"FOR WHO HATH RESISTED HIS WILL"

Rom. 9:19

     The subject...MAN'S WILL versus GOD'S WILL.  Man's power relative to God's power.  How free is man to express and perform his own will?  Has it really been granted of God for man to do perpetually as man pleases?  Are we in actual reality, resisting God's providential will even when we believe that we are?  Is personal salvation based upon man's will and choice, or God's?

     On the surface, it is scripturally evident that man's place in the mechanics of God's eternal plan indicates that man is not a mindless robot or puppet devoid of a personal will.  Yet, contrary to popular belief, and shocking as it may be to some, neither is man's own will actually in control of his own ultimate destiny.  We ask, "Is it not Christ alone, who has the necessary keys to open or lock the prison doors of hell and death?" Matt.16:18,19; Rev.1:18; 3:7.  

     We shall endeavor to bring to light through the scriptures, a portion of truth in regards to one's so called "free will." Gen.49:6; Tit.1:7; 2Ptr.2:10.  Hopefully,  these scriptures may shed a few rays of revelational light on controversial questions such as ..."Can man resist God's influences on his life?  Could he continue forever to resist God's will?"  Further yet, "Can man really resist it at all?" Ro.9:19.

     Common Christian belief is, that God can do anything except interfere with man's will.  Many believe that man retains an absolute and final power of volition.   But is this so according to God's word?  A close up examination of the scriptures will reveal beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is not so!  It is God's omnipotent power of will only which operates in absolute, unlimited, unrestricted freedom and strength in all of  His creation.  Man's clearly does not!

       Know ye not that even "the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1Cor.1:25.  Therefore we sincerely ask, "Is any of the work that our Almighty God set out to accomplish, especially in regard to personal salvation and reconciliation, able to be resisted forever by rebellious man or devil?"  The Lord Himself says of His divine work, "I will work, and who shall let [hinder] it?" Isa.43:13.  No wonder, "for who hath resisted His will?" (Rom.9:19) when it comes His time to perform and complete it.

      It is evident that man has a will which he voluntarily exercises in a personal way - Ex.25:2; 35:21-29; Lev.1:3; 19:5; 22:19,29; 1Ptr.5:2.  Yet, it is also evident man has but a weak and limited form of "power over his own will." 1Cor.7:37; 9:16-18; 16:12; Dan.8:4; 11:3,16,36; 2Kgs.19:26 etc.  His "own will" is a thing called "SELF will", and was given him by God in order to experience the results of both good and evil - Eccl.3:10,11; Ro.8:20.

     The biblical truth is, finite man has actually a very limited, transitory form of freedom of will, wherein his infinite God "hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass." Jb.14:5.  Because man is yet unknowledgeable and ignorant of most forces which move and influence him, he often imagines he is free to will and to do as he pleases.  We ask, "If even a wise man can influence and control another man's will, how much more can our ALL-WISE God influence every wise man?" (1Cor.1:25) whose "wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." 1Cor.3:19.  Human carnality greatly inhibits and limits man's mind - Jer.11.

     Limitation, both mental and physical (1Cor.13:12), spiritual and circumstantial (Psa.139:5), hereditary and environmental (Lam.3:5-7; Ac.17:26), are instrumental in determining the entire scope of man's free will and intentions in this earth - Jb.3:23; 12:14; 37:7; Eccl.8:8.  For example, a man can jump only a limited distance in either length or height.  He can run only so fast.  He can throw only so far.  His will is bound by God's basic law of gravity.  Often too, he is unable to find the means by which to fulfill his many wants, or even his needs -1Kgs.17:12.  He may earnestly desire and determine to prevent such things as sickness (Mk.5:26; Lk.13:11), wars, (Jas.4:1), or famines and pestilence (Matt.24:7), but very often, this is also beyond the power of his own will to perform - 2Chr.20:12.

     Comparatively, man is often about as free as dust in a windstorm, a rowboat on a stormy sea, a dog on a chain, an animal in the zoo, or a man at his job.  At times when the spirit may be willing, the flesh may be too frail and weak - Matt.26:41; Rom.7:18; 2Cor.8:11.  Therefore, the end result of our will rests in a dimension beyond any human mental or physical abilities to control.  It is self evident that human thoughts are not governed by known laws of nature, in spite of the fact that we are made up of molecules and atoms which do obey natural laws.

      We find described in the scriptures, another supernatural force which is far stronger and more powerful in nature and influence than any human faculty.  It is here that we are told about the existence of an absolute will and of thoughts and ways which are much higher than man's - Ro.9:11-26; Isa.55:9; Job. chptr. 37; 11:7; 2Cor.3:5.  Absolutely no thoughts of God can be hindered and no plan can be thwarted - Jb.42:2; Isa.14:27.  

God's own will, which is never apart from His omnipotent power nor His perfect timing, is not confined to operating nor acting in the realm of merely trying, or attempting, as often is the case in mere human effort.  His omniscient Spirit is always present, and ever proceeding in a patient, creative, efficient manner towards its determined consummation. Even time itself, is confined within the realm of God's own will - Rev.1:8; Eccl.3:1,17; 8:6; Ac.17:26; Heb.11:3; Gal.4:4.

