Too often we hear the preacher tell the sinner in the pew that he needs to take the first step towards salvation. And please hurry up while the music is still playing! The sinner is told that God is wanting him to trust Jesus to solve all his problems. It is even being heard where the sinner is told that “God did His part, now you have to do your part.” And we hear people encourage others to just “accept Christ and all your troubles will go away.” Sadly, one of the most misquoted and misunderstood verses is II Peter 3:9. It reads, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” The preacher/teacher tells the sinner that God “is not willing that any should perish” so hurry up. In other words, God is waiting on the sinner to make a decision that will please a Holy God. What an insult to the sovereignty of God.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us the truth, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” It never mentions man’s part as is so promoted today. The word “author”, 747, means the chief leader, prince, captain. That is, Jesus Christ is in charge of one’s salvation and He leads, He does not follow. The same Greek word for “Prince” is used in Acts 3:15 that says, “And killed the Prince of life…” That is Jesus Christ who is the author and captain of life. In Ephesians 1:13b- 14 it reads, “…ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” The “earnest”,728, is a payment in advance as security. Our payment was made in eternity past to be shown at Calvary with a fulfilled promise when we are regenerated unto salvation (John 3:8). Philippians 1:6 further states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Why would God begin a good work in someone only to have that someone reject the gospel? Well, He would not. Furthermore, Peter uses the word “inheritance”, 2817, meaning an heirship. An inheritance is something promised to someone. God does not promise an inheritance to everyone. James 2:5 uses a similar word, “heirs”, 2818, which is an inheritor, in the text, to the kingdom. That is future. Being an heir is not a given promise to everyone. It is a reserved promise to the elect of God. The word “finisher”, 5051, means a completer, that is consummater. So, Jesus Christ is also the One who completes one’s salvation. Man plays no part. The elect of God are the recipients not the participates. True, man is responsible, and though we may not understand all of that, it is God the Holy Spirit that regenerates one’s depraved soul to salvation (John 3:8) per His Will, not man’s. Though, man’s Will is changed by the Holy Spirit. How we balance that is not up to us but has been God’s choosing from eternity past (Acts 13:48, Romans 8:28-30, 9:15-21; Ephesians 1:4, 5; etc.).
A quick look at Ephesians 2:10, since everyone is familiar with the previous two verses in that chapter, we read, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” “Workmanship”, 4161, meaning the thing that He made. He is not waiting on us because He is the creator. Then we see the word “ordained.” “Ordained”, 4282, meaning prepare afore, before. In Acts 13:48, though the Greek words are different they both have a “preparation beforehand” meaning. In Acts 13:48, “ordained” (5021) means to appoint, determine. It emphasizes the predetermined appointment of the elect for salvation, “As many as were ordained to eternal life, believed.” Not the other way around. Believing always follows being chosen or ordained, i.e. elect. In Ephesians 2:10 the word “ordain” has to do with preparing beforehand someone to good works. God does not wait until someone is saved to figure out what to do with them. Everything is determined beforehand.
Man is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and can only be brought to spiritual life by regeneration from the Holy Spirit (John 3:8), not by manipulative coercion with persuasive music. And if our Triune God chose someone to salvation, He will bring them to salvation. God waits on no man. God makes no mistakes.
The arrogant, pumped-up chest of those believing that they were the finisher of their faith may be quickly deflated when they hear the words of Jesus Christ say, “I never knew you” (Mathew 7:22, 23). People need to set aside their feelings, their emotions, their denominations, and even what mama has said. The Bible is clear. God is sovereign in all things, including salvation. Man is not sovereign in anything, including salvation. Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith, not sinful man.
