Let’s start here and see what we can agree on.

God the Father is

1– Calvinism has five points, and it spells the word TULIP. Most people that study God’s word can agree on some point of what he says but, not all. Often people will say that they are a three-point Calvinist for instance. I’ll show you the points I some and to some degree believe and will stand on.

T– TOTAL DEPRAVITY

This means that basically mankind is completely in sin and unable to do anything on his own to help himself out of that condition.

This aspect I can agree with. We, people are sin-cursed in every way. There are many people that will disagree with me on the way I look at this but, this is what I see in scripture. We are born in sin, Although Jesus Christ died and rose again from the grave to pay the price for our sin and when we are born again, his blood has covered all our sin, it doesn’t make us any less sinners. Now, instead of being (lost sinners) we are (saved) or (born-again- sinners. The only difference is that we now have his blood for our covering. We must understand that the fact that we are still sinner’s doe does not give us the right to continue in sin. It’s our spiritual responsibility to grow daily, allow God’s Spirit to teach us and turn us away from our sinful acts understanding that we will never reach perfection this side of heaven. It’s a couple of verses that we can read to see my point.

Romans 3:10-13

AS IT IS WRITTEN, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE: (11) THERE IS NONE THAT UNDERSTADETH, THERE IS NONE THAT SEEKETH AFTER GOD. (12) THEY ARE ALL OUT OF THE WAY, THEY ARE TOGETHER BECOME UNPROFITABLE; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE. (13) THERE THROAT IS AND OPEN SEPULCHRE; WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY HAVE USED DECIET; THE POISON OF ASPS IS UPON THEIR LIPS:

1 john 1:9-10

IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFIUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. (10) IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT SINNED, WE MAKE HIM A LIAR, AND HIS WORS IS NOT IN US.

If you will notice in both of these books (Romans and John) it is speaking to believers, it’s people that have already been born-again. John calls them (my little children) The Apostle Paul in (Romans) the first chapter and maybe verses (1-5) say it’s to the saints.

U — UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

What might he be saying here? He is teaching that God chooses to whom will be saved. This way of thinking says that people are sinners and not able to create a response God. I could say he is somewhat correct; however, I believe he misses the aspect of the Holy Spirit of God and the ability of preachers to preach God’s word under that inspiration and allow the Holy Spirit to work in a person’s heart. In my personal opinion, I believe that the word election is completely out of place here and, I will show you why in a little while. The phrase (unconditional election) implies that a person, any person will be saved, no matter how he lives, what he does for time and eternity. Therefore, I completely disagree with his point here.

Let’s add something here. Jesus Christ was crucified between two thieves. The one on his right side ask him to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus replied, (today you will be with me in paradise). now, if by chance that thief would have not been a person that had been predestined by God, would Jesus have had to say to him, nope, you can’t go, you weren’t chosen! Also, in:

Matthew 7:23

Jesus Says this:

AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY.

Now if (unconditional election) is true, couldn’t I then kook at Jesus Christ and say (ye you did), you just rejected me. I came to you for help multiple times and you turned me away! These facts are very contrary to God’ own word and cannot be true. It’s a couple of other points I would point out.

Romans 12:1-2

I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE, BRETHREN, BY HTE MERCIES OF GOD, THAT YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE. (2) AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCECPABLE, AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD.

2 Peter 1:10

WHEREFORE THE RATHER, BRETHREN, GIVE DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE: FOR IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NOT FALL (11) FOR SO AN ENTRANCE SHALL BE MINISTERED UNTO YOU ABUNDANTLY INTO THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

Here, in these verses, do you see that you have a responsibility to do something? For instance, In (2 Peter 1:10 why am I going to (make my calling and election sure if it’s already been predestinated? In (Romans 12L1-2) why do I have to (not conform) to this world or (be transformed by the renewing of my mind) if those things have already been predestined?

L– LIMITED ATONEMENT

This is stating that Jesus Christ only died for the (elect). Let’s asked a question here. Now, we can get into who the elect is as mentioned in scripture a little later but, how do you know that I am or am not one of the elect? Therefore, why would you even attempt to hear anything I might say? Do you have to accept the fact that I say I’m one of the elect just because I say I am? And also, it this is true, don’t we have to remove every (whosoever will) in scripture?

