The Problem with "Free-Will"

As you may have noticed from the banner at the top of the page, I would consider myself "reformed" in my understanding of salvation. This means that I think that God is in control of salvation from beginning to end, with our faith only coming after God has "opened our eyes" to see the truth of the Gospel. (2 Cor. 4:4)

One main objection to this belief is the question of free-will. Those who don't believe in God's absolute sovereignty in salvation often propose a world in which men are "elect of God" based on their own election of Jesus as Savior. God has responded to their choice of faith by including them in "the elect" who are saved.

The problem I see with this proposed "election" is that it seems to say that man can, of his own will and apart from God's grace, choose to reject sin. However, in Philippians 2:13 Paul says, after telling the Philippians of their need to work out their salvation "with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Paul here is speaking of Christians, and yet he says that it is God who is at work in them, "both to will and to work for His good pleasure." God supplies both the good work, and the good will to do the good work, by His work in the believer. So, if it takes God working in a person "both to will and to work," then how is a man to reject sin apart from the grace of God? It seems from the verse here that it is impossible. We are told to "work out" because "it is God who works in you."

I think this speaks very clearly from the pen of the Apostle Paul of the need for God's grace both to desire and to do good work for God's glory.