Does Man have a Free Will in Seeking Salvation?

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.