What does the Bible say about the difference between gospel and commands to respond?

The Bible teaches that the message of the gospel is fundamentally about God's sovereign work in salvation, not merely a call to respond. In many instances, people respond to altered gospels that misrepresent God's intentions and neglect the necessity of regeneration. It is essential to understand that true faith flows from the supernatural work of the Spirit, which enlightens the heart to grasp the reality of sin, judgment, and God's mercy through Christ. Without this inner transformation, responses may reflect mere human emotion rather than true faith.

Scriptural passages underpinning this truth include Romans 8:28-30, which speaks of God's foreknowledge and predestination of His people to adoption through Jesus Christ. Additionally, Ephesians 1:4-5 reveals that God chose individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world, thereby emphasizing His sovereignty in redemption. Genuine responsiveness to the gospel aligns with the truth that those who are called are the ones whom Christ died for, as they are granted faith to believe and repent.