John 3:16
That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Rev. 22:17
And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that hereth say Come and Let him that is athirst Come and whosever will, Let him take the water of life freely.
- Man has no choice about coming
into the world, but after he is here and old enough to be responsible, he is held accountable for
his salvation or damnation. Jesus said:
Mark 16:15-16
15: And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; 16: he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.
And (Jesus is answering a question that was asked him about Pilate mingling the blood of the Galilaeans with their own sacrifices)
Luke 13:2-5
2: And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans because they suffered such things?
3: I tell you, Nay; but, except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4: Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they werE sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5: I tell you, Nay; but except you repent ye shall all likewise perish.
- Man has his own will to exercise in this matter:
John 6:37
All that the Father has giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 7:17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
(Also see John 3:16 and Rev. 22:17) - It is God’s will that all men who will be, shall be saved.
See John 3:16 and Rev. 22:17
1 Tim. 2:4Who will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2 Pet 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- Men are commanded to choose God.
Josh. 24:15Choose this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
(See also Luke 13:2-5) - Men are cursed if they do not choose God:
Prov. 1:29-33
29: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.
(See also Mark 16:16)
30: They would none of my consel: they despised all my reproof.
31: Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devises.
32: For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33: But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil
Isa. 66:3
Yea, they have chosen their on ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
- It is impossible to serve God and Satan at the same time.
Matt. 6:24
No man can serve two masters: he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Rom. 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey; his servants ye are to whom ye obey.
- Promises are given to men upon the basis of their choice.
(See also Rev. 22:17)
Mark 3:35
For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother.
(See also John 7:17)
John 9:31
No we know that God hereth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him He heareth.
John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my father honor.
In over 4,000 Scriptures where “choice”, “will” and other words expressing will power are used, not one suggests that God forces any man to accept Him and do His will. Man’s relationship with God is entirely on a voluntary basis. As we see by the above Scriptures.
