Theology

Did I Choose God or Did God Choose Me?

by Dale Partridge

Understanding the mechanics of the Gospel may be the most important thing a person can possess. In other words, when a person can view both their conversion and salvation in agreement with the Scriptures, they can truly comprehend the great grace and love of Jesus Christ.

When a person first encounters Christ, to them, it seems like they came to Christ, they accepted Christ, and they choose to follow Christ. But the Bible offers another dimension or perspective on the saving grace of the Gospel. In this episode, pastor Dale Partridge looks at the Bible’s order of operations when it comes to the salvation of souls.

This Episode’s Question

“Pastor Dale, For many years I have believed that I chose God but the more I read the Bible the more I’m seeing that He chose me. I know, at the root, this is a conversation between predestination and free will, but I would like to have a right understanding of my conversion. Can you help me with this?”

Tyler -Laredo, Texas.

Additional Resources

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Scripture References

  • Ephesians 1:3-6

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

  • John 6:44

    “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

  • John 10:24-29

    “So the Jews gathered around Jesus and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

  • Romans 3:10-12

    “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

  • Ephesians 2:1-3

    “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.”

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17

    “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

  • Romans 8:15

    “But you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

  • Romans 8:30

    “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

  • Romans 10:17

    “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

  • John 10:27

    “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

  • John 10:28

    “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

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After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.

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