard (rom-9;18-24) “therefore he has mercy on whom he wills, and whom he wills he hardens…………………but indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?…………..Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?……………” Point is that God is sovereign! None of us can reconcile fully, free-will and pre-destination. What it boils down to is our surrender to his word. That is faith, we can’t totally grasp it but, we trust in God. We don’t question him because he has given us his Holy Spirit to let us know how good he is! …” all things will come together for good for those who love God and are the called according to his purpose.”

  • alex

    We cannot disregard (rom-9;18-24) “therefore he has mercy on whom he wills, and whom he wills he hardens…………………but indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?…………..Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?……………” Point is that God is sovereign! None of us can reconcile fully, free-will and pre-destination. What it boils down to is our surrender to his word. That is faith, we can’t totally grasp it but, we trust in God. We don’t question him because he has given us his Holy Spirit to let us know how good he is! …” all things will come together for good for those who love God and are the called according to his purpose.”

  • Duboisd31

    God is who decides which person recieves him and who dosent. Man dosent make the choice. If Angel was created Cretin and Cretin was created Angel, the outcome would be exactly the same.

  • Josekurinji

     i  am   also  much worried  about  this   question some  are much  blessed in worldly and  spirtualy they have  money and  every  goodnes  but some not have  anything  they  are  not  saved  also.after seeing one  example  i  am  much  worried  please  pray  for  me