If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you have more than likely been drawn into the Calvinism vs. Arminianism conversation regarding the method or process of man’s salvation. Both systems of interpretation contain 5 points that contain biblical support. Both systems believe and teach the biblical doctrines of election and predestination. But when you read either of their 5 points, you walk away knowing that something is missing.
According to Scripture, God chooses man before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-4; Revelation 13:8, 17:8), but man is also responsible to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38, 17:30). So who chooses who? Well, both systems believe that God chooses man and man chooses God. Where they disagree is in the “mechanics” or the “process” of how it happens. They disagree about what God does and when, and what man does and when. Both want you to embrace The Savior and embrace their system. I say, embrace The Savior and forget their systems. No system saves you. We owe our salvation to the electing love and drawing of The Father (Ephesians 1:3-4), the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:7), and the conviction and sealing of The Holy Ghost after hearing and believing the gospel.
We will see this morning that the bible teaches the doctrines of election and predestination. So it is kind of absurd to ask if we believe in election or predestination. Of course we do. God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8,9). Secret things belong to The Lord (Deuteronomy 29:29). We, being finite, can only see through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12). A man once asked a staunch Reformed pastor after a message on election if he could know if he were one of the elect. His answer? Absolutely! Repent and believe in The Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. John Wesley couldn’t agree more. Today, make your calling and election sure; repent and believe the gospel (Acts 20:21).
