Free Will

God created man with the freedom to make choices!
When man was created he was given the will, ability, and power to make choices which pleased God. Man, in the fall into a sinful nature, retained the free will to make choices, but the power and ability to will spiritual good toward salvation has been lost…. “there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:11). This is not just some or most people but is all people. This means the sinner is dead in sin and unable to convert himself by his own strength. Yes, man has the freedom to make choices, but salvation is from God as Jesus said in John 6:44 and he re-emphasizes the point in verse 65, “He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.’” The ‘Father’ must make it happen or a person will not come to Jesus. The doctrines of grace, original sin, being born again and others all fit together and they lead to God and his will and not the will of man. Praise God for his marvelous grace.

Jazzy says to open your door...

The call goes out. The offer goes out. While we debate the depth of our bondage to sin over at Rose's Blog, and our ability to respond. The call continues to go out...

Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Jazzy talks about faith debate at Rose's Reasonings

I am sorry I did not post yesterday, but my pet human was hogging the computer participating in the discussion going on over at Rose's Blog and using my name. They were discussing whether saving faith is a gift from God to access the grace he also gives, or the alternative which is that faith must come from a sinners free will to access the grace that God makes available to those that choose to accept it. There have been 116 comments and a lot of give and take from both sides that appear to be equally divided. Every now and then a little cat fight breaks out, but everyone does a good job of maintaining Christian love and respect. It is certainly several steps (make that many steps) more civil than what goes on at some of the liberal political blogs. Ole Jazzy has lost some fur at some of those demented blogs.

Providence

We learn from Scripture that it was no accident and not by chance that places such as Bodie, California, pictured above, are now abandoned ghost towns. The people are gone but the ruins remain as a reminder of what once was. The people, their time on this earth, and their activities, were all part of God’s plan.

Jesus said,…. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:29-30). The Holy Bible is full of passages and events that show that God is in control and has ordained whatever comes to pass by his decretive will. God even uses the evil and sin that men do to accomplish his plan, as in the story of Joseph and his brothers…. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Gen 50:20). This does not mean that God is the author of sin, but rather uses the sin that men choose to do of their own free will for his purposes. God at times works above and over the will of man to accomplish his plan, as was the case of Daniel in the lions den. In addition to God’s will of decree which is always accomplished, God also has a perceptive will that men, with their freedom of will and choice, can break. The ten commandments are an example of God’s perceptive will. He does not violate mankind making choices, but rather he works with and through these choices to accomplish his plan…. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross (Acts 2:23). The crucifixion of Jesus was God’s plan from all eternity. It was decreed by God and it was accomplished by God. That is providence, and it is a comfort to trust and believe in this doctrine rather than the alternative which would be total chaos.

Jazzy exposed by Cuffy to Lefty Leaner

I cannot believe that Cuffy called Lefty Leaner of Agendaweek Magazine and told him about my warning her about the consequences of not being loyal to our family (April 22 post). Anyway, Lefty Leaner called me for my comment and I decided to try the same strategy that Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (see April 5 post) used when she told the media that they were ‘not permitted’ to use some audio they had of her. I told Lefty the same thing about what Cuffy had told him. I thought he was going to have a heart attack as he laughed for five solid minutes. He said, ‘yeah right’ and asked me how did that work out for Ms Mckinney. Lefty then said, "I know Ms McKinney is used to the extreme left wing media carrying the water for the democats, but it is unbelievable that she would think such a demand would have any chance of success." Later when W.H. saw it on the news, he laughed so hard it woke Cuffy up from her 35th nap of the day.

Righteousness

Man cannot fly unaided nor can he stand justified before God unaided. A flying machine is necessary for man to fly and the righteousness of Jesus Christ is necessary for man to stand justified before God.
The righteousness required to stand justified before God does not come from anything that man can do (Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16). Sinful man does not have the ability to perfectly obey the law of God which is the standard required for man to establish his own righteousness…. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21). Therefore, the righteousness required to stand before God comes through faith in Jesus Christ…. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, (Romans 3:22). By dying on the cross, Christ not only paid the penalty for the sins of those with saving faith, he provided the righteousness needed for them to stand justified before God…. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17). Comparing Adam and Christ further, Paul goes on to say in verse 19…. “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Amazing Grace!

Jazzy regains control of blog

I your brilliant Jazzycat has regained the publishing control of this blog after my sister Cuffy hijacked it yesterday and slandered the leadership of the family with her unfortunate post of gossip. I have changed the password and regained my proper role as supreme cat. I have explained to her what happened in the movie Godfather II when a family member is not loyal to the family. I think with her recent home schooling education achievements she understands my drift and there should be no further problems. I then gave her a little catnip and sent her to bed for an extended nap. It is good to have W.H. and D.H. back because their is no substitute for loyal staff.

