Embedded Files
The Story
The Story
Imagine it’s your birthday, and a friend walks up to your front porch carrying the biggest, most awesome present you’ve ever seen.
Imagine it’s your birthday, and a friend walks up to your front porch carrying the biggest, most awesome present you’ve ever seen.
Your friend bought the present with their own money, wrapped it up, and carried it all the way to your house. You didn't pay a single penny for it, and you didn't force your friend to bring it over—it is a 100% free gift!
Your friend bought the present with their own money, wrapped it up, and carried it all the way to your house. You didn't pay a single penny for it, and you didn't force your friend to bring it over—it is a 100% free gift!
But when your friend knocks on the door, you still have to open the door and hold out your hands to receive it.
But when your friend knocks on the door, you still have to open the door and hold out your hands to receive it.
┌─────────────────────────┐
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ GOD'S FREE GIFT │
│ GOD'S FREE GIFT │
│ (Grace & Eternal Life) │
│ (Grace & Eternal Life) │
└────────────┬────────────┘
└────────────┬────────────┘
│
│
▼
▼
┌─────────────────────────┐
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ THE KNOCK AT DOOR │
│ THE KNOCK AT DOOR │
│ (Prevenient Grace Call) │
│ (Prevenient Grace Call) │
└────────────┬────────────┘
└────────────┬────────────┘
│
│
┌─────────────────┴─────────────────┐
┌─────────────────┴─────────────────┐
▼ ▼
▼ ▼
[ OPEN THE DOOR ] [ CLOSE THE DOOR ]
[ OPEN THE DOOR ] [ CLOSE THE DOOR ]
Saying "Yes" to God, Saying "No" to grace,
Saying "Yes" to God, Saying "No" to grace,
holding out our hands, & ignoring His voice, &
holding out our hands, & ignoring His voice, &
cooperating with His love. staying in the dark.
cooperating with His love. staying in the dark.
That is how God’s grace and our free will work together:
That is how God’s grace and our free will work together:
God Takes the First Step (Grace): We can never save ourselves or earn God's love on our own. God always comes to us first, knocking on the door of our heart with His grace.
God Takes the First Step (Grace): We can never save ourselves or earn God's love on our own. God always comes to us first, knocking on the door of our heart with His grace.
We Have Real Free Will: God is not a robot controller, and He never forces anyone into His kingdom. As Saint Augustine famously said, "God created you without you, but He will not save you without you."
We Have Real Free Will: God is not a robot controller, and He never forces anyone into His kingdom. As Saint Augustine famously said, "God created you without you, but He will not save you without you."
Working Together (Cooperation): When God knocks, His grace gives us the strength to open the door. When we say "Yes!" and open it, His love enters our heart and starts transforming our whole life from the inside out.
Working Together (Cooperation): When God knocks, His grace gives us the strength to open the door. When we say "Yes!" and open it, His love enters our heart and starts transforming our whole life from the inside out.
God wants everyone to be saved and enjoy eternal happiness with Him, but He leaves the doorway of our heart open for us to respond to His love!
God wants everyone to be saved and enjoy eternal happiness with Him, but He leaves the doorway of our heart open for us to respond to His love!
💬 Talk About It
💬 Talk About It
Why do you think true love requires giving someone a free choice instead of forcing them?
Why do you think true love requires giving someone a free choice instead of forcing them?
How can we practice "opening the door" to Jesus in our daily lives when we hear Him calling us to do the right thing?
How can we practice "opening the door" to Jesus in our daily lives when we hear Him calling us to do the right thing?
📜 Memory Verse
📜 Memory Verse
"God our Savior... desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." — 1 Timothy 2:3–4
"God our Savior... desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." — 1 Timothy 2:3–4
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