Concerning Free Will
Some think that the doctrine of free will i.e whether man has freewill is unimportant to salvation. but it is precisely a correct understanding of that doctrine which will not only shape or gospel message , but which also determines our outreach methods, our success in evangelism and the spiritual health and vitality of our converts and church membership. For if we believe and teach that man's will is free, meaning that he is capable of freely and independently making correct moral choices on his own, (such as accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour), without interference from outside forces, then we ignore the correct teaching of scripture and make light of what the Bible says of the devil whom it describes as the strong man who safely keeps all his captives. Scripture clearly states that it is he, the devil, who holds men captive against their will (a will that has been enslaved because of sin) and is is only through the working and plan of God in the holy spirit that men can be made free:
1.For by grace are we saved...............................................Ephesians 2: 8-9
2.No man can come unto me except the spirit draws him .. John 6:44-45
3.It takes the spirit to reveal Christ to men and that happens in gods timing not ours... “flesh and blood hath not revealed that unto you but me father which is in heavenly.. Matthew 16:13-17
4.No man can call Christ lord except it is by the spiritual...1Coprinthians 12:3
5. The carnal man cannot receive the things of god...neither can he know them they are spiritually discerned 1 Corinthians 2:14
6. Since the fall man's will and way has been only evil continually… Gen 6:5
Hence what we assert is that man's will is not free, not because God made man a robot. but because at the fall-man did not cease to beman, but he ceased to be good. Therefore though he maintained his will- it is no longer free in the sense of being capable of making good moral choices such as the ultimate moral choice of choosing to serve Jesus Christ. Rather it is in subjection to sin and Satan. The only way man can therefore be made free is through the intervention of God without any help whatsoever from himself. Unsaved men must therefore thrown themselves before God and bawl out for mercy rather than think they can come to God when they are “ready”.
Telling unbelievers that they have free will and are capable of making good moral choices is
un-scriptural. It merely inflates his pride and keeps him/her in chains believing that there is no need to rush but they can come when they are ready. Thus they fail realise the true danger to their souls.