“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

Acts 7:51 (NIV)

 

The paradox of God’s sovereignty over all things and our freedom to choose reflects the beautiful and intricate story of redemption.

God is sovereign, but He does not control us. He created us with free will because we must be able to choose whether to have a genuine relationship with Him. This gift of free will distinguishes humans from animals and other living things. Our ability to think and reason abstractly and logically is integral to our freedom of choice.

Our choice to choose God assures and secures our salvation. Our choice, however, is not the result of our own effort. If this is the case, then salvation is by our works, and we are ultimately saving ourselves. Rather, our choice is in response to the active working of God's grace that enable us to be reconciled to Him. As a result, God does not decide to choose some and condemn others. His grace is working in all to draw them to Christ. Thus, everyone has the right and free will to accept or reject God's salvation plan.

Without opening our hearts to the Holy Spirit, we can resist God's grace.

During his trial, Stephen warned the Sanhedrin not to oppose what the Holy Spirit was attempting to accomplish through the Gospel. In submitting our free will to what God has in store for us, you will realise the Holy Spirit is active in every aspect of our salvation. He convicts us of sin before we become aware of our need for salvation. He reveals our righteousness in Christ at salvation, and He sanctifies us every day upon salvation.