Happy things about Calvinism..

[Adammi]

So, even though I find Calvinism to be the most accurate soteriological view, I sometimes find it depressing and disappointing, especially being a person who has Universalistic hopes.
So, I was wondering if we could have a thread devoted to the happy things about Calvinism.

 

[kimlva]

Well, I hope I have the right idea here. Personally, it is definitely a wonderful thing to me, because I was having a perfectly "lovely" life, enjoying all kinds of exciting worldly pleasures, not knowing or caring that I was on my way to hell. Had God not chosen me, I would have never chosen Him. I was enjoying my worldly life too much. I just praise Him and thank Him that He interrupted that life, and made me love Him! That to me, is a definite "happy" thing about calvinism!

 

[bradfordl]

That my salvation rests on nothing I have done or decided (because all my actions and decisions are corrupted with sin), but instead upon the Person and work of Christ alone. What a relief! The hope that lies within me is founded on the Rock, not the shifting sands of self.

 

[cygnusx1]

The doctrine of election changed from being something I detested to something that warmed my heart far beyond any "Charismatic" blessing I ever had . Though it was not the doctrine that changed but me that was changed by the doctrine.

I can clearly remember several years ago being overwhelmed by God's love for Jacob an undeserving wretch ..... and re-discovering the same unconditional election for me , in spite of my wretchedness gave me much cause for Love and Praise to God and a tingling humbling feeling deep inside... it happened when I was deep in thought driving my truck at night , In fact I remember the exact bend in the road

That is one reason why I keep Jacob the Twister as my nickname ..... to always remind me of God's Love and how God doesn't Love those who deserve it.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

Calvinism is a wonderful thing, because (IMHO) it is the teaching of the Word of God.

I too hated it when I first encounterd it. But the Lord opened my eyes and I was able to find great comfort in these teachings. I became more able to witness, because I knew that it was not my job to get people to believe on Christ. I new that my job was to be faithful and be a witness of the Gospel and it was the Holy Spirit that brought the increase.

This knowledge took a lot of preasure, that used to paralyse me when I tried to tell folks about the Lord. I thought that if I did not do a good job they would go to hell and it was my fault. In these doctrines I have great liberty and it is so easy to proclaim Christ because all I have to do is be faithful, all the life changing stuff is in the hands of God.

In Christ,
Kenith
Ps. I tend toward the optimistic amill or Postmill eschatology and therefore I have the hope that in the End more will be saved than lost.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Happiness is knowing that as a Calvinist, I KNOW that GOD is in CONTROL of my life and I feel very comfortable as a sheep being protected by THE SHEPHERD. Psalm 23 to me is very Calvinism.

 

[Adammi]

Specifically something that bothers me is the complacency that many people have in light of predestination. I know people who aren't even Calvinist who don't involve themselves in politics or social action or even bother to do something good because they say, "whatever happens is God's will". I agree with that statement, but I hate it when Calvinism is used as an excuse for apathy.
Does anyone else see this?

 

[JimfromOhio]

Specifically something that bothers me is the complacency that many people have in light of predestination. I know people who aren't even Calvinist who don't involve themselves in politics or social action or even bother to do something good because they say, "whatever happens is God's will". I agree with that statement, but I hate it when Calvinism is used as an excuse for apathy.
Does anyone else see this?

I have seen and experienced that often. But at the same time, I just have faith in God regardless.

 

[Adammi]

I have seen and experienced that often. But at the same time, I just have faith in God regardless.

Well, that always works.
Why don't we just trust Him?

 

[arunma]

One of the great things about the Biblical teachings on soteriology (call it "Calvinism" if you like) is that I don't need to place my hope in my fallible ability to have faith in Jesus Christ. So many people are devoted Christians while life is good, and then turn away when they lose their job, or a family member dies, etc. Humans' ability to maintain faith is very shaky, and there is little security in setting one's hope on that ability. But we can set our hope on an unshakable Rock who has promised to never release us from the Kingdom of God, and to keep us before the cross always. With all of life's uncertainties, the Bible's doctrines of grace are happy news indeed.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Well, that always works.
Why don't we just trust Him?

We may suffer persecution because of our faith--especially when we take a stand on biblical issues, i.e., suffering for righteousness sake (2 Tim. 3:12). When believers live under suffering joyfully (i.e., they endure and keep on applying the promises and principles of the faith), Christ’s life or character will be more and more manifested as they grow through the suffering (2 Cor. 4:9-10; 3:18). This means trust, peace, joy, stability, biblical values, faithfulness and obedience in contrast to sinful mental attitudes, blaming, running, complaining, and reactions against God and people.

 

[Adammi]

This thread has already made me very cheery.

