How do you grow in Christ?

[hedrick]

I'd say there's no doctrine of the elect, but there is of election. Election recognizes the fact that no one comes to God except through God's initiative, which we don't deserve.

Talking about the elect tempts people to all kinds of pointless speculation, like trying to figure out who is elect. That's only visible from God's perspective. Sure, God's plan includes everything, including who is part of Christ's body, but there's no way we're going to be able to see things from that perspective. For us, the point is that God has called us, and that he is eager to welcome us.

[Chappie]

I'd say there's no doctrine of the elect, but there is of election. Election recognizes the fact that no one comes to God except through God's initiative, which we don't deserve.

Talking about the elect tempts people to all kinds of pointless speculation, like trying to figure out who is elect. That's only visible from God's perspective. Sure, God's plan includes everything, including who is part of Christ's body, but there's no way we're going to be able to see things from that perspective. For us, the point is that God has called us, and that he is eager to welcome us.

"Talking about the elect tempts people to all kinds of pointless speculation, like trying to figure out who is elect. That's only visible from God's perspective."

"For us, the point is that God has called us,"

I have no way of knowing who God's elect are, but i'm jumping on thjis "US" bandwagon. I believe it virtually impossible for a calvinist to write a whole paragraph with contradicting themselves.. Just my HO...

Well, do ya know or don't ya? Pick one... Kaint have both...

[hedrick]

God has issued a call to us meaning everyone, and everyone is welcome.

[Chappie]

Originally posted by RyanS
I meant that I tried to follow Christianity multiple times. Obviously, you hold to eternal security. That's something I'll have to respectfully disagree with you about, but it has little to do with my issue.

Not even Christians can follow the laws of Christianity. Try following Christ. That way, every time you fall, he will pick you back up. And after a while, you will fall less and less every day: Consequently eliminating the constant fear of falling that condemns us, resulting in courage and strength to stand.

Christianity is the new law, it replaces the old law: the Jews could not follow the old law perfectly enough to be saved, neither can Christians follow the new law perfectly enough to be saved. {Law is still law essentially still condemning all who believe.} Essentially the only difference between the old and the new is that under the laws of Christianity Christ has paid the sin debt of death: He is now our judge as well as our advocate with the Father. He has the power to forgive us as often as we confess our sins. Without Christ, the new law is as much a stumbling block as the old.