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Wesley: "Be holy... for without holiness there are none that shall see God"
Calvin: "For his glory... we are created and redeemed to do good works in him"
For what words & deeds will the reformers of our day be remembered?
I'm going to go with forgiveness as the core element that will both draw the 21st Century Church back to its core and the gravitational force that will draw the lost hurting souls into the Father's loving arms. I'm going to go with today's best teaching on forgiveness as FOUND HERE. Until I can be convinced that the word of God says otherwise I'm going to be heavily promoting the work of this modern prophet - Steve Diehl of Forgiveness Ministries. It has become painfully obvious in my own life that solid theology (while a blessing) is no antidote for sin. It is clear as I examine my own soul that confession and repentance (while good fruit from the Spirit) are incapable of providing the healing my heart longs for.
Forgiveness has, of course, been there all along... why does it seem like I'm just learning so much about it now in the middle of my life? If grace and holiness are the warp and woof of the fabric of our Christian faith, then forgiveness is the very fibre spun into the varied color strings, and stretched on the loom of love.
"Forgiven" is our universal state of being, but "forgiving" is also the art that none but the elect ever master. I have much to learn if my temptations and anger are any indication, but I am grateful for those, like Steve, who have instructed me in the science & craft of the two sides of forgiveness. Even more, I am thankful for the crimson flood of Jesus blood and for the glory of his resurrection, for without these twin historical facts the fabric of our faith would have faded long ago. (Hebrews 9:22 / 1 Cor. 15:12-28 ) Because of the cross and the empty tomb I have an antidote for my doubts and healing for my soul.
500 years ago the bright lights of the Reformation opened the floodgate of scripture and released a fresh current of orthodoxy. While we must keep testing the stream of teaching in the church for the toxins of heterodoxy, we must also recognize the unhealthy stagnation downstream where the Christian faith has ceased to flow due to the man created pools of conservativism vs. liberalism. Neither of these modern dams can contain the Spirit, and I believe the exodus of post-modern Millenials from both mainline and fundamentalist churches is (at least in part) a yearning for a healing stream to flow free once more. I believe that teaching biblical forgiveness is the dynamite that can blow up what we ourselves have erected and I believe that if we have the courage to place this explosive power strategically we will see a mighty river of grace and revival once again.
For more on biblical forgiveness please listen to Focus on Forgiveness Saturdays @ 6pm on AM 1100 KFAX and learn more at www.focusonforgiveness.org
1 comment:
I AM NOT A CALVINIST!
I BELIEVE IN PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS, BUT I AM NOT A CALVINIST!
It is impossible to proclaim a belief in perseverance of the saints, also know as once saved always saved and eternal security, and at the same time declare you are not a Calvinist.
The Calvinistic T.U.L.I.P explained.
T-Total Depravity. Means that sin is in every part of one's being, including the mind and will of man. Therefore men are without free- will. Men are saved by grace alone.
U- Unconditional Election. God predetermines who will be saved and who will spend eternity in hell.
L-Limited Atonement. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was only for the predetermined elect.
I-Irresistible Grace. God selects men to be saved and then forces then to believe in Jesus.
P-Perseverance of the Saints. The people God has chosen for salvation cannot lose their salvation.
Perseverance of the saints is the culmination of the T.U.L.I.P.
Without the first four points of the Calvinistic T.U.L.I.P there cannot be a fifth point.
You either embrace all 5 points of the T.U.L.I.P or none of the points.
Yes, all five T.U.L.I.P points are contrary to Scripture.
T-Total Depravity.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.(NKJV)
All men who hear the gospel can choose to accept God's grace or reject it.
U-Unconditional Election.
Faith: John 3:16
Repentance: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19
Confession: Romans 10:9
Water Baptism: Acts 2:38. Mark 16:16
There are conditions that need to be met in order to receive salvation.
L-Limited Atonement.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold ! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.(NKJV)
Jesus died for the sins of all men.
I-Irresistible Grace.
Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.(NKJV)
Men did and still do resist the Holy Spirit. Grace is not irresistible.
P-Perseverance of the Saints.
Luke 8:13...who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.(NKJV)
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrine of demons.(NKJV)
The Holy Spirit says men will fall away from the faith. Who do you believe the Holy Spirit or John Calvin?
It you believe in perseverance of the saints, once in grace always in grace, eternal security, then you are a Calvinist.
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY CHRISTIAN BLOG. Google search>>>>>>steve finnell a christian view
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