Why You Cannot Choose the Christian Life You Live
The Christian cult of choice is far more notorious for is advocacy of reprobate goats, that is, unelect, unregenerate, unbelievers personally deciding to change God’s eternal decree, than for its promotion of man-centered sanctification. It is much more common to hear man-centered proponents of autonomous free will speaking of a universal possibility of justification versus a particular possibility for holiness.
Typically, the preaching of man’s sovereign choice in salvation is focused on the pre-conversion state, rather than on the Christian life. This does not mean choice is altogether missing from their discussion of the doctrine of sanctification, however.
Clearly, teachers of man’s choice in salvation are more comfortable giving sovereignty to unbelievers rather than to believers. In other words, the free will decision-making prowess, of those dead in their trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1), is far more potent than those who have already made their choice to follow Jesus. Why does a man forfeit such potency by “giving his heart to Jesus” or “asking Jesus into his heart”?
The discomfort of man-centered Christianity is too much for most. Stated another way, boasting in the Christian’s free will is not as alluring as insisting on the ungodly man’s free will ability. Where man-centered sanctification does appear in the teaching of choice, in the Christian life, it intends to point the faithful to the choice of being obedient to God.
Obedience to the Law is now in the choosing power of man (against Ezekiel 36:27). The Christian is told, “Just as you chose to be a Christian, you must choose the type of Christian life you will live.” Just as free will decisionalism is attractive to the flesh, so is the Law-keeping Christian life (against Galatians). Proud, boastful Christians are not ashamed to point out their excellent choice to be faithful and obedient to all Jesus has commanded them. Good decisions got these choosers started in the Christian life, and good choices will keep them on the blessed narrow way. It’s always about them and their choices.
The cult of choice keeps the will and ability of man at the center of their adherents’ theology and practice. When bad things happen to a professing Christian, the cult of choice teams up to excoriate their own, for the poor choices they made (see Job’s friends). This is especially true if the sufferer’s child or children go prodigal, for a season or for a lifetime.
Man-centered Christianity is no friend to its multitude of faithful followers. One lives and dies by the almighty choice that was made and is being made. God sets the rules, and you must decide to follow Jesus and never fail to make that choice to be obedient.
The Gospel of God’s sovereign grace is the truth that debunks the doctrines of man-centered theology. God’s will and choice from eternity crushes the notion of man’s will and choice, purportedly ending in one’s justification, in time. God is sovereign, not man. God’s grace saves an elect soul, not some wise choice by the fallen creature.
Christians, born again of God’s Spirit (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3), are justified by God’s grace (Rom 3:24), Christ’s precious blood (1 Pet 1:19), and evidenced by the faith granted to them (Phil 1:29), as a gift of God (2 Cor 2:8–9). These are what justify, according to the Scriptures. Nowhere in the Bible does one find a soul justified by the work of one’s personal choice. In fact, it is exactly the opposite (Rom 4:5; 1 Cor 1:30).
In the same way, sanctification is the will of God for the saint (1 Thess 4:3). The Christian life is not a choice of the Christian. It is a life determined by the eternal council of God, executed by the Holy Spirit (Phil 2:13), in accordance with God’s Word (Jn 17:17). Jesus captures this when He prayed, “Not My will be done, but Thy will be done (Lk 22:42).” That should be the prayer of every Spirit-filled believer in Jesus.
Conformity to Christ and His image, as the Son of God, is not a choice. It is a providential work of God (Rom 8:29), who is the Author of each believer’s faith (Heb 12:2). The plans that belong to God, including all that He has ordained for His saints, are laden with grace, discipline, love, and suffering. No Christian trusts in himself, nor does he direct his own steps (Prv 3:5–6). Rather, it is the Spirit who guides him into all truth (Jn 16:13) and leads him on the path of righteousness (Ps 16:11; 23:3; Prv 4:11).
The Lord knows those who are His (2 Tim 2:19), and it is the Lord who knows our days before there is yet one of them. It is the Lord who has numbered our days and the hairs on our heads (Mt 10:30). He is omniscient, “declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure (Is 46:10).’”
The Christian cult of choice ever stands against the Word of God, in the matter of justification and also sanctification. Although the main battle remains the doctrine of justification, we must not neglect the assault on God’s grace in the doctrine of sanctification.
Justification is entirely a work of God, as is sanctification. The Apostle Paul said it best, “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20).” The life now lived by faith in the Son of God is authored by him, and it is wisely lived and powered by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9, 11; Gal 5:25).
O foolish professing Christians, who has bewitched you with the doctrine of demons that promised you the power to be like gods (Gen 3:5)? It is your adversary, the devil, who promises you the will and ability to choose Christ and to choose the Christian life you desire by your own design.
Repent of your man-centered notions of justification and sanctification. The cult of choice has tricked you into believing a lie about your power to decide for yourself, according to your free will. Repent and rejoice, to learn and believe the doctrines of grace…that sound doctrine that teaches you that God is God and you are not.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 5, 2022
