Does Man have a Free Will in
Seeking Salvation?
If not, why does God bother to appeal
to the conscience of men?
I have endeavoured to lay out many of the New
Testament gospel presentations so the order of God’s dealings with men may be
read in their context. I have printed out the passages primarily in the KJV and
some in the NKJV where I felt Greek words needed modern expression. This basic outline with
fewer references was given in a public ministry message in early December of
2018.
The following is an examination of the Holy
Scriptures. Christendom is awash in the writings and opinions of religious
leaders of every stripe. Searching the Bible for truth necessitates backing
away from the dogmas of charismatic teachers, the “Church fathers”, the
confessions, the councils, cultural ideas, restrictions of the Liturgy(about 5%
of the Old and 30% of the New Testament in 3 years) and the traditions held in
religious circles.
The reader may be well versed in his or her own
beliefs and and practices, so there is no need to visit the many positions on
this topic. There is no safe place in this study for belief in a falling away
Arminianism, decisional regeneration, means of grace, Universalism, ritual
sacramentalism, confession and absolution, covenant children, Christ denying
cults, merit by works or Determinism in its many names and forms.
The denial of men’s free will detracts from men’s
responsibility to seek God by providing a convenient, yet eternally fatal
excuse in this life.
The denial of men’s free will cripples the
preaching of a clear gospel of Christ died for the ungodly, Man’s ruin and
God’s remedy to all. Public messages are muddled with a mixture of instruction
meant for believers, doctrines of tradition and an uncertain sound of good news
for a few, only we don’t know who you are.
Determinism presents a “sovereign god” who
condemns a sinner for what he cannot do, without acknowledging the total loving
and righteous character of the true God who sent his only Son for sinners to be
saved.
Determinism makes God Himself ultimately the
author and ordainer of sin as Man from Adam forward is programmed to do or not
do certain things be they good or evil.
1 John 1:5
...that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
The Gospel is God’s Free offer of
Eternal Life to Mankind through the Sacrifice of His Son.
John 1:7 ...that all men through him
might believe.
II Corinthians 5:15 ...he died for
all…
1 Timothy 4:10 ...we trust in the
living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
(NKJV)
1 Timothy 2:3-5 ...God our Savior,
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For
there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
who gave Himself a ransom for all... (NKJV)
1)
God desires all men to be saved,
not a select few.
2)
Jesus Christ is the only mediator
and savior.
3)
No spiritual leader, organization
or advisor can make a person to be right with God.
Limited Opportunity
Genesis 6:3 My Spirit shall not
always strive with man…
Proverbs 29:1 He that, being often
reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without
remedy.
Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek ye the LORD while
he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near; Let the wicked forsake his
way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the LORD,
and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God; for he will abundantly pardon.
John 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and
shall not find me; and where I am, there ye cannot come.
1)
Men’s time to be right with God is
finite and it is only during this life.
2)
Man needs to seek God for mercy.
Seeking God must be Top Priority
Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the
thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of
evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go
and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find
me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found by
you, saith the LORD…
1)
God desires good for Israel and
repentance from disobedient Israel for their salvation as a nation.
2)
They are accountable to seek the
LORD.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto
you.
Directions for Seeking God
Individually
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be
given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For
everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the
narrow gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be
able.
Invitation from the Savior
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Responses of Sinners to the Gospel
Message in the Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:3-9...Behold, a sower
went out to sow; and when he sowed, some of the seeds fell by the wayside, and
the fowls came and devoured them. Some fell upon stony places, where they had
not much earth...And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they
had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns
sprang up, and choked them. But other seeds fell into good ground, and brought
forth fruit…
1)
The good seed is the Gospel sown
by the Lord through individuals whether private conversation, written word or
public proclamation.
2)
The obstacles to fruit bearing
plants are:
a)
Satan
b)
Men allowing other things to
prevent true faith in Christ in their hearts.
c)
Yet some of the hearers receive
life that results in spiritual fruit.
Errors of False Teachers and Religion
Matthew
15;9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
men.
All that is not in God’s revealed Holy book are
men’s ideas and not God’s.
Public Proclamation of Jesus’ Message
after the Imprisonment of John the Baptist
Mark 1:14-15 ...Jesus came to
Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.”
Self Will when Avoiding God’s Call in
the Parable of the Great Supper
Luke 14:16-24 …”A certain man gave a
great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to
those who were invited, ‘Come for all things are now ready.’ “And they all with
one accord began to make excuses. …’I have bought a piece of ground...five yoke
of oxen...I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ “so that servant
came and reported these things to his master…’Go out quickly into the streets
and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor...and the blind.’ “and the servant
said, ‘Master, it is done as you have commanded, and still there is room.’ “And
the master said to the servant, ‘Go into the highways and hedges, and compel
them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of
those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ “ (NKJV)
1)
Those invited were welcome but
refused of their own choices! The
invitation and the supper were genuine!
2)
Others responded to the new
invitation by their own will and came
to the supper.
3)
The space at the supper was not limited.
4)
Scholars would recognize the
prophetic significance of the gospel going to the God’s favored earthly people,
the Jews, first and then to the Gentiles, but recognize that for each soul
salvation is a personal choice.
