Sovereign Control
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God.
1 Peter 1:2
Through the years, Arminian and Calvinistic theologies have been at opposite poles. Traditional Reformed theology, which we call Calvinism, emphasizes God’s sovereignty, but Arminian theology in effect emphasizes man’s sovereignty. It teaches that God is helpful in providing spiritual assistance, but that one must find it in himself to come to Christ, persevere in the faith, accomplish spiritual goals, and win spiritual victories.
What results from that kind of theology? A person can profess to trust in Christ, but in reality trusts in himself. This reflects the belief that the power to choose salvation—or lose it through spiritual failure—belongs to the individual. Suppose you believed you had that kind of power. Can you imagine what it would be like to face death and wonder if you would be disqualified from heaven because you had committed too many sins? That kind of uncertainty will bring anxiety, not security.
Fully trusting God requires an understanding of His sovereign grace: that an individual is chosen, redeemed, kept, and glorified by God, who is the initiator.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 345). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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1 Peter 1:2
Through the years, Arminian and Calvinistic theologies have been at opposite poles. Traditional Reformed theology, which we call Calvinism, emphasizes God’s sovereignty, but Arminian theology in effect emphasizes man’s sovereignty. It teaches that God is helpful in providing spiritual assistance, but that one must find it in himself to come to Christ, persevere in the faith, accomplish spiritual goals, and win spiritual victories.
What results from that kind of theology? A person can profess to trust in Christ, but in reality trusts in himself. This reflects the belief that the power to choose salvation—or lose it through spiritual failure—belongs to the individual. Suppose you believed you had that kind of power. Can you imagine what it would be like to face death and wonder if you would be disqualified from heaven because you had committed too many sins? That kind of uncertainty will bring anxiety, not security.
Fully trusting God requires an understanding of His sovereign grace: that an individual is chosen, redeemed, kept, and glorified by God, who is the initiator.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 345). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Listen to this entry
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