Eight Years in the Faith, All Because of The God of Calvinism!

Eight years in the faith. June 5 is the day. Everyone who knew me ten years ago could easily spot the difference. I still wonder how I got here each time I think of it. I just know it wasn't because of me.

Sure, I did a lot of things, met and mingled with a lot of people, and learned a lot of things --- all of which became factors for this drastic change.  But the socio and the logic wouldn't suffice to alter one's nature (Jer. 13:23). There must have been a supernatural intervention. Far be it from me to give the credit to myself. Everything I am now is all by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Cor. 15:10) so the glory is due to Him alone. And, aside from the fact that I find it biblical, I believe this is the main reason why I fell in love with this theological system known as "Calvinism", which was introduced to me in the early months of my Christian life.

Some people think the doctrine of Total Depravity downplays mankind's integrity. I see it as a biblical rationale for the domination of evil in my past and in this world. We may keep a blind eye towards this tragic reality but the dudes in the news confirm that sin often has the upper hand. Many think man is naturally good but in God's eyes,

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

The more I acknowledge this fatal disease, the more I appreciate its cure. (see Rom. 3:21-26)

Most people deem Unconditional Election as hazardous to the justice and love of God. There God chose some for salvation while leaving others to condemnation. But to me it as a great display of both (Rom. 9:22-24). That God did not choose all shows his justice in punishing sinners. That God would choose me, rather than let me in my sinful nature choose him (as if I will) exalts God's love more. Like Spurgeon, I do not wonder why he chose to save some. I wonder more why he chose to save at all (for nobody deserves salvation) and why he chose me (for I don't deserve salvation).

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." (Ephesians 1:3-5)

While others find Limited Atonement as an insult to Christ's great salvation,  I find Christ's cross more magnified through this doctrine. That Christ's death is intended and efficient only for His people[1] shows more of its power. It was Christ's cross that saved me, not I using the cross. Limited atonement implies that the cross of Christ actually saves, not just makes salvation possible. It actually saved me. 

"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

"...the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." (Acts 20:28)

Some think Irresistible Grace does no justice to man's freedom. I believe it marvelously restores it. Our will is free only insofar as it does what we decide and what we desire. Our will is just a servant of our intellect and affections. The problem is that both of these are captivated by sin (TD). Hence, that God would 'irresistibly' make me believe by changing my nature Him is freedom (i.e., from sin's power), not captivity.

"All that the Father has given me shall come to me..." (John 6:37)

"Your people shall be willing in the day of your power..." (Psalm 110:3)

Finally, while some think that Perseverance of the Saints discards man's responsibility, I believe it puts man's responsibility and God's sovereignty in a balance. Left on my own, I could've given up on this battle long ago. God knows that I can hardly finish anything worthwhile, let alone salvation! But thanks be to God who gives me security that can endure against all odds.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

If only the five points of Calvinism (aka TULIP) would be understood in their proper contexts, they would beautifully shine 'cause Calvinism, biblically and logically, (1) exalts the grace of God the most, and (2) gives the glory to God the most. 

I praise God that I am now eight years in the faith (and counting). This is all because of Calvinism. Not the concepts themselves but the reality of them at work in the world and in my life. I believe that I have gone this far only because I have this God of Calvinism, who elected me despite my radical sinfulness, sent His Son to effectively die for me, called me by His powerful Spirit and will preserve me to the end.

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[1] This does not discard the truth that Christ died sufficiently for all. (e.g., John 3:16; 1 John 2:2)

The Providence of God in a Nutshell

“My Father is working until now, and I [Jesus] am working.” (John 5:17)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) 

Definition of Providence

 “Providence is the theological term for the continuous going forth of God’s power whereby He causes all features of the created universe to fulfill the design for which He created them. Creation explains how there happens to be a world at all; preservation explains why it still exists in good order; and providence explains how it will develop toward God’s eternally planned goal. It is the consummation in time of the plan of God made in eternity.” (Robert Duncan Culver)

“The unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill, he upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory.” (J.I. Packer)

“God’s providence is His constant care for and His absolute rule over His creation for His own glory and the good of His people.” (Jerry Bridges)

