Comfortable Limited Atonement? (part 4)

So far, we've looked at a number of areas that are directly affected by the doctrine of limited atonement (1, 2, 3)

With all this being said, the question still remains... how can we find comfort in such a doctrine as limited atonement?

The answer, simply put, is this - if we love God, then we will find comfort in the doctrine because the doctrine is a reflection of who God is.

And to desire something different is to desire a god in ones own image. A god that is not the true and living God. A god that behaves how we want it to behave.

That is not the God testified about in the scriptures.

God has the freedom to do with His creation what He wants to do with it.

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Romans 9:21 (ESV)  Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?

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God has no obligation to treat everyone the same, and not doing so doesn't make God unjust.

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Romans 9:14-15 (ESV)  What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

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The limiting of the scope of the atonement was necessary to keep God's righteous justice in tact - so that He's not guilty of any wrong doing.

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Romans 3:21-26 (ESV)  But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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The focus of the limiting atonement should not be upon those who are not elected to salvation.

In their case, God hasn't broken a promise to them, or acted unjust towards them.

Instead, we should look at those who have been elected.

They have been loved with a great love.

God has looked upon them with a kindness that they didnt deserve at all.

God has arranged it that they will enjoy Him forever, as children in His own household.

God has even promised that He will never leave or forsake them, but mold them into the image of Christ.

Our comfort is found in the fact that God freely chose us when He didn't have to.

1 John 4:10 (ESV)  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

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It's this knowledge about what God has done for and to us, and who God is, that should cause us to not only be comforted by the doctrine of Limited Atonement, but it should cause us to look at God as a merciful, gracious, and loving God.

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I hope that the Lord God has blessed you through this "brief" look at limited atonement.

Amen

Comfortable Limited Atonement? (part 3)

In the last two posts, we looked at two aspects of what the doctrine of limited atonement affects as it pertains directly to God.

In the first article, we looked at God's complete freedom (sovereignty) to not only limit the scope of the atonement to only be applied to those whom He chooses... but also the freedom to limit any and all blessings in any fashion He chooses.

We see Him exercise this right as the creator of all things, repeatedly throughout scripture.

The second article looked at God's perfection in light of God's freedom.

The third thing we need to focus on, are the theological implications of what a rejection or acceptance of limited atonement, as Christ describes it, means.

Firstly, there is the obvious impact of God's word failing.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)  For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

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Isaiah 46:8-11 (ESV)  Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country.

I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

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Numbers 23:19 (ESV)  God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

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The word of God is so sure, that those who falsify it are to be put to death. How does one know this crime has been committed? When what is said doesn't come to pass.

As scripture tells us...

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (ESV)  But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’

And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously.

You need not be afraid of him.

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The theological issue here is that Christ clearly teaches it's God who chooses.

The implication of God not being the one that limits the atonement, means that Jesus is a false teacher.

This is because He says at one point...

John 6:37-39 (ESV)  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

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He also says, in another point...

John 10:25-29 (ESV)  Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

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So then, since Christ actually teaches it, we must realise that He stakes His very deity on it.

So, we should find comfort in this doctrine, for one, because it makes God... God.

The fact that the doctrine is taught by Christ Himself, and the word of God never fails, means that this is a prerogative of God.

For it to not be so, God would no longer be God.

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Another theological implication of this doctrine, which i believe is more common to this discussion, is the issue of God's justice.

This is usually referred to as double jeopardy.

Double jeopardy is a legal term which is defined as the following-

the act of causing a person to be put on trial two times for the same crime (source: Merriam-Webster)

Do we see this happening in any view of limited atonement? No.

So the issue that relates to the justice of God is not one of double jeopardy.

Instead, the legal term would be, a misscarriage of justice. This is defined as-

an error made in a court of law that results in an innocent person being punished or a guilty person being free (source: Merriam-Webster)

Some may see this and think that the work of atonement, as a whole, should be considered a misscarriage of justice.

Many unbelievers actually believe this.

However, that isn't the case.

The issue that needs to be brought to the forefront is the voluntary offering of Christ to pay the debt, and the acceptance of that proposal by the Father.

This is why salvation is achieved by the substitutionary sacrifice provided by Christ.

He voluntarily became the substitute, and received the wrath of God that we would have had to receive.

A miscarriage of justice would occur when the innocent involuntarily pays the price of the guilty.

To right this miscarriage, the innocent would be set free, and the guilty would face what they should've faced.

Bringing this thought into our context of the atonement now...  if it is true that the atonement is limited in power, instead of scope, God would knowingly be carrying out a misscarriage of justice.

Why would this be so?

If Christ is dying only for those whom the Father has elected and gave to Him, and all of those people are saved, then no miscarriage takes place.

Why? Because all those whom Christ volunteered to take the punishment for, receive the benefit of His actions, and God's justice is satisfied by Christ's sacrifice.

The other view, however, presents us with the problem of the miscarriage of justice.

If the atonement is limited in power, instead of scope... that is to say, if Christ actually took the punishment for all people in the world, and any one of them doesn't receive the benefit of His actions, then the miscarriage has taken place.

How so?

You have to remember that God is omniscient. He is all knowing.

Scripture tells us the following...

Matthew 25:33-34 (ESV)  And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

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Ephesians 1:3-4 (ESV)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

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In other words, God knew who were going to be His before they were even born.

Even if one believes that God has to look forward in time to get the information about who would choose Him (which is an unbiblical and heretical position), they must still affirm that God, at that point, knows who will be His when all is said and done before it plays out in time.

Therefore, when Christ received the punishment from the Father on behalf of everybody in the world, the Father knew which people would go to hell anyway.

Meaning, that Christ receiving the punishment on their behalf is a complete waste, as they would never receive the benefit of His actions.

So, at that point, God willingly commits a miscarriage of justice, and will have to rectify this miscarriage by pouring out His wrath on these people at the last day.

So, when scripture states...

Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV)  The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

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This becomes false. All of God's ways couldn't be justice. God couldnt be just and upright if in the end He is punishing the Son for no reason, which is exactly what takes place when the atonement is limited in power, rather than scope.

The sacrificial atonement of Christ is an issue of justice in the sight of God.

The soul that sins, must die.

They've incurred an infinite debt by rebelling against the infinite God.

If God is just, He cant just let these things slide. He can't simply sweep them under the carpet.

But, the people are not able to pay for their sins, because they arent able to pay an infinite debt.

So, God becomes a man, and takes upon Himself the punishment that we deserve.

Not only that, He then turns around and gives those people His righteousness.

Anybody who doesnt put their faith in Christ, will bear their own punishment on judgement day... but God knows who these people would be from day one.

It's all well and good to say that God is giving them a chance, and pleading with them, but the problem is that not only does God already know what the answer is, but Christ was punished for no reason, when it comes to those people whom God already knows will face the second death.

When all is said and done, in relation to those people whom the Father already knew will face His wrath, punishing the innocent Christ is all in vain.

Just as it is written...

1 Corinthians 15:14 (ESV)  And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

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And again where scripture says...

1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

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If indeed Christ has been punished for the sins of these people, and based on that, God grants them grace to believe, yet He leaves it up to them...

... the very fact that God already knows before hand who will and who will not believe, means that Christ suffered punishment in vain and that grace is also in vain.

The innocent ends up being punished for no reason, and the miscarriage of justice, having to be rectified in the end.

This, actually makes God a sinner.

How? God's law says that there should be no injustice in court.

Leviticus 19:15a (ESV)  You shall do no injustice in court.

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Remember, the sacrificial atonement of Christ is an issue of satisfying the justice of God.

God becomes guilty, a breaker of His own law.

Exodus 23:7 (ESV)  Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.

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The Father becomes guilty of charging Christ falsely and killing the innocent and righteous.

Why? Remember, God already knows before hand that these people will be in hell. God already knows that these people will have to answer for their sins when the last day comes.

Since that is the case, the Father is not punishing Christ for their sins because He already knows that they will receive the punishment themselves.

If the cup of wrath that these people filled up, was actually poured out on Christ, then there is no wrath to pour out on them at judgement day.

There would be no sins for the Father to actually judge.

But we know that these people will have to answer to God for their sins. So their sins haven't been taken care of by Christ on the cross.

So, if it is true that the Father punishes Christ on behalf of these people, who He knows will have to answer for their sins anyway, then Christ is being punished unjustly - it is a miscarriage of justice.

Let's see if i can explain it a different way.

Let's say there were 10 people who owed large debts to the government.

The debts are so large that they are unable to pay it.

They have a window of time that they must pay the debt, else they will be put in prison. Once they are in prison, no further payments can be paid towards the debt.

A rich man hears about the plight of these 10 people, decides to pay their debt, and starts to make preparations to that end.

The rich man starts to make the payments, but the time has come to an end for 3 of the people before he was able to make payment. So they are now in prison.

The rich man is aware that they are in prison and no payment made will affect their debt.

The state, however, knows that the rich man intended to pay the debts for these 3 people as well, and requests the payments to still be made.

The state, the rich man, and the debtors, know that any payment made now will not matter as it will not go towards the debt.

The rich man is made to make the 3 payments anyway.

Is this not a miscarriage of justice?

The state has taken money from the rich man, knowing fully well that the money will never be paid to what the rich man wanted to pay.

The rich man is now out that money, suffering an unintended loss - as his purpose was to help the 3 debtors, but they will not receive the help even after the payment has been made.

The only one who benefits, is the state, and that is illegal.

It is known as misappropriation of funds.

Although this scenario isnt exactly what is taking place in the atonement, im hoping that the similarities will stick out to enable us to see the issue at hand.

If indeed the atonement is limited by power, rather than scope, then the Father becomes complicit in an injustice towards His own Son.

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The third theological implication in regards to this issue, is the omniscience of God.

There are many who are able to identify the problem with limiting the power of the atonement while at the same time maintaining the biblical truth that God is all-knowing.

Instead of limiting the scope, they decide to remove God's omniscience.

By doing this, they attempt to reconcile their theology with the premise that Christ did pay for everyone's sins and no miscarriage of justice took place.

If God is not all knowing, then this would supposedly mean that God is not complicit in an injustice.

This, of course, doesn't follow.

Even if the Father didn't know of the implications of His actions towards the Son on behalf of everyone in the world, the result is still the same.

Something wrong has still occurred, regardless of whether it was known beforehand or not.

However, by this point, we've already ceased discussing the God of the scriptures.

The God described in the bible is all-knowing.

As a matter of fact, God takes this challenge to His knowledge quite personal.

As scripture tells us here...

Isaiah 41:21-23 (ESV)  Set forth your case, says the Lord; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.

Let them bring them, and tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come.

Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; do good, or do harm, that we may be dismayed and terrified.

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Isaiah 44:6-8 (ESV)  Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.

Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.

Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”

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The scripture shows that as far as God is concerned, if you can't declare the future, you can't be God.

It's a characteristic of His deity.

So, it's not possible to remove God's knowledge and yet still claim we are talking about the God of the scriptures.

This is why many say that to be a consistent arminian, meaning that they limit the atonement by power, one is forced to be an open theist (one who denies that God is all-knowing.

Meditate on these things and join us next time as wrap up our brief look at the doctrine of limited atonement.

Comfortable Limited Atonement? (part 2)

In the previous article, i began looking at the doctrine known as Limited Atonement, in order to get an understanding as to how this doctrine can help us to find comfort in a God who would intentionally limit the scope of His atonement, i.e. picking and choosing whom He will show love to by dying in th3 cross for their sins.

The first thing we looked at is the freedom that God has to treat one human different than another.

This reality is shown all throughout the scriptures.

The second thing we need to look at, is the fact that since the scripture teaches that this is indeed who God is, that God is not going to change Himself in order to make our sensibilities, which are corrupted by sin, at ease.

