I see that many people who know something about the Sovereignty of God know nothing of His Grace; and that is why they can embrace free will.
The believers walk with God (especially one who has been instructed) is utterly dependent upon the Grace of God in Christ. Rom 7 and 8 are tied together. Paul saw the law of sin in his flesh and found no relief until he was moved to look outside of himself. Rom Chapter 8 begins with no condemnation in Christ and ends with absolute security in Christ, but all the way in between (8:1-8:32) the work of the Spirit of God unveiled. The Spirit (law of the Spirit of life) makes us free from the dominion and tyranny of sin (Rom 8:2). The Spirit, through the New Covenant ministers life and peace to us (Rom 8:5-6). The Spirit is the only means God accepts for the mortification of the deeds of this evil body (Rom 8:13,8). The Spirit makes our adoption known (Rom 8:14-16), enables us to pray (8:15), is the means whereby Christ is with us in our sufferings (8:17), gives us hope in the better resurrection (8:18-25), prays according to the will of God when we don't know what to say (8:26-27), and is the means whereby God glorifies us (8:28-30). The Spirit is what Christ has given us that we might freely have all things that pertain to life and godliness (8:31-32).
The Spirit who is Sovereign and Gracious does all of these things, and they are ministered to me through the Gospel. Paul wasn't able to pull himself up by the bootstraps in Rom 7. He couldn't make a decision. This does not testify of an unregenerate man (as you know), but this is the testimony of every child of God. O I would do good! I want to do good! I want to believe on Christ and love people! But how?! Paul could only look to the Spirit of God and say, "Because Christ has established righteousness for me, life is promised to me through the Spirit (Rom 8:3-4). I have no condemnation even now because of Christ (Rom 8:1), and because of Christ the Spirit will come upon me in due time and will once again deliver me into the blessed peace that passes all understanding (Rom 8:2, 10)."
The man of sin must be made known. He is self-will. Nothing but faith in the Gospel of Christ pleases God.
My own soul was in bondage a week or so ago until this passage came to me allowing me to look outside of myself. Faith is the gift of God and for every look to Christ I thank the Spirit.
This is Grace, and fleshly free will religion has no place among the brethren. Dear Brother Spurgeon's ability to receive free-will religionist remains an enigma to me (he like all men failed when he judged according to sight); nevertheless, the two ways of walking with God are separated by more than logic; Grace and works are two entirely different lifestyles. If it were logic there may be room for argument, but it is experience.
If God gives me open doors with people who fellowship in free-will works religion, then the issue will be God's Sovereign Grace- not the systematic doctrine of the 5 points, but the life of faith that is found in them.
I spoke to someone yesterday and all she was able to see was the two systems and concluded, "whatever, lets all be Christians." The Way of Grace was not made plain to her.
Sovereign Grace is not us doing it, and then saying God did it. Sovereign Grace is God working in people by the Spirit through the Gospel. I do remember this lady asking the age-old question: "If it is all of grace then you can do whatever you want?" No, these people don't understand the power of Grace through faith. Faith is supernatural and wrought by God himself. Faith is what empowers a selfish sinner to seek the glory of the Son of God who loved him and gave Himself for his sins. Faith is not an assent to doctrine; it is God Himself PERSUADING you and I of what He has already accomplished or determined to do back in eternal predestination. Faith embraces the promises of the New Covenant, pleases God, and invokes the Almighty to act. Read what sinners did by faith in Hebrews 11. They believed God, and that faith empowered them.
Look outside of yourself to Christ! This is the ONLY life and peace. He has earned the right to give the Mighty Spirit to deliver all for whom He died.
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