 

[GodsElect]

mee too

 

[Adammi]

soteriology (call it "Calvinism" if you like)

 

[Adammi]

mee too

 

[jer3119]

Specifically something that bothers me is the complacency that many people have in light of predestination. I know people who aren't even Calvinist who don't involve themselves in politics or social action or even bother to do something good because they say, "whatever happens is God's will". I agree with that statement, but I hate it when Calvinism is used as an excuse for apathy.
Does anyone else see this?

It makes me happy when another brother who loves the doctrines of Grace as I do, deeply, profoundly, has the courage to make the statement you did above. I see it all over the place and it is one of the primary reasons we are as dead as we are.

And, because just like Kim and Cyg said, those doctrines have been shown to me in the Words of Scripture, in the NT, and in the actions of scripture in the OT, with a man like Jacob, who I also identify with by old nature, and like Cyg, by those times when driving the truck, or reading an old sermon, or listening to an old hymn with real meat in it, or reading my Bible, God's Spirit seconds the words with His Love shed abroad in my heart, and makes the words come alive spiritually.

Thank you for the courage to "tell it like it is" .

Much Christian love to you,
jer3119

 

[bradfordl]

but I hate it when Calvinism is used as an excuse for apathy.

That's not calvinism, and most especially and more importantly not Christianity. It's just sin. And that makes me happy, to know that the reality is so simple it confounds the wise; that sin in all its forms is the horrendous thing that separates us from God, but because of Christ, if we confess our sins, He is just and faithful to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

 

[Adammi]

That's not calvinism, and most especially and more importantly not Christianity. It's just sin. And that makes me happy, to know that the reality is so simple it confounds the wise; that sin in all its forms is the horrendous thing that separates us from God, but because of Christ, if we confess our sins, He is just and faithful to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

Very true. Great post.

 

[calmcoolandelected]

So, even though I find Calvinism to be the most accurate soteriological view, I sometimes find it depressing and disappointing, especially being a person who has Universalistic hopes.
So, I was wondering if we could have a thread devoted to the happy things about Calvinism.

I don't understand. I find EVERYTHING about Calvinism to be HAPPY. It has shown me what a sovereign, merciful and loving God we serve. I am an adopted daughter who will feast at the family banqueting table -- an heir. What in the world can be depressing about that?

CC&E

 

[FreeInChrist2]

Great Thread!

After my 1st charismatic experience back in my young 20’s and by the providence of our Great & sovereign God, as I wandered from that time, in & out of church hopping over the next 20+ years, all of which because I thought this is what I had to do, seeking that health, wealth, success & happiness gospel, desiring that holy spirit power so I could name it and claim it, to learn how to manipulate God to provide all I ever wanted (Thanks Amway and the charismatic movement), was even taught that great gift (NOT) of private & public tongue worship, and as I continued to fail in all of the spiritual gift departments… I then simply gave up because it became evident to me…I just didn’t have enough faith…so I must not be going to heaven, but walked with that certain fearful expectation of going to hell for eternity, yet all the while denying that was true, even to the point of proclaiming I was atheist, if not verbally, certainly by my actions and unbelief…until about 5 years ago.

I came to love the witness’ God sent into my life (and HIS, GOD'S church), whom I then loved to hate. (because he told me I was a sinner and deserved to go to hell…All my Calvinist Brothers & Sisters know what I mean here). But more & most importantly, I was shown the true God of scripture and His gracious grace, His marvelous mercy, His perfect will and plan for His own glory and not mine, and the true Jesus Christ whom truly is the Sheppard of His sheep of which none can snatch us out of His or His Fathers hand, not even ourselves by choice, decision nor will…WOW…still in awe that He would bestow such a Love upon the wretches of any man, even without our permission. Yet now I see, all I had gone through for the last 20+ years (since my birth actually 45+ yrs) was God in His ultimate power, destroying all my plans, leading & guiding me to the day of my conversion, being made able to see immediately all the lies of the modern day church and the true purpose of Christ’s death on the cross, all for my good. Even more Awestruck…is that He could have sent me to hell at any given moment during my life before regeneration for my sins, thus I am so thankful that darkness I once loved (and still struggle in many areas) He has by His Spirit shown me to hate, yet I can now know and trust that because of the righteousness of Christ alone and not anything in myself, I may enter His kingdom because of His finished work on the cross for sinners!!! What an awesome God!!!

Most times I can’t even find the words to express that which would ever truly express all the happy, yet in all that happy, there is still the reality of suffering for Christ’s sake and His righteousness for the sake of His kingdom, yet even in that, we are made able to count it all joy, to be counted worthy of His calling and election. This is true privilege and honor and health, wealth and happiness, all the while, all the success has always been in Christ!!!

"To God be all the Gory" Amen.



FreeInChrist2