Man was made in God's image and we are born into this world carrying original sin, which is a corruption that wounds and deprives our nature of its original holiness. Original sin weakens our nature in power so we are subject to suffering, death and inclination to sin, but it is not a complete corruption or destruction. We remain capable of choosing salvation in Jesus and accepting God's grace, which we could not do if our nature were inherently evil. God did not abandon us to the power of evil, but gave us free will to accept His grace and sent His only son to save us. By baptism and repentance we are cleansed of original sin and become new creations in Christ.
The beginning of Romans describes the process or progress of falling into sin from choosing to follow the inclination to commit sin, then being fooled and blinded then consumed by sin, all the way to rejecting God completely. Paul is warning how the philosophy of the heathens, lacking in faith and humility, deceived them into believing themselves to be wise, which led them further and so deeply into sin that they rejected God. God's punishment was not death but withdrawal of his grace. If man were evil by nature, this would be the fate of all of us because we would be incapable of choosing salvation. Luke 15 illustrates that even those who choose to serve evil remain capable of repentance and salvation as the one lost sheep and the prodigal son. God loves us so much that He gives us every chance to choose salvation and rejoices in everyone who does.
We can't actually save ourselves--this is Pelagianism. The most popular idea is that we can save ourselves with some help from Jesus. This is semi-Pelagianism. That is Arminian theology, which is very similar, actually, to Catholic theology.
There is also neo-Calvinism, or what is sometimes called "dead" Calvinism or "bastard" Calvinism, which is based upon study of the letter of the word. While some Calvinist theology is good, for example the Doctrines of Grace, Calvinism tends towards OT legalism. We do not save ourselves by any attempt to keep the Law.
Christ did everything necessary to save his sheep. He died for all of the sins of all of his people. We don't actually contribute to his perfect and finished work. In reality, Christ did not die for goats, who attempt to save themselves through the self-righteousness of works. Letting go of self-righteousness is a blessing.
Apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, people have trouble understanding the scriptures correctly. After we are "born again" (born spiritually from above), the Spirit teaches us the spiritual meaning of the word. We are born into this world physically alive, but spiritually dead. This is the consequence of original sin. When the Holy Spirit regenerates us, this is the "first resurrection" spoken of in Revelation. It is spiritual resurrection.
There is a final resurrection, which is the redemption of the body, which takes place at Christ's return. The "sleeping" saints arise in their glorified bodies, and then the saints who are alive and remain are instantly translated to meet Christ in the air. This is where the rapture teaching originates. It will not be a "secret rapture" as some teach. It will be an event that everyone will be able to see. The sequence is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
God's election of particular sinners to salvation took place in eternity. Romans 9 explains that God created "vessels of mercy" and "vessels of wrath." One group is the elect of God, the other group are reprobates. Reprobates follow the religion of Cain, who was "of that Wicked One." In the time of God's choosing, each lost sheep of Christ will be spiritually regenerated. Hallelujah.
Man was made in God's image and we are born into this world carrying original sin, which is a corruption that wounds and deprives our nature of its original holiness. Original sin weakens our nature in power so we are subject to suffering, death and inclination to sin, but it is not a complete corruption or destruction. We remain capable of choosing salvation in Jesus and accepting God's grace, which we could not do if our nature were inherently evil. God did not abandon us to the power of evil, but gave us free will to accept His grace and sent His only son to save us. By baptism and repentance we are cleansed of original sin and become new creations in Christ.
The beginning of Romans describes the process or progress of falling into sin from choosing to follow the inclination to commit sin, then being fooled and blinded then consumed by sin, all the way to rejecting God completely. Paul is warning how the philosophy of the heathens, lacking in faith and humility, deceived them into believing themselves to be wise, which led them further and so deeply into sin that they rejected God. God's punishment was not death but withdrawal of his grace. If man were evil by nature, this would be the fate of all of us because we would be incapable of choosing salvation. Luke 15 illustrates that even those who choose to serve evil remain capable of repentance and salvation as the one lost sheep and the prodigal son. God loves us so much that He gives us every chance to choose salvation and rejoices in everyone who does.
Here is what Toplady said about free grace vs free will:
https://www.the-highway.com/freewill_Toplady.html
One is scriptural and Christ centered, based upon the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation. The other is man centered, making man his own savior.
Luther said our natural wills are in bondage to sin:
https://www.reformedreader.org/bow.htm
We can't actually save ourselves--this is Pelagianism. The most popular idea is that we can save ourselves with some help from Jesus. This is semi-Pelagianism. That is Arminian theology, which is very similar, actually, to Catholic theology.
There is also neo-Calvinism, or what is sometimes called "dead" Calvinism or "bastard" Calvinism, which is based upon study of the letter of the word. While some Calvinist theology is good, for example the Doctrines of Grace, Calvinism tends towards OT legalism. We do not save ourselves by any attempt to keep the Law.
Christ did everything necessary to save his sheep. He died for all of the sins of all of his people. We don't actually contribute to his perfect and finished work. In reality, Christ did not die for goats, who attempt to save themselves through the self-righteousness of works. Letting go of self-righteousness is a blessing.
Apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, people have trouble understanding the scriptures correctly. After we are "born again" (born spiritually from above), the Spirit teaches us the spiritual meaning of the word. We are born into this world physically alive, but spiritually dead. This is the consequence of original sin. When the Holy Spirit regenerates us, this is the "first resurrection" spoken of in Revelation. It is spiritual resurrection.
There is a final resurrection, which is the redemption of the body, which takes place at Christ's return. The "sleeping" saints arise in their glorified bodies, and then the saints who are alive and remain are instantly translated to meet Christ in the air. This is where the rapture teaching originates. It will not be a "secret rapture" as some teach. It will be an event that everyone will be able to see. The sequence is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
God's election of particular sinners to salvation took place in eternity. Romans 9 explains that God created "vessels of mercy" and "vessels of wrath." One group is the elect of God, the other group are reprobates. Reprobates follow the religion of Cain, who was "of that Wicked One." In the time of God's choosing, each lost sheep of Christ will be spiritually regenerated. Hallelujah.