For my first foray into the New Year's new method of Bible Study I have chosen to read Philippians. Why? Because it's only 4 chapters long and seemed a great way to get my feet wet. Lets take a look at Chapter 1.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil 1:6

One of my goals this year is make a point of noticing every verse that has something to do with Calvinism, whether for or against. This verse assures me of the fifth point of Calvinism which is the preservation of the saints. If it was God that began the work of salvation in me then it is God that will work it through to completion. This doesn't absolve me of my responsibilities to press in to God, read His Word, pray, etc., but I can be confident that none of those things will earn my final salvation before the judgment seat of Christ. I can not save myself even if I memorize the entire Bible and spend months at a time in prayer. It can only come as a sovereign work of God and that is what I will trust in. He started it, He will finish it.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Phil 1:9-11

This verse addresses what is quickly becoming another pet peeve of mine. It is so incredibly important that the Word of God be taught, line by line, concept by concept. It is the growing "in knowledge and depth of insight" that keeps us "pure and blameless until the day of Christ". We must spend time in the Word everyday to effectively grow in holiness. This means systematic and thoughtful reading of the Scriptures and letting them prayerfully take root in our heart, changing us into the image of God. This also means that the preachers and teachers of Christendom need to make absolutely certain that they are proclaiming the entire council of God. It can be a temptation to focus on pet doctrine like "Prosperity", or "God loves you just as you are" or any one of thousands of teachings in the Bible. We must also be sure to balance our teachings in such a way to reveal the whole Mind of God on a subject. I've heard Prosperity teachers never speak about how hard it is for a rich man to enter Heaven. I've heard Divine Healing teachers never speak on being patient in affliction. I've heard God has a wonderful plan for your life teachers never teach on repentance and turning from sin. This is why the Pastors and teachers we put ourselves under must teach line by line and not cherry pick and water down the clear admonitions of the Bible. Examine yourself and see if you are growing in holiness. If not, I can almost guarantee you that it is because of a lack of the Word in your life.

That's enough for today. Please pray for my Pastor, that God would continue to bless him and his family and will show Him great things from the Word and empower him to share them with us.

That God predestines, and yet that man is responsible, are two facts that few can see clearly.
C. H. Spurgeon

Can you tell I'm reading a book by Spurgeon?

I have my own Private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor.
C.H. Spurgeon

One of the goals I have as I study the Bible this year is to really understand what Calvinism is. God has convinced me that it is true through the study of His Word but now I really need to begin memorizing the scriptures that pertain to it and understand as much of it as I can. I thank God he let me see this truth for myself.