L.O.T.U.S. Introduction

L.O.T.U.S.
By Don Perry

Introduction

Calvinism and Arminianism are not what God teaches, even though each quotes Bible passages.

Two religious groups in Jesus' day thought they held the true belief in God. The Pharisees had a strict obedience to the law (the Old Testatment), and the Saducees did not believe in the resurrection. Both were prominent systems of belief, yet both were rebuked by Jesus. The Pharisees were rebuked by Jesus in Luke 11:39, …your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. The Saducees were rebuked by Jesus in Mark 12:24, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

Similarly, today's two main systems of beliefs, Arminianism and Calvinism, know not the Scriptures even though they quote the Bible. Both lack what God says:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
I Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God

These Scriptures are only a few which state that every person is personally responsible to God for their soul. And each must appear before God, face to face, and answer to God for what he/she believes. To those who rejected Christ Jesus, God will search the Lamb's book of life, if their name is not there, He will say, … I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Luke 13:27. There will be no hiding, no excuses, for God shall reveal the heart.

To those who had accepted Jesus as their Savior , humbling themselves, repenting of their sins, believing Jesus died on the cross, and rose again on the third day: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. These born-again believers become part of God's family and to them, God says, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19, 20
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8
To the lost, God continually asks, will you repent and believe the Gospel, the Good News, that Jesus, the Son of Man, … is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
To the saved, God asks to reach the lost.

Arminianism and Calvinism are for ease of remembering their major points, are in an acrostic form, resembling the name of flowers;

Arminianism - ASTER
Calvinism - TULIP
The Biblical position - LOTUS

The LOTUS lessons are all in outline form, and were taught in Sunday School. Tried to quote Scriptures that could not be argued with.

Arminianism will give a person an uncertainty of eternal salvation, because it teaches that even though Jesus had been received as their Savior, he/she could lose their salvation.

Calvinism will give a person a lack of responsibility to tell their fellow man the Gospel. Because it teaches that God creates some people to go to heaven, and some people were created to go to hell, and nothing can change it. Each was "elected", or pre-ordained to each destination.

Each quote the Bible to support their view, but both forget pointed Scriptures that teach eternal (secure) salvation, and that every person can be saved. Each person must be reached with the Gospel or they will be lost. And God says to the born-again believer, GO!

We are, as individuals, created by God, and are responsible for what we believe, and do.