animals and fruit

how did we forget armadillo?
lately, i've been thinking quite a lot
about the topic of predestination
calvinists vs. armenians
God is sovereign and controls everything.
we say it, but do we truly understand it?
if we consider salvation through grace,
does it mean that our faith in Christ
is not ours to begin with, but His?
there are contradictions between the two.
however, there are no contradictions in the Bible!
if we, as Christians, are chosen to be in heaven,
does that mean that others are chosen for hell?
not necessarily. i would believe it out of character.
God wants all to be in heaven with him-
just as he has intended from the beginning.
as i have been studying romans, i've realized
that although God offers his grace in full,
so that we may be righteously justified before Him,
people give it up for things of the earth.
therefore, He gave them over to their sin.
now, was it the people's choice to turn away from God,
or ultimately God's decision that condemned them to death?
from my standpoint, i believe it was their choice and
that God loved them still, but could not be in the presence
of their sin- lost His children, broke His heart.
now what do we make of this? that God can't save everyone?
no! Christ died on the cross for all.
salvation is already prepared for everyone, because
the price of all sin has been paid. so,
God has made a place for all in heaven- it is His plan.
foolish as we are though, not all want to be saved.
perhaps it is out of guilt and shame that
the wicked do not dare face God and repent.
or maybe it is a self-righteous pride that makes
the human heart so hostile towards forgiveness.
and this is where the calvinist belief plays a role:
God must be the one to choose us, because the evil
in our hearts can not be overcome by free will, but only
by his grace and love may we be able to repent and believe.
however, i believe the armenian belief to be equally valid:
God has done everything for us, however there are
responsibilities that we are given- one of which,
being the most important, is to choose to have faith
in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
i believe both reveal the truth, being salvation requires faith.
but the deliverance of salvation differs.
i want to believe in the armenian belief, because
it suggests that humans still have good in them;
believe me, it is not out of pride, but out of hope
that i wish things to be this way. i hope that mankind
has not fallen so far that we are no longer considered
to be made in the image of God.
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in conclusion, which belief you hold is up to you
...or is it? ^_^
i think the reason why i have not chosen a definite side
is because my knowledge of both views is still inadequate
but at least i know there are a few concepts that derive
from both that only create conflict and fool people.
false: calvinists believe that they are an elitist group
chosen by God and that everyone else is doomed.
true: calvinists know that God's love and grace is universal
and that no one is chosen for hell.
false: armenians believe that it is their choice that saves them.
true: armenians know that Christ has already saved everyone and
that it is by the grace of God that we are given free will.
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reflection: which of the two views would bring
more glory to God?