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What If They Lived Their Doctrine? In Matthew 7.16 we read, "Therefore by their fruits you will know them." The specific context deals with false teachers and being able to identify them. In verse 17 Jesus says, "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree will bear bad fruit." The natural fruit of a pear tree is pears, apple trees produce apples, and so on. This principle is applied in Matthew 7 false teachers and false teaching producing false religion and reprobate lives. As one looks at the doctrines of different religious groups a logical question is what if everyone lived their doctrine. Specifically in this writing we want to consider the doctrine of Calvinism. Calvin came up with five basic tenets otherwise known as the "TULIP." Almost every Christian religion embraces part or all of what is commonly called Calvinism. Keep in mind that the five tenets are inter-related so accepting one requires the believer to accept all five. When one looks at Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterians, and even Catholicism, they are looking at religions that espouse Calvinism. Applying Matthew 7.16 the logical thing to do is to ask, "What kind of fruits would we see if everyone lived their doctrine." TOTAL Depravity first tenet of Calvinism is the belief that when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden that their very nature became corrupt. To quote the Presbyterian Confession of Faith, "From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgression." To be indisposed, and made opposite to all good, and inclined to all evil; means that we cannot but help to sin because it is our very nature. What if every Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, etc. actually lived this doctrine. I would say that we would not have enough jails to place all the criminals. A man could go out and rob a bank, commit adultery, kill his neighbor, worship idols, and do every sin imaginable and claim that it is not his fault. His nature as "inclined to all evil" is making him do this. I remember hearing about a preacher of a denomination who stole from the congregation and ran off with another man's wife. When caught he simply claimed that as a totally depraved individual he was not responsible for his actions. The congregation did not buy it and neither do I. UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION means that God selected or elected those who would and would not be saved before time every began. One person going to heaven and another being eternally lost is not due to individual sin, for we are all totally depraved, but God's unconditional election. This election is unchangeable which means there is nothing we can do to change our eternal destiny. What would we expect to see from those who believe in this doctrine? We would expect to see a total ignorance of God's word. Why study the Bible if my studying has nothing to do with my salvation. After all I cannot actually obey the Gospel and be saved if God has already chosen the fires of hell for my soul. Why worry about worshipping God, or abstaining from sin, if I am destined to go to heaven? It makes the preaching of the Gospel a useless and vain exercise in futility. When taken at face value you can see that the worse reprobate can go to heaven and the most kind person can go to hell. In fact a total atheist, not believing in heaven or God, can go to heaven even if they don't want to if they were selected by God before time began. LIMITED ATONEMENT means that Jesus' sacrifice was shed only for the elect. He did not die so anyone or everyone can go to heaven. If God decided we are lost then my obedience to the Gospel would mean nothing due to the fact that Jesus' blood was not shed for my sins. To accept this doctrine one must reject Titus 2.11, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (emphasis mine, D.T.). Because Jesus did not die for all men, he died only for the "elect. This make man totally passive and helpless in his salvation. If I believe that God has already condemn my soul then I would be depressed beyond despair. What purpose would my life have if I am ultimately condemned for eternity. On the other hand, if I believe (keep in mind that no one knows for sure) that my destiny is heaven then I can sin without impunity. IRRESTIBLE GRACE means that God's grace, Jesus' sacrifice cannot be denied. If God chose me then I cannot stop my salvation. Faith and works are not tied to my salvation. Believing in Jesus as the Son of God as stated in John 8.24 for one to be saved is in error. Man being justified by God on the basis of their faith in Jesus is erroneous. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS is often stated in the phrase "once saved always saved." If people lived such a doctrine they could be the vilest of sinners and still be saved. No sin could separate me from my future salvation. John 11.28 is often quoted to prove this doctrine. There is a difference in Satan or some person making you be lost and a person choosing to leave the pathway of righteousness. When you think about it the doctrine of Calvinism means we can live anyway we want and still be saved or lost. My salvation is totally in the hands of God. No amount of prayer, no act of obedience, no extent of Bible study, no works of faith will allow me to enter heaven if I have been predestined for eternal damnation. At the same time no act of rebellion, even if I decide to worship Satan himself, will cost me my soul. I could sin without any repercussion except for those in this life time. If people lived such a doctrine we would be in t he most immoral, godless, and evil society one could ever imagine; and that would include those sanctified by the blood of Jesus. On the other hand what if every Christian lived their doctrine? Think about it! -- Dennis Tucker |