7/28/22
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
In one of our bathrooms, we have a lovely framed picture with the inscription of 2 Samuel 22:31, which says,
The only real answer to every question or problem is the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said, in
There are two basic Evangelical approaches to being "saved" ... Arminian and Calvinist. In contrast, we must always be concerned with the Word of God, rightly interpreted. All three approaches believe that people are born lost in their sins and all three believe that salvation is only possible through the grace of God. Therefore, a very important question is whether or not the grace of God is extended to every human being. Scripture answers that question, as we will see shortly.
Arminians believe that God has extended prior grace to all people which enables all people to choose, by their own free will, whether to accept Jesus or reject Him. In other words, to be born again is initiated from man's side and God elects him on the basis of foreseen faith which is exercised by free will, thus making man the ultimate decision maker. Therefore, from the Arminian perspective, we can ask any non-believer if he wants to accept Jesus as his Savior. This means that our choices are free from the determination or constraints of human nature and free from any predetermination by God. However, Arminians believe it may be possible for a believer to fall from grace. Both 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and 1 Timothy 4:1 state that truth very clearly.
Calvinists focus on the elect who are saved by deterministic means or the sovereignty of God. Calvinists believe that since all persons are born spiritually dead, they cannot repent and respond to God. In other words, to be born again is initiated from God's side. Even before creation, before the foundation of the world, God chose some people to be called for potential salvation. This is the bone most people choke on: predestination. However, few seem to understand what predestination means.
Although the Lord tells us to make an alter of earth unto Him, I have never found one verse where anyone ever made an altar of earth. The altar of earth is ourself ... our soul.
Leviticus 1:1 says the Lord called unto Moses. 1 Samuel 3:4 says the Lord called unto Samuel before Samuel knew the Lord. Scripture also indicates that the Lord called Abraham when Abram was still a heathen. The same is true of Jeremiah, Noah, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Paul, me, and many more. Jesus also chose (or called) Judas Iscariot so that the purpose of God might be fulfilled. In reality, every believer is called of God for a specific purpose. Even non-believers, such as Pharaoh, are called by God for a specific purpose.
Now let us read carefully Romans 9:11-24.
Given all of the many Scriptures that point to the deterministic sovereignty of God, how do our choices, our decisions, our will, merge with the foreknowledge, the predestination of the Lord? We certainly are not robots. I believe that unless we see the difference between being born again and qualifying to enter the kingdom of God, then we will remain forever an Arminian. Our choices and decisions come into play both when and after we have been called by the sovereign grace of God. Many are called but few are chosen because few choose. Few on earth choose the kingdom of God after being born again. Jesus never said that ALL are called. For the few who do receive God's call and choose Him to be their Savior, they are born again. They are then eligible to qualify for kingdom stature, but that is by no means automatic. Then we must make our calling and election sure by the decisions we make daily. We must work out our own salvation in fear and trembling.
Now let us consider John, Chapter 17.
Seven times in John 17 Jesus says that the Father has given the saints to Jesus. In each one of those cases the verb is past tense, not future tense. However, perhaps the most convincing proof of the basic view of the sovereign, deterministic aspect of salvation is found in John 6:44, when Jesus said,
In many different scriptures, we are told that suffering for the sake of Jesus is to be expected. However, scriptures also indicate that righteous suffering is closely followed by glory.
Many years ago, I knew a good brother who seemed to have what is called a "photographic memory." He could tell you exactly where almost every Scripture verse is found. Many times, I have marveled at the ministry that came through him. I also have no doubt that he loved the Lord. Some Christians advocate requiring their children to memorize a number of different scriptures. I have no problem with that, although I personally never tried to memorize Scripture.
For me personally, and hopefully for every born-from-above believer in Christ, we should be eternally grateful to the Lord for calling us to Himself. Amen and amen.
"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him."
The only real answer to every question or problem is the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said, in
1 Corinthians 3:6, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
Just as natural plants require the light of the s-u-n to grow, unless God gives the increase through His S-o-n, whatever any minister teaches or preaches will remain dormant within us. That is called the sovereignty of God.
The day after Jesus walked on water, a throng of people followed Him. That throng of people had seen Jesus work many miracles.
The day after Jesus walked on water, a throng of people followed Him. That throng of people had seen Jesus work many miracles.
In John 6:28-29, "Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."
In other words, no one can believe on Jesus except by the grace of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9, "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."
There are two basic Evangelical approaches to being "saved" ... Arminian and Calvinist. In contrast, we must always be concerned with the Word of God, rightly interpreted. All three approaches believe that people are born lost in their sins and all three believe that salvation is only possible through the grace of God. Therefore, a very important question is whether or not the grace of God is extended to every human being. Scripture answers that question, as we will see shortly.
