tuLip
I find myself on the beach this morning, walking in the sand with the waves just coming up far enough to cover my feet to the ankles before returning back to the rest of the ocean. As I look back, I see where the waves have erased some of my footprints, yet others remain for a while longer. Inevitably, they are all doomed to oblivion. Erased like the sins of the sons of God. Sure, the hole in my foot caused by the seashell I stepped on will last a while longer, it may even leave a scar. The results, the consequences, of sin are still there, even though the sin is gone. It helps me to remember not to step on pointy sea shells.
Okay, so I didn't actually step on a seashell this morning. And the water was chilly and the wind was cold so I didn't stay out there that long. And, of course, I'm typing from inside my hotel room. But still, it was beautiful and tranquil and my mind was running in its strange courses. As I was walking I did see a spot where the waves had just wiped out my footprints and the angle made it look like I had just walked straight out of the ocean. It made me think of evolutionists. How they look at the evidence, refusing to accept any result that might imply a supernatural result. And they claim to be open-minded.
Ever since the drive down here; the statement of a teacher on the radio had been tumbling around in my head, like a pair of sneakers in a dryer. "It's the Limited Atonement that keeps me from being a five-point Calvinist." He's in good company. It seems that almost everyone I know who seem to be strong Christians would make that statement. But they are all wrong! They actually are five-point Calvinists; they just don't understand the "L". I find it ironic, that many detractors claim that most five-point Calvinists would repudiate the "L" if they understood it. I think most anybody able to read and understand the Bible in a simple and natural way would embrace the "L" if it was presented to them in full.
The nationally syndicated radio teacher continued with his understanding of atonement. "Christ's death on the cross was sufficient for the whole world, but is only effective for the elect." (selah) Well, that's as close to a textbook definition as I have ever heard for "limited atonement". Perhaps he had been misled into thinking that "limited atonement" meant that the Messiah's sacrifice was only just barely enough to cover a few of the billions of souls that have or will have pass through this mortal veil. That's not "limited atonement", that's heresy and sacrilege. (Of course, maybe I just misunderstand limited atonement.)
Oh sure, some people just refuse to accept election, even though it is plainly taught in the Bible. As far as I can tell, that's just pride and/or ignorance. Election is humbling! We are saved from God's wrath by faith through grace. And faith is the gift of God. As Paul wrote;
There was no spark of innate goodness in me. God didn't see some awesome thing that He didn't see in someone else. He chose me because of Him. It is the fact that God will have mercy on those whom God chooses to have mercy that makes it possible for any of us to be saved! It doesn't matter what we have been guilty of in the past, if He has chosen you, it is not because of you but in spite of you!
And because He chooses us for His own sake, there is hope for us when we fail. No matter what we do, if He has chosen us, then He will forgive us. This isn't license to go live like the world; it is freedom to grow more like Christ. If you came to the altar for "fire-insurance" and then went back to your old life without any lasting change, I suggest that you check your "policy", it's most likely expired or, more correctly, was never valid. (Read the Epistle of James.) However we are promised that God punishes His children for their good. We are to patiently endure our punishment; it never seems good at the time, but trust that it is for our good. In fact the punishment itself is assurance of our salvation! (See Hebrews 12:5-11.)
How do you know if you are one of the "elect"? Simple, ask God to come take over your life, believe with your heart that Jesus Christ died for you and paid for your sins, and tell someone else about "your decision".
Tag(s):gospel
Okay, so I didn't actually step on a seashell this morning. And the water was chilly and the wind was cold so I didn't stay out there that long. And, of course, I'm typing from inside my hotel room. But still, it was beautiful and tranquil and my mind was running in its strange courses. As I was walking I did see a spot where the waves had just wiped out my footprints and the angle made it look like I had just walked straight out of the ocean. It made me think of evolutionists. How they look at the evidence, refusing to accept any result that might imply a supernatural result. And they claim to be open-minded.
Ever since the drive down here; the statement of a teacher on the radio had been tumbling around in my head, like a pair of sneakers in a dryer. "It's the Limited Atonement that keeps me from being a five-point Calvinist." He's in good company. It seems that almost everyone I know who seem to be strong Christians would make that statement. But they are all wrong! They actually are five-point Calvinists; they just don't understand the "L". I find it ironic, that many detractors claim that most five-point Calvinists would repudiate the "L" if they understood it. I think most anybody able to read and understand the Bible in a simple and natural way would embrace the "L" if it was presented to them in full.
The nationally syndicated radio teacher continued with his understanding of atonement. "Christ's death on the cross was sufficient for the whole world, but is only effective for the elect." (selah) Well, that's as close to a textbook definition as I have ever heard for "limited atonement". Perhaps he had been misled into thinking that "limited atonement" meant that the Messiah's sacrifice was only just barely enough to cover a few of the billions of souls that have or will have pass through this mortal veil. That's not "limited atonement", that's heresy and sacrilege. (Of course, maybe I just misunderstand limited atonement.)
Oh sure, some people just refuse to accept election, even though it is plainly taught in the Bible. As far as I can tell, that's just pride and/or ignorance. Election is humbling! We are saved from God's wrath by faith through grace. And faith is the gift of God. As Paul wrote;
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
There was no spark of innate goodness in me. God didn't see some awesome thing that He didn't see in someone else. He chose me because of Him. It is the fact that God will have mercy on those whom God chooses to have mercy that makes it possible for any of us to be saved! It doesn't matter what we have been guilty of in the past, if He has chosen you, it is not because of you but in spite of you!
And because He chooses us for His own sake, there is hope for us when we fail. No matter what we do, if He has chosen us, then He will forgive us. This isn't license to go live like the world; it is freedom to grow more like Christ. If you came to the altar for "fire-insurance" and then went back to your old life without any lasting change, I suggest that you check your "policy", it's most likely expired or, more correctly, was never valid. (Read the Epistle of James.) However we are promised that God punishes His children for their good. We are to patiently endure our punishment; it never seems good at the time, but trust that it is for our good. In fact the punishment itself is assurance of our salvation! (See Hebrews 12:5-11.)
How do you know if you are one of the "elect"? Simple, ask God to come take over your life, believe with your heart that Jesus Christ died for you and paid for your sins, and tell someone else about "your decision".
Romans 10:6-13 ESV But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Tag(s):gospel
posted by Bryan at 7:53 PM
3 Comments:
Ah, the horrible "L" point. Great post Brian. I do want to be there to see those people's faces who have rejected sovereign grace election when the truth of their salvation is made clear to them before the Bema Seat. For now, though, let's just love our Lord and thank God the father for electing us and the Holy Spirit for regenerating us.
In Christ
Mike Ratliff
Nice treatment of limited atonement, I think most who reject Calvinism on basis of their rejection of this doctrine are responding to a misunderstanding of it. In fact, it would be evidence of limited power on God's part if he couldn't accomplish all the atoning work that he decreed.
David
Also,
There's a little girl who needs your prayer read about her here.
Nice post - the "L-word" can be a tricky one to explain! And I wish i was at the beach.
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