When we sin, often times the response is "We are weak". Nonetheless, we must know that there's no excuse. There's no excuse to our sin, there's no excuse to our weakness. We sin because we do not want God to be ruler in our lives, and God does not listen to sinners. But watch and pray, for the spirit is indeed willing.
The doctrine of Predestination is a deeper study of God's grace.
Calvinist: My very decision to be a Christian, could only have happened if God has decided for me first.
Arminianist: God provided grace first, but we each have to decide to believe in Christ, therefore, it is ultimately up to us to decide. A freedom given by God.
Calvinist: Even so, a freedom ONLY for the elects. For one can say 'Lord, you save me because you make me choose you by your mysterious grace'; but one cannot say 'Lord, you save me because I choose you, period'.
Arminianist: Then what about those who are not saved? Because they choose not God? or because God chooses not them?
Calvinist: Ah, a question with a hidden motive. Then let me ask you, 'when men fall, whose choice is it? men's? or God's?
The Arminianist thought to himself, 'If I say men's choice, then he would say why then do you ask the question you already knew what my answer is; If I say God's choice, then I'm in God's fury; and I know if I say I cannot tell, he'll say, neither answer I you."
For God's sovereignty is beyond our understanding of dictatorship. May the elects of God rejoice not in pride nor in relaxation, but in humility and fear of God of this freedom given under God's grace.
If people keep secrets because they think it is for others' benefit, they are usually the only ones who need the benefit.
Nonetheless, there is always order and authority as to how things should be revealed. Christ never gives us the impression that He's hiding anything.
Mark 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
There are many of occasions such as in Mark 7:36, and many popular explanations. I believe it is also that so that these would reflect upon themselves, individually as to what they have seen. For if they publish these great works as they did in certain situations such as these, they are more of gossipers than preachers.
Nevertheless, despite their deafness towards the word of God, God's glory is spread, but no thanks to them. (Matthew 7:21)
As I read Mark 4, I wish to collect real photos of the storms in the Sea of Galilee.
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Update (10/27/2009):
I have had this book, Holman Bible Atlas, for ages and am only finding this now. Shows I must read the books I bought.
Two images show the Sea of Galilee. One with a storm coming.
I recall someone once told me that it is because the hearts were not in one accord.
This is just an observed interpretation, not an explanation. I believe it is due to hypocrisy, over commendations, pretend (incredibly well trained to a point even one fools himself) to act nice, etc.
Everytime when someone comes up to me and say: "Tim, you play piano so well, play violin so marvelously or sing in choir so wonderfully", I would often think to myself, "Am I the only one here who seeks perfection?".
We are to serve with each other in the HOLY SPIRIT and in TRUTH. Of course, as for harsh truth, one requires the wisdom of discerning who is serving with the fear of God and therefore able to take criticisms maturely.
In different Seminary Schools, we may take courses in Predestination or Arminianism. But there appears to be one more missing, the Non-bias/Accepting Both/double standard course.
The Arminians make two mistakes:
1. They presume they can know who are saved.
2. They presume the Calvinists know who are not saved and that they can accuse those Calvinists of such presumption.
It is better to worry than to bury one's head in the sand. For the first is pure, but the latter one carries deceit.