Arminians believe that God has extended prior grace to all people which enables all people to choose, by their own free will, whether to accept Jesus or reject Him. In other words, to be born again is initiated from man's side and God elects him on the basis of foreseen faith which is exercised by free will, thus making man the ultimate decision maker. Therefore, from the Arminian perspective, we can ask any non-believer if he wants to accept Jesus as his Savior. This means that our choices are free from the determination or constraints of human nature and free from any predetermination by God. However, Arminians believe it may be possible for a believer to fall from grace. Both 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and 1 Timothy 4:1 state that truth very clearly.
Calvinists focus on the elect who are saved by deterministic means or the sovereignty of God. Calvinists believe that since all persons are born spiritually dead, they cannot repent and respond to God. In other words, to be born again is initiated from God's side. Even before creation, before the foundation of the world, God chose some people to be called for potential salvation. This is the bone most people choke on: predestination. However, few seem to understand what predestination means.
Romans 8:29-30, "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified."
Those two verses clearly state that it is all the sovereign work of God, based on His foreknowledge of all people.
For Calvin, God is, above all else, sovereign. Immediately after the Lord sovereignly apprehended me, He emphasized to me His sovereignty. Within only a few months He sovereignly saved me; He sovereignly delivered me from smoking, instantaneously; He sovereignly healed me of a sinus condition that a Spirit-filled doctor had just told me he could do nothing for me; and He sovereignly started opening up Scripture to me. In reality, the Lord has always worked with me sovereignly and not through other men. That was also Paul's experience. God has chosen from eternity those whom He will bring to Himself, not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in those people; rather, His choice is unconditionally grounded in His mercy alone. God has chosen from eternity to extend mercy to those He has chosen and to withhold mercy from those not chosen. Jesus's substitutionary atonement was definite and certain in its purpose and in what it accomplished. However, I cannot agree with some Calvinistic views, such as their "once saved always saved" doctrine. Earlier, we read two different verses that refute that doctrine.
The difference between Arminianism and Calvinism that I have just shared may be an over-simplification. Proponents of these two philosophies have argued for centuries as to which side is "right." I believe that only God and His way is "right." As for God, His way is perfect.
For Calvin, God is, above all else, sovereign. Immediately after the Lord sovereignly apprehended me, He emphasized to me His sovereignty. Within only a few months He sovereignly saved me; He sovereignly delivered me from smoking, instantaneously; He sovereignly healed me of a sinus condition that a Spirit-filled doctor had just told me he could do nothing for me; and He sovereignly started opening up Scripture to me. In reality, the Lord has always worked with me sovereignly and not through other men. That was also Paul's experience. God has chosen from eternity those whom He will bring to Himself, not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in those people; rather, His choice is unconditionally grounded in His mercy alone. God has chosen from eternity to extend mercy to those He has chosen and to withhold mercy from those not chosen. Jesus's substitutionary atonement was definite and certain in its purpose and in what it accomplished. However, I cannot agree with some Calvinistic views, such as their "once saved always saved" doctrine. Earlier, we read two different verses that refute that doctrine.
The difference between Arminianism and Calvinism that I have just shared may be an over-simplification. Proponents of these two philosophies have argued for centuries as to which side is "right." I believe that only God and His way is "right." As for God, His way is perfect.
Romans 3:10-12 says, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
Note particularly Verse 11, "there is none that seeketh after God." Benjamin Warfield, who served as the last principal of the Princeton Theological Seminary from 1886 to 1902, once said, "He that knows that it is God who has chosen him and not he who has chosen God and that he owes his entire salvation in all His processes and in every one of its stages to this choice of God, would be an ingrate indeed if he gave not the glory of his salvation solely to the inexplicable elective love of God." I must wholeheartedly agree with his statement.
Literally dozens of scriptures tell us that the first step in being born again occurs when God calls us to Himself, not when the natural man calls on God. For example ...
Literally dozens of scriptures tell us that the first step in being born again occurs when God calls us to Himself, not when the natural man calls on God. For example ...
Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
Some similar verses that tell us that God must call us before we can accept His Son are Romans 1:6-7, Romans 9:24, Galatians 1:6 and 15; Hebrews 9: 15, 1 Peter 1:15, 2 Peter 1:3, Jude 1, Ephesians 4:1, and 1 Corinthians 1:9.
Then, consider Psalm 65:4,
Then, consider Psalm 65:4,
"Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple."
Exodus 20:24, "An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee."
Although the Lord tells us to make an alter of earth unto Him, I have never found one verse where anyone ever made an altar of earth. The altar of earth is ourself ... our soul.
Leviticus 1:1 says the Lord called unto Moses. 1 Samuel 3:4 says the Lord called unto Samuel before Samuel knew the Lord. Scripture also indicates that the Lord called Abraham when Abram was still a heathen. The same is true of Jeremiah, Noah, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Paul, me, and many more. Jesus also chose (or called) Judas Iscariot so that the purpose of God might be fulfilled. In reality, every believer is called of God for a specific purpose. Even non-believers, such as Pharaoh, are called by God for a specific purpose.