God is the perfect and holy creator and sustainer of all things.

He is who He is, and never needs to change because of His inherent perfection.

It is natural that there will be things about God that we don't understand, or perhaps don't like.

The reason for this is because we are sinners, while God is Holy.

We will not always see eye to eye with God, and in those instances, we should confess our sin of defiance before our creator and supreme authority.

As it is written...

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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It's one thing for the unregenerate to say that God should change His standard, or that His judgements aren't righteous in some way, but the believer is not able to say such a thing.

If it were true, then we are not worshipping a perfect God.

It makes perfect sense for a human to not agree with everything that God does.

For one, we are finite whereas God is infinite.

Furthermore, we hindered by the sin nature that dwells within us.

So there will be times when we think there is a better action that God should take, as opposed to what He is actually doing.

We may even find ourselves repeating the words of abraham.

Genesis 18:23-25 (ESV)  Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city.

Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?

Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked!

Far be that from you!

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

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Look at abraham's concern. It's for the righteousness of God.

From abraham's perspective, if God kills the righteous during the judgement of the wicked, that isn't righteousness.

Is he correct?

No.

But from his limited point of view, he believes that he is correct.

The believer can't make such claims. We should always concede to God's judgements and His ways.

Why?

Because we confess that God is perfect in His attributes.

He has perfect wisdom, holiness, and righteousness.

He is not simply the most high in the sense that in all of creation He is above all but there is still a place above even that, that He hasn't attained.

That is not perfection. That is to be almost perfect/near perfection.

No. We state that God is the very example of perfection.

Since that is the case, we must confess, that even though we may not understand, every action that God takes is perfectly just and righteous.

What we should do, is to make sure our understanding of an action we believe God is taking is actually consistent with His character as revealed in scripture.

God limiting the scope of the atonement is very consistent with the way He deals with man.

So the claim that its wrong for Him to limit the atonement in this way or that God would be "better" somehow if He limited the power of the atonement instead, means that God is certainly not perfect in His attributes.

Meditate on that for awhile.

Join us next time as we look at another point in relation to the doctrine of limited atonement.

Comfortable Limited Atonement? (part 1)

I was in the Reformed Pub recently, as one does, and was in a discussion regarding the doctrine of Limited Atonement.

The conversation was specifically centered around whether it's possible to find security or comfort in a God who uses the reformed view of limiting the atonement.

For those who are unaware, there are two views of limited atonement.

1. The non-reformed view is that the atonement is limited in its power.

That is to say, God has decided to give the authority for salvation to man.

Ultimately, God wants to save everyone, tries to save everyone, but can't save everyone, because He purposefully limits the power of the atonement.

2. The reformed view is that the atonement is limited by scope.

That is to say, God has decided to not save everyone.

Ultimately, God decides who He wants to save, and is successful in doing so. Those whom He chooses not to save, He leaves in order that they will, effectively, send themselves to hell.

He purposefully limits the scope of the atonement.

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Often, you will hear people say that they can't serve, love, or believe in a God that would not attempt to save all people.

Despite this being the exact thing shown in scripture from Genesis to Revelation, the fact that they would even utter such words, is at times, completely mind-boggling.

The question will sometimes be put forth, how can any love, serve, and believe in such a God.

How does believing this about God give us any sort of comfort?

Well, let's take a brief look at this doctrine and how it should cause us to find comfort in God.

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The first thing we need to briefly address is that God limiting the scope of not only His salvation, but even His other more general blessings to humanity, is something clearly taught throughout scripture.

God is not obligated by the fact of being our creator to treat everyone the same.

He is free to choose what we wants to do to and for the creatures He makes.

God directly states this exact thing.

Exodus 33:19 (ESV)  And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

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God even puts this very idea into practice

Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (ESV)  When the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you, and when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction.

You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them.

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Joshua even reiterates this sentiment...

Joshua 11:20 (ESV)  For it was the Lord's doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

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The Holy Spirit inspired the apostle paul to pick up on this, in regards to God being free to differentiate between two people as He sees fit and treat them differenyly based solely upon His own will and so he penned the following...

Romans 9:6-18 (ESV)  But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”

This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”

And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!

For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

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So, we see that God, from the beginning, has always chosen some over others by His own will, for His own purpose.

So this God, who limits the scope of His blessings, both eternal and temporal, is the God who is described all throughout scripture.

Let that sink in.

The doctrine of limited atonement points us to who God is, and the inherent characteristic of His nature - the freedom to choose.

So, even if we didn't recognise it all throughout the scriptures, the doctrine brings it to the forefront of our minds.

Join us next time as we continue our brief look at why and how limitied atonement should give us comfort in the God of our salvation.

Amen

Because Christ Says So (part 5)

Today, we wrap up our brief series in the doctrines of grace.

So far, we've seen Christ teach...

Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistable Grace

The last point we want to see from Christ, is also one that brings controversy.

P - Perseverance of the Saints

This doctrine states that all those who have received salvation, will not lose it, but will be kept secure by the power of God.

Again, i'm not endeavoring to give a proper refutation of those who disagree with this position.

The goal here is to simply provide evidence that Christ taught this doctrine.

1. John 6:37-40 (ESV)  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

- Here we see one of the strongest quotes for this position.

Jesus teaches that the will of the Father is that He will not lose anyone whom the Father gives Him.

Not only that, but this is actually what Jesus came down from heaven to do. To secure those whom He was given.

2. John 6:48-51 (ESV)  I am the bread of life.

Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

- Jesus tells that there is a finality to eating His bread. Those who eat it will not die.

3. John 6:53-58 (ESV)  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.

This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

- Here, we see Christ reiterating His previous point.

4. John 10:27-30 (ESV)  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
I and the Father are one.”

- Jesus teaches that He only gives eternal life to His sheep, whom He knows, and they know Him.

They will never perish.

Not only is no one able to take His sheep out of His hands, but they aren't able to take them out of the Father's hands either.

They both share the work of keeping the sheep secure.