It’s any number of ways and scriptures that can disprove what they are teaching. I’ll give you something to consider about this shortly.

I –IRRISTABLE GRACE

Over the years and looking into this I’ve heard a couple of ways this is seen, that is (irresistible grace). One way that it can be seen is that as you sit in Church while a preacher is preaching with the power of God, you cannot help the fact that the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and draws you to become a believer. It doesn’t matter whether you get saved or not, you can’t help the fact that he spoke to your heart. I can see that aspect of (irresistible grace). Another way that I’ve heard this is that if God desires to save you being drawn by God’s Spirit you are going to the alter, you have no choice. He is going to pull you down there. There’s a Church within fifty miles of my house that actually believes this. I totally disagree with this aspect of (irresistible grace).

The way I believe that most people that preach predestination view this is like this. They believe that when any person preaches God is going to only speak to those that he has chosen, predestinated or elected to be saved. The rest will never feel that Holy Spirit drawing them.

God’s grace is resistible. It’s for (whosoever will). The whole concept of salvation from Adam and Eve until our present day is actually simple, nothing complicated about it. For eample: I visited a friend of mine the other day, he is somewhat disabled. His daughter was there and pointed this out to me. She pointed to a cup of water on the table beside his chair. The cup had a handle on it. She said, my mom, his wife will keep water and ice in that cup for him and, also turn the handle so he can easily pick it up, every time she refills it.

She does this simple out of love, not because of any demand on his part. This picture of love between a wife and a husband of course goes both way if it is done correctly. I’ll use something that my wife and I do. If my wife goes to the restroom and, at some point I go after her, the commode lid will always be up for me. If I go, before her, it will always be down. Nothing much and, that’s just one thing I mention, I could mention many.

The point is that a wife or husband would much rather for acts of love to be shown (just because) rather than by demand, bring forced to do so. (In my opinion) that is somewhat the difference in Jesus Christ being the bridegroom of the Church and not just our king. A king can demand anything he desires, and it will come to pass but, a husband desires to be treated with love and that love acted out just because of love, nothing more.

This is the very same picture of what we see today as salvation. Jesus Christ (God in flesh) willingly gave his all on the cross for us. God raised him from the dead, seated him at his right hand, sent the Holy Spirit to this world to convict us of our sinful nature and draw us to his loving side, that is (whosoever will) His desire is for each of us to come of our own freewill. To willingly give ourselves in service to him, that not because we must but because we make a choice to submit to his will.

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

This is another one I can agree with. Now, I didn’t actually keep up with it but, I believe many would call me a (two-point Calvinist). However, I’m actually not! I’m simply a born-again believer that studies and believes God’s word, When the term (perseverance of the saints) is used, we still have to understand what is being taught. If we look at the extreme answer to this as seen by those that believe in predestination, can’t we say that if a person comes down to an alter for salvation that the person was already saved, even before he or she came and, the fact they came to the after was a moot point? Using that same mindset, does it matter whether they attempt to live righteous or just remain as the have always been?

I believe that once any person is born-again, they then have eternal security. At the same time, I’m the judge of no person. The only person I can say for sure is saved is me. Likewise, the only person you can say for sure is saved, is you. Since I mention this, I will say this. The Bible teaches us to (JUDGE NOT THAT WE BE NOT JUDGED). In this verse it’s speaking of looking at a person, seeing their lifestyle and, by what we see saying that person is lost or saved. We cannot see the heart of any person, only God can decide that. Now, it also teaches us the (JUDGE RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT). We do, as believers, even being lost have a right to see righteous or unrighteous acts. If you see me steal something, you then have a God given right to say to me that what I just dis is wrong, it is sin but, we cannot decide that person’s salvation on simply what we see.

The Bible also says this (JUDGE YOURSELF AND THEREFORE YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE JUDGED). this is speaking to born-again believers, and it is instructing us to look at ourselves and to change what we know that is not righteous in our lives.

