Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Romans 5:12 ¶ Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned-- |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 5:12 ¶ Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to stop it or escape its power], because they all sinned. |
Subject: Is sin inherited from father and mother? |
Bible Note: Dear John, A lot of people like me have a deep faith in the atonement that comes through Christ and we show it through our faithful obedience. There is nothing inherent in the word 'obedience' to suggest 'works salvation.' I don't have to believe in Calvin's tenets to know that salvation is a gift. But there are too many admonition/commands in the Bible for me to sit and tell anyone that God does it all. God did His part at Calvary. The blood that was shed there is powerful and abundant to take away the sins of every individual on earth. But God, no respector of persons, has not gone so far as to wipe out everyone's sins. He only does that for people who have faith. Agreeing on this point, we have a choice to make: does God give saving faith to an elect few, or is the Gospel truth sufficient enough to counter the false messages in the world so that the honest hearer repent and turn to God? I choose the latter. It makes the most sense. When I criticize, I do not criticize God. For example, I don't criticize God for promising that the majority of people are hell bound. I don't criticize God for allowing pain in the world. I don't criticize God for entrusting the soul saving message to mortal men. I know that God is wise enough to choose the best method. My criticism is of a doctrine that ignores so much of Scripture. I have had the pleasure of converting two men to Christ: two men who were raised since childhood in the Calvinists tradition. Their dads were preachers of that persuasion, and all of their schooling up to and into college was at religious schools. They told me of the private wrestlings they and their college classmates had over so many passages of Scripture that contradict 'total depravity' and 'perseverance of the saints.' The professors reminded them not to worry, those were the mysteries of the Bible you aren't to challenge. To wrestle and try to reconcile the Scripture was tantamount to challenging the Sovereignty of God. Anathema. I'm sure I still have things to learn about Calvinism, but believe me, I've studied it. It took time, but we studied and they saw that they could reconcile Scripture and the 'mysteries' cleared up. I believe every tenet of Calvinism is 180 degrees out of kilter. But I still, wholeheartedly believe that I'm unworthy and undeserving of the salvation I have. I have it, but I did not earn it. Rejecting Calvinism doesn't equate with 'works salvation.' All of my works are as filthy rags, but that doesn't mean they don't please God. God wants us to engage in good deeds and let our light shine before men in such a way that they might see them and glorify God in heaven. When I study with someone, I start with the message of Jesus Christ and what He did for mankind. I then establish that salvation is available to all who call on the Lord. I reinforce that salvation is BY Grace (God's unmerited favor, His gift) and THROUGH Faith (man's obedient response, man's turn from sin). I am not a Calvinist, I'm not a Pelagianist, I'm nothing but a Christian. I have an AGAPE love for God and man, I HOPE in what I do not see and trust that God will bring Me home some day, I walk by FAITH, not by sight. A Calvinist tries to diminish the testimony of those who believe in necessity of the "obedience of faith" by casting such activity as "acting saved", without actually being saved [believe me, I've seen those sentiments on this forum]. A man's faith is visible in the way he walks and talks. I do not call into question his faith because he chooses to fight the good fight and strive against sin. I do not call into question his salvation if he declares that he chooses to love, he chooses to have faith in the unseen, he chooses to do the works that Jesus taught. Jesus said, 'go and do likewise.' Those words are powerful, in and of themselves. They are not cold, dead, and lifeless waiting for the Holy Spirit to enter the individual and give them meaning. God's word is powerful, living and active. When you read (Ephesians 3), you can have insight into the mysteries. Every man who seeks first His kingdom and His righteousness can read the Bible and it will make him wise unto salvation. It is the word of God, the imperishable seed, by which a man is born again. The faithful man of God is to 'preach and teach these principles.' He is to admonish, reprove, exhort, etc and the words, being truth, will cut to the quick and convert. The Word of God doesn't need the Holy Spirit to come in to the individual to give them power. The Word is the Sword of the Holy Spirit. I've said enough. I mean no disrespect to you, but I cannot agree with Calvin. Good day. |