5. John 15:16 (ESV)  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

- Here we see Christ teaching that we don't choose Him, but the other way around.

Not only does He choose but He appoints us to bear fruit.

He says this on the back of saying that all those in Him who don't bear fruit will be, naturally, thrown in the fire.

Yet He appoints those whom He chooses to bear fruit and abide in Him.

It's His authority that keeps them abiding in Him.

6. Matthew 13:25, 37-41 (ESV)  but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

- Here, we see the explanation of the parable about the wheat and tares (weeds).

The one who places the wheat there is God. The number of wheat doesn't increase or decrease, as God knows what He sowed.

On judgement day, the tares (weeds) are gathered together and cast in the fire. Leaving the wheat.

7. John 14:1-4 (ESV)  Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

And you know the way to where I am going.”

- Here, we see Christ making a promise to His disciples, and by extension, all of us that belong to Him.

In the Father's house, there are many rooms (mansions in some translations).

Christ goes to prepare a place for us. And all those whom He prepares a place for, He will come back and to receive them, and take them to that place He's prepared.

Clearly, Jesus believes their salvation is secure.

-------

We've now looked at a few passages for each point of the doctrines of grace.

Jesus clearly teaches these things outright, and even when not speaking about them directly, you can clearly see these theological presuppositions present.

For example, He clearly believes the salvation of the thief on the cross is secure for Him to be able to promise that he will be in paradise that day.

Even though Christ will die before the thief does.

Every now and then, Christ pulls back the veil to give us the spiritual understanding of what we're seeing in the natural.

It's that spiritual explanation from Christ that clearly teaches these doctrines.

And since its Christ teaching these things, they must be true.

So we ought to believe them and seek to understand them to the best of our ability.

We ought to teach them to others as well. As the Holy Spirit saw fit to include these things that Christ spoke, in the scriptures so that we would be taught, reproved, corrected, and trained in righteousness, so that we may be equipped for every good work.

Amen

Because Christ Says So (part 4)

Yesterday, we saw what Christ taught in regards to the doctrine known as limited atonement.

Today, we'll be taking a look at what is commonly known as irresistable grace.

I - Irresistable Grace

This doctrine often gets flack, as the scriptures does seem to show people resisting God's grace.

So since that's the case, how can God's grace be called irresistable?

The doctrine is stated in this way - all those whom God has elected to salvation, will be saved.

Although this doctrine is mainly in the realm of soteriology, it is undergirded by a number of important doctrines that have to do with the very nature of God.

Let's see what Christ taught in regards to this doctrine.

1. John 6:37 (ESV)  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

- Here, we see Jesus making a statement concerning the hidden things of God.

Although what's said here also touches on limited atonement, we should also note its application to irresistable grace.

All those that the Father gives to Christ, will come to Him.

For Jesus to make this statement, there can't be any case when a person given to Him, will not come to Him.

If that was the case, then this statement is false - and Jesus becomes a false teacher by default.

2. John 10:1-5 (ESV)  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

- Here, we see Christ actually teaching that the calling of His sheep - or in other words, the drawing of the Father to Christ, is effectual.

Why? Because these are His people. His sheep.

Although His sheep is intermingled with others, when the owner of the sheep calls them, the recognise His voice and come.

3. John 10:16 (ESV)  And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

- Jesus repeats the sentiment, but applies it to a group of other sheep that He has.

He's going to bring both flocks together.

How does He think this will happen? His theology is that they will listen to His voice.

So His call is effectual.

4. John 6:43-45 (ESV)  Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’

Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—"

- Here, we see Jesus teaching the effectiveness of the call.

Everyone who is drawn by the Father, will come to Christ without fail.

Jesus' theology even causes Him to interpret old testament scripture to reflect this truth.

While it is true that the scriptures does show the resisting of God's grace, Christ clearly identifies two different aspects of the gospel call.

This is summed up in the last statement made by Christ at the end of the parable of the wedding feast...

Matthew 22:14 (ESV)  For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This is the doctrine of the effectual call of salvation, also known as, irresistable grace... according to Christ

Because Christ Says So (part 3)

Last time , we looked at what Jesus taught in regards to the doctrine known as unconditional election.

He clearly teaches us that salvation is a decision made by God, not man.

And this decision isn't based upon anything that is within man or anything that man has done.

No. This decision is based on what is within God. Namely, love.

The next point of doctrine is a bit controversial.

L - Limited Atonement

Every orthodox christian, believes that the atonement is limited.

If they did not, they would fall into the heretical camp known as universalism.

There are two major views pertaining to this doctrine.

The first, which is an error, and can be considered to be heresy, is that the power of the atonement is limited.

The view is stated in this way - the sacrifice of Christ atoned for the sins of everybody in the entire world. But, this only makes salvation possible.

The person must now accept the atoning work that Christ did on the cross, or else the atonement will not be applied to them.

This is the view that many christians hold to, but it is not what is taught by Christ.

Jesus' view is stated in this way - the sacrifice that He made on the cross, actually atoned for the sins of all of those who are elected to salvation.

All those who are not saved, are so, because God has chosen not to save then.

So the atonement is limited based on the will of God, not man.

A lot if people take issue with that, however, we will not be getting into that discussion today.

Right now, we want to have a look at what Jesus taught in regards to the limiting of the atonement.

1. John 6:35-37 (ESV)  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

- Here, we see Jesus tell the people who He is speaking to that the ones who will come to Him, are those who have been given to Him by the Father.

He gives this as an explanation as to why these people see Him, but don't believe.

This is a clear indication that the reason all people aren't saved, is because the Father has not given all people to Christ.

If He had, then they would all come.

2. John 10:24-27 (ESV)  So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense?

If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe.

The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

- Here, we see Jesus once again explaining why these people do not believe.

It's not because they don't have enough proof, or have a lack of understanding.

No. The reason they don't believe, is because they are not Christ's sheep.

Notice, Christ isn't teaching that one becomes His sheep at the point that they believe.

No. One believes because they are His sheep.