Cuffy hijacks blog from Jazzycat

Folks, this is Cuffy speaking and posting tonight in place of Jazzycat. Due to the very successful home schooling (see April 14 post) that I have been getting, I am now smart enough to hijack Jazzycat's blog and do my own post. I want to tell everyone about what a hypocrite and fraud that Jazzy has been after her speech to me yesterday where she said the following: "Cuffy I cannot stress the importance of feline manipulation of humans enough. It must be done to keep the universe in proper order." If you could have seen the way she responded to D.H. and W.H. when they got back today, you would have absolutely lost your lunch. While I followed her advice and kept my distance so as to punish them, she sucked up to them big time. She would get in W.H.'s lap and cuddle and purr like she was so happy to see them back, and then 10 minutes later she was back again. It was absolutely disgusting and the fact that she had made such a statement yesterday just infuriates me. I think I am going to start another Top Cat competition soon (see Nov. 10 post) and see if I can take over as queen of this house.

Jazzy and Cuffy anticipate return of staff

Cuffy said to Jazzy, "Jazzy, J.H. has really given us good service while W.H. and D.H. have been gone." I replied, "It is nice that he lives with us because there is nothing like live in staff to take care of our needs. I understand that W.H. and D.H. will be back tomorrow, so remember we have got to be united in giving them the cold shoulder when they come in. We should let them know in no uncertain terms that being avaliable at our beckoning call is more important than those photography trips. We should totally ignore them and when they pick us up, we are to turn our heads away and growl to let them know we want down. Cuffy I cannot stress the importance of feline manipulation of humans enough. It must be done to keep the universe in proper order."

Atonement

The Lamb of God
The core theme of the Old Testament is that God chose the nation of Israel to bring redemption to some of fallen mankind. Due to God’s justice, this redemption required atonement for sin in the form of a blood sacrifice. Thus, a system of animal sacrifice was set up by God, through his prophets, to prefigure the ultimate sufficient sacrifice that Christ would make for the atonement of sin since animal sacrifice cannot atone for sin. For God to sacrifice his own son to satisfy his justice is a most unbelievable display of his love and mercy. In Genesis 22:8 this is vividly pointed out when Abraham told his son Isaac, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” While Abraham was referring to what he thought was going to be the sacrifice of his son Isaac, it points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Seven hundred years before Christ, the prophet Isaiah predicted in chapter 53, and elsewhere, this ultimate sacrifice. In verse 7 Isaiah said, “he was led like a lamb to the slaughter.” The sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ as a propitiation for human sin is the central theme to all of Christian theology. Doctrine after doctrine lead back to the cross and the crucifixion of Christ. The fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about Christ is shown in its most concise form in Romans 3:19-31. Salvation is from God and is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Faith is the key that opens the door to heaven and eternal life. The following verses are but some in the Bible on the subject of atonement:
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
1 Chronicles 28:11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Colossians 1:22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--
Hebrews 2:17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
Romans 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Hebrews 10:11-12 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
1 Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Sin

This base runner is coming up short in an attempt to steal second base. He is, in baseball jargon, “a dead duck.” Human beings also fall short due to sin and are, likewise, dead ducks.
Sin is doing what God has forbidden or failing to do what God requires. Every human being is a sinner, as the doctrine of original sin covered on page 4 explains. Scripture verifies this, “There is no one righteous, not even one;” (Romans 3:10). Holy Scripture also tells us that sin is a very serious matter due to the fact that the holy and just God that created the universe has sworn to punish sin. “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). For God to be holy and just, he must be true and execute justice on sin. The punishment that God has decreed for sin is: “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Scripture further tells us that man, without the aid of God’s mercy and grace, cannot respond…. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:44 ). Therefore, it is apparent that man is a sinner and cannot save himself. The answer to this dilemma lies in Romans 6:23 which states: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Thank God for this amazing grace which rescues sinners from the grip and power of sin.

