Auto-generated Transcript:
Hello and welcome to another Five Good Minutes, where I answer your theological questions in five minutes or less.
Today’s question is: Does man save himself by his own free will?
If you answer yes, you’re assuming that man is fully capable of choosing God without any external influence. But the real question behind this is: Is man, in his natural state, able to believe in God on his own—or is faith a supernatural gift from God?
What Does the Bible Say?
We all know John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Absolutely—whoever believes will be saved. But Scripture also says something deeper.
Romans 9:16
“So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”
Salvation does not depend on human will—it depends on God.
John 6:44
Jesus says: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…”
Notice: Jesus doesn’t say no one may come—He says no one can come. This is about ability, not permission.
What Is the Condition of Man’s Will?
According to Scripture, we are not born morally neutral or spiritually free.
John 8:34
“Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.”
We’re born into bondage, not freedom. Our desires, our will, and our actions are enslaved to sin.
Romans 3:10-11
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.”
There is no natural inclination toward God. No one, on their own, desires Him.
1 Corinthians 2:14
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God… he is not able to understand them…”
Again, a clear statement of inability.
Romans 8:7
“The mind set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”
We aren’t just unwilling—we are unable in our natural state.
2 Corinthians 4:4
“The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…”
We are born spiritually blind, dead in sin, and loving our darkness.
So, Does Man Have Free Will?
Yes and no.
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Yes, man has the free will to sin—no one forces us to disobey God.
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No, man in his sinful nature does not have the power to choose God without divine intervention.
That’s why salvation is a gift.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…”
We don’t choose God because we’re wise or good—we are drawn by the Holy Spirit, made new, and given the ability to respond.
When the preacher says, “Whosoever will may come,” we can freely come—but only because God has changed our hearts.
That’s grace.