3. John 10:11-18 (ESV)  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

- Here, Christ teaches that He lays down His life for the sheep.

The sheep He lays His life down for are not strays... or strangers to Him.

He knows who these sheep are. He owns them. They belong to Him. As such, they listen to and obey His voice when He calls.

A point has to be emphasised though. If He lays His life down for the sheep, and He has identified people as not being His sheep, has He laid down His life for those people as well?

4. Matthew 25:31-33 (ESV)  When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

- Here, we see Jesus answering our previous question. Those who are not His sheep, are goats. At the last day, He will separate the goats from the sheep.

5. Matthew 25:10-12 (ESV)  And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’

But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

- This is the ending to the parable of the ten virgins.

At the end of this parable, the bridegroom arrives while the 5 foolish virgins are away and collects the 5 wise virgins.

The 5 foolish virgins go to where the bridegroom lives, and request to be let in, only to be told that he doesn't know them.

The question should be asked then.

If he doesn't know them, was he actually coming to get them?

Of course not. Even if they had been there at his arrival, they are strangers to him. He wouldn't have collected them anyway.

But, one thing that needs to be pointed out is that bridegroom does not seek to have a relationship at that point.

Notice what is going on. They are pursuing the bridegroom, and he chooses not to enter into an engagement.

Doesn't the bridegroom have the authority to decide if he wants them or not?

Of course he does. However, he has the liberty to decide that he doesn't want them.

6. Matthew 12:31-32 (ESV)  Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

- Here, we see the famous teaching on the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Irregardless of what a person believes this blasphemy is, or whether or not it can be committed today, we must not miss an important aspect of what Jesus teaches here.

God chooses not to forgive someone who commits this sin.

Forgiveness is an active choice that is made. It's not passive.

God actively limits His forgiveness. He doesn't extend His saving mercy and grace to those who commit this sin.

7. John 17:6-9 (ESV)  I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.

For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

- These verses are part of what is known as the high priestly prayer.

Jesus prays to the Father, and states these things.

Not only does He state that the ones who believed, were given to Him by the Father, but that He is not praying for the world, but only those whom the Father has given Him out of the world.

This is the teaching of Christ.

The atonement provided by Christ, is indeed limited. Not by the actions of individuals, but from the actions of the Father in the first instance.

The Father gives people to Christ. Those are the people whose sins Christ atoned for on the cross.

Christ isn't even praying for the world, but only for those that the Father had given to Him out of the world.

That is the doctrine of limited atonement... according to Christ.

Because Christ Says So (part 2)

In the last post, we had a look at what Christ said about the doctrine of total depravity.

Today, we'll look at what Christ said about unconditional election.

U - Unconditional Election

This doctrine states, that because we are totally depraved before God, there is nothing within us that recommends us to God.

So salvation is by grace alone.

That is to say, that salvation isnt dependent on man, but on God to choose (or elect) those whom He wills.

So the condition necessary for salvation, lies with God, not man.

Here is what Christ has to say about this.

1. John 5:19-23 (ESV)  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

- Here we see Jesus equating His giving life to people to the Father raising the dead.

Just as the Father give life to those who are physically dead, meaning that it is not dependent on them...

In the same fashion, Christ gives spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead.

Meaning, its not dependent on them either.

Notice, those whom the Father decides to raise from the dead... are raised.

His desire to raise the dead cant be prevented.

Jesus says that, in like fashion, those whom He wills to give life, will have life.

He too, cant be prevented. His will, will, come to pass, just like the Father's will, will, come to pass.

2.  Matthew 22:11-14 (ESV)  But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.

And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.

Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

For many are called, but few are chosen.”

- This is the end portion of the parable of the wedding feast.

In the parable, the king sends messengers to His previously invited guests to the wedding feast.

The invited guests, reject the call, and even kill some of the messengers.

The king punishes those, and commands his messengers to gather people from the roads to come.

People come, yet, there is one person who doesnt have a wedding garment.

The king notices this person, and instead of giving the person a wedding garment, casts him out.

Christ then tells us what it is He wants us to grasp from the parable.

Being called is not enough. One must also be chosen.

This is why the man was cast out instead of simply given a wedding garment, even though the king has the ability to give him a wedding garment.

The decision is down to the king.

3. John 15:12-17 (ESV)  This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

No longer do I call you servants, for the servantdoes not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

- Here, we see some well known verses.

Christ makes it clear that He is the one the chooses. We do not choose Him.

From the outside, it may seem that we choose Him, but in reality, its the other way around.

The decision has always been with God.

4. Matthew 11:27 (ESV)  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

- Here we see that its by the decision of God that anyone comes to know the Father and the Son.

Its not because someone is simply taught, or comes to some realisation through reason.

No. Knowing the Son and the Father is a decision made by God before hand.

Before the person has even considered anything, God has made a decision to reveal Himself.

5. John 6:65 (ESV)  And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

- Here, we see Christ dialoguing with people regarding who He is and what He has come to do.

We know that before God, all are sinners.

We know that Christ has only come to call those who are sinners, not those who are righteous.

We also know that even though the call is to all, people have to be chosen as well.

And that choice is based on the decision of God before-hand.

Here, Christ tells us that no one can even come to Him, unless the Father draws them.

So, anytime we read of someone coming to God, or see someone coming to God, we must always remember that Christ said that its not possible unless God drew, called, and chose them first.

6. John 3:16-21 (ESV)  For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

- Although many people quote John 3:16, its often ripped out of its context. So many people are not aware of the things that Jesus clearly teaches.

What is the reason that God saves people?

Is it because people love God? Because they humble themselves? Because they repent?

No. Those things are a result of God's work after He has already made the decision to draw them.

What is the necessary condition that we are told that causes God to grant people salvation?

The condition is that God loves.

The reason that God saves people us because He loves them.

Just like the scripture says...

Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus tells us that this isnt an unrequited love.

Those whom God loves, will love Him back because He will cause them to love Him.

Why would God have to cause people to love Him?

