I know, I know, some people use the name, Calvinist, in a
derogatory way to describe me (as if Calvinism is a dirty word or John Calvin
was some kind of heretic). I’m not
ashamed of it. In fact, one of the
graphics on the side panel of my blog site clearly and unabashedly declares, “I
am a Calvinist.”
Why am I a Calvinist?
Because I believe in the biblical doctrines of grace that are summarized
in the five points of Calvinism or, to be more accurate, I believe the biblical
doctrines of the reformers that are articulated in the Five Solas.
And that really irritates some people because they think I
don’t believe in “free will.” Well, I do
believe in free will. I just don't believe that an unregenerate (dead) soul can, of its own volition, choose to love God. I believe that we
are all born with a free will that is rebellious, self-serving, and at enmity
with God. A free will is one that will always choose to do wrong because we are born with a sin nature that is Hell-bent on doing wrong. A free will is one that hates
God.
In the last verse of the popular Christian song, “Take My
Life And Let It Be Consecrated,” are these words,
Take my will and make it
Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.”
Think about that. That
is a prayer that the petitioner’s “free will” should be taken captive by God
and that he should become a slave to His will.
And when that happens his free will is no longer free. A free will is one that is free from
God.
I am thankful that God is strong enough to destroy my will
because, left to myself, this dirty low-life scumbag would never have chosen
Him. When I was running away, He sought me; He bought me; He keeps
me; He owns me; He cleanses me; and He makes me fit to live eternally in His
presence. It is all His doing. I had nothing to do with the
transaction. I am saved by grace alone
through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone and not by any
effort or merit of my own.
And that is why I am a Calvinist. To God alone be the glory.
6 comments:
"The great destroyer of man is the will of man. I do not believe that man’s free will has ever saved a soul, but man’s free will
has been the ruin of multitudes." (Spurgeon)
"I have heard some men talk as if the strength of free will, of human nature, was sufficient to carry men to heaven. Free will has carried many souls to hell, but never a soul to heaven yet." (Spurgeon)
Amen!
The whole TUPLIP is a weed. Read Dave Hunt "What Love is this" Calvin misinterpretation of the Bible. You would not ever never believe a word Calvin said ever�� Tom at opentofriends@aol.com
Pastor Larry wrote a very good article proving that we are not divine Thx you bro from non-Calvinist Tom at opentofriends@aol.com
Anonymous Tom's little rant failed to address the entire point of the post, namely the BIBLICAL fact of man's depraved sin nature and his total inability to do anything to merit salvation. Never the less it is my practice to, as much as possible, publish all comments.
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