Spot on! I listed 12 scripture verses that make it clear - it is grace, not works. What is being sought after is the warm, fuzzy burner, which is a purely subjective standard, but the only one they are willing to accept- because the alternative is too destructive to them.
I guess I’m not rally a calvinist cause I just can’t swallow the predestination deal. BUT ...
Everywhere I go I find people who will never accept God’s free offer. They are not capable of it. It’s not that they have made a conscious choice. Most of them will hand you some gobbldygook about this and that and the other religious clap trap ... but they aren’t saved and aren’t going to get saved. It’s just as plain as the nose on their faces.
Then there’s me. I needed God from day one. It took me 27 years to make my final decision but it was a done deal from way back. I find this to be true of most saved people. They were on that track from early on.
It sure feels like somebody chose me before I chose Him.
In all other faiths, the “god” takes, he makes demands, he has checklist, always taking from his followers, be it works, sacrifices or whatever the methodology, always leaving them guessing if they have done enough to earn his favor. Not exactly the acts of a loving father.
God gave us this world, gave us sunsets and mountains and things that were unnecessary for our existence or for the “operation” of this universe, things that just make it more beautiful and enjoyable. Those are the gift not of a task master, but a loving Father. The same is his gift of his son, one he gave to us freely. No check list, no tasks, no strings and no middle men. We just take the gift, as we do a sunset.
Ironically there is only one other powerful being out there who does battle against this loving father and his children, one who is a task master and does look to take, and take everything including our souls.
Like I said, ironic....