Well, pay attention to what Christ says after He declares God's reason behind salvation.

Those who dont believe are already condemned.

Those who are already condemned do not love God. They dont love the light.

They actually hate the light. They love darkness.

Jesus says that those who do wickedness, hate the light.

But remember, Jesus also said that we all do wickedness.

Mark 7:20-23 (ESV)  And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Its these things that makes us sinners... defiled before the Holy God.

So everybody hates the light. Everybody loves darkness according to Jesus.

So what must take place within us in order to begin to love the light?

7. John 3:3-8 (ESV)  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

- The answer to the question of how can someone who loves darkness and hates the light, start to love the light and hate darkness... is that they must be born again (born from above).

Notice what Jesus says. One cant even see the kingdom of God unless they've been born of the Spirit.

And how does one become born again?

It happens by the will of the Holy Spirit.

Just like the wind comes and goes as it pleases and we only see the affects, so it is with the Holy Spirit.

He, the Holy Spirit, is the one who changes a person from hating the light, to loving the light.

We actually see an example of this during the crucifixion.

Matthew 27:44 (ESV)  And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Here, we see that the two thieves that were crucified with Christ were both mocking Him.

But then, we are told, for some reason, one of them changes his tune.

Luke 23:39-43 (ESV)  One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

What happened to this man to all of a sudden believe the Jesus was the Christ and was innocent, and to humble himself before Jesus?

Jesus already told us.

To come to Christ, one must be chosen by God, drawn by God, and born again.

All of these happen without any decision on our part.

These are decisions that God makes behind the scenes.

If Jesus didnt say these things, we would not be aware of them.

When Jesus is going around performing miracles, rebuking the pharisees, and preaching the gospel - He is fully aware that only those whom the Father draws and the Spirit causes to be born again will recognise and come to Him.

And we know, that salvation is dependent on anything we do or dont do, but solely rests in the decision of the God who loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to be a propitiation of our sins.

So our being chosen by God to salvation, is not because we merited it in some way by providing some good work that God could be please in - repentance, humbling oneself.

No. In us, was found nothing but the love of darkness and the hatred of light.

Its only because of the love of God, that He extends His grace and mercy to those wretched individuals whom He choses to save for His glory.

Because Christ Says So (part 1)

Recently, I was in a group discussion in the Reformed Pub.

The discussion was about the doctrines known as the acronym, TULIP.

I spoke briefly with a person who disagreed with one of the doctrines (at least one).

I made the claim that if someone denies any one of these doctrines, and they are correct, that christianity becomes worthless to them.

The person seemed quite taken aback that I would make such a statement.

How can i say that people who gave their life for Christ have a worthless faith.

So I further clarified myself.

There is a difference between a material and formal heretic.

A person could be theologically inconsistent, or be completely wrong in points in their theology, and still be saved.

So, im not saying that someone is not saved if they dont believe those doctrines.

What im doing is using the same line of reasoning that paul used when speaking to the corinthian church (1 Cor 15:12-19).

Paul pointed out that those who claim that there wasnt any ressurection, if they were correct, then Christ Himself couldnt have been raised from the dead.

And if Christ hasnt been raised, then both our preaching and our faith is in vain.

It doesnt matter how well a person lived for God, or whether or not they died for Christ. If Christ hasnt been raised, their faith is worthless.

So it is with this issue.

Why would that be the case?

Its because my position is that these doctrines are taught by Christ Himself, so for someone to actually say any of these points are wrong - they inadvertently make christianity worthless.

If Christ taught these doctrines, they must be correct, because He is God, and therefore can never be wrong.

If any of these points are wrong, Christ can not be God, because He was wrong in a point of doctrine.

It can no longer be said of Him, that He's the truth.

Now, as sound as that reasoning is, the response i received was that Christ never taught these doctrines.

So i wanted to present some verses where Christ taught them.

T - Total Depravity

This doctrine states that man has been corrupted by sin. Man is affected by it in all points. So much so that man can not produce any good work before God, or even wants God (Romans 3:9-18)

Lets see where Christ teaches this docrrine.

1. Matthew 5:20 (ESV)  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

- The pharisees were teachers of the law. As far as the people of israel were concerned, there were nobody as righteous as they were.

Yet Christ tells people that they can't enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are more righteous than the most righteous people around.

2. Matthew 9:11-13 (ESV)  And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
(parallel Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31-32)

But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

- In response to a question about hanging around sinners, Christ says that He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

So the only people Jesus calls are sinners.

3. Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV)  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.

So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

- Rebuking the scribes and pharisees, Jesus lumps them into the sinners camp as well. This is obvious from the first point, but just in case a direct quote is needed.

4. Matthew 7:11 (ESV)  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
(parallel Luke 11:13)

- Here is a well known verse where we see Christ calling everybody evil.

Some may say that He's not talking to everybody, but we arent finished, as he lumps every one in the category of evil elsewhere.

5. Matthew 12:33-35 (ESV)  Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
(parallel Luke 6:43-45)

6. Matthew 15:18-20 (ESV)  But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
(parallel Mark 7:20-23)

7. John 5:28-29 (ESV)  Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Jesus has labelled everyone as being sinners. Unless something is done, all will be judged.

That is total depraviy from the mouth of Christ

Scripture Meditation

Was meditating on this recently...

The first time the gospel is given, is in Genesis (protoevangelium).

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Genesis 3:15 (ESV)  I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
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This is picked up in one of the Psalms.

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Psalms 91:11-13 (ESV)  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
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When the promised seed actually comes, the serpent seeks to twist what is said...

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Matthew 4:5-6 (ESV)  Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
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Notice that satan is quoting Psalm 91:11-12, but conveniently left out verse 13 which is about what the messiah will do to him.

Here, we see satan eisegete the passage.

The response from the messiah is that, to do this would be to test God - which we shouldn't do.

Jesus doesn't consider this to be "walking in faith" or "laying hold of God's promise for your life" - but to be testing God.