 
Misconceptions about Providence
1. It means God is in control of all things so we’re not responsible for the actions we make.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7)
2. It means God is in control of all things so God is the author of evil
“Every good gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17)
3. It means God has a purpose in everything and his purposes are always traceable.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33)
4. It means all things work together for the good of every person in the world.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28)


The All-Inclusiveness of Providence

 
The physical world (Psalm 135:6,7)  |  Plant Life (Psalm 104:16)  |  People’s social position  |  (Psalm 139:16)  |  People’s success and failures (Psalm 75:6,7) | The time and circumstances of a person’s death (Deuteronomy 32:48-50)  |  Guidance and spiritual needs (Matthew 5:45; 6:8,11,26; Philippians 4:19)  |  His people (Philippians 1:12-14; cf. Ephesians 3:1)  |  Apparent calamities (Philippians 1:12-14; Philemon 15)  |  Temptations, trials, persecutions (1 Corinthians 10:13; cf. Daniel 3:17,18) 

 

Some Types of Providence
1. General providence – in his provision and care for all living creatures (Matthew 6:25-30).
2. Directive providence – guiding the course and destiny of the nations (Daniel 2:21).
3. Permissive providence – such as when God allowed Satan to assault Job’s family and possessions (Job 1:8-19). This demonstrates that while God permits sin in the world, he is never the cause of sin.
4. Safeguarding providence – in protecting his people, such as in the case of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:8-27).
5. Restraining providence – by preventing sin and harm from happening, such as preventing Abimelek from taking Abraham’s wife, Sarah, as his concubine (Genesis 20:1-6; see also Psalm 19:13).
6. Limiting providence – such as forbidding Satan from destroying Job’s person (Job 1:12; 2:6).
7. Redirecting providence – such as when he turned the treachery of Joseph’s brothers into a provision that saved many people’s lives (Genesis 50:20). Of course, the primary example of this last mode of providence was God’s work of redirecting the death of Jesus on the cross into salvation for the world (Acts 2:23).
 
The Application of Providence
1. It provides us meaning and purpose in life. Because God is the all-wise Creator and Sustainer of all things, we can be sure that we are not here by accident and that everything has a purpose.

“To the person who believes in God the Creator, this world order is not an impersonal `nature', whose mechanistic systems mock our deepest needs and aspirations as people. Rather, it is a created order that reflects on the Creator, who is good and who continues to do `all things well'. Then we can see, as Paul saw, that `in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose'.” (James Houston)

2. It dispels fear and gives us certain hope for the future even amidst tragedies. We can be certain that nothing happens outside God’s sovereignty.

“The sovereignty of God is the one impregnable rock to which the suffering human heart must cling. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God…. All evil is subject to Him, and evil cannot touch His children unless He permits it. God is the Lord of human history and of the personal history of every member of His redeemed family.” (Margaret Clarkson)

“When we fully recognize God's omnipotence, we will both obey him and rest secure in his protection. We will have no superstitious fears. Some people think the stars govern the world and worry about horoscopes. We can rest assured that the world is completely governed by the secret will of God, so that nothing happens without his permission, knowledge and will.” (John Calvin)

3. It gives us innumerable reasons to thank, praise, and worship God. Because behind all things is God’s sovereign power, we can glorify Him for all the loving providence He lavishes.

 “If God performs all things for us, then it is our great interest and concern in all things to study to please him upon whom we depend for all things…. Fear nothing but sin. Study nothing so much as how to please God. Do not turn from your own integrity under temptation. Trust God in the way of your duty. These are sure rules to secure yourselves and your interests in all the vicissitudes of life.” (John Flavel)

References:
Bridges, Jerry. Is God Really in Control?. Colorado Springs: Navpress, 2006.
Calvin, John. The Institutes of Christian Religion.
Culver, Robert Duncan. Systematic Theology: Biblical and Historical. Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, Ltd., 2005.
Demarest, Bruce, and Matthews, Keith (Eds.). Dictionary of Everyday: Theology and Culture. Colorado Springs: Navpress, 2010.
Houston, James. The Providence of God. Lion CD of the Bible and Christianity V 2.0.