Scripture readings:

Day

1. Ephesians 2:20 Isa.

2  Galatians 1:8-9, 8:20

3. 2 Timothy 3:15-17

4. Romans 1:19-20

5. Acts 17:28

6. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

__________

In this opening question and short one line answer we find both the duty of man and his destiny. We also find that the proof texts are sparse, namely, Rom. 11:36 and 1 Cor. 10:31. Yet we could spend many pages and hours of study properly doing the exposition and laying the foundation for such a complete and bold statement.

Few new comers to the faith fully understand nor appreciate this statement of fact until much later in their spiritual walk with the Lord. The answer calls for far more assumption of facts not in evidence than they have, and the proof texts while valid, seem to lack the concise clarity of other statements.

Nonetheless the understanding and application of this tenet of our faith is not only the foundation of our faith, it is the capstone. The understanding thus gained will lead to what our fathers called piety, and what we today would label world view. An internal filter by which everything we think, say, or do is measured against the Holy Writ less we unwittingly sin against God.

This then being the basis for our life here and in eternity, it would seem most advisable for us to fully understand what we must do to glorify God. Since even to the most ignorant it must be most clear there is nothing the creature can do for God, or that God needs from the creature, the answer to this question is not as simple and obvious as one might think. It will take much time, study, and prayer for the beast within (even the redeemed) to come to the point where they can see and agree there is no purpose under the heavens for mankind other than God’s glory. We simply have a problem putting aside self and bowing to the total will of another, even God. When for various and sundry reasons man does see it as in his best interests and so subject himself to another, the subjection will be neither perfect nor long lasting, the nature of the beast will soon regain control and bring about the downfall of man’s decision. Thus we see woven into this first question, the necessity of two of the five classic points of reformed theology, Total Depravity and Perseverance of the Saints. This beginning point also requires assent to the Sovereignty of God. While this isn’t part of our beloved TULIP, it is the foundation, heart, and end of the Reformed faith.

How do we glorify God then becomes the most important question we will ever face. The answer is as short and sweet as the first question, by obeying God. This is why Christ could say to Satan, ". . . Man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Jesus Christ then being God manifested in the flesh and testified to as being the Word of God, was able to speak of His body as that bread which man can eat of and never hunger again (John 6:35). Likewise we see Christ on the occasion of His last Passover meal, set in place the celebration of the Lord’s Table, whereby the believer partakes of His body, that he might receive the full benefit of the death of Christ for him. By this gift of the living Word for a dead world, Christ was fully justified in saying "if you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). These words of our Lord we can see as a summary of God’s command to the church in the wilderness and the renewing of the covenant at Sinai in the giving of the Law. We see the result so vividly portrayed in the Scriptures when God’s creation fails to obey Him in the first chapters of Genesis where man disobeyed God and death entered the world. Here we also see the fourth petal of the TULIP become a reality, in that by nature man will disobey God, and refuse to obey Him. Thus left to himself, man could not make use of the grace shown in the gift of God’s Son (Word) to bring about the redemption of man and thereby glorify God. God gives the gift, then providentially brings about the willingness of the created to obey Him and thus receive the grace offered. For it is written, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13).

To this point we have seen three of the five classic points of Calvinist theology tied to this first question. The second petal is most obvious in consideration of these facts, for we both know and have experienced the inability of man to maintain obedience to God’s Word, and when left to himself, to even show a great concern for the keeping of the Law. The world around us screams the unworthiness of the created for the gift of grace bestowed on man by God in the redemption of the elect, thus unconditional grace becomes a necessity.

While it would take more effort, it is no stretch to see the third petal as also a necessity. If man’s reward for meeting the requirement of God to Glorify God results in man’s destiny, enjoying God forever, then the opposite for not glorifying God is also obvious and the fires of hell become very real. From many verses we know that while hell was created for Satan and other fallen angels, there will also be a human populace there and the Unitarian is thus put to flight as the third petal spreads forth in full bloom, and the harsh reality of those not elected of God being left in outer darkness. Here we also see the capstone of Calvinism the last petal of the TULIP guarantee that which man cannot do for himself, maintain the obedience needed to glorify God, God does for him. For as man cannot effect his own salvation, he cannot bring it to fruit. Thus we are enabled to see that the beginning, life, and end of man is to glorify God, that he might enjoy Him forever.

Thus in this first question we find not only the duty of man and his destiny, but the foundation and heart of all reformed theology, which so clearly teaches that every thought and action in life must be brought within the bounds of the Bible in loving obedience to a merciful God, whereby Paul could proclaim, "By the tender mercies of God, I beseech you to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1).

While nature herself does indeed from the most simple one celled creature to God’s chief creation, that created in His own image, man declare that there is a God, they do not prescribe the duty as we have outlined it in the first question. From the Bible we know that it is the mouth of two or more witnesses that the truth is established, "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established" (Deuteronomy 19:15 AV). Nature, or the creation itself then stands as the first to bear witness that God exists.

The Word of God rises as the second witness, and thus the truth that God exists is established by a rule that has become the standard of every just court of man since recorded history began. However these witnesses also testify to far more when considered together. The whole story of the creation of the world and the history of man revealed in the pages of nature as uncovered in the literature of man and uncovered by the archaeologist’s spade are also declared true by the witness of Scripture.

Though Nature testifies God exists, and the Bible as the final witness establishes the truth of the existence of God, God’s revealed Word also then being established as God’s Word by its internal witness and the truth thereof confirmed in nature can be turned to as sufficient to provide the directions needed to perform the duty assigned to man by God. Here we find the first mystery of God revealed, man has the testimony of both witnesses and the truth has been established, but seems unable to comprehend or follow this Word of truth. This mystery is that only by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, given by God in the regeneration of man can this truth be discerned or applied. (John 8:48-59).

Read the Scripture appended hereto in the footnotes and pray for God to reveal the truth to you in these passages. Seek and you shall find! Now answer Christ’s question, "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am" (Matthew 16:13 AV)?

Whom do YOU say Jesus Christ is? The honest answer to this question alone determines whether you are a citizen of heaven or hell.

For further thought: Faith being the foundation and capstone of our salvation, without which even the existence of God remains in shadow, how do we obtain this precious commodity we call faith? (See Ephesians 2:8)

Research and further study: What is TULIP an acronym for? Give a brief one sentence definition of each of the five points of Classic Calvinism. [5]

[1] For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:36 AV)

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 AV)

[2] Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. {strength: Heb. rock} For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. (Psalms 73:24-28 AV)

[3] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. {in them: or, to them} For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: {so...: or, that they may be} (Romans 1:19-20 AV)

<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. {where...: or, without these their voice is heard: Heb. without their voice heard} (Psalms 19:1-3 AV)

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:28 AV)

[4] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 AV)

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. {throughly...: or, perfected} (2 Timothy 3:15-17 AV)

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. (Isaiah 59:21 AV)

[5] T TOTAL DEPRAVITY: Meaning man is not as bad as he can get, but is depraved in all his faculties and cannot save himself.

U UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION: Meaning God elected some to eternal salvation in Christ before the foundation of the world in counsel with Himself and for His own purposes alone.

L LIMITED ATONEMENT: Meaning that while the blood of Christ is sufficient for all of mankind, it is only effective to those whom God elected and thee Holy Spirit applies it.

I IRRESISTIBLE GRACE: Meaning that man is saved by grace, and that grace cannot be resisted by the created, man doesn’t choose God, God chose man.

 P PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS: Meaning that those whom God has elected and the Holy Spirit has regenerated cannot fall from the state of grace and enter into eternal condemnation.