The issues of life spring from the heart (Proverbs 4:23). The effect of the fall upon man is that sin entered the world (Romans 5:12). The doctrine of Total Depravity reveals that man's will is enslaved by his heart condition. Man's heart is foolish (Romans 1:21), deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), blind (Ephesians 4:18), and evil (Mark 7:21-23). Man is dead in sins (Ephesians 2:5) and a slave of sin (Romans 6:20). He does not seek after God (Romans 3:10-18). He cannot understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 1:18, 2:14, Matthew 16:15-17, Mark 4:11-12) and is in danger of having a counterfeit faith (Acts 8:13-23, 1 John 2:19, Obadiah 3-4, Proverbs 28:26). Therefore, he has no free will concerning salvation and his will is in bondage to his evil nature. And, is by nature a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).

Total depravity does not mean that man is as evil as he could possibly be. Man is capable of doing good towards his fellow man, is able to recognize the will of God, and to give outward allegiance to the worship of God (Matthew 7:21-23, Titus 1:16, Romans 1:20-21).

How full of common sense are the words of the English Puritan, J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) on this doctrine! "There are very few errors and false doctrines," he says, "of which the beginning may not be traced back to unsound views about the corruption of human nature. Wrong views of a disease will always bring with them wrong views of a remedy. Wrong views of the corruption of human nature will always carry with them wrong views of the grand antidote and cure of that corruption."

Unconditional Election is the doctrine which states that God chose certain individuals unto salvation according to the kind intention of His will (Ephesians 1:3-12, Romans 9:11) without any consideration of merit within the individual. Also, as some are elected into salvation, others are not (Romans 9:15, 21, Mathew 22:14).

Let us consider the words of John Calvin (1509-1564) when he wrote in Truth for all Time , "Now the reason why the Lord treats some mercifully and exercises the rigour of his judgement towards others we must leave to be known by him alone, for he, with very good intentions, has wished that it should be hidden from us all. The coarse insensitivity of our mind would not be able to bear such a great light; nor would our smallness be able to understand such great wisdom."

God gives to each individual, who He has chosen, a spiritual understanding (1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Titus 3:4-7, Acts 13:48,16:14) , the gift of faith created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 5:16-25, Philippians 1:29) and has granted repentance [Acts 5:31,11:18, 2 Timothy 2:24-25]. It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which is good; and then enables us to perform it as we cannot act without God's grace, so we cannot pretend to deserve it. (1 Peter 5:6-7, Colossians 3:12-17, Titus 3:8).

L-Limited Atonement

Limited{understood to mean "definte" or "particular"} Atonement is the doctrine to explain that the benefits of Christ's death is not offered nor applied to all humanity by God (John 17:2, Hebrews 9:15, Matthew 20:28,26:28, Ephesians 5:25, Romans 5:15, Mark 14:24). Thus, atonement is not universal but specific. Christ actually propitiated the wrath of God toward His people by taking their judgment upon Himself, actually redeemed them, and actually reconciled those specific persons to God (Romans 3:25, 5:9, Colossians 1:19-20). Christ fulfilled His purpose perfectly (John 19:28-30). The value of Jesus' death is infinite (Hebrews 10:14)

For futhur clarification read John Owen's summary For Whom Did Christ Die?

I-Irresistible Grace

The doctrine of Irresistible Grace is the certain response by the elect to the inward call of the Holy Spirit. God works in our hearts (Ezekiel 36:26-27), regenerating us and creating a renewed will within us (John 1:12-13). By means of this effectual call the Holy Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ (John 6:37, 44). Quoting from Charles Spurgeon, "God does not violate the human will when He saves men. They are not converted against their will, but their will itself is converted. The Lord has a way of entering the heart not with a crowbar, like a burglar. But with a master-key, which He gently inserts in the lock, and the bolt flies back, the door opens, and He enters."

God offers to all people the gospel message (Acts 13:48, 28:24). This is the external call, which is made to all without distinction. It can be, and often is, rejected (Matthew 22:14).

P-Perseverance of the Saints

The doctrine known as the Perseverance of the Saints may be defined as the continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer (Philippians 1:6, 2 Timothy 1:12, 4:18, John 10:27-30, 1 Peter 5:10). Only when we believe in God's perseverance, can we attain the assurance of salvation (Hebrews 3:14, 6:11, 10:22, Romans 8:37). We are admonished to examine our faith (2 Corinthians 13:5), making our election sure (2 Peter 1:10, Philippians 2:12, Proverbs 8:13, 1 John 2:3, 2:15) and to purse holiness (Hebrews 12:1-2, 12:14, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 John 3:3).

James Montgomery Boice (1938-2000) in his book, The Glory of God's Grace summaries the essence of what it takes to lead a holy life, "A holy life comes from knowing-I stress that word-knowing that you can't go back, that you have died to sin and been made alive to God." (Romans 6:1-14)

BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

Are you willing to admit that you are accountable to God your creator for your sins and totally unable to keep God's rules? That you cannot save yourself by any attempts such as: good deeds, church membership, helping others, fighting injustice, etc? Do you agree that the Bible teaches that you are spiritually helpless, for sin is like a deadly cancer in your life? Do you realize that the road you are on leads to self-centered living now and an eternity seperated from God and others (hell)?

Read Isaiah 55:6-7 and you will learn that you must (1)seek God while there is still time, (2)repent of your sins by turning away from your sin and rejection of God and following Him as Lord of your life and (3) turning to God in prayer in the expectation that He will forgive and receive you.

This you do by believing (trusting) in the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who justifies the ungodly through His death and ressurection by dying for your sins.

When you turn to God, you can rely on what Jesus Christ said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."