Can we agree that all these things still point back to any individual and their own personal walk with Jeus Christ? Within that concept, we still see a necessity of a relationship far beyond being predestinated. As we consider all these things, each person will build unto themselves how we stand before Jesus Christ at the (Judgement seat) of Jesus Christ. We see that term in two places.

Romans 14:10

BUT WHY DOST THOU JUDGE THY BROTHER? OR WHY DOST THOU SET AT NOUGHT THY BROTHER? FOR WE SHALL ALL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGNENT SEAT OF CHRIST.

2 Corinthians 5:10

FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; THAT EVERY ONE MAY RECEIVE, THE THINGS DONE IN HIS BODY, ACCORDING TO THAT HE HATH DONE, WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR BAD.

Now, here I’m going to show something.

GOD IS:

OMNIPRESENT. In basic terms, there is nowhere that God is not.

OMNIPOTENCE-In basic terms, God what he desires to do.

OMNISCIENCE- God’s power is not blind. Everything he does has a purpose, a definite goal.

This is partially where I believe that many people misunderstand. If we say that God doesn’t know then we make him less than God, he knows the beginning from the end. His power is unmatched and all he does in this world has a purpose. I believe that! However, with that being said, he also gave each of us a freewill.

I’ve already stated that I’m not a judge of any person. But that doesn’t mean that every person that teaches God’s word is born0does it? It also doesn’t mean that every person that is born-again truly seeks to know and understand God’s word, does it?

This is something I believe that many people miss. While Jesus Christ died and rose again for the sin of the world, which is true, technically, he died for the Church, which is his wife, his body. When each person is born-again that places them inside that body, the Church. Jesus Christ will return one day for that body, his Church. Now, let’s look at this>

We see this in (Ephesians 1). I won’t write it all, but I want you to see what I’m saying. This book and chapter are one place we see the word (predestinate). My desire is for you to see what he is saying (after) he uses that word.

(VERSE 13-15)

IN WHOM YE ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION: IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE. (14) WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. (15) WHEREFORE I ALSO, AFTER I HEARD OF YOUR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS, AND LOVE UNTO ALL THE SAINTS,

The Apostle Paul, in the first part of this chapter uses the words (we and us) often. If you will notice in the verses, I wrote you we see the word (AFTER). After that ye heard the word of truth, after that ye believed. So, can you see here that something had to be done before you were considered (predestined)? You had the hear the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and you had to believe after you heard that word. Now, notice, once this was done you were also (sealed) with the Holy Spirit of promise.

The Church is a perfect picture of Noah’s Ark. Even before Noah began to build the Ark, it was going to rain, and it was going to float. Even before Jesus Christ died on the cross, the Church was going to be raptured and any person that was born-again was going to be in that Church as promised. The Ark was predestined, and the Church is Predestined. However, not one person is predestined. Whosoever will can be born-again and be a part of the body of Christ.

The only other place we see the word) predestined is in.

Romans 8:29-30

FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN. (30) moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Notice the verse before these two.

Romans 8:28

AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM THAT ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

In closing, I, as a man, a born-again believer will never claim to know it all, I’m still learning. However, if you will read the first few verses in (Roman 1) you will notice that the Apostle Paul is speaking to people that have already been born-again I the saints at Rome. These people are already inside the body of Christ. Every person that is born-again is (predestined) to be conformed to the imager of God’s son, Jesus Christ. As we grow spiritually, we become more like him however, we will never be like him until we stand in his presence.

Now, without getting too much into foreknowledge and election, can you see how God, already know the very end can elect and call people according to his will? I believe where we often get deceived is thinking just because someone is standing behind a pulpit or, just speaking that person is called by God. They are not! And, I might add that that’s why the Holy Spirit is so important in the heart of every believer. That Spirit will lead you into all truth. Even this that I wrote, it will take God’s Spirit to reveal the truth to you, not simply the fact that I say or teach something.

Please don’t be like average Church members and just sit there and believe all you hear or, all I write. Seek God’s Spirit as you read or listen and allow him and, only him to be your teacher. Stand be fore God one day and hear him say (WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SREVANT)!

Marshall Clayton

2Timothy 1:7