Something important I think the board needs to hear to help keep this war in perspective:
T total depravity: we are inherently sinful
U unconditional atonement: we need to pay nothing for forgiveness (indeed we cannot)
L limited atonement: not all are saved
I irresistible grace: once called, your eyes will be open, you won’t be able to shut them anymore
P perseverance of the saints: we will face difficulties in this world, since our enemies consist of our own selves, other sinners and the devil himself.
I say this because fixing our government (even permanently) does not solve the God sized hole in our hearts, and there’s no good within ourselves apart from God. This is important to remember as we continue the battle, to know none of us earned salvation or righteousness so we ought to show grace for those not yet awake.
And that, my friends, is true strength.
All who choose to take up their cross are saved. All who sacrifice themselves and trade their earthly physical desires for Christ Jesus will be given life. Free will places the responsibility on us. God does not send anyone to hell. They send themselves by choosing themselves and the world over Him. Jesus is the only way. He just happens to know who will choose what since He is the creator of time and sees all instead of being trapped inside its construct. So while Jesus died for all, not all are saved.
“Pick up your cross” “Sacrifice yourself” …this just sounds like works based theology to me. Is Jesus blood insufficient?
Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” There is no need to continue to crucify yourself, as you’re crucified with Christ.
Jesus’s blood is wholly sufficient. He paid all debts. Pick up your cross refers to choosing the death of yourself and instead following Christ Jesus for He is the way, the truth, and the life. No works in that. It’s a decision that encompasses how you will make all your subsequent decisions. Are you choosing what your sinful self wants or are you choosing what the Holy Spirit wants? The Spirit is what leads us to and keeps us obedient in Christ. It is not our doing, or our works but the the Spirit’s work. It is Christ in us that does the work. My physical body and mind want to entertain and do all manner of sinful acts. It is inherently sinful and cannot be trusted. So I choose Christ. His ways are above my ways.
To answer this, you can see my other comments in this thread. But there’s responsibility from man alone for man’s sin. God effectually calls people to himself. It’s not to say you don’t have to choose or it’s on you to choose. It’s more like this, God opens your eyes in such a way, that the only reasonable choice is belief in him. The effectual call is the removing of the scales from your eyes. This is why people who generally most vehemently oppose biblical beliefs don’t read the Bible, won’t hear out your arguments, and don’t care.
This is a position that many get wrapped around the wheel needlessly.