Calvinism and Eternal Security
As I have said before, I am not arguing here for eternal security based on Calvinism. The Bible is the authority, not Calvin. Also, while election & predestination are truly Bible doctrines, Christians disagree on the interpretation of them. Calvinism is generally defined by the TULIP; if you believe all those letters, you are a 5 point Calvinist. But even so-called 2 Point Calvinists believe in eternal security.
My point is that you don't have to buy all of the TULIP to believe in eternal security. And I think it can be a distraction to the simple observation that the Bible teaches eternal security. In fact Salvation entails eternal security to the extent that the Lord Jesus really saves, and does not just give us a chance to be saved.
Actually election and predestination are the Lord's business. Man's business is to believe.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. So someone asks, how can a dead man believe? Would not the Lord have to first regenerate Him so that He believes?
Regardless of what you think about that one,
for some reason the Lord did not utter John 3:16 this way:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever has everlasting life should not perish,
but believe in Him.
So if you think you can, figure out election and predestination the best you can. For me it causes humility to the saved person to realize that he was sought by the Lord and chosen by the Lord. But however you think you have election figured out,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.
The Spirit and the Bride say Come -- whoever is willing.
Trust Him wholly with your eternal destiny.
He loves you and died for you.
"And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He Who calls you, Who will also do it.
Commit thy way unto YHWH;
Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.
And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light,
And thy justice as the noonday.
Rest in YHWH and wait patiently for him:
As I have said before, I am not arguing here for eternal security based on Calvinism. The Bible is the authority, not Calvin. Also, while election & predestination are truly Bible doctrines, Christians disagree on the interpretation of them. Calvinism is generally defined by the TULIP; if you believe all those letters, you are a 5 point Calvinist. But even so-called 2 Point Calvinists believe in eternal security.
My point is that you don't have to buy all of the TULIP to believe in eternal security. And I think it can be a distraction to the simple observation that the Bible teaches eternal security. In fact Salvation entails eternal security to the extent that the Lord Jesus really saves, and does not just give us a chance to be saved.
Actually election and predestination are the Lord's business. Man's business is to believe.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. So someone asks, how can a dead man believe? Would not the Lord have to first regenerate Him so that He believes?
Regardless of what you think about that one,
for some reason the Lord did not utter John 3:16 this way:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever has everlasting life should not perish,
but believe in Him.
So if you think you can, figure out election and predestination the best you can. For me it causes humility to the saved person to realize that he was sought by the Lord and chosen by the Lord. But however you think you have election figured out,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.
The Spirit and the Bride say Come -- whoever is willing.
Trust Him wholly with your eternal destiny.
He loves you and died for you.
"And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He Who calls you, Who will also do it.
Commit thy way unto YHWH;
Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.
And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light,
And thy justice as the noonday.
Rest in YHWH and wait patiently for him: