_{by Trent - originally posted on Auguest 14, 2005}

I didn't make myself willing to serve ... the Lord Jesus.
Yet I have been willing none-the-less.

Whether one is reluctantly willing, or enthusiastically willing, they did not fashion their own will. They did not create their own will. They did not maintain their own will for any duration of time.

I am not the Author nor Finisher of our faith.
Neither is anyone else.

I like the resuscitation of Lazarus to drive this point home.

Here is what people say: "We are commanded to repent, so it must be something that we CAN do. If we couldn't do it on our own, then why would we be commanded to do it?"

Well, the answer is seen in all of the miracles of Christ (of which new birth is no different.) Lazarus was commanded to come forward. The lame were commanded to walk. The blind were commanded to see. Did Lazarus come forth because he had that ability? Did he obey? Sure, I guess he obeyed the command, but that doesn't mean that he could have done it on his own ... any more then the man with the shrived hand could have stretched forth his hand on his own ... any more then I could have repented on my own.

Yes, I am commanded to believe, and there are times when I do believe. Yes, I am commanded to repent and there are times that I do repent ... but I deserve no more credit for my obedience/faith/repentance then does Lazarus deserve credit for obeying Jesus' command: "Lazarus, COME FORTH."

To God be all the glory!

So, repent! Believe! Obey! You'll be better off as you do. If and when you do, I'll give the credit to where it belongs, and praise the Lord.