      It is very evident, that unregenerate and carnal man, is but a prisoner (Psa.102:19,20; 68:18) of his own thoughts and his own self will.  He is really able to move about only within the narrow confinements of restrictive prison walls which the Bible calls  sin and death.  He must remain there undergoing a type of rehabilitation until higher authorities grant him a full pardon and give him his freedom.  In the meantime, it seems man's own will can only be expressed within the limits imposed upon him, through the marvelous and mysterious designs of His all-embracing God, whereby he is put into a position of God's own control and choosing - Jn.3:27; Ac.15:7; 17:26; Heb.6:3; 1Chr.29:1; Jb.38:11; Isa.24:1; 43:10.

     God's directive and permissive will, operates in providential dominion and wisdom over every positive and negative force in His universe - Psa. chptr. 104.  "All power belongeth unto God." Psa.62:11; 1Chr.29:11,12; Rom.13:1.  Therefore, even the fall of man into sin, had to be within the authorized and sanctioned permit of God's overall omniscient will (Isa.45:7; Jer.24:9,10; Rev.6:8; 11:6), happening "in His appointed times" (Isa.14:31; Ex.9:5; Dan.8:19; Ac.17:24-28), as a part of His purpose of the ages - Eph.3:11.

     The creation from the beginning, "was made (even created, planned and purposed according to God's divine foreknowledge - Heb.4:3) subject to vanity (Psa.39:5; Eccl.1:2,13; 3:10,11), NOT WILLINGLY (by man, even though on the surface, the unrestrained disobedient choice appeared to be all of man's own doing) but BY REASON OF HIM (GOD HIMSELF) WHO HATH SUBJECTED THE SAME (creation) in (an ultimately glorious, assured-Ro.8:21) hope - Ro.8:20; Psa.90:3.

     Because the woman's disobedient choice was directly influenced by the imperfect, immature, unwise, ignorant and corruptible nature with which she was created, and because both the man and the woman [spirit and soul] were placed into the exact surroundings and situation which God ordained, we can then understand how it really was according to God's foreordained redemptive plan, that "they corrupted themselves" - Deut.32:5; Jas.1:13-15.

     Therein, "God in times past, suffered [allowed] all nations [and individuals] to walk in their own ways." Ac.14:16; Hos.5:11.  Even in this present day and age, we are still in the allocated "time when one man ruleth over another to his own hurt." Eccl.8:9.  This is also true in principle, of many secular and religious organizations - Rev.17:6.

     Most people fail to understand that the complete implementation of God's master plan from beginning to end, can never be apart from the workings of His will.  So, when we look at all the vanity and suffering that is allowed to take place on this earth, is suffering not also in a latent sense, still "according to the will of God"? 1Ptr.4:19; 3:17; Phil.1:29; 2Cor.1:5,6; Ac.9:16; Rom.8:18; Jas.4:9; Jer.30:23,24.

     Solomon in his God given wisdom proclaimed, "Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright" (even morally good in His eyes-Gen.1:31); but in their God created, God allowed and God limited portion of  human-self free will, they have misused this gift and "they have sought out many inventions." Ecc.7:29.  "For there are many devices (inventions) in (the self willed choices of) a man's heart; Nevertheless (it is) the counsel (divine purpose known from the beginning of the ages - Ac.15:18) of the Lord that shall stand." Prv.19:21; Psa.10:2; 33:10; Jer.23:19,20.

     It is absolutely God's ongoing, immutable, redemptive will, regardless of man, whereby He is determined and more than "able to subdue ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF" (Phil.3:21) that "He might FILL ALL THINGS WITH HIMSELF" [even with His own love and will] (Eph.4:10), thus becoming "ALL IN ALL". 1Cor.15:28.  This is the positive, ultimate goal and overall purpose of our loving God's progressive, all encompassing, omnipotent will.  Only this kind of love bears all things, endures all things and cannot fail - 1 Cor.13:7,8.

     Because of their past teaching in the traditions of man, many will argue that man's own will shall ever prevent the gloriously grand fulfilling of God's own sovereign omnipotent will.  But according to God's word of truth wherein He cannot lie, He shall mercifully prove them to be very wrong - Isa.59:1.  Fortunately for mankind, "God is (still unchangeable and) in one mind (of singleness and purpose in the mind of Christ), and who can turn Him?" (Jb.23:13), the only One "who worketh ALL THINGS (including man's ultimate destiny) after the counsel of HIS OWN WILL." Eph.1:11.

