God’s work or my will?

A stubborn man who rejected God in every way told me that he could become a Christian anytime he wanted, but he simply was not interested. I told him that if he decided within himself to do that without the enabling of God, he would not be able to have faith or become a Christian. He argued with me saying this was totally a matter of his will. It was not about God doing anything.

Had he known the Bible, he likely would defend his view with verses that emphasize the will and choices of people, such as:

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. (1 Chronicles 28:9)

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

As MacArthur points out, those verses seem to contradict Paul’s teaching that, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10–12) and the words of Jesus: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44)

The former passages are about people believing God and receiving Christ for salvation. The latter are about God enabling man to do so. How does this make sense? Note how these verses tie the two together:

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. (Philippians 1:29)

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48)

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:14)

Unless God grants faith (it is a gift) and opens a person’s heart, salvation will not be presented as a choice to anyone. Not only that, on the day that He visits us, He has already been opening our hearts, making changes in our thinking and our desires so that the invitation not only appeals but makes sense. Two Bible versions put it this way: “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed” . . . and “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)

PRAY: Jesus, I know that You are the author and finisher of our salvation. For that reason, my main prayer for the unsaved is that You will open their hearts to say YES to You as You feed them truth on their journey to Calvary. May they realize their part is to simply agree with You. My heart’s desire and prayer is that they may be saved, whatever it takes and however long it takes. (Romans 10:1)

PONDER: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)