Where do we turn or who do we follow to know the truth about God? Do we listen to men or do we seek His face through fervent prayer and reading the scripture? Can we ever know fully the truth of all His wondrous attributes? Or, rather; do we come before Him in child like faith trusting that He IS? And, that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him?
Faith
Calvin believed that justification came by grace alone; that due to man’s depravity, no one can be saved unless God has first elected them; at which point God reveals Himself to the elect in such a manner as to be eternal, effectual, and irresistible. Faith is also a gift of Grace[1]
Arminian View: God elects to salvation those whom he knows will believe…Although man is incapable of responding to God because of sin, God dispenses prevenient grace to all people, which enables them freely to choose to believe in Christ or to reject Christ.[2]
It is notable that both Paul and Peter refer to God’s foreknowledge regarding the elect.
For whom he (God) did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29).
“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (I Peter:1:2).
True, there is no way our dead spirit can be brought to life without God first calling us by His Grace, causing us to see the glimpses of His Glory so as to desire Him. There can be no explanation but Grace that allowed me at the age of 5 to understand the depravity of sin in my heart and that only the blood of Christ could save me; but, as I listened to Dr. M. R Dehaan on the radio, I did.
The Wonder and Mystery of Faith
For the believer, is it important to fully comprehend the truth of how I was chosen? Or is it merely the wonder and awe of knowing I am His chosen child! There is nothing within my regenerate heart that could have commended me to Him. It was His act of grace alone that opened the heart of a five year to understand her need. It is also a wondrous act of grace, that His Holy Spirit allows me to believe that He IS the Almighty, Sovereign Creator. Beyond that, His Grace gives me faith to believe in His goodness in every circumstance of life. Regardless of how painful the circumstance may humanly appear, it is Grace that allows me to trust it is good.
Soren Kierkegaard on the Wonder of Faith
A Believer, as a mortal man, knows how heavy the suffering is; but with a faith that wonders that it should be for his good he says in spirit: It is light! As a man he says impossible, but he says it too with the wonder of faith that what as a man he cannot understand should yet be good for him. When worldly wisdom is capable of seeing goodness, then faith cannot see God; but when worldly wisdom cannot see a hand breadth before it in the dark night of suffering, then faith can see God, since faith sees best in the dark.[3]
I stand in humble wonder that God could have loved me so much as to give His Son and chose me as His Child. That same wonder shines light through the darkness of suffering here on earth to see His goodness in it.
Follow Christ, the Author and Finisher of my Faith
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,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. (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Do I need to fully understand how for God both His Sovereignty and free will are both true? Or do I just say yes Lord, Thy will be done. All too often men want to place God within the box of our time and space continuum. We want to understand Him on our terms. Do we trust what men say about God? Or do we hear that whispering voice deep within our hearts, “Come unto me, ALL ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Then, we say, “Yes.”
Romans 10:8-10
The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Do you hear Him calling to you today? Then, come. It is not necessary to understand all the mysteries of how or why He is calling to you. Just know He is.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
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ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits
[1] Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, revised and expanded, (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014), 485.
[2] Ibid.,486.
[3] Kierkegaard, Gospel, location 411
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