Calvinism teaches that God has His "elect" whom He has chosen from the foundation of the world (Eph. 1, I Peter 1). Only His elect are given the faith that saves (Eph. 2:8). "Many" (Mt. 7:22) will have their own faith, summoned up from within themselves, that they think will save them. The Lord will say to such "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Mt. 7:23).
Have you summoned up YOUR faith from within yourself? Or, has God given it to you (Eph. 2:8). What is the gift spoken of in Eph 2:8? Is it, as some believe, the WHOLE package, grace, faith and salvation? Or, is it FAITH, that comes by God's GRACE that leads to SALVATION? I believe FAITH is the gift, NOT the whole package. Or, doesn't it matter how one interprets this verse?
God has chosen His ELECT from the foundation of the world and only they will be given the faith that saves. I believe God's SOVEREIGNTY tops man's FREE WILL. Do you believe man's free will tops God's sovereignty like many do, such as Lutherans? God sovereignly chose Jacob, the second born, rather than Esau, the first born. Why do you think that is so, because Jacob, like Ron Knight, is a better person than someone else, or, at least has sought out God more than the LOST? If then, you have reason to glory, but NOT in God's presence!
The gift in Ephesians 2 is not faith, it is salvation, eternal life!
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Nowhere in the bible does it say that faith is the gift of god! Romans says that it is our faith.
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
The elect of Ephesians 1 is not referring to ‘individuals.’ Rather, the elect is refers to the corporate Body of Christ!
Ephesians 1:3-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated [that is, predetermined a destination 'in Christ' for] us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Notice it is all in Him, not us individually!
Ephesians shows how one is saved...
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
You first hear the gospel (Christ died for our sin...1 Corinthians 15:3-4), then you believe, then God seals you!
God did not chose/elect Jacob to be saved and Esau to be damned...read the verse!
Romans 9:11-12
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
Notice nowhere did Paul tell us that Jacob was saved and Esau was lost...it said that the elder shall serve the younger.
Go back and read the Old Testament: the children of Esau will SERVE the children of Jacob in the earthly kingdom!
Calvinism is a damnable false doctrine that makes God out to be a monster that has God, before the foundation of the world saving some to eternal life, and damning others to eternal damnation!
Not one Calvinist that I have dealt with over the years could show me one verse where God chose a person to be saved and another to be lost!
Election (being chosen/pre-destination) in the bible is never used in reference to eternal-soul salvation from the penalty of one's sins!
Hopefully this help!
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