Even though, Christ's incarnation is the fulfillment(partial?) of the protoevangelium

Y.A.C. B. Ep 4 - Why I am a calvinist

Heresy. Heresy. Everywhere.

What is heresy?

In the christian context, heresy, is any doctrine or belief that contradicts any main doctrine of the christian faith.

In other words, a heresy, strikes at the very foundation of christian belief system, which causes the entire faith to be, in short, false.

A heretic, is one who holds to and teaches heresy.

Heretics usually push their heresies with a smile on their face. You will rarely come across a heretic who is not nice and charismatic.

They are usually good speakers, and quite intelligent.

They are also able to state their heresies in such a way, that on the face of it, looks like they are promoting correct theology.

When a heretic is challenged on their heresy, it's usually the people who the heretic has swayed, that will push back, rather than the main heretic themselves.

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Heresies come in all sorts of shapes. Some are more well known than others. But all do the exact same thing. They undermine the foundations of the belief system that they are contradicting.

Now, it is possible for someone to hold to a heretical belief, and not realise it.

It's this reality that necessitates the acknowledging of two different heretical camps.

In the first camp is the material heretic.

The material heretic is the one who holds to heretical beliefs unknowingly.

It's usually down to being taught incorrectly, or coming to the wrong conclusions based on not having all the information. Or in some cases, simply not knowing a fact. They are usually ignorant of the correct position as well, and often are unaware that christianity (or the respective religion) doesn't actually teach what they believe.

Material heresy, although unintentional, can still have an adverse affect on the life of a believer.
It will cause them to make incorrect decisions, and see God in an incorrect way, etc.
The material heretic, will usually correct their doctrine once they are confronted with the truth and it is explained to them.

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In the second camp, is the formal heretic.

The formal heretic is the one who is usually the one teaching and spreading heresy on a large scale.

They are the ones who know that their position is different, usually are aware of what the opposing position says, but persist in believing and teaching the error - which, in it's logical conclusion, makes christianity (or the relevant religious system) false.

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Here are a couple of heresies.

Around the 3rd century (A.D.), a man named Arius, started to teach and popularise what became known as the arian heresy. The arian heresy is the doctrine that Jesus is not God, but a created being.

Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormonism, both hold to this heresy.

This is a heresy because christianity is completely false if Jesus is not God.

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Another major heresy is one known as Sabellianism. This doctrine was popularised by a man named Sabellius around the 2nd centure (A.D.). It teaches that God is not trinitarian, but instead, unitarian.

It's also known as modalism and unitarianism.

Oneness Pentacostals and the Unitarian Church, both hold to this heresy.

This also makes christianity completely false if God does not exist as one being, but three persons.

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The number of heresies aren't very large, however, because many people are not familiar with church history, heresies tend to reappear after awhile, under a new name, but pushing the same heretical doctrine.

We see this in sabellianism, modalism, unitarianism. All teach the same doctrine, but come under different names at different times. Formal heretics just repackage, rebrand, and use nice sounding words, in order to sell you the same old heresy.

And because many are unaware/unfamiliar, along with the person being so nice and articulate, they are turned into material heretics.

The formal heretics will even go so far as to pit their followers (the material heretics), against the orthodox position, but presenting the orthodox position in a generally false, and negative way - while presenting their heresy in a positive way, generally using buzz/trigger words and/or emotional pleading.

So the theologian needs to be aware of the different heresies, and how to spot them. There aren't any new heresies. All current existing heresies are simply the same ancient ones, but now with bells and whistles attached.

The theologian needs to also be aware to distinguish between a formal heretic and material heretic, as the way you deal with them are different.

The material heretic is generally dealt with in a gentle way. Bringing evidence that their position is wrong, and working with them to see the problem and giving them the truth.

The formal heretic, however, is generally treated harsher. They are usually anathematised quite quickly. This is because there is an allowance for ignorance. But people who aren't ignorant, but are in blatant rebellion, and fighting against the truth - those are people who aren't tolerated.

The letter to the galatian church shows this being played out.

You see a pleading and reasoning with those who are material heretics, while a very hard stance is taken against the formal heretics.

The heresy in question here is from the judaizers.

The judaizers taught that salvation is not by grace alone, but a combination of grace and works. That a person has to perfom some work of the law, in combination with God's grace, in order to be saved.

There are, of course, religious systems today that believe this heresy. One would be the Roman Catholic Church.

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So remember, when discussing theology with someone who we are aware has different beliefs than us, but are supposed to still be christian, it was beneficial to understand what doctrines are at work in the background.

He died for All the World (part 5)

There are a number of other verses that are used by the anti-calvinist in an attempt to overthrow the direct words of Christ, in order to say that God attempts to save everyone in the world, without prejudice.

And based on that presupposition, salvation then, must be entered into and exited out of, by the will of man.

This is the doctrine that they maintain.

Unfortunately, this means that salvation is no longer by grace, but a combination of grace and works.

For God has to do His part, and man has to do his part.

And once man has done his part, and has entered into the position of being saved, then man must work to maintain that position, else man will fall away.

With that, scripture becomes false in many points.

Romans 9:16 (ESV)  So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

This verse, where the context is specifically speaking about salvation (those who become part of the promised seed), becomes false.

Along with Jesus' many words.

Before i bring this brief series to a close, i wanted to revisit a point that the anti-calvinist that i was speaking to brought up.

They held the position that, not only can a person lose their salvation, but some can possibly not get it back.

They base this on the well known, but often misapplied, verses in the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 6:4-6 (ESV)  For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

They see these verses as showing that one can indeed lose their salvation. And that once it's lost, it cant be gotten back again.

Now, they didn't articulate why a person can't be saved again, only that they wouldn't actually be able to identify who these people are.

So they would still call to backsliders because they wouldn't know those who would fall into this condemnation.

Also, they hold that a believer can commit the unforgivable sin.

So, a person who is presently being indwelled by the Holy Spirit, isn't prevented from blaspheming the Holy Spirit by His very act of indwelling the person.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit can, and will leave if this sin is committed.