Jazzy discusses Cuffy's home schooling session

I ,your humble, wise and gracious Jazzy Cat, agreed to post a photo of Cuffy having a home schooling session with D.H. After her first session was over, Cuffy asked me, “Jazzycat why don’t you sign up for some home school lessons with D.H? I know you are certainly one of the smartest cats that God ever created, but it would not hurt to improve your knowledge base.” I replied, “Cuffy, while I know that D.H. can teach you much that will benefit you greatly, I have reached such a state of knowledge seasoned with feline logic and wisdom, that I need to spend my time dispensing said wisdom rather than attempting to soak up more knowledge. However, home schooling will be efficient for you as D.H. can bypass the public school indoctrination program and proceed directly to the core subjects.”

Repentance

Straight paths in the Desert.....
Repentance is a gift of God’s grace that goes hand in hand with saving faith in a sinner’s heart and mind. Just as a sinner looks with faith to the atonement of Christ for salvation, he will in repentance turn from a life of sin to Christ. Sin is the reason that the atonement of Christ was needed for salvation, and a sinner will regret and hate his sin. There will be a radical change of attitude and direction in his life as he endeavors to live for Christ. Repentance is not the cause of being born again but is a result of this new birth. When sincere repentance is given to God, he will forgive our sins…. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). Without repentance there is no forgiveness of sins and no salvation (Luke 13:3 and Acts 17:30-31). Repentance, like saving faith, is a gift from God…. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, (2 Timothy 2:25).

The war years

Jazzy explains that James 2:14-26 is speaking about a dead unsaving faith

Free grace theology proponents say that the dead faith James refers to is not a false faith but, while not ideal, it is still a saving faith. A close look at James 2:14 through 2:26 makes it clear that James is speaking of a professed faith, but not a genuine faith. He is distinguishing between a professed faith and an actual possessed faith. A person can make all kinds of claims that are not true. One can claim to have things he does not have or claim to be something he is not. It is not unusual and happens on a daily basis. In James 2:14 we see that James is talking about someone who claims to have faith. James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? This would be like saying: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to be a doctor but has no training? Can such a doctor heal people? The answer is obviously no. A claim to be a doctor when a person has no training is a false claim. It is a worthless dead claim. Therefore, James was warning that a true living faith would result in a changed person with a changed agenda that naturally produces deeds and works. These deeds are a result of grace, regeneration and a saving faith and have no merit for justification. Good works are the fruit of a saving faith not the root or cause of salvation. James goes on to say: James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James is quite simply saying that a person who does not show any signs of the fruit of the spirit does not have a saving faith. He may have a belief or mental assent, but he does not show the signs of someone who has placed their hope and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. James then compares such mental assent belief with that of demons in verse 19. James gives examples of saving faith being backed up by action in verses 20-25. James closes Chapter two by equating the body without the spirit to faith without deeds. He says both of them are dead. Dead means a false, worthless, not genuine faith that does not save.

James 2:14-26: 14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Jazzy remembers Peaches

Today's photo is in memory of Peaches who was a loyal and faithful companion of D.H.'s friend Shirley.

Saving Faith

When a person walks the walk of faith he is indeed on a path that leads to the mountain top!
‘Saving faith’ is that faith and trust a sinner puts in the atonement of Jesus Christ to pay his sin debt. Scripture tells us, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Saving faith is the instrument or means by which a person gains access to eternal life that the atonement of Jesus Christ secures. This faith is a gift of God and will always be accompanied by repentance and gratitude that will lead to fruit in a persons life (Eph 2:8-10). Scripture is clear that honoring God with lip service, and not from the heart, is not saving faith (Matthew 15:8, James 2:17). Therefore, saving faith results in more than just ‘talking the talk.’ It will lead to ‘walking the walk.’ This walking the walk does not justify one before God, but is the inevitable evidence of a true saving faith. When a person walks the walk, he is indeed on a path that leads to the mountain top, whereas a mere profession of faith, with no fruit, is worthless.

Jazzy asks, was Mr. Black a true Steeler fan?

Mr. Gold N. Black who lives and works in Pittsburgh claims to be a Steeler football fan. He is a salesman whose territory is the city of Pittsburgh. Mr. Black calls on his clients and always brings up the Steelers and how they won the Super Bowl. He is very knowledgeable about the players, coach, and even front office organization. All of his clients are Steeler fans and they really enjoy when Mr. Black calls because of the conversation about Steeler football. What they don’t know about Mr. Black is that while he claims to be a Steeler fan, he does not go to any of their games although he is very successful, and could easily afford it. He also does not watch the games on television. He does not have Steeler shirts, hats, etc. He does watch Sports Center to get the highlights and studies the newspaper to bone up on the statistics. His claim to be a Steeler fan is in fact not genuine and is based solely on a business reason. The external appearance of being a fan is solid and he can talk the talk, but his heart reveals another story which is that he does not walk the walk. Mr. Black is a fraud. Now Mr. Black becomes so successful for his company that they decide to transfer him to Chicago to shore up their lagging sales there. Football season is just starting when he arrives in Chicago and Mr. Black upon making his first call, introduces himself and immediately says, “How about dem Bears.”

