Since the Bible says salvation is a gift,doesn't this make sinners helpless?

Question

Joe and Jane Public do not attend church for personal reasons.For them, life is to be lived without restrictions. Joe doesn't want anyone to tell him about 2000 years ago when he has problems today for which he needs relevant answers presently. However, people insist that Jesus is the answer and he should pray for salvation. Joe resists on the ground that the same people would reject the idea that 'happy hour' is the alternative choice/ answer.

My question is simple.The Bible says that by grace you are saved through faith.It is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast. In my mind, this verse is saying that a gift is given at will. Some people know they will get a birthday or Valentine or Mother/Father Day gift.No matter how much I claim these gifts, it is futile. I do not get these gifts; so I do not expect them or long for them. A gift depends on the gift giver; and it is inappropriate to beg for a gift. Those who beg are not receiving a 'free will' gift. Thus, I wonder how valid is the idea of praying for salvation for oneself or for others . Many people are like the extravagant boy in Luke 15 who left the Father after getting his inheritance. He had 'fun', used up his money then came to his senses. Aren't sinners helpless until they come to their senses and desire to 'return home' or beg the Father to be a hired servant?

Answer 1

The secret to salvation is but this; you are doing this to yourself.



Salvation may be a gift but it's a gift everyone has already received. Some just haven't opened it yet.

Answer 2

the answer to your question is no. We have the free will to choose or reject God's gift. He is not like us in the fact that we may or may not give each other gifts. His grace IS a free gift, but it is ALWAYS available to us. God will motivate us to seek Him through His Holy Spirit and try to persuade us to accept Jesus as our Savior. But that doesn't give us the option to keep sinning willfully after we accept Him. God will not force His gift on us if we don't want it. Compare his continually giving of grace to a good parent's love. Even though the parent dislikes what the child does, that doesn't mean the parent isn't still willing to die for their children. God demonstrated this on a greater scale when His son Jesus died for us.

Answer 3

Sinners are helpless to save themselves, the Bible tells us so.

The thing about accepting by "free will" and "begging" is that we will NEVER come to Christ for salvation UNTIL the Holy Spirits convicts us, or "shows us our need" for a Savior. So with that in mind, when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our need, THEN we can choose to accept or reject. There is no need of begging, only praising Almighty God for having mercy on us! And thanking Him for the grace He has shown and live our lives for Him.

Answer 4

salvation is a gift through Jesus Christ. In other words, anyone can claim this gift by accepting Jesus. So they're not helpless. O yes, you can claim this gift ... it is unlike a valentine gift for a special someone. It is offered FREE to anyone who wants it but we cannot take it for granted. Why? in this gift, is the cost of blood ... the blood of Jesus the Messiah.

Answer 5

Do you beg for any presents you might receive ? As you notice the Father didn't turn him away . Salvation is a "free gift'" bought and paid for by the Blood of Jesus if one is willing to accept it .

Answer 6

in generally speaking, you have to except a gift when it is offered. you can refuse a gift or take the gift. God will put a feeling inside of you to take the gift. If you refuse that is your bad. All i'm saying is when you get saved that is the most wonderful gift you can ever have.

Answer 7

When you are judged, and you say with your lips "Jesus is Lord" and wholeheartedly believe that he died to save us from our sins, then you can inherit the Kingdom of God.



That is what I believe. No matter how far away we are from God, he is always there and loves us. We are all God's creation, and his only begotten Son died to save us because he is the only way to Heaven.

Answer 8

Yes, the depravity of our own minds keeps us weak until we yoke up with life changing power of the love of God.

Answer 9

Accept people for what they are. Pray for them to receive the grace of god. Sound simple? It is.

Answer 10

start worshipping demonic stuff. At least with them you know where you`re going