The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23,
"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
"Irresistible Grace" is the point in Calvinism that forms the letter "I" in TULIP, an acronym to help people understand the theology. That theological point explains that rather than individuals having to make a choice to embrace Jesus Christ in faith, of their own free will, they are, in fact, irresistibly drawn to him. God has chosen for himself only certain individuals and draws them to himself unconditionally (the "U" in TULIP). Since God is sovereign, those individuals cannot resist his will.
While I have known very many Calvinists over the years, and known them well, I can say that many are wonderful believers and are sincere in their beliefs. Many have a wonderful love of the Lord, a desire to serve him in every way they can, and have a remarkable reverence and devotion to God's word.
That being said, I find the whole of this theology entirely incomprehensible and a grave error of our day. Paul's passage above is simply one of many, many passages that render Calvinism as a theology that lacks a clear understanding of the Scriptures. Why would Paul alter his persona in order to "win" others if they are supposedly irresistibly drawn to the gospel anyway? Paul's comment, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." lacks coherence in the face of "Irresistible Grace".
"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
"Irresistible Grace" is the point in Calvinism that forms the letter "I" in TULIP, an acronym to help people understand the theology. That theological point explains that rather than individuals having to make a choice to embrace Jesus Christ in faith, of their own free will, they are, in fact, irresistibly drawn to him. God has chosen for himself only certain individuals and draws them to himself unconditionally (the "U" in TULIP). Since God is sovereign, those individuals cannot resist his will.
While I have known very many Calvinists over the years, and known them well, I can say that many are wonderful believers and are sincere in their beliefs. Many have a wonderful love of the Lord, a desire to serve him in every way they can, and have a remarkable reverence and devotion to God's word.
That being said, I find the whole of this theology entirely incomprehensible and a grave error of our day. Paul's passage above is simply one of many, many passages that render Calvinism as a theology that lacks a clear understanding of the Scriptures. Why would Paul alter his persona in order to "win" others if they are supposedly irresistibly drawn to the gospel anyway? Paul's comment, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." lacks coherence in the face of "Irresistible Grace".
Unfortunately, the schism this theology has spawned within the church by both those who endorse it and those who reject it has become devastating and debilitating to many. Both sides of that issue have become intolerant and vicious, a sad state of affairs. It will not be resolved within the church through cherry-picking "proof texts" to support one side of the error, calling each other names and accusing the "other side" of things that are not true.
While I do feel there is a very compelling resolution to the issue of Calvinism, there is something that transcends the theological arguments I mention here. Look at the heart of Paul! Here in this passage we see the man who once persecuted the church expend his life to add as much as he can to it! What love! What a changed heart! What a desire to serve the Lord in his pursuit of others needing the Lord!
Just amazing what God does!
I find the work of God in our lives just amazing! Were we all to allow ourselves to be transformed by the grace of God as Paul did, maybe resolutions to the theological arguments we have in the church might be more easily accessible.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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