Born Again

The butterfly is a new creation just as a
born again Christian is a new creation.
The term “born again Christian” is misleading in that it implies that there are or could be another type of Christian. The truth is that a born again Christian is the only kind of true Christian. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3). Peter mentions being born again in (1 Peter 1:23). Being born again by God’s power is part of the process of becoming a Christian. If a person has not been born again, he is not a Christian and has not been saved. It is possible to claim to be a Christian without being born again, and that certainly happens and is spoken of many times in Scriptures. Scripture also tells us in many places that being born again is not a decision that man makes in and of himself, like joining a club or organization, but rather is a work of God. Paul said in Titus, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” In the Old Testament, the Prophet Ezekiel said “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Paul said, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5). God makes spiritually dead people alive by rebirth and renewal. This is being born again and is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. This process of regeneration is the amazing GRACE that comes from God and occurs before a sinner responds with faith and repentance.

Jazzy receives call from Lefty Leaner of Agendaweek Magazine

I hate to put more pressure on Cuffy to apologize for scratching guard dog Chief, but Lefty Leaner of Agendaweek Magazine called and wanted to know if she was going to offer an apology for the incident. Lefty used to work for the local CBS affiliate WLIE-TV and Cuffy and I knew him back then. I woke Cuffy up from her 8th nap of the day to tell her of the developments. She said that before she apologized she was going to check with her lawyer at the Sleaze, Grime, Smut, Crumb & Associates law firm. She said, “Jazzy, I have to check out my legal rights before apologizing because an apology might be taken as a sincere admission of guilt rather than my real motive of damage control.” I advised Cuffy, that even though playing the feline species card had failed, she should take her time because she still had her ‘nine lives card’ for insurance. She was soothed by this thought and immediately started her 9th nap of the day.

Spiritual Death

Just as physically dead men in a grave yard cannot come out of the grave on their own, spiritually dead men cannot respond to God on their own.
Due to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, Scripture reveals that all human beings are born tainted and corrupted with sin…. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me (Psalms 51:5). This doctrine of original sin reveals that men are born physically alive but spiritually dead with a sinful nature that cannot please God or submit to God’s law….the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8 ). Sinful men cannot please God. They are not spiritually sick but are spiritually dead, with no hope in and of themselves. Just as physically dead men in a grave yard cannot come out of the grave on their own, spiritually dead men cannot respond to God on their own. It takes GOD to quicken or revive sinful man from spiritual death. This is God’s amazing Grace, and is explained clearly by Paul…. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5). God accomplishes this rebirth of making a person alive with Christ. Jesus told Nicodemus…. I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (John 3:3). Just as men are not the cause of their own physical birth, they are not the cause of their spiritual birth!

Jazzy admonishes Cuffy for accusing guard dog Chief of species profiling

Cuffy said, “Jazzy, I am really mad at guard dog Chief for grabbing me as I came back in the house today. I think it was nothing less than species profiling and discrimination against the feline species. I know he has the responsibility for protecting our house from intruders, but he should have recognized me and shouldn’t have grabbed me inappropriately. Therefore, I scratched him and now I am in trouble with WH and DH.” I, your humble and royal Jazzy Cat, replied, “Cuffy, you are an arrogant fool with an inflated self-esteem. Old guard dog Chief is about half blind and you failed to adhere to the proper procedure for entering the house. You did not give the old dog a chance to check your i.d. For all he knew you could have been a suicide bomber.” I then called Cuffy over closer and with malice slapped her upside the head. My meaning was clear….. Have a little respect for those that are risking their lives to protect us elite cats. I would also add that this is good advice for members of Congress.

