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How does free will contradict the gospel?

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Free will contradicts the gospel by asserting that salvation is dependent on human choice rather than God's sovereign grace.

The doctrine of free will presents a significant contradiction to the core message of the gospel, which upholds that salvation is entirely a work of God. By attributing the initiative of salvation to human decision, free will effectively undermines the gospel assertion that it is God who saves, as expressed in passages like John 15:16, where Jesus states clearly that it is He who chooses. This emphasis on human choice implies that Christ's atoning work could be rendered ineffective if individuals do not choose to accept it, thus questioning the sufficiency of His sacrifice. As Romans 9:16 states, 'So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.' This reinforces that salvation relies entirely upon God's gracious initiative, discrediting any notion that human free will can contribute to it.
Scripture References: John 15:16, Romans 9:16

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