Arminianism or Calvinism?

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The Christian world seem to be divided on the doctrines supported by Arminianism and Calvinism.

Its mostly on the topic of how is a Christian born again. Either by free will of human or by the direct working of God?

The Bible says – John 6:44 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Bible also says – Acts 2: 

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

Acts 13:48 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

 

ROMANS 9

10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

 

God is sovereign, and there is human responsibility also. The Lord commanded His disciples to preach the gospel. 

So it is the disciple’s responsibility to preach the gospel as the Spirit of God leads. 

It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin and draws the sinner to the Saviour. 

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Only a sinner requires a Saviour. To make a man/woman to realise that they are a sinner, is the Spirit’s work. With the Spirit’s illumination, the sinner recognises the wretched state they are in, and realise they definitely need a Saviour who alone can help them out. No one can save them  by themselves. They repent of their sins and accept the Lord’s free gift of salvation. 

So is it Arminianism or Calvinism? DOES IT MATTER?

Do what the Lord clearly says us to do – Preach the gospel as the Lord leads and then let the Spirit of God work and let the people get saved.

Arguing and debating on Arminianism or Calvinism does it help us to draw closer to the Lord? Can we please channelise this energy and time to know the Lord better and do the work which He wants us to do. Lets not give chance for Satan to mock at the internal Christian arguments. Lets make sure we focus on the weightier matters as well. 

Matthew 23:23

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

1 Timothy 1:4

which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

JUDE

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

But definitely defend if there arises a question of whether Christ is the Saviour or any opposition arises against the gospel. If its only a question of small matters, let us focus on  loving the Lord Jesus with all our heart and keeping His commandments. Let’s keep this question (whether Arminianism or Calvinism is right )to ask Him when we meet Him in heaven. JESUS is the Lord.

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