I've never known a Calvinist...

Thanks Helen, but let me see if I can explain this in another way. You will admit if your wrong won't you?
Have you ever been angry?
Have you said things you wished you had not?
Have you thought things you wished you had not?
Are you always humble as a little child?

Do you see what I mean about the warfare. The above things will not be in Heaven and the Spirit does not work like that either but the natural mind does. That is what is the warfare, that is why: It will be sown in corruption, and raised incorruptle: Sown a natural but raised a Spiritual, sown in weakness raised in power: Sown in dishonor but raised in Glory.

Apostle Paul became angry with Barnabus and likewise until they had to part. Being angry is not part of being perfect as the Spirit is.

Trouble:
I have had 2 open heart surgeries, 2 neck artery surgeries, double hernia surgery with mesh holding my guts in, and I too was given up for dead. Called my wife in and told her I would not live through the night but thanks to God, I am still here. I live in pain also, but I preached today for about an hour. I attend all the funerals and go where ever I am called, so what have I got to complain about. I learned when I first became sick to live with what I had and it has worked very well for me. I didn't want to drag my family down with my sickness, but it is different when its your wife for you can't go down the hall to surgery for her but have to stand back as she has done for me so many times. Oh yes, I love my wife I am sure as Barry loves you and I think that is precious in the eyes of the Lord.
Hope I didn't get to personal.

 

posted by Helen:

Thanks Helen, but let me see if I can explain this in another way. You will admit if your wrong won't you?
God has sure made sure I've learned how to do that!

Have you ever been angry?
Yup, but it's what I do with that anger that is the crux of the matter, right? Not that I have always done the best, but I sure know how to repent!

Have you said things you wished you had not?
Of course. But I'm learning to shut up a lot better than I used to, and it's great to know the Lord hasn't given up on me!

Have you thought things you wished you had not?
Not too much anymore. Didn't realize that until you asked the question, though. The Holy Spirit really has brought me a long way! He is incredible!

Are you always humble as a little child?
A lot better than I used to be. You see, a good part of the peace is knowing that the Holy Spirit is transforming me and that when I do something wrong He is faithful to bring it to my attention so that I can repent, be forgiven, and move on. I find a real peace in that!

What you have just said is what we are calling the warfare Helen, The Spirit don't do those things, and thanks for your prayers.

 

Helen, you confuse the fact that Paul was religious with the idea that Paul was really serving God. He most certainly had not chosen to serve the true God. He had chosen to serve a god of his own making. That is what the Bible calls idolatry.

Just because people are religious and seek to do what they consider to be right does not mean they are seeking God. It means they are seeking to be justified by their own works. It means they are seeking a god that will be the type of god they want him to be. This is not what it means to seek God. It is sin.

 

So, you are admitting that you believe that God saves people because of their own works? Even though Paul's works were wrong, because his heart was in the right place, God decided to save him?

 

Why are the epistles of the NT written to the elect?

Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Titus 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,

1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

2 John 1:1-2 THE ELDER, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

Why are believers described as "the called-out ones," which is the Greek word eklesia, translated "church?"

1 Corinthians 1:1-2 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church (eklesia) of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church (eklesia) of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church (eklesia) of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

Ephesians 1:22 - 2:1 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church (eklesia), 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church (eklesia), who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church (eklesia) of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church (eklesia) of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Get the picture? Words mean something. Believers are said to be the elect. Believers are described as called. The group of believers are the called-out ones.

This would mean that those who reject the gospel are the non-elect (or reprobate). Those who reject the gospel are not called. Those who reject the gospel are not the called-out ones.

This is why I am a calvinist. The Bible tells me so.

 

In fact, Jesus called people like this sons of the devil. That doesn't mean that anyone who believes they can be justified by their own works is out of the reach of salvation (with God anything is possible), but Jesus didn't say "they're sons of the devil but their hearts are in the right place".

 

No, she claims to be better than apostles. Not only did she choose Christ instead of being chosen by Him, she doesn't even have any fleshly desires warring against the Spirit.

 

Calvibaptist:
Because when you are born again you become "The Elect" is why the epistles are to the "Elect". The Church is made up of believers and the believers are the "Elect".
You are no longer of the world for I have chosen you out of the world. There is not a bunch of families of God, there is only one.
The "City" is made up of both Israel and Gentiles and they become as one, if they choose to serve God instead of satan. "Choose you this day whom ye shall server" and "seek the Lord in your youth while He may be found", etc.

 

"Those who reject the gospel are not called".

Many ARE Called, few ARE chosen.


"Those who reject the gospel are not the called-out ones."

Do you think it's possible they were in the group of "MANY" who were called, but closed their eyes/ears to the "CALLING"??

Mt 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal (save) them.

The only difference in God's calling is made in the "hearts" of the "Hearer", their "belief/unbelief", obedience/disobedience.

God's no respecter of persons, especially with the "Calling".