     Is it too hard to believe that "what His soul desireth, even that He doeth?" Jb.23:13; Psa.115:3; Ac.27:23,24. Again He saith, "I will work, and who shall let (hinder) it?" Isa.43:13; J37:7; Psa.135:6.  Who is there really that can resist God and forever nullify His will? Ro.9:19; Num.31:23.  Even Personal salvation is initially conditional upon God's redemptive will alone, not upon man's - Jn.1:12; Eph.1:4-7.  Salvation is of divine will and origin, and originates not at all from human will nor intellect.  Actually, one can no more will of himself to be saved than he can will of himself to remain lost.

     Job of old proclaims of a grand truth..."Thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands" (Jb.14:15) "for He performeth the thing that is appointed for me." Jb.23:13.  Why, and how did God perform and reveal His will in Job's life?  Job typifies humanity.  Job was said to be "beset" meaning confined - Psa.139:5.  God "possessed his reigns" (place of decision making, his will) Psa.139:13.  Job was divinely "hedged in". Jb.3:23.  God "fenced up" Jobs own ways - Jb. 19:8.  His feet were said to be put in "stocks." Jb.13:27; 33:11.  Job surely had his own free will but it appears even a righteous man's will may not be as free as one thinks!  God's will alone, is absolute in its pursuasive influence.

     Had not God chosen and predetermined, seen and foreknown (Eph.2:10), the ways of righteousness which Job would choose in his heart? Jb.23:10.  Therein, He did proceed to direct his steps (Jb.14:16) as "the guide" of his youth (Jer.3:4), even through trials and judgments (1Ptr.4:2,3), to bring about the ordained time of his double portion of blessing, wherein Job was to be found not only wise and righteous in his own eyes (Jb.32:1), but also in God's.

     Surely during his allotted course of time, man may purpose or choose whatsoever pleases himself (Philm.14), but a pertinent question to be answered is, "Who hath hardened himself against Him (God) and hath prospered"...or really actually succeeded in hindering God?  Jb.9:4; 5:12; Ex.12:36.   If a purpose or work be of man's choice alone, "it will come to naught; but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it." Ac.5:38,39.  These are important basic principles.

     Sooner or later (1Tim.5:24), that which man chooses and acts upon that is not in the Father's ultimate will or purpose, shall bring just judgment or vanity rather than blessing - Eccl.12:4.  "Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord...therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices" (Prv.1:29-31)..."because to every purpose (of man and God) there is time and judgment." Eccl.8:6.

     It is a basic principle and law of God that man must be judged in accordance with whatsoever he does within the sphere of his own limited will - Rom.3:5; Matt.23:37,38.  But nevertheless, God has purposed through the greatness in His omnipotent and efficacious power of love for all, to divinely bring forth righteousness, even out of man's own choice to do evil.  For "judgment shall return unto righteousness" (Psa.42:15); and all His enemies (including the last enemy death) shall submit themselves willingly unto Christ (Psa.66:3,4; Phil.2:10,11) because "the Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed" (Psa.103:6)....oppressed of him who presently in subordination, exercises the power of death - Heb.2:14.  "Though he (any man) fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for THE LORD UPHOLDETH HIM (even in judgment) with His hand" (Psa.37:23,24), "in whose hand (directing power; will power) is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind." Jb.12:10; 2Chr.20:6.

     "Behold, HIS HAND IS NOT SHORTENED THAT HE CANNOT SAVE" (Isa.59:1) all which is in His will and purpose to deliver in this groaning creation - 1Sam.14:6; Rom.8:21,22.  He cannot and will not fail.  "He (in His divine timing) openeth the ears of men and sealeth their instruction, THAT HE MAY WITHDRAW MAN FROM HIS    (own) PURPOSE, and hide pride from man." Jb.33:16,17. "HE SEALETH UP (makes an end, stops) THE HAND (self directing works) OF EVERY MAN; that all men may know His (God's glorious, majestic plan and) work." Jb.37:7; Isa.40:13; Gen.50:20.

     Who says God is not willing nor able in His discreet and judicious timing "to SUBDUE (subject willingly) ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF"? (Phil.3:21), beginning with and including, man's own temporary rebellious will -1Cor.15:26,27; Ac.11:17; Rom.9:16; Dan.4:37b.  It cannot fail to come to pass, that "thy people SHALL BE WILLING IN THE DAY OF THY POWER." Psa.110:3; 66:3; Isa.43:21.  When it comes time for God to exercise the power of His will, who shall not become willing, for who can resist His will?

     The scriptures strongly indicate that man was created a free moral agent in the sense that he is seemingly free as to will or first choice in volition (Ezra 7:13; 1Cor.7:37; 9:17; 2Cor.8:3,5) in any thing other than his own election by God - Jas.1:18.   But, they also say, man is not entirely free in conation to the final carrying out or fulfilling of all his actions resulting from that choice (Gen.20:6-8; 2Sam.17:14; Prv.16:33; Dan.4:29-37 etc.), for God does sovereignly restrain and control both man and Satan - Ro. chptr. 9; Jb. chptr. 2; 5:12; Gen.20:6; Psa.76:10; Hos.2:6; 2Tim.2:25,26.   See the principles of this also revealed in Isa.37:29; 44:25; 2Kgs.19:28; Ezk.29:4; 38:4; 39:2 etc.

