“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14 ). “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7).“8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3b).
According to the Word of God, we are conceived and born in sin (Psalm 51:5) and every inclination of our heart is evil all the time (Genesis 6:5), thus since the fall into sin and the curse humanity has lost its free will so that no longer are we able to choose good, only the evil that is before us, that is what we choose (Romans 7:16ff). Thus according to our inborn sinful human nature we are unable to choose good nor do the will of God.
Yet, there is hope at least according to our newborn spiritual nature. As God gives us faith, the Holy Spirit working through the means of Holy Baptism and His Word, so He also stirs in us to make choices that are good and pleasing to God understanding and giving thanks to God who is truly doing the good work in and through us.
Thus, as we have said before, we get Justification right when we point to Jesus as indeed He is the one who makes us just and right before God. And now we get sanctification and free will right when we point to Jesus as well. He is the one who gives us faith and He is the one who works in us the good works that He would have us to do as Paul reminds us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
If I am not saved, it is my own fault for rejecting the Lord. As I am saved, God gets the credit for saving me. To Him be the glory.
47 of 52 © Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs (2018)
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