I am often amazed and dismayed at how some Christians are so willing to put their faith in this spurious theology of Calvinism. Or as Paul would say “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Paul was dealing with salvation by works here in Galatians, but salvation by eternal decree is just as bad. Either of these false gospels can produce a hard hearted and perverted form of Christianity, one that troubles true Christians. Focusing on works for salvation can cause people to be lifted up in pride and separate themselves from “lowly sinners.” Focusing on an eternal decree can also harden hearts in that it produces an “elitist” mentality among believers. Either of these false extreme views are outright perversions of the gospel. The true gospel focuses on the amazing gift of salvation offered to all from God that is obtained by simple belief, and sharing this amazing truth with all you encounter. The biblical picture of a lowly sinner accepting the free gift of salvation is the power of the Christian gospel. It is the “good news” from God that should well up from our hearts with love and overflow abundantly on all we know and meet.