UNREGENERATE ELECT

Before an elect is saved and regenerated, is he accountable for his depravity?

This question comes to my mind in light of a comment by a fellow blogger who stated, "I'm so glad salvation isn't up to us."

I find myself in a quandry over that statement.  While I believe wholeheartedly that the Lord is the ABSOLUTE PROVIDER of my salvation, I also believe it is my responsibility to respond to His provision.  He sets the table and if I don't eat, it is my fault.  He provides the oil and if I don't go get the oil and put it in my lamp then it is my fault when the Bridegroom comes and I have no light.  He provides the Message and it is my responsibility to receive it after I've heard it.

Where am I amiss in this?  selahV 

Comments

[Cyle Clayton]

I'm into short answers nowadays, "Yes," for the wages of sin is death and all will stand before God and give account.

[Luke]

V,
While you may not understand where his statement was coming from, I agree with your thoughts and do not think you are amiss. However, there are many who will try to finely split the "process" of salvation and that is where the confusion takes place. Jesus saved me, yet not apart from my belief. Does that help?

[Byroniac]

SelahV:

Those are good questions. Spurgeon addresses very similar concerns in his sermon, "A Defense of Calvinism." It is good reading, and should answer some of your questions.

http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm

But the main problem is that we have Scriptures (all ESV) like Ephesians 2:1, "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins," and Romans 3:10-12, "10 as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."

We, left to our natural condition, do not and cannot desire God or the things of God. We are completely unable to repent and turn to God, because we are dead in trespasses and sins.

However, here is hope: Romans 3:21-22, "21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." And also, Acts 17:30-31, "30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

Here we have two truths that appear to be opposites: the depravity of man and his inability to please God (which requires faith), and God's command to all men everywhere to repent and trust Christ. Scripture teaches both. In fact, the miracles of Christ and His disciples show them giving commands (be healed, rise up, etc.) to people who couldn't possibly obey, yet they did (God worked the miracle through them, picturing salvation). If you stop and think about it, even the Creation account in Genesis is like this. God commands the Light to shine (but how could it possibly obey?), yet it does. This is a mystery, but I believe we can trust the Scriptures.