Erroneous Beliefs about Salvation
Answered from John 3
Numbers 21:7-8 ...the people came to
Moses…We have sinned...pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from
us. ...the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a
pole...everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
John 3:14-18. And, as Moses lifted
up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God
so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not
his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him
might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of
the only begotten Son of God. v. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the
wrath of God abideth on him.
John 6:37
...him that comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
1)
There is no pre selection of
persons, but those that repent in Numbers 21.
2)
There are no works or ritual for
the people in Numbers or Jesus’ message to be prepped for healing or blessing.
3)
The “means of grace” is a look to
the bronze serpent and a look in faith to the Savior on the cross.
4)
Each group has a need, the
Israelites dying because of their sin, the present day person has the wrath of
God on him for his sinful nature in Adam and the practices of his life.
5)
God has provided the Savior who
died for all our sins on the cross.
Conscious Hearing and Understanding
of the Gospel
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to
you, he who hears My word and believes on Him that sent Me has everlasting
life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
(NKJV)
Choices of the Two Thieves at the
Crucifixion
Luke 23:39-43 And one of the
criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save
Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not
fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly
receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” And
he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in
Paradise.” (NKJV)
1)
Matthew 27: 44 tells us both the
thieves were insulting Jesus on the cross, so good works, rituals or sacraments
play no part in the repentant thief’s conversion.
2)
The nonsense of “irresistible
grace” is also dashed by the narrative of a lifetime evildoer coming to saving
faith moments before death. See also the conversion of Saul.
3)
The proof of II Corinthians 5:8
“absent from the body..present with the Lord” is found in this passage.
4)
The credal idea of Christ further
suffering for our sins in Hell for 3 days is refuted by this exchange and “It
is finished!” in John 19:30.
5)
The doctrine that Christ’s
suffering and death was incomplete for our life of sin and that all souls
suffer in “Purgatory” after death has no support in this passage.
Witness of the Gospels--The Great
Commision
Luke 24:44,45,47...These are the
words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be
fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in
the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might
understand the scriptures...And that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
John 20:31
But these things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
1)
There is a witness to a person’s
conscience and their intellect that all must repent to receive the forgiveness
of sins through faith in the saving work of Christ.
2)
All things written in the Old
Testament concerning the Lord Jesus Christ in His 1st advent and His coming to
reign on the Earth with a remnant of Israel believing in the rejected King will
come to pass literally.
3)
The allegorical anti-Biblical
writings of early “church fathers” Origen and Augustine that permeate the
creeds of those that style themselves “Reformed” and “Protestant” are refuted
by Christ’s own words in Luke 24.
Repentance of the Jews at Pentecost
Who had Rejected the King of the Jews
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by
the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked
hands have crucified and slain; v32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we
are witnesses. v36 Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that
God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ. v37 Now
when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and
to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? v38 Then said
Peter unto them, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit.
1)
I find it incomprehensible that
the loudest defenders of Determinism in my 50 years in Christ will rabidly
claim that Jesus could have sinned or chose not to go to the cross.
2)
Such heresy puts their faith not
in the work of Christ as the perfect Lamb of God dying for sinners, but in
their perception that they have been somehow included in the
eternal decrees to possible eternal
life from a sovereign God, never explaining how their sins could be put away
without the perfect sacrifice.
3)
Their banner is “sovereign
election” and predestination while also claiming God changed his mind with respect to the future salvation and
regathering of the nation of Israel!!!
4)
The sacramentalist sees the word
“baptize” (G907 baptizo; to make whelmed, fully
wet) and tries to reverse the Biblical order: repentance, faith in Christ’s
sacrifice for their sins and believer’s baptism, publicly identifying one’s
self as a Christian.
Power of the Written Word to the
Seeker of Truth--the Ethiopian Treasurer
Isaiah 53:5-7 But he was wounded for
our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our
peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on
him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he
opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. V12 ...he hath poured
out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he
bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Acts 8:27 ...a man of
Ethiopia...v28...sitting in his chariot read Isaiah, the prophet. v29...Philip,
Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. v30 ...Philip...heard him read the
prophet Isaiah, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? v31 ...How can
I, except some man should guide me? And he besought Philip that he would come
up and sit with him. v32 The place of the scripture that he read was this, He
was led as a lamb to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so
he opened not his mouth; v34...the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray
thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man? v35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached
unto him Jesus.
1)
A PEI drug addict/dealer was read
Isaiah 53 by a Christian neighbor. His reply was “Even I could have written
that about Jesus.” The dear man asked “How do you know this is about Jesus? It
was written 700 years before His birth!” This spoke to Peter Orasuk and later
he came to know Jesus as his Savior, going on to preach the gospel and teach
believers in North America and the UK until his drug damaged body gave out.
2)
Salvation is faith in the work of
Christ alone. His baptism was because of
his faith, not the cause.
Paul Speaks in the Synagogue at
Antioch after His Conversion
Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you,
therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached (G2605
kataggello--proclaim, promulgate) unto you the forgiveness of sins; And by him
all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be
justified by the law of Moses.
