Calvinism is taught. Almost every Calvinist was taught this, they did not deduce it from reading the Word by themselves and draw a conclusion.Here are the problems with the way people view salvation: that the justice and fair treatment of men demand that ALL should have, either by nature or by grace, power to secure their own salvation with as little or no involvement from God as possible, falling right in line with the way atheists believe. Some would go so far to say that the cause of the regeneration process is the sinner's own act, and that EVERY man has sufficient ability and knowledge to secure his own salvation. Yet for some reason, there are those that simply refuse to act and save themselves, rather to exercise free will to reject God and damn themselves eternally.
But guess what, life is NOT just and fair. There is no argument that anyone can provide to disprove that men in this world find themselves unequally favored, both in inward disposition and outward circumstances. One is born to health, honor, wealth, being of eminently good and wise parents who train him up from infancy in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and who afford him every opportunity of being taught the Truth as it is in Scriptures. Another is born to disease, shame, poverty, being of dissipated and depraved parents who reject and ridicule and despise Christianity, taking care to prevent their child from coming under the influence by hearing the Gospel. Which is most likely to love the Lord and be saved? Both are born sinners, condemned to Hell, which will escape it? The correct answer is; the one that God chooses.
It cannot be said that God acts unjustly toward those who are not included in the plan of salvation, which is why so many reject the Calvinistic view. People who make this objection neglect to take into consideration the fact God is dealing with sinful creatures who are born His enemies. Man is born as such so that the sinner cannot allege he is the one who is unworthy of God's wrath, being some sort of self-made saint worthy of the Reward by his 'good' works. All are originally condemned out of one and the same lump, equally infected with sin and liable to God's vengeance. This being so that the justified may learn from the condemnation of the rest that this would have been their own punishment had not God's grace stepped in to rescue them. Therefore the Lord may give grace to whom He will, because He is merciful, and yet not give it to all because He is a just Judge; giving to some, His grace, which they never deserved.
All those who are His may and should know that they are among those who have been predestined to eternal life. Since faith in Christ, a gift given to us only by God, is the means of salvation, the person having this faith can be assured that he is among the elect. The mere presence of faith, no matter how weak it may be, provided it is real God given faith, is proof of salvation. Faith is a miracle of grace within those who have already been saved - a spiritual token that their salvation was finished on the Cross, and certified by the resurrection. The true Christian knows that the love of God has been shed abroad in their hearts and that the Holy Spirit renews only those who are chosen by the Father and redeemed by the Son.
The subject of salvation, as seen by a Calvinist, is not as many would say, a mere cold and barren theology, nor a speculation which frustrates the minds of men without any benefit at all; but rather a solid discussion eminently adapted to the service of His children, to build each soundly in the faith, training in humility and lifting one another up into an admiration of the unbounded goodness of God towards us, continually praising His great goodness. There is not a more effectual means of building of faith and understanding of His mercy than the election of God, which the Holy Spirit seals upon our heart while we are given the Truth, showing us that it stands in the eternal and immutable goodwill of God towards the undeserving. Understanding that it was God Himself who secured us we are assured that it cannot be removed or altered by any storms of the world or by any assaults by Satan.
The problem I find with many man made doctrines that are taught is that people read the Bible looking to validate a particular position, instead of looking at it by itself.
So you grow up outing that belief into action. That's how I see Calvinist's. They have been taught. Calvin is not in the Bible.
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