Allan,
I understand what you are saying and I don't think you think this. However, some statements by some people I know and some people on this board--if you look at their statements--while they'd never state so openly they do think that there is a bit of "deserve" to it. Not, however, in salvation itself, but in the opportunity.
Many Calvinists have been rightly accused of Hyper-Calvinism. The accusation goes something like this: If God has chosen, why do missions." I certainly don't agree with this statement. Many Calvinists don't, but some do. Similarly, some Arminian types have argued such things as a post-mortem opportunity for salvation and the necessity for an opportunity to choose (such as the proverbial guy on the desert island who has never heard).
Again, I don't think I've heard these things from you, but you are a deep theological thinker from what I can gather, and many others are not necessarily so.
Blessings,
The Archangel
Actually, the scriptures warn believers not to be highminded or proud.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
So, this argues that man does indeed play a role in his salvation, but we are never to think ourselves better or superior to others because we believe.
And this is how I think of my own salvation. I was saved when a neighbor who had been a missionary took me to church when I was 10 or 11 years old. That day the pastor preached on hell, and honestly, it scared me to death. At the invitation I went down and they showed me from scripture how that Jesus died for my sins and asked if I wanted to receive him as my saviour. I sincerely did, and prayed and asked Jesus to forgive all my sins and come into my heart. And I have never been the same since.
Now, I have never thought myself better than anyone because of this. I have felt very fortunate and grateful that God sent that neighbor to bring me to church that day. I am grateful and thankful that his word convicted me, and still does. God came after me that day, I did not go after him.
If anything, I think myself worse than others. Unsaved people often sin in ignorance, but I have known God's will since I was a youth. I have sinned many times since that day many years ago, often knowingly and willingly. So, the unsaved have some excuse, I do not. So I certainly do not feel myself superior to anyone.
As for those on a desert island, I think God holds man accountable only for what is revealed to him. And here is scripture that supports that.
Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
The Lord holds us accountable for what we know. The man who knows God's will and disobeys will be beaten with many stripes, the man who does not know, but commits sin will be beaten with few stripes.
The scriptures say all men are without excuse, because the creation itself reveals to all men that there is a God.
I believe that God reveals himself to all men who truly seek him. But that man is only held accountable for what he knows.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't witness. When you witness to someone, you may indeed be answering their prayers who have sought God for many years.
Cornelius is an example from scripure. He prayed to know the truth and God answered his prayers and sent Peter to witness to him.
Acts 10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
So, I believe if a man in his heart truly seeks God, God will send someone to tell that person the gospel.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Here again is scripture that contradicts Hyper-Calvinism as you call it, it says God rewards those who diligently seek him. Maybe they would want to cut this verse out of scripture?
