3. Perseverance of the Saints doesn’t mean we have “Fire Insurance from Hell”. 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.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”(Philippians 1:6)
“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” (Psalm 57:2)
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” (Psalm 138:8)
1 Cor. 10:31 tells us to “do all thing to the glory of God”. Living a life to God’s glory isn’t 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)
God didn’t save us to live stagnant lives. He saves us, grows us, and perseveres us until the day we die.
4. Calvinism doesn’t make God cruel and unloving. Many people I have spoken with consider that Calvinism makes God impersonal, unloving, and downright cruel. Their interpretation is that if God takes our choice out of salvation then it can’t be real genuine love.
Calvinist’s 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. 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.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Where in that last verse does it state we have a say in salvation? We don’t. However, we do have a response.
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”(Romans 10:9)
God makes himself known to us, and this overwhelmingly produces a response of confession that Jesus is Lord!
I’m getting a little off track but the point I’m trying to make is:
God’s 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.
5. We don’t know everything. I wanted to end on a repentant note, and with one of the most common responses I’ve had when sharing Calvinism.
Over the past several years, as I’ve 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 God’s love and glory in the gospel, but instead I would debate theologies and doctrines to my glory.
There’s 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.
My desire and prayer is to always make more of God by making less of myself, and to glorify Him by enjoying Him forever.
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