We see many posts, on Christianchat, that go back and forth as to the proper understanding of Soteriology (The study of salvation). Many use the terms "Calvinism" or "Arminianism". This battle should be called "Free Grace vs. Free Will" and it has raged for Centuries. The ones who hold to "Free Grace", believe in the "Eternal Covenant of Grace". This covenant was foreshadowed, in the covenant with Abraham. They believe that salvation is all of God, set forth in Eternity. Those on the "Free Will" side, deny "Limited Atonement", "spiritual depravity" and attempt to place man's will on a par with God's in salvation.
What unsaved men and many religionist truly hate though, is:
The Sovereignty of God!
Those on the "Free Grace" side, do not kick against God's Sovereignty, they rejoice in it. Those who attempt to place mans "Free Will" in to the mix, must attempt to usurp God's Sovereignty, in order to dismantle the doctrine of ELECTION. This doctrine is the extension of the "Covenant of Grace, which was settled in Eternity before anything was created. The oft time complaint is, "God would never force His will on our will." Complete foolishness. He would and He does.
Let's test ourselves, to see if we be in the faith. (2 Cor. 13:15) Do we kick against Sovereignty or love it:
God's Sovereignty in Creation and His Sustaining it:
1) God is the Creator of all things. (Genesis)
2) God sustains His creation, moment by moment.
--- Isa 42:5 Thus saith God Jehovah, he that created the heavens, and stretched them forth; he that spread abroad the earth and that which is coming out of it; he that is giving breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
--- Rev 11:11 And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them.
--- Col 1:15-16 who is the image of the invisible God (Christ), the firstborn of all creation; for in Him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; (Note here that everything, including who is going to rule, who has authority and how things are governed, is included.)
God's Sovereignty in Providence:
1) God's eternal purpose is being worked out in time.
--- Ecc 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
--- Ecc 3:14-15 I know that, whatsoever God is doing, it shall be for ever: nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him. That which is has been long ago; and that which is to be has long ago been: and God is seeking again that which is passed away. (With God there is no past or future in eternity, just the ever present NOW. If we have the right concept of eternity, then this passage is easy to understand but if no proper understanding, a person reading this will be lost. Since nothing can be added and nothing can be lost, then in the case of the elect, the number saved is sure. Those adhering to "Free Grace" should rejoice at this assurance.)
--- Isa 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;
--- Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create calamity. I am Jehovah, that is doing all these things.
God's Sovereignty in our Birth:
--- Job 31:15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
--- Isa 44:2 Thus saith Jehovah that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
God's Sovereignty in Rulers:
--- Exo 7:3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
--- Pro 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He is turning it wheresoever he will.
--- John 19:10-11 Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have authority to release thee, and have authority to crucify thee? Jesus answered him, Thou would not have any authority against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.
God's Sovereignty in Salvation:
1) God's sovereign Purpose:
--- Acts_26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
---Rom 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
---Rom 9:11 for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that is calling,
---Ecc 11:5 As you are not knowing what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so you are not knowing the work of God who is doing it all.
2) God's Sovereign Election/Divine choice:
--- Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:
---Col 1:12-14 giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:
---Rom 11:7 What then? That which Israel is looking for, that he obtained it not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
---1Th 1:4 knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,
3) God's Sovereignty in Choice/Application:
---Rom 8:28-29 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained, ( These first three points, Purpose, foreknowledge and predestination, are the direct results of God's eternal Love.). them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. ( The next three, Called, Justified and Glorified, are God's actions toward the Elect only.)
Finally, these verses should give all true believers reason to rejoice:
Rom 9:24-26 even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved. And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God.
For the only way that one can LOVE God, is in this way:
1Jn 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.
Could give more but out of room
