Most modern evangelicals believe salvation is based on a decision made by a person and this decision is the final cause of salvation. They hold that the free will of man determines the final result of salvation. What if I told you the Bible disagrees with this view?
(John 1:12-13)"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (ESV)
From this passage we see plainly that salvation is not determined by blood, the will of the flesh, or the will of man. Believers are instead born of God. This is talking about regeneration or being born again. Being born of God precedes receiving and believing in Christ. If this were not the case it would make no sense for John to have said it is not of the will of man. We see that God is the cause of someone's salvation.
(Romans 9:16)"So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." (ESV)
We see plainly from this verse that salvation is not determined by the free will or efforts of man. It depends on God's will and mercy. It is not based on the choice or actions of humans. We see that salvation is ultimately determined by God.
(Romans 9:18)"So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills." (ESV)
God elects some people to salvation and he passes over other people according to his will. No one deserves salvation, it is received by the elect because of God's mercy and grace.
God is sovereign over all things including salvation. A person's salvation is ultimately determined by God and not man. A person will respond with faith and repentance only after he is regenerated or born again. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9) and repentance is granted by God (Acts 11:18). Salvation is the work of God alone. It is not God and man working together. To God alone belongs the glory.
