Hello Jim, it is always such a pleasure to see you posting. I hope you and your wife and family are all well I do have a question I would like to ask you, you specifically as opposed to some others here, because I wonder where this idea comes from that says we believe we save ourselves to repent and believe the good news? That seems an egregious presentation of the gospel, and I have never seen anyone but Calvinists present this view in their mocking and scoffing, which I know you were not doing. Is there no concept of co-operation with the Holy Spirit of God in the Calvinist/reformed view? Does one not at some point finally lay down their opposition to and rebellion against God? Yes and amen, God makes it possible, but He does not do it for us. I wonder why this gets maligned so often, deliberately more often than not, it seems. I would appreciate any insight you could share to help me understand. Thank you!
I understand what you're saying and to be honest I have only in the past few months (4 or 5) seen it from this "new" (to me, but not to history) perspective, and I have to be honest it has set me on fire for the Lord like never before. I see scripture totally different (because of Him, not because any "men"), I read scripture totally different. I "hear" scripture differently now. It wasn't a "set of beliefs" I heard, or certain teacher that "convinced me", although it was certain topics, verses, sermons, thoughts, that seem to all come together at the same time, even certain songs on the radio, I'm not sure exactly how or what but something new clicked.
It is really all stuff we agree on for the most part, but I just saw it in light of a focus on His kingdom more than our personal salvation, It's all about Him and His glory, and it's EVERYWHERE. Jesus talked about His kingdom, a kingdom where men are
given a heart of flesh in place of the stone, a kingdom that would know
no end, that the gates of hell would not prevail against, a kingdom that was compared to leaven, as well as a mustard seed, a kingdom Jesus
did bring, a kingdom whose inhabitants would be as numerous as the stars. A kingdom I now truly believe in, one we are called to be part of. I really don't like the labels at all anymore, because I truly believe than no "church gang" can be right on 100% of everything they are grouped into believing, I also think they cause division before any dialog even starts. I understand the point, and the reason for them, but do not like the divides they cause.
I know there are a lot of hard question, and difficult things to deal with when you hear things like "predestination" and "called", but I also think the bible teaches we are DEAD in our sins, as in unable to seek God, I think the only way we can truly say "it was all God and
nothing I did, lest any man boast" is if it "really was" all God and He did it for a very specific reason, for His truth to go out until every knee bows, and every tongue confess to the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. I believe that Jesus is the BOSS of me, and that His kingdom will fill the world, He wins and He made me desire Him, and want to help in the building of His kingdom at any cost.
In a nutshell that's what has been on my heart, and God has also blessed me to see the power of His truth work on the hearts of a couple men now, and He has given me better understanding and even deeper desire to "go and make disciples of ALL nations". What's crazy to me is that everything I see now has always been right there for anyone see, for anyone to read, but the power of truth is incredible and I praise His name for it. I believe He saved me, I believe He will not lose one the Father has given Him, I believe He owns the world, and everything will be brought under His name, and that He tells the end from the beginning, and He is sovereign over
everything, and I owe
everything to Him alone. Again I don't like the idea of labeling anyone certain things and trying to heap my understanding at them and act as if I know everything they believe God to be. To be honest I don't even like having conversations about God unless we are face to face and can look each other in the eyes and actually talk, not type arguments at each other about the same things everyday. That's just how I'm seeing it now, even though I'm guilty of doing everything I just listed myself, and want to stop doing so as much as possible.
Sorry I shared how I look at it without ever addressing your question. I don't honestly think that "everyone" believes any certain way, and I understand what you're asking, and honestly know what you're saying here. Both views agree on everything but the perspective, and instead of talking about it like we are here, we can get arrogant and "mock and scoff", I have honestly had enough of that and want to just speak the truth He's given me in love. I don't believe the same things I did 4 years ago, and I trust Him that He will mold me and I will understand things differently in 4 more years, I just want to proclaim His name, I don't care what you call me. I've been called worse I can assure you.
Anyway I love you sister and hopes that gives you more perspective on where my heads at and what I mean in my comment.