Jazzy talks about global cooling scare from thirty years ago

Cuffy asked Jazzy, “Jazzy I am really worried about global warming since Time Magazine ran the cover story about it and said that we should be worried, really worried about it. What do you think?” I, the magnificent and discerning Jazzycat, replied to Cuffy, “Cuffy, Time magazine is doing nothing more than spreading liberal propaganda and dogma. This global warming issue is a great opportunity for liberals to blame America and capitalism for a problem and then offer government control and socialism as the solution. George Will had a good article the other day where he exposed the fact that about 30 years ago these same people were predicting global cooling. The following is part of that article (For entire article go to jewishworldreview):

Science magazine (Dec. 10, 1976) warned of "extensive Northern Hemisphere glaciation." Science Digest (February 1973) reported that "the world's climatologists are agreed" that we must "prepare for the next ice age." The Christian Science Monitor ("Warning: Earth's Climate is Changing Faster Than Even Experts Expect," Aug. 27, 1974) reported that glaciers "have begun to advance," "growing seasons in England and Scandinavia are getting shorter" and "the North Atlantic is cooling down about as fast as an ocean can cool." Newsweek agreed ("The Cooling World," April 28, 1975) that meteorologists "are almost unanimous" that catastrophic famines might result from the global cooling that the New York Times (Sept. 14, 1975) said "may mark the return to another ice age." The Times (May 21, 1975) also said "a major cooling of the climate is widely considered inevitable" now that it is "well established" that the Northern Hemisphere's climate "has been getting cooler since about 1950."

If Al Gore and the rest of these liberal nut cases did not have the ability to destroy the economy of the United States with this absurd foolishness, it would be funny. George Will certainly did a fine job of pointing this out. Also see Jazzycat posts of Nov. 6 and 7 where WH has first hand encounter with this propaganda. The above photo was taken in June 2005 by WH.”

Grace continued…. Does grace save sinners or just make salvation possible

The troubling thing about the theology of Arminianism is that some men have an extremely better opportunity than others of choosing salvation through Jesus Christ. If this system is correct, and men must by their own free will make the crucial decision to accept Jesus Christ, then there are many factors that either increase or decrease the likelyhood that they will choose Jesus as their savior. A man that lives to 80 has more time and thus an advantage over one who dies at 17. Billy Graham’s children have a much greater chance than Ben Laden or Saddam Hussein’s children. Children from Christian families have a better chance than children born to devout members of false religions and cults. Many factors totally out of person’s control would make salvation almost impossible for some and very likely for others. Arminianism is an unbelievably unfair system when such factors are considered.

Under the theology of Calvinism, no one has an advantage as none will choose salvation apart from the Holy Spirit drawing and regenerating them. The only people who come to salvation are those who respond willingly to the grace and mercy that is given them by Almighty God. Without a doubt the Bible speaks of several people that came to Jesus this way. The Apostle Paul was a very dramatic case of God’s application of grace. Paul did not use his free will and respond to an offer, but was reborn by the dramatic power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This is an example of what grace looks like. God does it all. Jesus saves sinners. There is no boasting by the sinner in thinking that he made the crucial decision (Eph. 2:8-9).

Arminianism theology says that God only makes salvation possible, and the sinner must make a free will decision for Christ. This leaves open the possibility that Christianity could completely die out, or never have gotten started in the first place. This is not Biblical and God’s sovereignty and control of his creation is evident throughout the Bible. The Kingdom of God will not fade from this earth.

Grace

God’s grace overflows to many through Jesus Christ!
God’s amazing grace is the unmerited favor that he pours out on his creatures. Man has no way to make restitution to God because of his sin; therefore, God grants this Grace solely because of his mercy. It literally overflows through Jesus Christ as Romans 5:15 above tells us. Eternal life is a free gift from God that is not earned or deserved. Paul put it as follows…. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Here he also makes the point that the faith that receives this gift of salvation is also a gift of God. But, God is also just and for him to remain true to justice, the sin that all human beings commit must be paid for. For those that receive eternal life through God’s grace, that debt was paid for by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. When Jesus was dying on the cross he said, “It is finished!” In the original text the word used was TETELESTAI, a commercial term which means, ‘the debt is paid.’ Jesus lived a sinless life and owed no debt; therefore, the debt that he paid was the debt that is owed by sinners that receive this Grace.

Jazzy and Cuffy corner illegal intruder mouse

Cuffy and I really had a busy night on mouse patrol last night as we cornered one and played chase and slaped the mouse around for about an hour last night before WH and DH woke up. Actually our activity caused them to wake up. The mouse kept getting away and since DH wanted WH to capture the mouse unharmed for release it became more difficult to make a live capture. Finally WH caught the mouse in some paper towel and released it in the woods in the back of our house. Well at least we did our job of providing homeland security and I guess maybe WH will get a gold star or an atta-boy from those nuts at PETA. This episode absolutely wore Cuffy and I out so we decided to nap most of the day. We will be on guard again tonight for illegal intruders. Guard dog Chief is our border patrol and he is getting old and his department is under funded, so we may have more action tonight.