A Willing People

"Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: Thou hast the dew of Thy youth." -PSALM 110:3 [KJV]

ANY who suppose that God is sovereign in every area except over man's will, imply that man exercises some control that is outside the realm of God's power and authority. Were that true, then God would not be God! All creatures live, move, and have their being in Him [ACTS 17:28]. It also would mean that man is not completely lost, since he would still retain the power and possibility of believing on Christ. Such a teaching is contrary to all that the Scriptures witness of natural men. These fallen sinners are spiritually dead, unable, and unwilling to come to Christ, unless God first gives them the power and authority [JOHN 1:11-12].

Nevertheless, it is just as wrong to assume that since God does the saving, that He saves against the sinner's will. The glorious truth of Psalm 110:3, and all of Scripture, is that no matter how strong the sinner's opposition to the Gospel of God's sovereign grace in Christ, God's will, purpose, and grace will conquer. Notice that the verse reads, "Thy people SHALL be willing..."

Who are these people? They are God's by His eternal distinguishing choice. He chose a people out of fallen humanity, that He might show them His mercy and unmerited favor in Christ [EPHESIANS 1:3-5]. They are God's by redemption. When the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, He purchased or bought back unto the Father, that people whom God had chosen and given to Him. Christ prayed for them in the garden, "I pray for them: I pray NOT FOR THE WORLD, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them" [JOHN 17:9-10]. They are God's people by regeneration. In time, the Spirit of God does a special, supernatural work upon the heart of every elect sinner. He first produces life in them, by revealing in them Christ, Who is the Life [JOHN 14:6; I JOHN 5:20]. They willingly come to Him in faith, believing on Him alone, whose blood and righteousness cover them, and make them accepted in Christ [EPHESIANS 1:6-9].

Are you a willing sinner? Do you agreeably and uniquely trust Christ alone for your salvation, giving Him all the glory for His almighty, sovereign grace? Is Christ daily in your mind and heart? Do you serve Him in every ordinance of His Word? Do you graciously receive all of His doctrine? Are you generous in your giving and service, and gracious in attitude toward one another? This is the power and grace of God working in the hearts of the Lord's people, Ezra 1:1-6.

-copied