Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and to do his good pleasure.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that while humans have the freedom to make choices, they cannot achieve salvation without divine intervention.
This quote by George Whitefield highlights the concept of free will in relation to divine grace. It underscores the belief that while individuals can choose their actions, particularly to lead a sinful life (going to hell), the ability to choose righteousness or attain salvation (going to heaven) is contingent upon God's influence and grace. Thus, it reflects on the limitations of human agency in spiritual matters, suggesting that genuine goodness and desire for a divine life come not from human effort alone, but through the workings of God in a person's heart.
In practice
This quote can be used in a sermon about the necessity of God's grace in our lives.
And now let me address all of you, high and low, rich and poor, one with another, to accept of mercy and grace while it is offered to you; Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation; and will you not accept it, now it is offered unto you?
God is well pleased when all our actions proceed from love, love to Himself, and love to immortal souls.
If your souls were not immortal, and you in danger of losing them, I would not thus speak unto you; but the love of your souls constrains me to speak: methinks this would constrain me to speak unto you forever.
Whoever reads the gospel with a single eye, and sincere intentions, will find, that our blessed Lord took all opportunities of reminding his disciples that His Kingdom was not of this world; that His doctrine was a doctrine of the Cross; and that their professing themselves to be His followers, would call them to a constant state of voluntary suffering and self-denial.
The Christian world is in a deep sleep; nothing but a loud shout can awaken them out of it!
What could the Lord Jesus Christ have done for you more than he has? Then do not abuse his mercy, but let your time be spent in thinking and talking of the love of Jesus, who was incarnate for us, who was born of a woman, and made under the law, to redeem us from the wrath to come.
Every global concern - economic, environmental or security-related - can be addressed more effectively when the U.S. and China work together.
Any nation that thinks more of its ease and comfort than its freedom will soon lose its freedom; and the ironical thing about it is that it will lose its ease and comfort too.
If someone tells you he is going to make a 'realistic decision', you immediately understand that he has resolved to do something bad.
I was born an American; I will live an American; I shall die an American.
But there were too many points at which the other self could invade the self he wanted to preserve, and there were too many forms of invasion: certain words, sounds, lights, actions his hands or feet performed, and if he did nothing at all, heard and saw nothing, the shouting of some triumphant inner voice that shocked him and cowed him.
When feminism falls short of our expectations, we decide the problem is with feminism rather than with the flawed people who act in the name of the movement.
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