Quote Originally Posted by macolyis View Post
I do not follow Piper, but the WORD OF GOD! He is right though ..but ..what you need to understand .. is .. men naturally have hearts of stone... so the way God hardens hearts, is He just withdraws the common grace of God and GIVES men over to their own depraved nature.. God hardens their hearts, by not softening their hearts! In other words, men are evil and when they do good, it is because GOD softened their hearts! Thus men can ONLY go to Christ if GOD softens their hearts!
Since the first active instance was the Pharaoh hardening his own heart first then it is on him, his responsibility. God doesn't withdraw His common grace to all men which is why Romans 1.20 says none of us are "without excuse." God can harden or soften, but it is always sufficient to have the free choice. This is what your god can't do since it is insufficient to irresistibly impose salvation and preterition. Plus, you are doubletongued, because you admit Piper is right who puts it on the Pharaoh's responsibility then you deny free will. What you need to understand is that though men are depraved, God is so great (not your god) He draws everyone providing sufficient grace to us all whether special grace through the gospel or common grace afforded to all men so they are without excuse. You're not a Christian. You have never been one. You are in the cult of Calvinism. God is hardening your heart. Perhaps you will get cancer or some illness which will bring you to the brink and only then might you search God out with all your heart and soul to find Him. I pray you do whatever measures God uses to try to convince you including these forums.