The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Any other reformed Baptist Systematic Theologies?

This is certainly true. However, there are many who have been taught that faith is a gift of God and of course, Paul couldn't be any clearer in Ephesians 2:8-10 which also explains that true faith will/must produce good works. But add to the truth and redefine the nature of faith by making faith something that God gives but it is man's free-will choice to either exercise it by believing or not. The end result is always the same... God has done his part (grace) and man must do his part (believe).

Even though these things were thoroughly discussed over a period of 18 months in 1618-19 at the Synod of Dordt and the unanimous vote to reject the Remonstrants who objected to Sola Gratia by reducing God to being dependent upon man and giving man the final power and right to effect salvation for himself, and wrote details objections to their pernicious errors (which are inherent within the heart and mind of every natural man), the same errors exist today WITHIN THE CHURCH. Of course, they are sometimes cleverly disguised by redefining the historic terms of such issues, but they are the same lies of the Evil One. And it should not be that surprising that so many are carried away by these false teachings for God has prophesied and Christ repeated that prophesy that the world would get worse and worse and the Church would fall away by adopting the world's philosophies and practices. And, it would become so serious that only the return of Christ would prevent even the elect from being deceived.

So, one of the major deceits today is "toleration" by taking the truth of God and reducing it down to a 'lowest common denominator theology', thus making the Church a "big tent" where nearly everyone is welcome and deemed Christian. The similarities between the Church and politics is frightening if one thinks about it. Power grabbing men in politics and in the Church who lie and cheat and who have little true interest in serving the people around them. Political correctness, individual freedom, toleration of others views and lifestyles, etc., all exist in both spheres today. Totally antithetical views not only exist within denominations but they are even officially allowed and claimed to be compatible with the denominations standards.

Yes, faith is the gift of God which is the FRUIT of regeneration wherein a new spiritual nature is recreated which is predisposed to love God, to esteem the law of God, that recognizes and rejects all manner of sin within and without, that knows and loves the Lord Christ as LORD and Redeemer and to whom one is irresistibly and infallibly drawn and united to by that faith. Does man do the believing? Unquestionably so. But those to whom the Spirit comes and the new birth is given, their believing is no less natural than was their hatred of God and life of sin beforehand. They are virtually dragged into the kingdom by their new God-given nature and the Spirit's power and most willingly.

SALVATION IS OF THE LORD! (Jonah 2:9)