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Now, what is the problem with this, keeping in mind, that we're looking at this from the pov of the anti-calvinist?

The problem is that this understanding directly contradicts the foundational belief of the anti-calvinist.

I pointed this out in my discussion, but they did nothing to address it.

How does this bring a contradiction?

The foundational presupposition for the anti-calvinist is that God is trying to save everyone.

The ones who aren't saved are those who chose not to be.

The verses in Hebrews pose a problem with this view. However, because they didn't explain why it is that a person can't be brought back, we can't really bring an accusation.

But, the verses regarding blasphemy of the Holy Spirit are crystal clear what is going on.

The person who commits this sin, will not be forgiven.

That is the primary issue.

How can you have a God wanting to save everyone, but withholding forgiveness from people?

You can't.

Those are two contradictory positions.

What makes it worse is that they apply this to the christian.

So, in their view, the christian who commits this sin, could be repenting, and asking for forgiveness, but Jesus directly tells us that they will not be forgiven.

God refuses to forgive these people, while at the same time, supposedly trying to save "all people".

Again, when i pointed this contradiction out, they dodged it.

"All", could never truly mean all people everywhere, when God actively refuses to forgive some people.

Which means that everytime the anti-calvinist goes on and on about God desiring to save "all", they are being deceitful, because they know full well that it's not true.

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How should a calvinist view these verses?

Now, i've dealt with the verses in Hebrews before. But i'll reiterate how a christian should be viewing them.

The christian reading, should not be jumping straight to Hebrews.

First, they should ground themselves in what Jesus directly says about salvation.

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John 6:35-40 (ESV)  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

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John 10:25-30 (ESV)  Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

I and the Father are one.”

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These two portions of scripture, are so direct and unambiguous, that to contradict, is to say that Jesus isn't God.

This is what Christ says about salvation, from God's perspective.

So, according to Christ, people cannot lose their salvation. Those whom the Father has given to Him, cannot be lost or perish.

Now that we know this to be true, because Christ said it, we can look at the verses in Hebrews.

We know that all scripture is inspired by God. So there cannot be any contradictions between what Jesus and the apostles say.

When we look at Hebrews then, we have to conclude that this is a "what if" situation.

We know this the case by how the scenario ends.

Hebrews 6:7-9 (ESV)  For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.

But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

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Here, we see the writer getting to the heart of the issue.

A good tree, produces good fruit. A bad tree, produces bad fruit.

Someone who is in Christ, will not bear bad fruit. The one who is not in Christ, will not bear good fruit.

This is why the writer continues on to their intended audience by saying that they are sure of better things that belong to salvation.

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Let's say, for arguments sake, that those verses weren't there. Would that mean that someone could lose their salvation?

No. This is because God has already spoken. Jesus has already told us how salvation works.

This doesn't mean that the verses are false, as they are true.

If someone could fall away, i.e. lose their salvation, they could not be saved again.

The question is why, and the answer is two-fold.

One, to fall away, means that there are now sins present that Christ has not paid for, is stands condemned.

Remember, to be saved means that one is not only seen as innocent before God, but completely righteous. As though the person had not sinned once in their life, but all at times was obedient to God's command.

So, for someone to once again be seen as guilty, to be deserving of the righteous wrath of God again, means that they now have sins that have not been atoned for.

So Christ would need to come down once again, to die once again, for these new sins that have come up  (v.6).

Not only that, but this would make Christ an open shame (v.6).

Why? Because it shows that His atonement was not sufficient. That, "it is NOT finished".

All that talk about Christ dying once for all sins and taking a seat, indicating that His work was complete, becomes false.

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Now, lets move unto the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

How should a christian see this? Can a christian even commit it?

Well, unlike arminians, calvinists have no need to fear committing this sin.

Why? Once again, its because the words of Christ tell us that He doesn't lose anyone the Father has given to Him.

If a christian could commit this sin, then He could lose people. Some people would perish.

Now, its not simply that God knows we wont commit this sin, but rather, He prevents us from doing so.

We see a similar thing happen in regards to the beast written in the revelation.

Revelation 13:5-8 (ESV)  And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.

It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

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Notice who does not worship the beast. All those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Many believe that christians who take the mark will lose their salvation.

But scripture says none of the elect (those whose names are written before the foundation of the world), will worship the beast.

How is it that none of the elect will be deceived into doing this?

Because God causes us to overcome...

1 John 4:4 (ESV)  Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 5:4-5 (ESV)  For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

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Not only that, but God makes moves in order to protect His elect from such things.

Matthew 24:22-25 (ESV)  And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

See, I have told you beforehand.

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Notice. The level of deception is so strong that even the elect would go astray... if it was possible. But, God cut those days short for the sake of the elect.

So, not only does God prevents us inwardly, by the Holy Spirit doing His work in us, but outwardly, God changes times to prevent us as well.

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With this, i feel satisfied ending this brief series.

It is always worth looking at the arguments from the other side from time to time.

Even if one has gone over the same verse before, it is always worth going over it once again.

The doctrines of grace, which are known as calvinism, and expressed in the acronym T.U.L.I.P., are not simply a biblical possibility - but rather, are the only conclusion one can come to if they simply let the scriptures speak for themselves, and not read it with presuppositions.

From the declaration of the angel to mary and joseph, all the way through to the new heavens and earth, the doctrines of grace are repeatedly shown to be at work, instead of the arminian view of salvation.

Not only is the arminian view self-contradictory (re: unforgiveable sin), not only does it turn important people into blasphemers by lying on God (the angel who proclaimed Jesus' birth, and john the baptist), but it makes Jesus no longer God - as His claims become false.

So, it was 100% correct that the church denounced the doctrines of arminianism as heresy, as they certainly strike at the very heart of the biblical gospel on all fronts.

With that being said, let us be praying for one another.

Salvation is granted to those who have all their theological tees crossed and is dotted.

Let us continue to grow together in the knowledge of the faith that God has given to us.

Amen