How does sovereign grace relate to the concept of free will in salvation?
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Sovereign grace teaches that salvation is entirely the work of God, overcoming man's deadness and inability to choose God on his own.
Sovereign grace emphasizes that salvation originates from God's will, not human free will. The biblical narrative depicts humanity as unable to choose righteousness due to sin, as highlighted in passages like Romans 3:10-12, where Paul states, 'None is righteous, no, not one.' In contrast, when God intervenes in a person's life, He transforms their will, enabling them to respond to the Gospel willingly. This is the essence of God's grace — He initiates and completes the work of salvation, making the unwilling willing in His power. Therefore, while free will exists, it is only exercised under the sovereign influence of God's grace.
Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:1-5, Philippians 2:13, John 6:44
Commentary