Who Maketh Thee To Differ From Another

I'm not sure what you would lable me.

I believe that God is in control of everything. I believe he has elected those who are to be saved. I believe that he desires that all men be saved. I believe that in the context of God being soverign over everything that I still have the ability to choose and that my choices don't suppersede God's will and that non of it is in conflict with the other. I believe if I end up in heaven its by God's grace and yet he will honor me for chosing him. I believe if I go to hell its because my choices landed me there and also because my name was not in the Lambs book of life. Yet I am fully to blame. I believe I was born with a sin nature. Yet I believe I was created in the image of God and that image is not undone by my sin nature.

 

This has been answered many times, Jesus himself answered this question.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Jesus himself said the reason some people do not believe is because they love darkness. Their deeds are evil, and the light of God's word exposes them. Therefore they hate the light.

Some men do truth. This is not saying they are better than other men, but they do seek after righteousness. Many a man has been broken by sin and sees the destruction and misery it causes. They long for what is good.

Matt 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Cals/DoGs try to teach that unregenerate man has no desire for God, but Jesus himself said otherwise. And personal experience does as well.



This is a photo of a Billy Graham crusade. One only need open their eyes to see that many thousands are seeking God. Will they all be saved? No. But many will.

This doctrine that man is so depraved that he cannot and will never seek God is false. Many thousands of people followed Christ wherever he went, and many today seek God.

 

You take this verse out of context. Paul is telling Christians not to be puffed up believing themselves better than other men.

1 Cor 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

And though you will never admit it, Cals/DoGs think themselves better than other men. They believe themselves to be "the elect". Oh, they will be quick to say they were chosen through no merit of their own, but still, they are very proud to think themselves chosen of God. It comes through loud and clear.

The non-Cal does not believe salvation is of himself. If not for the word of God, I would not have known of the true God and Jesus Christ. If not for the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I would not have realized my lost condition and came to Christ. So, I thank God that he was merciful to me, not only providing Jesus Christ to pay for my sins, but also coming to me through his word and Spirit and telling me how to trust in Jesus for salvation.

 

I do think it is a reasonable question to ask.

Another way to put it is-

There are 2 twins both raised the same and both did everything together. When they were 25 they both landed in church by invitation. While hearing the gospel one of them was broken and responded in faith while the other was careless and kept on his way. So what was it about the one who turned to God that was different than the one who didnt?

I would say God opened ones heart and the others He did not.

It is ok to say the one who turned to God was wise. Then why was he wise? I would then say because he had the fear of the Lord. Then I would ask why did he have the fear of the Lord? Again, I would then say because the Holy Spirit opened His heart.

 

I only think they are contradictions if understood with our reasoning ability. But scriptures supports it entirely. I don't think Calvin figured it all out no do I think Jacob Arminius did either.
Jesus wasn't constricted by western philosophy and patterns of western thought that Later Christians were. I believe the eastern thought that seems contradictory in reality is not from God's perspective.

 

Hi Oldregular;
I've answered this same question from you before too. It's not that anyone gives you the wrong answer. It's just that your not ready to accept the true answer.
MB

 

Old Regular

I saw what Spurgeon said, and I responded that I do not agree. Jesus himself told the parable of the prodigal son who realized his sin and came and confessed unto his father. And the son was accepted and saved. If Jesus showed us this example, how can it be wrong for a person to confess their sin and come to Jesus?

And it is shown with the parable of the publican as well.

Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Now I don't care what Spurgeon or any Cal/DoG theologian teaches. Jesus himself showed this publican came into the temple and confessed he was a sinner to God and asked for mercy. And Jesus himself said this man went down to his house justified, his sins forgiven.

Jesus has given us an example here that we are to follow. God was not insulted by this man coming to him under conviction and repentance, his prayer for mercy was accepted with God.

This Cal/DoG doctrine is horrible, it teaches you to be afraid to do the very thing the Lord wants you to do, to come to him confessing your sins and asking for forgiveness. And that is all it is, you are afraid to do what God himself has shown you to do because of the false teachings of man.

Forget what men say, come to Jesus and confess your sins and ask for forgiveness today. He is not going to condemn you for obeying him.

 

Hermeneutics 101 teaches us not to pluck a verse from its context to try a validate a point, which is what I believe the OP does.

We must always ask ourselves, "What was the intent of the author when writing?" What his intent to prove Calvinism's claim that man has nothing to do with his being regenerated and thus saved? Was Paul attempting to address and prove the Calvinist's point that God has effectually caused us to be faithful and good? Well, let's take an HONEST and OBJECTIVE look at the entire context of this passage and judge rightly:

It seems clear that Paul is addressing the issue of some people preferring Apollos over Paul or vice-versa. He begins by speaking of the "secret things of God" that have been "entrusted" to him and the other teachers. Could this be the "things" that he later refers to as what is "received" by God? Doesn't it appear that Paul is addressing a completely different matter than the OP suggests? Read on...

The second verse goes on to show that those who are entrusted with this secret things of God must "prove faithful." Now, why exactly must the unconditionally chosen and effectually called be proven faithful? Wouldn't God perfectly know what he has Irresistibly caused in the life of his elected one?

A Calvinist might suggest that the person must be "proven" to the people by their fruits, but Paul contradicts this in the very next verses saying, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts." At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Why would God praise man for right motives if indeed God is the one who controls such motives? Shouldn't He praise Himself for effectually making them faithful and with right motives?

I think Calvinists would do well to follow Pauls warning when he writes, "Do not go beyond what is written."

Paul continues saying, "Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"

This proves my earlier point that the subject being addressed here is believers who are taking pride in one teacher over another. Which brings another interesting question to pose for the Calvinist. Assuming Calvinism is correct, what makes you better than the non-Calvinistic believer? Why are you choosing the correct doctrine of soteriology while others don't?

 

On the contrary, your continual misrepresentation of Calvinism is indeed horrible.

That is utter rubbish. Show me any Calvinist author who have ever said such a thing. You will not get away with your constant lies.

 

Exactly! Thank YOU! And where have we said that we are better than unbelievers who choose not to follow Christ?

That pretty much corresponds to the reasons why we believed the gospel while others do not.

1. We understand the gospel's claims
2. We examine ourselves and see our need in light of his Holiness
3. We understand that without him we cannot be saved and we need His forgiveness.

So, what is the difference? There is your answer. You gave it yourself.

 

Who would dare to boast? One chozen by God or one who decided to choose God.

 

I boast in understanding and knowing HIM!

Well, the pharisees thought of themselves as chosen by God while the rest of mankind was not and they were known for their pride and boastful hearts.

If I'm going to boast, I will boast in what the Lord tells me to boast in...

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord.

I boast in understanding and knowing HIM!