     Was not the king of Babylon, as was the king of Assyria (2Kgs.19:23-28) merely a useful tool or servant used to accomplish God's predestined purposes upon the earth? Jer.25:9; 27:6; 51:7; Isa.43:10.  These kings in some places in the word, symbolize Satan and the powers of the fallen human mind.   But nevertheless, "The kings heart is IN THE HAND (will and directing power) OF THE LORD, as the rivers of water; HE TURNETH IT (the heart, mind, soul, will etc.) WHITHERSOEVER HE WILL." Prv..21:1; Lev.26:36; 2Chr.36:22; Ezra 6:22; Jb.12:19.

     We certainly are not at all left alone to be a law unto ourselves, unrestrainedly exerting our free will, though some believe this to be so - Jb.34:21-25.  God forbid.  We are more dependent on HIm than most realize.  It is of a great truth, that only "IN HIM we live, and move, and have our being." Ac.17:28.  "O the depth...of God!" Rom.11:33.  Man's own will is far from being entirely independent !  Isa.41:20; Ezk.30:10.

     The restrictive freedom of man's will is ever under subjection to God's will and is extremely limited in comparison.  God is absolutely free to intervene at any time or in any way He so purposes and desires.  The Lord saith, "IS IT NOT LAWFUL FOR ME TO DO WHAT I WILL WITH MY OWN (creation)?" (Matt.20:15); and so "HE HATH DONE WHATSOEVER HE PLEASED." Psa.115:3; 105:22; 135:6; Jb.37:12-14; Zec.1:6; Lk.1:20.  "Can the axe or saw resist him that uses it?"  Isa.10:15; Jer.51:19,20.  Can man really resist the sovereign will of God any more than can Satan? Jb. chptrs. 1 and 2.

     Man's freedom is actually nothing more than a relative state of privilege.under God''s whole dominiion.  In comparison to God's majestic providential will, it is reputed as nothing - Jb.24:22.  In God's all seeing eyes, "ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH ARE REPUTED AS NOTHING: and He doeth ACCORDING TO HIS WILL (and not according to man's will) IN THE ARMY OF HEAVEN AND AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH: NONE CAN STAY (stop) HIS HAND (directing influences), or say unto Him, what doest Thou?" Dan.4:34; 32-35; Isa.40:23; 45:9; 49:7.   Nor can they even rightfully question, "Why hast thou made me thus?" Rom.9:20.   Again, is not the answer readily seen as to "who hath resisted HIS WILL?" Ro.9:19.

     If the Lord of hosts hath purposed, "Who shall disannul it?...His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?" Isa.14:27; 43:13.  So then, it appears to be that God at first, often allows man to freely choose in earthly matters, but whether man carries out his own choice to completion or not, depends entirely on whether God shall permit it or not - Jb.37:7; Psa.76:10; Dan.5:20;,21; Rev.11:5,6.  Only "THAT THAT IS DETERMINED SHALL BE DONE." Dan.11:36.

     God is divinely in, or behind every action, whether you believe His word or not.  "Thou turnest man to destruction (Prv.31:8) and sayest return ye children of men." Psa.90:3.  Truly, concerning salvation and restoration, "ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD." Ro.11:36;  1Cor.8:6; 11:12; 2Cor.5:18; Eph.1:11; Heb.2:10b.  God's progressive will expands with the ages, and in the interim process, appears to differ from, and conflict with, His greater ultimate will and expressed goals.  In the fulness of truth and time, it does not!

     Turning now to the revelation of the Lord's will in individual lives, James writes, "IF THE LORD WILL, we shall live and do this or that." Jas.4:15; 1Jn.2:17.  The apostle Paul proclaims, "I will return..IF GOD WILL." Ac.18:21; 1Cor.4:19.  One can purpose carnally as Jonah first did (Jon.1:2), or one can choose to be led of God's Spirit no matter what the cost, as he through the divine interventions of God, did in the end (Jon.3:3)..finally "DOING THE WILL OF GOD FROM THE HEART (willingly)." Eph.6:6.

     Knowing of a surety the will of God in certain personal things, Paul "purposed in the spirit (Ac.19:27) saying again, "I go bound in the spirit." Ac.20:22.  See also Rom.1:10 and 15:32.  God said as a statement of fact and a foregone conclusion of His servant David...He is "a man after my own heart WHICH SHALL FULFILL ALL MY WILL."  Ac.13:22.   It is said that David "served his own generation BY THE WILL OF GOD." Ac.13:36.   Yet, the "FREEWILL offerings of his mouth" were at times, subject to being acceptable unto God - Psa.119:108; 2Chr.29:31.

