FREE WILL AND SALVATION

 

Salvation is offered to all. Yet, because of free will, man can choose to accept or reject it.

Next, after having accepted it, man can still lose it by willfully living in sin or by denying God.

Why? Because he always holds the power of choice, whether before or after conversion, having been given a free will by God.   

God leaves the door open for reconciliation but if a sinful man refuses to repent, he cannot be saved. And God can do nothing about it (Matt. 23:37). This biblical teaching runs counter to Calvinism's "Irresistible Grace."

Why does God not immediately unleash his judgment on sinful man? Because God's justice is tempered/modified by His mercy:

1. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face" (Psalm 89:14).

2. "And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:16-17).

3. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

                                                                    

THANKSGIVING AND GOD’S DELIVERANCE

 Thanksgiving pave the way for God’s deliverance when we are in trouble.

Offer to God thanksgiving,

And pay your vows to the Most High.

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

(Psalm 50: 14-15)

 

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;

And to him who orders his conduct aright

I will show the salvation of God.

(Psalm 50:23)

 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:6-7)

 

Of course, obedience (paying our vows to God, ordering our conduct aright) also play a part in paving the way for God’s deliverance apart from thanksgiving.

 

Foreign Invasion Repelled

The following is an account from the Old Testament where Judah faced a national crisis—an impending invasion by a foreign army. But through worship, praise, adoration and thanksgiving, Judah was supernaturally delivered by God from its enemies.

When King Jehoshaphat faced an impending invasion, he was dismayed. A great military alliance was preparing to attack his nation, Judah. In his despair, he cried out to God. Firstly, he began with adoration: He extolled the greatness and might of God. Then he placed his fears and worries before God, reminding Him how He had once shown favour to them by driving out their enemies.

The king called upon the whole nation of Judah to pray for God’s mercy to be upon them. Then Jahaziel, the prophet, proclaimed, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Acting upon the prophetic word, the king confidently arranged a worship team to go before his army. As they went into battle, they praised God, as if the almighty had already defeated their enemies. “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21).

The battle was truly a walkover in favour of Judah. God caused their enemies to fight against one another; Judah did not even have to fight against them.

The spoils of war were so abundant that it took three days to collect them. On the fourth day, the victors gathered at the Valley of Beracah (blessing) to bless God for His hand of favour upon them. Truly the battle was not theirs, but the Lord’s.

Of course, faith in God’s ability to save and obedience (ordering the worship team to go before the army), also play a role in God’s deliverance apart from thanksgiving.

In conclusion, thanksgiving and obedience pave the way for God’s salvation and deliverance in times of trouble.