The Personal Effects of Calvinistic Theology in My Life

1. Humility
2. Exaltation of God
3. Prayer
4. Increased Desire for Holiness
5. More Fervent Spirit of Evangelism

“Before this period [when I came to prize the Bible alone as my standard of judgment] I had been much opposed to the doctrines of election, particular redemption (i.e. limited atonement), and final persevering grace. But now I was brought to examine these precious truths by the Word of God. Being made willing to have no glory of my own in the conversion of sinners, but to consider myself merely an instrument; and being made willing to receive what the Scriptures said, I went to the Word, reading the New Testament from the beginning, with a particular reference to these truths.

To my great astonishment I found that the passages which speak decidedly for election and persevering grace, were about four times as many as those which speak apparently against these truths; and even those few, shortly after, when I had examined and understood them, served to confirm me in the above doctrines.

As to the effect which my belief in these doctrines had on me, I am constrained to state for God's glory, that though I am still exceedingly weak, and by no means so dead to the lusts of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as I might be, and as I ought to be, yet, by the grace of God, I have walked more closely with Him since that period. My life has not been so variable, and I may say that I have lived much more for God than before.”

These words from the autobiography of George Mueller express my own experience as well. I set my heart and mind to study these truths nearly three years ago when my dad died. Now, as I try to put into words what I have learned, I am once again brought to tears of joy in contemplation of the beauty, and mercy, and holiness of God. Were I a theologian, I would explain it in crystal-clear terms to illuminate your mind. Were I a song-writer, I would create a masterpiece of music and words to fill your heart. Were I a painter, I would imagine art to overwhelm your senses. But I am me: flawed and needy and ordinary. So I pray that grace is given me to invest all of my view of the glorious worth of the Savior into each word that I speak throughout my day, into each touch as I hold wrinkled hands in comfort, into each choice I make that demonstrates my life’s priorities.