     There are countless ways in which the Lord can intervene in the affairs of individuals.  Paul said of the "born again" Philippians concerning God's willing and God's doing..."It is God which worketh in you BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE." Phil.2:13; 2Cor.8:5; Psa.40:8.   Of the Corinthians it is said, "BEYOND THEIR POWER THEY WERE WILLING OF THEMSELVES."  Here we see that above and beyond man's own will power, is the working power of God that works through man.  It was primarily the Lord which divinely put "earnest care into the heart of Titus" for the saints - 2Cor.8:16.  God brings His own will into action when it pleases Him - Lk.2:25-32.  It matters not whether one is a sinner or a saint.

     It is the activated Spirit of the Lord "that confirmeth the word of His servant, and PERFORMETH THE COUNSEL OF HIS MESSENGERS." Isa.44:26.  I HAVE RAISED HIM UP in righteousness, and I WILL DIRECT HIS WAYS." Isa.45:13; 61:8; Psa.48:14.  "As for the upright, HE DIRECTETH HIS WAYS." Prv.21:29.  Men's own desires can be actual indications and expressions of GOD WORKING HIS WILL in and through them, and this is personified in the new creation man - Eph.3:20; 1Cor.15:10; Heb.13:21; 2Cor.8:10-12.  "THOU HAST WROUGHT ALL OUR WORKS IN US. " Isa.26:12; 2Cor.3:5.   The Lord works covertly for us and for all others, by working in man and through man.

     Man's fruitful decisions "of his own accord" (2Cor.8:17) can be divinely directed by God's working will in those that can hear "what the Spirit saith unto the church" (Matt.26:39), so "that THE WILL OF THE LORD BE DONE." Ac.21:14; Isa.30:21; Jn.5:30.   God's ultimate will in any matter, whether permissive or restrictive, cannot fail in any way to be fulfilled "on earth as it is in heaven." Matt.6:10; Gen.28:15.  He always retains absolute dominion and power of influence over man's motives and will - Ex.31:1-6; 35:30-35; 1Sam.14:6; 1Kngs.12:15,24.  He would not be the most high God if he ever failed to do so.

     Man's CHOICES are always products of his past or present influences but primarily, these influences are under the sovereign control of God.  Whether God will ALLOW man's OWN CHOICE and its subsequent works to take effect at any particular point of time, depends on whether or not, God ACTIVELY WILLS at that time to influentially override and turn it for the eventual, and oft time unseen good of His creation, or for His praise - Psa.76:10; Isa.10:5-7.  Several of many biblical examples of this are found in Rom.9:11-13,17,18;  1Sam.8:7 and 12:12.

     Again, This applies to both believers and non believers alike.  If God desires a thing, or can use if for His good purpose now, or later, HE PERMITS IT - Rom.5:12; Ac.27:24; Ac.2:23; 4:28; Gen.11:6.  If not, HE DIVINELY RESTRAINS OR PREVENTS - Gen.20:6; 2Chr.10:15; Jb.5:12; Hos.2:6.  It is ever His own working prerogative (Jb.33:29; 1Sam.25:26,35) to divinely intervene to pursuade, to influence, to instigate, to permit or to prevent.

     Now, in order to effect, direct, influence, sway or persuade men, God may indirectly use at His own discretion, such things as man's law, law enforcement agencies, accidents, physical death, judgments (Isa.1:27; Zep.3:5; Isa.26:9) and chastisements in countless forms (Jb.36:8-10; Psa.94:10-12), as well as pain, suffering, and sickness (Jb.39:19-22), or elements of the earth such as those found in Psa.148:8; Jb.37:12,13 etc. Or, God can use divine agents such as His own spiritual laws of recompense (Heb.10:30), reaping and sowing, or even scientific laws such as found in mathematics, biology or physics.

     Along with direct intervention by His Spirit (Ezk.1:1; 8:3; 11:1) and His word (Ezk.1:3), He also uses things in the paranormal and supernatural realms. He uses angels, both good and evil, and holds ultimate control over such things in humans as spirits of fear, doubt, rebellion, pride, anger and of course, many, many more - Isa.19:14; Jer.30:14.  Occasionally, if restraint or "sentence against evil is not executed speedily" (Eccl.8:11; Judg.14:19), as in in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, the wages of sins wrought in their particular choice of action, brought about almost instant physical death - Ac.5:1-10.

     In order to direct the soul of man in right doing, God can also use other men - Ac.14:2; Ezk.30:10; Psa.17:14; Jer.22:7; 2Sam.24:1.  He can also use great signs, wonders, and miracles to move and influence him - Ac.14:3,4; 5:12-17; Heb.2:4.   In the church, He uses prophets and prophecies and gifts of the Spirit - 1Cor. chptrs. 12 and 13.  And without doubt, one of the greatest ways God influences and motivates man, is through the Spirit of His written word, the Bible - 2Tim.3:16; Psa.119:9.  In all of this we can see, how that God is not limited any an way whatsoever in carrying out His own will and in influencing man's own will.

