I was on a forum that I use from time to time and I came across a thread which read: were you saved by a decision YOU made?
I replied with just a couple of paragraphs, and I thought I would add here also. remember that this is a reply to a forum.
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Hi,
If God had not chose me, I would not have chose him!
This topic has been argued and debated down through the centuries by far more knowledgeable men/women than us.
One thing we should all take note of is, that this should not divide the body of Christ (us) as we will be debating this until Christ comes and then it won’t matter in the slightest.
First and foremost, I am a child of God and an heir with Christ as are all those who are justified by Faith. I am a Calvinist, in the sense that I go along with the doctrines Calvin expounded.
I believe it is God’s initial act that changes your heart (regeneration, Titus 3:5) through the word of the gospel (God’s word is powerful, it created the universe!) He softens your hardened heart (Ezek 36) and it is this change that allows you to have faith and call out to God and repent, thus you are justified then sanctified and adopted into the family of God, and in a future time we will be glorified (I’m hoping for a long ways yet for me ..lol, God knows best though).
Thats the biblical stance I take, and it is the regeneration part that most people don’t understand, I am not sayin you have to believe it that way but when it comes to a reformed position, thats how it works. Albiet I have somewhat given a short take on the subject.
I believe God changed me first, and in Faith I called out to Him for forgiveness etc. so you see it is true that YOU have to ask God and call out to Him in repentance for salvation, but it is God who is the initiator.
So it is totally true that YOU need to call on the name of the Lord, but because of your condition ( read Romans 1:18-32; Ephesians 2:1-3) God needs to change something in you to turn to Him.
I hope i have said this in love to all on here an not in a polemic manner, the aim of the game is to Glorify God through Christ Jesus our Lord and saviour.
Phil
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