The Bible Declares Three Strikes! Against The Free Will Gospel

It says in John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Then the pastor would stop reading right there and not read the next verse. But God knows man; He knows how deceitful and prideful man is, wanting to add his own work, so we read in:

John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Again, it is the gift of God given from heaven. So, even if they stop with John 1:12, God is saying in John 3:27, “You can only receive it if I give it to you to receive it.” It is all part of the salvation package, which is a gift of God: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The word “boast” speaks of pride and glory; that is what man wants to do.

But we will keep reading in John 1 and go on to John 1:13:

Which were born, not of blood…

Is this talking about our natural, earthly birth? Can it possibly be read that way? No – it is clearly talking about becoming “sons of God” or being born again. We are not born “of blood, ” even though I did mention God saving one of a city and two of a family, so there is some blessing there as it is a good “location” to be born of true believing parents, but it does not guarantee salvation. We cannot say, “Because my father was a pastor, this means that I am born again.” It is not “of blood,” and this was especially pertinent to the Jews that were blood descendants of Abraham, but this did not save them. Again, it says in John 1:13:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

These are the three strikes against the false free will gospel. The are “three strikes” God emphasizes are: 1) not of blood; 2) not of the will of flesh; 3) and not of the will of man.

So, where does man’s will come into play? It does not. The disciples asked Jesus, “Who then can be saved?” He responded, “With man, this is impossible.” There is the answer to the “free will” gospel: with man, it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. It says the same thing in our verse in John 1:13: “but of God.” It is always of God. God is the Saviour. He is the one that does the work. He does the choosing and the willing. His people will be willing in the day of His power. He is the one that give the gift of faith, the faith of Christ. The Bible keeps taking us back to God on every point – there is no allowance for man’s work. The only part we play is to be the “dead, stinking corpse.” We are permitted that role. We are allowed to be the dead body, the carcase in which there is no life, like Lazarus when Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth,” and then the dead rose and came forth. That is how God works in the matter of salvation. He sent forth His Word in His everlasting love for us; then He began to “draw” each elect to Himself.