     Believe it or not, God's providence and intimate sovereign control is absolute and universal in scope (Jb.3:7; Psa.94; Psa.107; Psa.147), even to the extent of man's delusions - 2Ths.1:11; Isa.66:4; Jer.6:19.  This is notably evident in the church's delusion --- that God in any way, will work against a man's own will.  The truth is, God works constantly against, and apart from, the carnal will of man - Rom.8:6-8; Mic.5:7.  God has ensured, that every goal He has set, shall only be reached through the results of His means, lest any man should boast.  All power and glory and honor belongs to Him alone.

      "THERE IS NO WISDOM NOR UNDERSTANDING NOR COUNSEL (carnal purpose in heaven or earth that can stand on its own) AGAINST THE LORD." Prv.21:30.  In the eternal sense of application, "We can do nothing (of ourselves which will endure) against the truth." 2Cor.13:8.  "FOR THERE IS NO POWER BUT OF GOD. "Rom.13:1.  Nothing can happen outside of the power of God's will.  NO OTHER WILL POWER is apart from the control of the WILL OF HIS POWER and THE POWER OF HIS WILL.

     Joseph had said of his evil brethren, "So now IT WAS NOT YOU THAT SENT ME HITHER, BUT GOD." Gen.45:8; Judg.14:4.  Contrary to man's carnal opinions, we also read that IT IS GOD that temporarily ALLOWS BLINDNESS, HARDENS HEARTS and CAUSES MEN TO ERR.  Read and study - Rom.11:7,8,32; 9:18; Jn.12:40; Lk.19:42; 24:16; Ex.4:11; 14:17; Deut.2:30; Josh.11:20; Ecccl.3:11; Psa.69:23; 106:25; Isa.6:9,10; 63:17 etc.  In carrying out these operations, He sovereignly uses Satan in man as His willing and able agent - 2Cor.4:4; 2Tim.2:26.

      ALL "MAN'S GOINGS ARE OF THE LORD: how can a man then understand his own way?" Prv.20:24.  Obviously He cannot! Jn.13:36-38.  The Lord is mysteriously leading even the blind (both saved and unsaved) in a way that they know not (Gen.21:22; Isa.42:16; 48:17),for through their choice, unknown to man, "GOD HAS PUT IN THEIR HEART TO FULFILL HIS (and not really their own-Isa.10:7) WILL." Rev.17:17; Josh.11:20; Lev.26:36; 2Chr.30:12; Prv.16:1.  Believe it or not.

     Speaking of Cyrus who was not an Israelite, the Lord said, "He is my shepherd, and SHALL PERFORM ALL MY PLEASURE." ISA.44:28; 2Chr.36:22,23.  So once again, we clearly see that  "IT IS NOT OF HIM (man) THAT WILLETH NOR OF MAN THAT RUNNETH, BUT OF GOD." Rom.9:16-26.

      We see how  that both the will and the action can originate from God. Jeremiah's life was clearly ordered of the Lord (Jer.1:5) as was Paul"s - Gal.1:15.  See also Isa.46:3,4; 49:1,5; Psa.139:13-16.  Jeremiah said, "I know that THE WAY OF A MAN IS NOT IN HIMSELF: IT IS NOT IN MAN THAT WALKETH TO DIRECT HIS OWN STEPS" (JER.20:23), FOR THE ULTIMATE "STEPS OF A MAN (the word "righteous" is correctly not in some manuscripts) ARE ORDERED OF THE LORD." Psa.37:23; Jb.14:16; Isa.42:16.

     Left to itself, "a man's heart deviseth his (own) way (either good or evil, right or wrong): BUT THE LORD DIRECTETH HIS STEPS." Prv.16:9; Isa.37:29; 44:25; Rev.3:9.  "I girded thee though thou hast not known me." (Isa.45:5; Lk.24:15, 16, 31,45) indicates a divine esoteric presence in intervention and support.

     Often, "the lot (choice) is cast into the lap (base, center, heart, even the will of man), BUT THE WHOLE DISPOSING THEREOF IS OF THE LORD." Prv.16:33.  Ultimately, the lot causeth contentions to cease (Prv.18:18), and the not so mighty contentious will of man, in God's own time, will be turned in repentance, to choose to abide in the positive and progressive will of his Almighty God - Psa.66:3.  Actually, even when man is resisting God's FUTURE determined will, he is marvelously fulfilling God's INTERMEDIATE INTENTIONS - Rom.9:17; 8:28.  Again, we must ask, "WHO HATH RESISTED HIS WILL?" Ro.9:19; Ac.2:23; 4:28.

     God's higher will and ways are constantly being wrought in, and through, all mankind - Eph.1:11; Ac.17:26; 27:24; Habk.3:6.  His will is sovereign and omnipotent.  It is really God who determines, controls, influences, and directs the events of history - Ex.9:5; 1Kngs.8:56; 2Chr.10:15; 11:4; 36:22; Jb.12:23; Ezk.21:26; 38:4;  39:2; Isa.10:22,23; 46:8,9; 60:21,22; Dan.2:21; 4:17,25,32; 5:25; Ac.1:7 etc.

