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NASB | Romans 1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 1:16 ¶ I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. |
Subject: Clarification from John Reformed...? |
Bible Note: Good Morning Brent, Much of the misunderstanding that exists regarding TULIP is a result of the titles of the the doctrines. For instance, Irresistable Grace. This title causes quite a bit of confusion among those who have not actually read the definition of the doctrine itself. You wrote: "I certainly believe that all initiation and conviction comes from the Spirit and not from unregenerate man. However, I believe this is not forced upon us irresistably". It may come as a surprise to a lot of folks but the fact is that Calvinism does NOT believe that God forces people to recieve His grace! What we DO believe regarding the renewing work of the Holy Spirit is: The result of God's Irresistible Grace is the certain response by the elect to the inward call of the Holy Spirit, when the outward call is given by the evangelist or minister of the Word of God. Christ, himself, teaches that all whom God has elected will come to a knowledge of him (John 6:37)"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. Men come to Christ in salvation when the Father calls them (John 6:44) "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.", and the very Spirit of God leads God's beloved to repentance (Romans 8:14) " For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.." What a comfort it is to know that the gospel of Christ will penetrate our hard, sinful hearts and wondrously save us through the gracious inward call of the Holy Spirit! (I Peter 5:10) "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." You see Brent, we believe that upon recieving the gift of faith we recieve a new nature and for the first time our desire is toward God. It is our desire now to be saved and we most naturaly love Him and want to plese Him. It is not forced, it has become our desire, thanks to the grace of God. To God Be The Glory, John |