Counsel #4 — Enabling Grace

Picture: Counsel #4 — Enabling GraceCCW 65.1

How can someone who is “dead in trespasses and sins” turn to Christ and become spiritually alive? The Bible suggests that God provides grace long before we become Christians. The Holy Spirit is shown as convicting people of sin^{[87]John 16:8} and restraining the power of sin in the world^{[88]2 Thessalonians 2:6-10}. The Bible also says that Jesus draws all people to Him^{[89]John 12:32} and that believers are given power to become His children.^{[90]John 1:12} In other words, our free choice to follow Jesus is simply a response to the work He has already done for us!^{[91]https://adventistreview.org/2011-1534/2011-1534-25/}CCW 65.2

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJVCCW 65.3

“The first step toward salvation is to respond to the drawing of the love of Christ. God sends message after message to men, entreating them to repentance, that He may forgive, and write pardon against their names…. God woos men to repentance; for repentance is the gift of God and whom He pardons He first makes penitent…. If they respond to his drawing, yielding their hearts to his grace, He will lead them on step by step to full knowledge of Himself, and this is life eternal.” Ellen White in The Bible Echo, March 15, 1893, par. 4CCW 65.4

Reflect: Reflect on how you have experienced the Holy Spirit's conviction or Christ’s drawing in your life prior to or during your journey to faith.CCW 65.5