Brother Ken,
I do preach neither Calvinism nor Arminianism. But I preach what the Bible truly says. There isnt any contradiction in the Bible. The controversy you underlined resides only in the mind of the Theologians youve mentioned.
Indeed, by grace we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 6:23).
He saved us not by works of righteousness which we had done, but according to His mercy , by the washing of regeneration, and by the renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5).
If works are needed for salvation, then salvation is no longer a GIFT.
I fully agree with you when you say that We do not perform good works in order to become saved, but because we allow the Spirit of God to work in us - good works are the natural result.
Its true, Good works are faith expressed.
You also said this: In my view, some things like the plan of salvation were predestined and in according to God's sovereign will. Other things operate by freewill, or choice - like our participation the plan of salvation.
I see your attempt to reconcile predestination and free will. But the question is deeper that. If you stay at that level of comprehension, the so called controversy will still remain. However, there is no contradiction in the Bible.
Brother, free will is what you see physically, namely the outward choice to do right things or evil things.
But, fundamentally, have you ever seen a man or a woman who deliberately choose to disobey God or to sin, merely because she/he takes great delight in going to hell?
Brother Ken, in the present time till death you will choose to do right things IF YOU ARE BORN OF GOD. Amen!
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God .
1 John 3:9
I agree that free will must be manifested. It lies on people to decide. But I also believe there is something behind each free will, depending whether we are born of God or Satan. Let us put the stress on that.
There is an inward WILL which arouses each outward free will of man depending whether his born of God or Satan ( Philippians 2:13) .
ITS A QUESTION OF SEED. Please, think it over!
For instance, Ken Rich is an Artist today. Ken Rich decided freely to become a musician. To perform this target, he has worked hard, he has toiled.
That is his free will which people physically see (his deeds, fruits, testimonies).
But why didnt Ken Rich endeavor to become a Mason or a Cook for example?
Besides, why doesnt Ken Rich complain before God about his present status?
Simply because the Bible declares that "A man can receive nothing, unless it be given him from Heaven (John 3:27).
Truly speaking, free will must be manifested. But there is something behind each free will, depending whether we are born of God or Satan.
The Bible says: And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:8
God never fails, those names of whom are written in the book of life FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD WILL NEVER WORSHIP THE BEAST.
Those who are born of God will always do the will of God.
For I say to every man that is among you, through the grace given unto me, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3).
ITS A QUESTION OF SEED.
For more details, I do invite you to read my blogs below available on the black preaching Network.
WHAT IS PREDESTINATION?
http://abcpreachers.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-is-predestination
SALVATION IS A GIFT OF GOD: YOUR OWN GOOD WORKS CAN NEVER SAVE YOU!
http://abcpreachers.ning.com/profiles/blogs/salvation-is-a-gift-of-god
May God bless you!
Brother Germain
Hi Germain,
I agree that the contradiction is only apparent, and in fact a construct of systematic theology itself, which tends to polarize issues into two or more camps, each with their proof texts.
It's like a coin - there are two sides and depth producing a relatively thick edge. It's only when seen in three dimensions, that all facets become apparent.
I agree that when we are born again, there is a seed implanted of the very Spirit of God.
However, I think you may go too far in your emphasis of he cannot sin, because he is born of God .
That is like seeing a coin from only one side. The perception is only true until you look at it in three dimensions. It is of no use to " camp out" on this verse above, because the same author also says:
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous...
It can easily be seen that 1 John 3:9 does not have the strict emphasized meaning you assign to it, when taken in the larger context of other scripture, including scripture by the same author in the same book. It is clear that John is speaking of HABITUAL sin.
Our overall lifestyle is determined by our initial choice to accept Jesus, and our daily choice to remain in HIM. As long as we choose to remain in Christ, the Spirit will war against the flesh, so that we cannot sin habitually like we did before. Not that we will never stumble into sin, or have been rendered incapable of making a mistake, or that we can't choose to leave altogether and go back to the world.
James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways...
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after...
John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.I see the long argument with Ozell Adams in your article. I have no desire to go down that road with you. Personally, my views on choice and predestination are similar to the brand of Arminianism taught by John Wesley . Enough debates already exist on this topic, by men more renowned, respected, and articulate than either of us - another debate would be fruitless.
I did notice on the end of your article that you seem to support the once saved always saved doctrine. HERE are many scriptures that may cause you to rethink your position.
It's absolutely true that nothing can snatch us out of the hand of God. However, it is also true that we can choose to leave or forsake the relationship.
The narrow views forced upon scripture by systematic theology, are symptoms of our methodology, not the Scripture itself. For instance, freewill, and predestination do not have to be seen as mutually exclusive. The plan of salvation was predestined, but our participation in it is by choice. God's sovereign will is not thwarted by our freewill, our choices exist within the boundaries set by God.
God Bless you,
Ken