Salvation - by God's will or Man's will?

September 27, 2008

Hi _____,

I hope everything is well with you and your family, and with your business.  We are well here.

Just a quick note …

My wife evidently had a conversation with you this week regarding the Bible Reading that you and some others had attended at my Dad’s house some years back, and you indicated to her that, during that Reading, it was taught by my Dad or others here that man becomes saved by his own free will.

I don’t remember all the particulars as to that Reading ;however, I can say unequivocably that neither my Dad nor any of us here at all hold to a doctrine that man can be saved of his own free will.  The Bible states specifically on this point that election/salvation is entirely initiated by God Himself.  “For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God's gift” (Eph2:8).  Some lateral scriptures are Titus3:5 – “but according to his own mercy he saved us”, and “who has saved us, and has called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to [his] own purpose and grace, which [was] given to us in Christ Jesus before [the] ages of time” (2nd Timothy1:9).  Of course, you know these.

I hope these clears up any confusion on this point – please feel free to contact me with any questions.  I would have called you today; however, judge that you would be busy (as I have been – Saturday at a retail store!).

In Christ,