  Prophecy serves to confirm this very scriptural fact -2Ptr.1:19-21; Matt.26:54,56.  It cannot be fulfilled randomly or in any way by man's free will, or how could God plan and fulfil? Gen.28:13-15.  It is a divine principle, that whenever the WILL OF GOD involves negative aspects, it is for a temporary period only - Psa.33:10; Eccl.3:1-11; Jer.2:19; 29:10,11; 30:24; Habk.1:12; Dan.11:36; Matt.12:20.

All loss is temporary, though this may not seem to be so from the human point of view.  Therein, God's INTERMEDIATE WILL continues unabated, working sovereignly and providentially towards His predetermined goal of totally fulfilling His ULTIMATE WILL and purposes - 1Kgs.8:56; 2Chr.30:12; Psa.103:19-22; Jer.1:12; Matt.5:18; 2Cor.1:20; Rom.11:31-32 etc.

     Know this Oh son of man that "the Lord looketh from heaven and He beholdeth all the sons of men...He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth all their works." Psa.33:14; 11:4.  "The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord and HE PONDERETH (prepares) ALL HIS GOINGS" (Prv.5:21), in divine governing, all the while at the same time "beholding the good and the evil." Prv.15:3; 16:1.  For now, concerning the true church, He has set before believers as the "Israel of God" (Gal.6:16), the CHOICE of walking in life or in death, blessing or cursing: therefore let us now as the church, continue in obedience, to seek out and choose the ways of obdient life, regardless of our understanding (Deut.30:19; Rev.22:17), knowing our carnal fleshly ways profit us nothing in a spiritual sense - Jn.6:63; 15:5.

     Though we may not understand why or how, be assured that ALL THINGS including suffering and evil, work together for good (through God's own esoteric workings) to them that love God, (and eventually even) to them who are called according to HIS PURPOSE (1Tim.1:9) in every age (Ro.8:28); called in this life, either as vessels of mercy and honour, or vessels of wrath and dishonour - Ro.9:21-23; 2Ptr.2:12; Jude 4: Jer.21:1-10; Psa.145:14-17.  "Thou hast planted them....they have taken root," Jer.12:1,2.

     Did not the Lord of the whole earth say, I "will be gracious TO WHOM I WILL (to) BE GRACIOUS, and WILL SHEW MERCY ON WHO I WILL (to) SHEW MERCY" Ex.33:19; Ro.9:15.  It is both naturally and scripturally evident, that God Himself, in His own divine and intimate timing, continues to sovereignly negate, and thereby influence and change (1Cor.3:18; Phil.3:21) the ignorant and obstinate carnal will resident in the spirit of man (Jn.6:20:21)...especially in His merciful act of ELECTION in succoring man's initial salvation from sin - Ro.11:5-8.  He also gives freely of His other spiritual gifts, often without man asking, "dividing to every man severally AS HE WILL." 1Cor.12:11.

     God, not man, is both the author and the finisher of our personal salvation - Heb.12:22; Phil.1:6; Jn.4:34.  Truly, "HE HATH CHOSEN US (Jn.15:16; Matt.25:14; Isa.43:10,20,21; 44:1,2; 49:7) wholly "ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL." Eph.1:4,5. Just as HE CHOSE  the original children of Israel IN SOVEREIGN CHOICE OF HIS OWN WILL AND GRACE, today it is also true of His chosen spiritual Israel.  "I the Lord...have SEVERED YOU FROM OTHER PEOPLE, THAT YE SHOULD BE MINE." Lev.20:26; Ex.6:7,8; 19:5,6; 33:16; Deut.7:6-8; 14:2 etc.

     These scriptures still apply to the election of the church today.  Only "SUCH AS SHOULD BE SAVED" (Ac.2:47; 1Sam.14:6; Ro.12:3), then, and now, are saved.  They are redeemed according to God's own will and order of calling - Isa.49:8; 1Cor.15:23a.  "BUT NOW HATH GOD SET the members of EVERY ONE OF THEM IN THE BODY, AS IT HATH PLEASED HIM." 1Cor.12:18; Heb.2:13.

     These "ecclesia" are, apart from human requirement and conditions, freely given the necessary power of will and faith to trust and believe in Him, in order that "whosoever believeth in Him" (Jn.3:16) become no longer perishing creatures---but rather, only because of UNSOLICITED providential grace and mercy, become new born sons of God.  "Therefore hath He mercy on WHOM HE WILL HAVE MERCY." Ro.9:18.  Man is born  spiritually, entirely by the supernatural intervention of THE WILL OF GOD, and this birth is "NOT OF BLOOD, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF (the will of) GOD." Jn.1:12,13; Gal.1:1; Matt.16:15-17;  Ro.9:16; Jas.1:18 etc.