Now let us read carefully Romans 9:11-24.
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth;)12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.15 For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.18 Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth.19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth He yet find fault? For who hath resisted His will?20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?22 What if God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:23 And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory,24 Even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Given all of the many Scriptures that point to the deterministic sovereignty of God, how do our choices, our decisions, our will, merge with the foreknowledge, the predestination of the Lord? We certainly are not robots. I believe that unless we see the difference between being born again and qualifying to enter the kingdom of God, then we will remain forever an Arminian. Our choices and decisions come into play both when and after we have been called by the sovereign grace of God. Many are called but few are chosen because few choose. Few on earth choose the kingdom of God after being born again. Jesus never said that ALL are called. For the few who do receive God's call and choose Him to be their Savior, they are born again. They are then eligible to qualify for kingdom stature, but that is by no means automatic. Then we must make our calling and election sure by the decisions we make daily. We must work out our own salvation in fear and trembling.
Now let us consider John, Chapter 17.
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:2 As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given Him.3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.9 1 pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Seven times in John 17 Jesus says that the Father has given the saints to Jesus. In each one of those cases the verb is past tense, not future tense. However, perhaps the most convincing proof of the basic view of the sovereign, deterministic aspect of salvation is found in John 6:44, when Jesus said,
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
The Father, in His work through the Holy Spirit, draws out sinners from this miserable, dark, and sad world. That is the only means by which any sinner can come to Christ. No one can come to Christ by responding to an emotional altar call or by raising a hand or by repeating some type of "sinners' prayer." It is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Every human being is born with an innate desire to find happiness in their life. Christians, even after being born from above, frequently still look for some magic formula that will solve all of their problems and result in a happy, peaceful life on earth. No one, in the natural realm, likes to suffer. Many Christians, therefore, look for a way to avoid or at least ameliorate suffering, which can come in three different forms ... physical, soulish, or spiritual. Suffering, of course, is one of the means that the Lord allows to help us exchange our natural man, the first Adam, for the Spiritual man, the last Adam, which is Christ.
Every human being is born with an innate desire to find happiness in their life. Christians, even after being born from above, frequently still look for some magic formula that will solve all of their problems and result in a happy, peaceful life on earth. No one, in the natural realm, likes to suffer. Many Christians, therefore, look for a way to avoid or at least ameliorate suffering, which can come in three different forms ... physical, soulish, or spiritual. Suffering, of course, is one of the means that the Lord allows to help us exchange our natural man, the first Adam, for the Spiritual man, the last Adam, which is Christ.
1 Peter 4:1, "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;"
Our youngest daughter, who is now 53, for several long years has been going through more forms of suffering than perhaps any three other Christians combined. Both my wife and I marvel that her suffering is not because she has done or said anything "wrong." She has maintained her integrity before the Lord. Therefore, it was very easy to prophesy the word of the Lord to her recently, namely that the Lord is very pleased with her walk with Him and that surely the Lord will one day wipe away all of her tears and sufferings and replace that with His joy unspeakable and full of glory.
1 Peter 1:7-9, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
In many different scriptures, we are told that suffering for the sake of Jesus is to be expected. However, scriptures also indicate that righteous suffering is closely followed by glory.
Romans 8:16-18, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."Philippians 3:10-11, "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."Hebrews 2:9-10, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."1 Peter 1:11, "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."
1 Peter 4:12-13, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."1 Peter 5:1, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:"
Hebrews 12:1-17.
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Many years ago, I knew a good brother who seemed to have what is called a "photographic memory." He could tell you exactly where almost every Scripture verse is found. Many times, I have marveled at the ministry that came through him. I also have no doubt that he loved the Lord. Some Christians advocate requiring their children to memorize a number of different scriptures. I have no problem with that, although I personally never tried to memorize Scripture.
David said, in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Note that David did not say that he had hid the word of the Lord in his mind. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is our teacher. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the truth to our heart.
Now, what is the end of the matter?
To repeat, as for God, His way is perfect. Many years ago, the U.S. Army had a slogan, "Be all you can be in the Army." That is also true in the spiritual realm. We should all strive to be all we can be in the Lord's army. We all must have the same attitude worked within us that Paul expressed in Philippians, Chapter 3, verses 4 through 16.
Now, what is the end of the matter?
To repeat, as for God, His way is perfect. Many years ago, the U.S. Army had a slogan, "Be all you can be in the Army." That is also true in the spiritual realm. We should all strive to be all we can be in the Lord's army. We all must have the same attitude worked within us that Paul expressed in Philippians, Chapter 3, verses 4 through 16.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9 And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
For me personally, and hopefully for every born-from-above believer in Christ, we should be eternally grateful to the Lord for calling us to Himself. Amen and amen.
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