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What does the Bible say about free will in choosing God?

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The Bible teaches that sinners lack the free will to choose God and are made willing to serve Him through Christ's sovereign grace.

In Joshua 24:15, when Joshua challenges the Israelites to choose whom they will serve, it is often misconstrued as support for man's free will. However, a deeper examination reveals that true service to God is not a matter of human choice but of divine effectiveness. Christ, as the mediator, works in the hearts of His elect to make them willing to serve Him. As indicated in Psalm 110:2, 'Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,' it is by God's sovereign action that people are brought to willingly serve Him, not by their own efforts or decisions. The scriptures affirm that our own wills are enslaved to sin until the Spirit gives us life (Ephesians 2:1-5); thus, the concept of free will must be understood in light of God’s sovereign grace.
Scripture References: Joshua 24:15, Psalm 110:2, Ephesians 2:1-5

Sermons (1)

No Choice
Clay Curtis · Aug 31, 2014