posted by left coast as reply #5
* Indeed, the two latter points, irresistible grace and infallible perseverance, are the natural consequence of the former, of the unconditional decree. For if God has eternally and absolutely decreed to save such and such persons, it follows, both that they cannot resist his saving grace, (else they might miss of salvation,) and that they cannot finally fall from that grace which they cannot resist. So that, in effect, the three questions come into one, "Is predestination absolute or conditional?" The Arminians believe, it is conditional; the Calvinists, that it is absolute.
Well, there you go, if salvation is conditional. Of which it is not.......
The scriptures are clear that salvation is the result of the free gift, of
FAITH thru
GRACE, mans part,is faith in
Gods word (ultimately it is the living word, Jesus), Gods part is grace, which He imparts freely and liberally to them that come to Him, with a broken and contrite heart.
When considering this carefully, this means thinking it thru to a conclusion. ( that salvation cannot be conditional);
In the end the teaching, places faith not in being able to be kept, by Gods power, but, in one keeping commandments (thus conditional), fail in keeping commandments lose salvation.
The obvious questions, which need to be asked, is what do the scriptures say, about the conditions, which need to be met, by man, in order to gain salvation?
If there are any, then Grace cannot be Grace, since it is clear, GRACE is the love and favor of God bestowed upon undeserving sinners, not imputing their sins unto them, but covering them, by the shed blood of Jesus, which absolves them of all demands of a broken law.
So there you go.............................Salvation is not conditional, because God offers and gives it FREE to whomsoever He choses, thru His Grace and Mercy, and whomsoever He wills He hardeneth. (Rom 10:18)
Petro
