TULIP(s) in January

What was at one time known as Calvinism, or Calvinistic Thought, attributed to John Calvin the sixteenth century French theologian, has in more recent times come to be know as the Doctrines of Grace. They subsist in five points, corresponding to the five points of Calvinism and can be remembered by the acronym TULIP.  They provide us with a summation of what is believed to be how God has shaped His salvific work through His one and only Son.  We shall treat of these here in brief:

T - Total Depravity - Since our first parents' fall in the Garden of Eden brought sin and death to themselves and to all of their offspring (Gen. 3:3; Rom. 3:23,5:12), we are by nature born sinners and enemies of God.  This inherent sinfulness is complete through and through, in other words we are totally depraved.  We can do nothing but offend and sin against a holy God.  Does this not match the state of the world in which we live?  Think upon yourself reader and see if you do not agree with the apostle Paul when he bemoans his inability to do good when his inner nature contemplates evil and wars against himself (Rom. 7:13-25).

U - Unconditional Election - This holds that before God created Man he looked into human history and chose the people whom He would save regardless of any merit of their own (Eph. 2:1-5).  The early church, as is recorded in Acts, was the vehicle ordained by God to bring salvation to lost humanity (2:47).  The only thing we bring to our salvation is our own sin. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:23).

L - Limited Atonement - Christ did not die for every single person who would ever live.  His sacrifice was certainly more than sufficient to save all, but not all would come to Him to be saved; these held to their own self-righteousness (Jn. 9:41).  In John's gospel, chapter ten, Christ talks of being the Good Shepherd and explains the difference between Himself and robbers and thieves.  Importantly, He speaks of His own sheep and those who are not of His fold (Jn.10:25-30). 

I - Irresistible Grace - For all of those for whom our Lord did indeed give His life, they will surely come to His banner (Eph. 1:4-7).  The faith of God's elect will win over all of the challenges raised by an unbelieving world (Rom. 8:33-34).  When our Lord stood outside of Lazarus' tomb and called him to life, he had no option but to obey (Jn. 11:43-44).

P - Perseverance of the saints - Those who have been effectively called by God's grace will persevere to the end and obtain the crown of life (Jas. 1:12).  Through all temptations and trials of faith the elect will be delivered (1 Ptr. 1:5-7).  Our Lord, through His death and triumphant ascension, has gained the victory for His chosen people (Rom.8:33-39). 

This then is the teaching of the faith that is the bedrock of all truly reformed theology.  However, it is rare indeed in this day and age for there to be such a bold proclamation.  Rather, people "heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4).