Unmasking Free-Willism
Jim Byrd

Let me unmask free-willism so that we may see that it is anti-God, anti-Christ and anti-gospel. By free-willism I mean that system of religion which says that salvation is ultimately dependent upon the will of man. It declares that God loves everyone alike and wills their salvation. It states that Christ died for the sins of all mankind and the way His redemptive work becomes effectual is for the sinner to let Jesus come into his heart so that his sins will be washed away. Free-willism proclaims that the Holy Spirit wants to save everyone, but it is the sinner’s choice to say "yes" or "no" to the offers of grace. That certainly gives a tremendous amount of power to man’s will, doesn’t it? Think about it. Free-will doctrine teaches that the fulfillment of the eternal purpose of God Almighty, the triumph of Christ’s blood redemption, and the success of the work of the Spirit all hinge upon the will of the sinner. Consider this. If God loves everybody alike, if Christ died for all men without exception and paid their sin debt, and if the Holy Spirit desires the salvation of the human race, then it is the will of man and not the will of God that is in control.

Let me state this as clear as I can. If free-willism is true, we ought to thank the sinner for believing on Christ. There is really no need to thank God because, according to free-willism, He only made salvation a possibility. It was, therefore, the willing sinner who decided the case so let’s give a big "thank you" to him! "So glad you decided to let the eternal, omnipotent God have His way. You held the Lord of glory back for so long; you frustrated His purpose for many years. I know He is very appreciative that you decided to let Him save you." Such talk is sheer foolishness, isn’t it? What power men attribute to their impotent wills!

To those who have been given an understanding of the gospel of free grace, the teachings of free-willism are sickening because they are so contrary to the Scriptures and so very dishonoring to the Lord our God. "Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9) is the teaching of the Word of God. The eternal purpose of the Lord regarding the salvation of His elect shall always be successful. Christ said, "All that the Father giveth Me (in the election of grace) shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). The redemptive work of Jesus Christ shall never be a failure. "This is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day" (John 6:39). The Holy Spirit will never be disappointed. He shall regenerate, draw to Christ and finally bring home to heaven all of the chosen and redeemed of the Lord. "Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power." "So then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" (Romans 9:16). Make no mistake about it: free-willism is a false gospel; it is set in opposition to the truth of God. Those who are the friends of free-will are the enemies of free grace. Free-willism is nothing more than idolatry; it is the worship of man’s will and the exaltation of the sinner.