Reflection Paper

Reflection Paper #1
Introduction:
The two topics I’m going to talk about are unconditional election and the gospel. These two topics are really important to me as a follower of Jesus Christ. I’ve learned a lot more about my faith and these topics as well, over the past few weeks in this class. I will go in-depth with these topics and back up with scripture, how they are biblical and essential to know about in the Christian faith.
What is unconditional election?
Before the foundation of the world God chose to save a group of people known as the elect, according to his own purpose and will without considering any type of merit or foreseen faith any person had. God’s choice in election is based on His sovereign will. The elect have true saving faith; there is nothing that can pluck us out of His hands.
What does the Bible say about this? Romans 9 talks about God’s sovereign choice and that His saving promises to Israel. The verse that shows God saves according to His own sovereign will, where Paul refers to Rebekah and her two children who were yet to be born, “though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad; in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls.” (Romans 9:11 ESV), also, Paul says “so then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Romans 9:16 ESV). Paul says in Ephesians as well that “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,” (Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV).
Practical Application: God does as He pleases. Do you remember that bully in elementary school? That was the bigger kid that picked on the smaller kids that he chose to pick on for each day of the week and there was nothing you could do about it because he was so big. That’s like God; He is sovereign over salvation and has already chosen in eternity past who He is going to save. God does what he wants and saves according to his own sovereign will.
(Part 2) The gospel The gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we’re separated from God and in need of a savior. Jesus lived the perfect life, went to the cross to die for the sins of those who could come to place their faith in Him. Jesus’ body was put in a tomb, but He rose on the third day. After He rose, He spent time teaching the disciples, fellowshipping and eating. He ascended into heaven and now seated on a throne. He will come back one day to judge the living and dead, those who are His people will spend eternity in heaven with Him, but those who refused to believe in Him will spend eternity in hell.
The gospel is throughout the Bible Jesus came into the world as man, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14 ESV). He lived the perfect life, “He committed no sin, and neither was deceit found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22 ESV). Christ died, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 ESV). Christ rose, “And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24:1-3 ESV). Christ now lives in heaven, (Acts 1:11 ESV).
Practical application The gospel is what I need daily. We constantly have to remind ourselves of the person and work of Christ. The gospel is not just for unbelievers but for believers as well. When I rest in the gospel I find hope knowing I was justified the day I placed my faith in Jesus. The beauty of this glorious doctrine is that Jesus took my place of the cross, and that’s what drives me to pursue Christ and follow his commands out of love, not out of religious acts.
Conclusion
Reflection Paper Grading Scale(include as the last page of your paper) | PossiblePoints | PointsEarned | Content: Does the paper cover the subject as thoroughly as possible? Are 2 topics covered? Does it demonstrate a personal understanding of the subject? | 75 | | Introduction: Paper has an introductory paragraph | 15 | | Structure: Did student provide headings for each section? | 10 | | Conclusion: Paper is given a concluding paragraph | 15 | | Mechanics: Post is free of glaring error in spelling, grammar, and punctuation and is posted by the deadline. | 30 | | Grading Rubric: Is this page provided as the last page of the paper? | 10 | | Format: Is the paper 12-point, Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and double-spaced? | 15 | | Comments from Instructor: | | | Total Score | 170 | | My Christian thought has expanded and progressed tremendously. I’ve learned a lot about my faith through learning more about different doctrines in this class. I have a deeper biblical and theological understanding of the Christ, the gospel and doctrine, than I did before. It’s important to study theology, because if you don’t you’ll have a many false and skewed views of Christianity.