[FONT="]Perseverance of the Saints doesn'tt mean we have Fire Insurance from Hell.[/FONT][FONT="] I was discussing this point with one of my close friends when he posed this question, Do you believe you can be a Christian and still live whatever kind of life you want? No. Scripture says once God begins a work in us He will see it through.
[/FONT]
Well Paul said he was confident, based on who he was directing his letter to. It was a prayer and address of exhortation, NOT a statement of fact.
[FONT="]1 Cor. 10:31[/FONT][FONT="] tells us to do all thing to the glory of God. Living a life to Gods glory isn'tt one marked by accepting and living in sin; rather, we are to war against, and put sin to death with the help of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:13) [/FONT]
[FONT="]God didn'tt save us to live stagnant lives. He saves us, grows us, and perseveres us until the day we die.[/FONT]
[FONT="]
[/FONT]
Exactly, WE are to DO these things. They aren't done for us. He saves us, gives us His power to grow, and WE persevere as we walk in Christ. ALL based on our obedience which means we have the choice to NOT obey, or it would just be called programmed, which some cults unfortunately are able to do. True Christianity is not a cult. Romans 11:22 shows our responsibility in Christ...
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. Pretty clear as it relates to our actions, don't you think?
[FONT="]Calvinists believe in what is called The Sovereignty of God. Sovereignty, in its simplest form means, complete control. In reference to salvation, we believe God has complete control in when and whom He saves.[/FONT]
The Greek word used for sovereign in the NT is
δεσπότης / despotēs , and has only ONE connotation, which is
Master/Lord. It has two synonyms. One relates only to a slave and denotes absolute ownership and uncontrolled power. The second has a wider meaning, applicable to the various ranks and relations of life and not suggestive of either property or of absolutism. We are the later.
[FONT="][/FONT][FONT="]People are so fast to attribute a sunrise to God but cannot give all glory to God in their salvation. As I mentioned before, there is nothing in us that seeks God. (Romans 3:11). We are spiritually dead. (Ephesians 2:1) How can someone who is dead be made alive? Not on their own accord. It is God who saves us from death. Literally, God makes us alive. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.[/FONT]
We glory in God's creation. We glory in our salvation which is what Romans 8:30 shows He did for us at salvation. Romans 3:11 is Paul quoting from the OT and without Christ we are in this position. God draws us to Jesus. God instigates our desire to fill that God shaped whole in our heart. He made us for Himself, so we may have a sinful nature, but we are NOT totally depraved as Calvin would have you believe. We are NOT TULIPS. Although I find it interesting that Calvin believed in Irresistible Grace for those that are saved, but NOT for those that are NOT saved. Does God's Grace ONLY become irresistible AFTER we get saved? God saves us based on our choice, our acceptance of the good news. Our confession of Christ. That is how we are saved. Romans 10:9
[FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]
[/FONT]
[FONT="] (Ephesians 2:8-9)[/FONT]
[FONT="]Where in that last verse does it state we have a say in salvation? We dont. [/FONT][FONT="]Im getting a little off track but the point Im trying to make is: [/FONT]
[FONT="]Gods judgment is perfect, and ours is flawed. We would choose sin 10 out of 10 times, and the most loving thing God could do, and did, was to take that choice out of our hands.[/FONT]
First of all in Eph 2, Paul does speak of how these Ephesians arrived at their current status in Christ. They ARE believers and he explains to them their status. Take a look at verse 10...
For we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
If we DON'T have CHOICE, then it isn't real love. 1 Cor 13:4...
it is not self-seeking.
[FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]
[/FONT]
[FONT="]5. [/FONT][FONT="]We dont know everything[/FONT][FONT="]. I wanted to end on a repentant note, and with one of the most common responses Ive had when sharing Calvinism. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Over the past several years, as Ive been developing a deeper understanding of Calvinism, I've found myself talking about my new beliefs out of pride. I would debate rather than discuss, be harsh rather than loving, and be right rather than informative. I had many opportunities to share Gods love and glory in the gospel, but instead I would debate theologies and doctrines to my glory. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Theres nothing wrong with doctrines and theologies, as they lead to knowing and understanding Christ better, but when your study is in end in itself, then you have lost more than you have gained. I sincerely apologizes to anyone I might have hurt or wrongfully offended, and ask that you would extend grace to forgive me as well. [/FONT]
[FONT="]My desire and prayer is to always make more of God by making less of myself, and to glorify Him by enjoying Him forever.[/FONT]
Well said! Kudos.