He empowers them to respond? Interesting. How?
You are not going to "throw" me
@Presby02.
The Bible teaches that salvation is something that God offers to everyone, and individuals must respond to it.
1. Human Responsibility in Responding to the Gospel
While God provides the gospel and calls people to salvation, Scripture makes it clear that individuals must actively respond in faith.
John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This highlights personal responsibility: whoever believes in Jesus Christ is promised eternal life.
Romans 10:9-10: “
If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Salvation comes through an active confession and belief, not through
passive election.
Acts 17:30:
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
God commands everyone to repent and respond to the call of salvation. This emphasizes human responsibility in salvation.
2. God's Invitation to All
God’s offer of salvation is extended to all people, and it is their choice whether to accept it.
Titus 2:11:
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
Tit 2:11 For the Chen v'Chesed of Hashem has appeared, bringing Yeshu'at Eloheynu to kol Bnei Adam,
The offer of salvation is available to everyone.
God's grace is not limited to only certain individuals.
Matthew 11:28:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus invites all who are burdened to come to Him
. It is an open invitation, not one limited to a predestined group.
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Conviction and Guidance
The Holy Spirit does play an active role in convicting people of their sin and guiding them towards truth,
but He does not force anyone to come to Christ.
John 16:8:
“When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”
The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin, but it is up to them to respond to that conviction.
Revelation 22:17:
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
The Holy Spirit calls people to respond to the gospel, but it is ultimately their choice whether to come.
4. Faith is a Response
The Bible consistently shows that faith in Jesus Christ is the response required for salvation. It is not something we can earn, but it is something we must choose to accept.
Ephesians 2:8-9
: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Salvation is through faith, and while it is a gift, it requires a personal response.
John 1:12:
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Receiving Jesus and believing in Him is an active choice and a necessary step in salvation.
Thanks.
J.
. Provisional atonement is another term reflecting this truth. Its what Jesus and the Apostles taught. 
