I can agree with most of what you say here. As such, most of this doesn't require God to have predestined us to Salvation from the before the foundation of the world (or my theology isn't consistent)
I agree that we are saved by Grace, which is 100% from God. I disagree that repentance is work, and therefore the idea of us having to repent, means that we are not saved 100% by grace. Further, how does this impact on the difference between salvation being automatic, and sure?
Your question seems to assume that repentance is, or produces, salvation.
'Salvation' can be a bit of a slippery principle, here. In referring to 'salvation' is one talking about the end result (Heaven), or the forgiveness of sin, or the change of one's nature from that of slavery to sin, or just what?
I'm assuming you take 2 Corinthians 7:10 to show that Repentance is
the cause, or at least
a cause, of salvation.
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." Romans 10:10 sounds almost the same, but this time it is confession —not repentance.
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." —So which is it? The NIV puts Romans 10:10 to say,
"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." While I might tend to agree with the NIV, I'm not too happy with it as a translation. The Greek does not give that structure. However, the "unto salvation" in the verse does not necessarily imply, "producing salvation" —in fact, even in the English it does not.
Yes this life is for God, yes he made us for himself. I would argue, that this consideration is counter to a Reformed soteriology. God made us for himself, his primary goal is his own glory. Does he get more glory by predestining us, or by allowing us to choose him of our own free will. I would say the latter. Therefore, the latter is God's way of dealing with the world - if this thesis is true (that his primary goal is his own glory.) He will do that which gives him most glory.
I would say, the former. Further, there is no logical self-contradictory notion involved in him predestining us, while there is a definite logical leap in the idea of "limited absolutely free" will.
I'm not implying anything, I'm asking what is the point? If we are predestined, then free will (from a soteriological perspective) is a joke. Why are we here? From my free will perspective, then this life is full of meaning, because it is where we have the chance to find God and glorify him. If not, then what? Just nothing! OK maybe I'm over emphasizing the place of salvation - we still get to live a life of glorying God ... but it still seems fake - I'm still not convinced.
How is God, accomplishing within time what he spoke into existence at the beginning, devoid of meaning? I don't deny we have a will, and are more than replete with emotion and angst, but that doesn't mean that God is not the first cause of absolutely every fact. (Notice, for some readers, I did not say primary cause, but only "first". I do not claim God is the direct, or, "immediate", cause of all things.)
'We choose to live in him, or to disobey'. We are talking about Christians here - are we? (because we have, I think, already agreed that there is no choice for non Christians), but then how does a Christian have the choice to disobey - irresistible grace and perseverance of the saints say that we cannot fall away (Do I remember you saying that you are not actually a Calvinist, just a monergist (spelling?), or was that someone else? If so, I'm not sure clearly what you actually believe, so sorry if I make bad assumptions).
I would amend that statement to, "Perseverance of the Saints says that we will not ultimately fall away". It is a bit of redirection of focus, or POV. The facts involved in "to me to live is Christ" are not automatic, but very much involve our effort, and the nitty-gritty of existence. And, Irresistible Grace is only a reference to the regeneration by the Spirit of God taking up residence within one; one is not consulted nor gives permission for this because one is unable to do so, until he has been raised from death to life. (Romans 8:1-8; Ephesians 2:1-10)
Yes, I've decided not to claim to be a Calvinist, in part because I'm still not sure what is 'the official' stance on the ability of the will of the regenerated, according to Calvinism, and because I didn't even know what Calvinism and Reformed Theology was, before I found what so closely resembles it, except by caricature. I'm a monergist, which is specifically tied to Irresistible Grace.
I like your last sentence, and agree with it heartily - it is when we see him truly, that we can be truly known.
For what it is worth, I don't say that "it is when we see him truly, that we can be truly known", but rather that we WILL be seen, known, because that is what Scripture says —providing, of course, that we are The Children of God, of Romans 8:14ff
Possibly in contrast to what I have previously said, it seems like this Reformed God is schizophrenic, on one hand he controls salvation, on the other he leaves us to our own devices when pursuing the relationship with him, which that salvation allows - that which I would say is more important. (not that salvation isn't critically important). And again I'm sure I'm probably misrepresenting your view, because you probably agree that we have the Holy Spirit as Christians to help and guide us to this end of truly knowing God, so he isn't leaving us to our own devices. But then if he can predestine our salvation, why not also predestine our coming to truly know him?
Well, I'm somewhat of a proponent of a sort of monergism that pervades all life. By that I don't mean to invoke that obvious fact that if God had not made us we could do nothing, since we would not exist, but rather, that all good proceeds from God, and any obedience, which does indeed result from our willed choice, is because the love of Christ compels us. I believe this 'compelling' literally —it is the work of the Spirit of God in us that IS our very life (i.e. our "new" life), and not a work we produce ourselves. This is by the same faith as that by which we are saved, which is a faith produced by the only one who can produce such power: God himself, in us. The Holy Spirit certainly is a help and guide, but also the one who works in us both to will and to do according to what HE wills (decree).
He leaves us to our own devices? Sometimes, perhaps, but we always decide according to our inclinations, if only for that very instant of decision. And God does incline our hearts. God's control and our wills, rather than being mutually exclusive, are in perfect sync —our decisions being established by God's doing (his decree). And here, I do mean to invoke the fact that he spoke this into existence. (This is true even if one believes in libertarian free will —it was still caused (established) by God).
One last note, in response: Coming to truly know him is part and parcel of our salvation, and vice versa. This too, points to a faith that is generated by the Spirit and not by us.
