Christians, We Are Chosen By God

*If you believe that a saved person can lose their salvation, then you would be considered to be Arminian. Historically, most Baptists are Calvinists up to a point, and eternal security is one of those points. If you believe in the eternal security of the believer, then you would be considered to be a Calvinist.

*The strongest Calvinists basically believe in 5 points called TULIP for short:

T - The Total depravity of man.

U - Unconditional election.

L - Limited atonement

I - Irresistible grace

P - Perseverance of the saints

*T stands for the Total depravity of man.

-John Piper explains: “When we speak of man’s depravity we mean man’s natural condition apart from any grace exerted by God to restrain or transform man. . . Romans 14:23 says, ‘Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.’ -- This is a radical indictment of all natural ‘virtue’ that does not flow from a heart humbly relying on God’s grace. . .

*Our rebellion against God is total. Apart from the grace of God there is no delight in the holiness of God, and there is no glad submission to the sovereign authority of God.” Man is totally depraved. So our salvation is totally dependent on the grace and mercy of God. That’s the “T.” (1)

*The “U” is Unconditional election.

-Saved people are the elect or chosen ones of God. This is the word we found in 1 Peter 1, but the Apostle Paul used the same word.

*For example, in 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul said: “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” And Romans 8:33 says, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.”

*One of the strongest passages on unconditional election is Romans 9:10-26. Here Paul says:

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

11. (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),

12. it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger.’’

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

14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!

15. For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’’

16. So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

17. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "Even for this same purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be declared in all the earth.’’

18. Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

19. You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?’’

20. But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?’’

21. Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?