     These also are they "WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED" (Ac.16:14; Jer.24:7) to begin to attend unto the things of God - Psa.10:17.  It is HE ONLY that CAUSES life and breath in both the natural and spiritual body - Ezk.37:5; Jer.30:21; Heb.10:16.  Man's spirit is given true eternal life and understanding of righteousness ONLY BY THE "INSPIRATION OF THE ALMIGHTY." Jb.32:8; 1Cor.2:11- 14. Only He can waken our ear to hear as the learned - Isa.50:4,5; Jn.6:45; 5:25.  Therefore, no man can confess that Jesus is Lord "BUT BY THE HOLY GHOST." 1Cor.12:3; 2Cor.4:13; Ro.10:9, 10.  Only THE LORD CAN CAUSE thee to hear - Jer.18:2; Deut.4:10,36; 1Sam. chptr. 3; Jn.18:37.  HE INITIATES the acceptance in giving us the divine understanding of it - Lk.24:45; Isa.6:9,10; Eph.1:17,18; 1Cor.2:12.

     Surely we are called by God on the basis of CHOICE, nevertheless, overwhelming evidence in scripture, indicates it is BY GOD'S CHOICE ENTIRELY - Ac.15:7; Ro.9:11; 1Cor.1:26-30; Isa.49:7,8.   Man does not have any power in, or over his own flesh, to choose, in either the natural (Eccl.8:18) or spiritual process of life or death - Jn.17:2,3.  It is only "THE GOODNESS OF GOD THAT LEADETH THEE TO REPENTANCE." Rom.2:4; Jas.1:17.  He initiates life and He gives it. One cannot possibly have the desired saving gift of faith from Christ until AFTER that God Himself has experientially in His mercy, "shed abroad" (Rom.5:5) the enlightened knowledge of His saving love through our heart and soul, and carried out all the releasing transactions of the Spirit in the individual "by the (initial) washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost." Tit.3:5; Ac.1:8; Prv.3:20.

     The love and grace of God's gift of salvation is initially revealed and UNCONDITIONALLY "given to us", not because we of ourselves chose to love God, but because He chose to love us (1Jn.4:10) and supernaturally reveal it to us as truth.  Not so much for our sake but for His - Isa.48:9; Psa.106:8.  We can love Him then, because we are graciously given of Him, to know that He first loved us - 1Jn.4:19.  Because of the unconditional love of God, Christ finally came into the world, died, and rose again, in order that all who were to be born of this truth, could hear His voice (Jn.18:37) and be enabled to speak His words (Isa.59:21) of living truth.

     His voice of truth penetrates, according to His divine ongoing will and direction (Jb.37:3), even the silent will of the carnal mind---not only through His written word but also His spoken word - Ro.10:8,14.  For the preaching of the gospel is the instrument of God's power unto salvation to every one that is believing - Ro.1:16 Grk.  Hence, the necessity of world evangelism - Mk.16:15.

     Therefore this truth we present, does not in any way do away with the necessity of the human methods of dispensing the gospel as some would contend - 1Cor.3:5-9.  But, no doubt about it, God does have absolute control over the extent of success to which His word reaches and changes others, even to the extent of having power over what the word means to each individual - Isa.29:14; Matt.13:11; 19:11.

     When one is CALLED OF GOD there is a CHOICE.  However, this CHOICE is not based nor activated at all on any condition of man's works or willful acts which originates from within himself.  Rather, it is based on God's own active calling, choice and immediate will - Jn.6:29; Matt.19:12a; 25:14; Mk.3:13; Jer.1:5; Isa.49:1,5; 43:20,21 etc.

     In type to personal salvation, did Mary really have any CHOICE in conceiving or birthing the Christ child?  Matt.1:18-25; Lk.1:35.  Not according to scripture.  Neither do we in our supernatural spiritual birth.  Were Jacob and Esau truly absolute free agents in their choice?  No!  It was clearly God's choice ACCORDING TO HIS WILL even before they were born..."that THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION (by His calling and will power) MIGHT STAND, NOT OF (their own will  or) WORKS BUT OF HIM (God) THAT CALLETH." Ro.9:11; 1Ths.1:4.

     There are basic doctrinal principles that most of the church fail to fully comprehend.  Only "OF HIM are ye IN CHRIST JESUS" (1Cor.1:30), having become a new creature, "and THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES" (Eph.2:8) did this come about.   It is of a basic truth that "ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD" and FROM God, including the yielding of our personal will in initial salvation - 2Cor.5:5,18; Rom.11:36.  We assent and surrender our will, NOT BECAUSE WE WILL IT, but rather because He in His sovereign will, predestined it and eventually brought it to light in the midst of the spiritually dead void of our formerly alienated mind and spirit - Eph.2:10-13.  Unwittingly, like a new born infant, we are birthed into the family of God - 1Cor.12:18.

     In appreciation, we should be "giving thanks always for all things unto God." Eph.5:20.  Man's spirit must be born by the holy Spirit and of the holy Spirit, altogether from above - Jn. chpt. 3.  Born exclusively OF HIS SPIRIT and OF HIS WILL, and not in any way of the human spirit or human (self) will.  Our new birth and re-creation in Christ, is no more attributable to us than was our original Adamic creation.  Likewise, it was far from being our self will alone, which was instrumentally involved in the original fall away from close fellowship with the Creator.