BIBLE FAITH OR REFORM FAITH?
God has done everything possible to ensure people that they can trust Him, but believing is up to each individual. Believing is a PERSON’S act of faith in response to God’s grace and His gift of salvation.
Reform doctrine falsely teaches that faith is a gift only to the elect, and when they are regenerated (born-again), they are enabled to believe. At that point, the gospel becomes irresistible to them, and they have no means within themselves to refuse it. This teaching is the “I” of the “TULIP” – irresistible grace.
How does a person get faith; by receiving a gift or believing?
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by HEARING and hearing by the word of God.
One is said to have faith when he simply believes and trusts God’s Word.
A love for God and a love for truth will always increase one’s faith.
REFORMERS
Whether Calvin, Arminius, or Luther, those who disobey God’s Word by not rightly dividing the truth (based on the rules of hermeneutics) and teaching others to do so will be the least in God’s kingdom if indeed they are God’s children.
Matthew 5:19
Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 28:19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.