How Free Will Destroys Faith in Christ (Continued)
Free Will is an effect of salvation. Before salvation the will is enslaved to sin. So those claiming free will are in fact claiming a level of salvation exists in all apart from atonement. And that they must complete their own salvation through obedience. This is basically the position Pelagius held.
Pelagianism. The name is derived from its chief proponent, Pelagius (ca. 354/60–ca. 418/20), who, in opposition to Augustine, argued that human nature is not utterly depraved after the Fall, but rather is in a state of moral neutrality. It is only through habit that one becomes sinful, and one may exercise human will to surmount sin. Pelagius further taught that one may take the first step toward salvation apart from divine grace. Pelagianism was condemned as heresy in the fourth century, and Augustine’s doctrines of the Fall and original sin were embraced as the »orthodox teaching.
Nichols, L. A., Mather, G. A., & Schmidt, A. J. (2006). In Encyclopedic Dictionary of Cults, Sects, and World Religions (p. 432). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
In view of this, many skirt the charges of heresy by claiming Grace offers heaven to all who choose to believe. But in reality, there is no offer. Jesus preaches (announces) whoever believes already has eternal life.
But here’s some good news. People who choose to believe already believe (have eternal life) or they would not choose to believe. They would look away enjoying their sins.
