"
I don't know much about Calvinism other than the five points known as-tulip. I am definitely not an expert. Although I can to some extent agree with the depravity of man, after all, God's word tells us that the heart is desperately wicked - and yet, John tells us that the light is within all men. I believe it is that light that enable us all to have equal opportunity to exercise free will in either heeding that small still voice of the Holy Spirit or ignoring it and/or denying it. From what I understand, Calvin taught that we are so depraved that none of us would choose God given the chance and that is why God does the choosing. Personally I believe that it takes the Holy spirit working and the human spirit being open to it pretty much simultaneously. It is like chocolate milk. - it takes both milk and chocolate at the same time.
If unconditional choosing is biblical, what do we do with all the scriptures that point out we have a say in our eternity. The door of the ark was even left open for seven days after God called Noah and his family inside. My question is why? Also, why is Satan released at the end of the millennial reign? This doesn't count all the places in Scripture that say "Whosoever Believeth" etc.
In the days ahead it will not be theology that will unite us or hold us together. Everyone has their own doctrines and theology. There is nothing wrong to have opinions, but it is not what is going to unite us in love. Whether you are a Calvinist or whatever, Jesus Christ is neither. He is God and He desires for His children to draw close to Him and enjoy a good glass of chocolate milk. He will straighten it all out when He comes again.
My husband Roger and I were driving through New York City on our way to New England for a week of vacation, when we needed some gas. Pulling into a gas station, Roger quickly got out, filled the tank, and we are off again. We were not down the road more than a hundred yards when a black sedan behind us with four black men in it honked their horn at us. We immediately had stop for a red light. My imagination went crazy,"They are going to rob us, shoot us to death and steal our car.!" Great spousal support. The sedan stopped behind us. There were no flashing lights, so it couldn't be an undercover police car. Roger got out of the car. A man got out of their car and said , "Sir, your wallet has been on the roof of your car ever since the gas station." We were shocked. "What?" exclaimed Roger, "My wallet left on the top of the car! Thank so much for stopping us." Roger reached into his wallet and gave the man a twenty dollar bill, "Thank you, sir for your honesty. I really appreciate your tracking us down."
Phoo! that was a close call. Roger and I had prejudged the black sedan with four black men. God forgive us. What if they had been four black angels sent by God to preserve Roger's wallet and to protect us. It certainly was a thought to ponder.
This situation made us stop and think. How many times have we prejudged a person without first knowing anything about them. It is far too easy to do. Jesus said, "Judge not that ye be not judged". Roger and I learned a valuable lesson that afternoon, not to prejudge anyone by his color. It could have been angels unaware,
"Lord forgive us for judging perfectly honest men this afternoon. And thank you for returning the wallet."
