"Those Who Believe"

"To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (John 1:12-13 EVS)

It is all about God, who He is, and what He has done. In a world of “my rights”, we do not have a right to be adopted by God. Adoption by God, unlike adoption agencies that spurn Christians, requires one to be reborn in the Spirit to become a child of God. Becoming a Christian is necessary to become a child of God.

John writes that it is not a human decision. This is key because our becoming a Christian was decided by God before time and creation existed. This is the basis of unconditional election. Paul wrote in Ephesians, “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. (1:5) However, one of the clearest scriptures on predestination is found in Romans 8:29-30, which reads, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” We who are or will become Christians were predestined by God to be conformed in the image of His Son, Christ Jesus.

Paul’s writing is a basis for the Calvinist belief of unconditional election. It is a belief that many do not hold because it is seen as exclusivism, but should be seen as a gift. Yet if we do not believe in predestination, we are holding to the belief in universal salvation, which we know is not correct because of Christ’s teachings. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Here Christ specifically says not everyone will enter the kingdom of heaven. This is preceded by verses 13-14, in which Jesus teaches, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” I hope that, like me, you want to walk through the wide gate and be welcomed and not face God as someone He does not know, only to be cast out.

The beliefs of Arminianism, which is the theology of Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian, were a response to the theology of John Calvin. In his theology, many churches believe, which can be catastrophic. If you have never heard of Arminianism, you might recognize the beliefs:

Partial depravity — humans are sinful but retain the ability to respond to God’s call through prevenient grace. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to God unless He enables us. (John 6:65)

Conditional election — God elects those He knows will freely choose Him in faith. This presents God as being subordinate to free will, or simply clairvoyant. God does not choose based on what He knows we will do; instead, He elects and calls those He chose not because of our propensities, predispositions, or works. (John 15:16, 2 Timothy 1:9)

Unlimited atonement — Christ died for all, but salvation is only effective for those who believe. Christ calls the elect, not all of humanity. While Christianity seems exclusive, it is at the same time all-inclusive, as there are no racial, sexual, religious, or socioeconomic restrictions on who God elected. (1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 1:4-5, 13)

Resistible grace — God calls all, but people can reject His offer. The call of God is irresistible, and when called, like sheep to the shepherd, we will follow Him. (Galatians 1:15, 2 Timothy 1:9, John 10:27-29)

Conditional salvation — believers can fall away if they reject God’s grace.

Scripture refutes each of these beliefs. The last and probably the most tragic: that believers can lose their salvation. This is a direct contradiction of Christ’s teaching, who said, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)

This is why it is important to read Scripture on its face. Those who interpret Scripture risk that their personal biases will detract from the truth and beauty of Scripture. If you are a Christian, it is because God elected you. If you do not know Christ and are here seeking Him, you are here because God elected you and is now calling you to Himself. Will you not open your heart to Him and ask Him in? Tell Him you believe in His finished work on the cross and want to be forgiven for your sins, and you have changed your mind, wanting to sin no longer willingly. Ask Him for salvation, His love, and His mercy. That is all it takes.

Grace and Peace.