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lookn4ward2heavn said:
Let me preach a little: You seem to emphasize that the teachings of Calvinism concern a God who hates rather than a God who loves. I think that if one believes God only loves a few but hates the majority of mankind, he will follow that belief in practice; no one can truly love all men who believes some are hated from all eternity by God.

We forfitted our rights in paradise and now we are in a spiritual bind - we are dead in tresspasses and sins and God is under no obligation to show mercy unto us - fortunately God has provided hope for ALL MANKIND. And that hope is Jesus. So God has shown love and mercy to all mankind with the giving of His son. Also, He takes no pleasue in the condemnation of the reprobate. But He is righteous and just and will punish those who are unreconciled to Him. The fact that He pardons some is His perogative.

But I can't stress enough that we ARE responsible and accountable - if we've heard the true Gospel preached we are blessed and we know we can turn to GOd. If this kind of experiential Reformed preaching and foremost the reading of the Word melts our hearts and convicts us of sin - we can be sure that God has a hand in this and will not leave us in this dead state but will lift us out of despair. We musn't fight these difficult truths but accept them. The more spiritual knowledge and insight we receive the more accountable we are but also the more hope we should have that the work started by God will not be abandoned but be fully carried out to His glory and our good!

One thing is for sure Calvinistic/Reformed theology does not make one slack or disinterested in the spiritual welfare of others - quite the contrary, there is no greater Christian zeal than that of one who realizes God is in control and that we can rely on Him for all things because He is perfect, while we perform our duties as humble servants that desire to share the whole counsel of God with the hope that others may also be convicted of their sins and truely turn to GOd for mercy and forgiveness.

Last edited by AC.; Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:16 PM.