Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 5:38:15 PM
The Bible says that men are at enmity with God. That means we are in rebellion and will not submit to His rule. Rather, we are held captive by the evil one to do his will. How shall they escape captivity and remove the enmity when they are blinded to their condition, deceived into believing a lie and unconcerned about the things of God?
Rather than ‘repent and believe’ they are told to ‘accept Jesus’, as if this decision leads to their regeneration. Arminianism is assumed in that the implication is that men have an ability that the Bible doesn’t give them.
Jesus invites sinners to Himself…
‘Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest’ [Matthew 11:28].
And His great promise to those who come…
‘All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out’ [John 6:37].
Christ has overcome sin and death. He has reconciled us to God, removing the enmity. He has all authority to release us from captivity and bring us to God. When a man is renewed by the Spirit through the ministry of the Word he will see the beauty of Jesus Christ and flee to Him in repentance and faith.