Conversion of the Philippian Jailer
and His Family
Acts 16:25-34 ...Paul and Silas
prayed … v26 ...there was a great earthquake...everyone’s bands were loosed.
v27...the keeper of the prison...v29...called for a light, and sprang in, and
came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, v30 And brought them out,
and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? v31 And they said, Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. v32 And they spoke
unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. V34...he...
rejoiced, believing in God with all his house
Message to the Pagans--Paul on Mars
Hill
Acts 17:18-34 ...He seemeth to be a
setter forth of strange gods; because he preached unto them Jesus, and the
resurrection. v22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ Hill, and said, Ye men
of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are very religious. v23...I found
an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom, therefore, ye
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. v24 God, who made the world and all
things in it, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth...v27 That they should
seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after him, and find him, though he is
not far from every one of us; v30 And the times of this ignorance God overlooked,
but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. v31 Because he hath appointed
a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he
hath ordained; concerning which he hath given assurance unto all men, in that
he hath raised him from the dead. v34...certain men joined him, and believed...
1)
All things are made by God. All
men are to repent. All men can be assured that Jesus rose from the dead that
they might believe.
2)
Some men and women believed on
Jesus.
Paul’s Final Visit to Ephesus
Acts 20:21-25 Testifying both to the
Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord
Jesus Christ. v24...which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
gospel of the grace of God.
1)
The good news of the Gospel is not
limited to race or culture.
2)
It is the gospel of the grace of
God and not as some tract once given me “Mourn, God may hate you” from a
misguided Determinist who missed the grace and good news part.
Response of Roman Authorities
Luke 23:11 Herod...treated him with
contempt...
Luke 23:24 And Pilate gave sentence
that it should be as they required. v25...he delivered Jesus to their will.
Luke 23:47 Now when the centurion
saw what was done, he glorified God, saying certainly this was a righteous man.
Acts 24:24...Paul, and heard him
concerning the faith in Christ. v25 And as he reasoned of righteousness,
self-control, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way
for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and
to turn them from darkness into light, and from the power of Satan unto God,
that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are
sanctified by faith that is in me. v23 That Christ should suffer, and that he
should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto
the people, and to the Gentiles. v28 Then Agrippa II said unto Paul, Almost
thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
1)
Did these men make choices with
their understanding regarding Jesus or the presentation of the gospel?
2)
Three of these men witnessed the
death of Christ and two of them were unmoved. Two others were moved by the
messages yet rejected Him.
Message to the Hearts of Individuals
Romans 10:8-10 But what does it say?
“The word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word
of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus
and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be
saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made to salvation. (NKJV)
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if
we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the
Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is
impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
1)
It is that the inner person must
take in the message of repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ and respond to it.
A Christian’s Responsibility to
Preach (G2784 kerusso--to herald)
Romans 10:14-17 How, then, shall
they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in
him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher (
G2784 kerusso--to herald)? And how shall they preach (G2784) except they be
sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel (G2097 euaggelizo--announce good
news) of peace, and that bring glad tidings (G2097) of good things. But they
have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our
report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1)
It goes without saying that saying
words over an uncomprehending person or shouting “Jesus loves you” in English
to a remote tribe in the Indian Ocean is not presenting the gospel by this
scriptural definition.
2)
The action words “preach” and
“send” for the Christian show that those who have believe have a responsibility
to reach others.
3)
The words “hear, call” and
“believe” show the response of the seeker to the gospel message.
4)
In spite of the message being
properly given, some do not believe the gospel out of their own free will.
5)
The message being given must be
the truth of the word of God and not ritual or traditions.
The Gospel Message has a Lack of
Appeal to the Natural Man
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent
me not to baptize but to preach the gospel (G2097 euaggelizo--announce good
news); not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. v18 For the preaching ( G3056 logos--something said, word) of the cross
is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power
of God. v21 For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not
God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (G2782 kerugma--a
proclamation) to save them that believe. v23 But we preach (G2784 kerusso--to
herald) Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the
Gentiles foolishness; v24 But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1)
The gospel is good news that
proclaims the death and resurrection of Christ as the payment for our sins.
2)
The unbeliever has no appreciation
of the sacrifice of Christ, but those who have trusted Him do.
3)
To the unregenerate person the
heralding of the gospel seems foolish.
4)
It is the Christian’s
responsibility to present this gospel to Jew and Gentile.
Consequences of a Free Will Rejecting
Christ
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and
unbelieving (G571 apistos--actively disbelieving), and the abominable, and
murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall
have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death.
1)
The Divine teaching of eternal
punishment is not just rejected by the Watchtower, but by many Protestant
denominations to the deception of their members.
2)
The words of Moses, David, Paul,
Peter, John the Baptist, John the Apostle and the Lord himself should be
sufficient to recognize it is real.
Last Appeal to the Seeker in the
Bible
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and
the bride say, Come, And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is
athirst come. And whosoever will (G2309 thelo ethelo--desire), let him take of
the water of life freely (G1432 dorean--gratuitously).
Each reader should be motivated to search for
truth from God’s Word and not circle the wagons around a wrong doctrine or
party or religious affiliation.
