Grace and Free Will
CHAPTER 3.
SINNERS ARE CONVICTED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXCUSE THEMSELVES BY BLAMING GOD, BECAUSE THEY HAVE FREE WILL
There are, however, persons who attempt to find excuse for themselves even from God. The Apostle James says to such persons: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does He tempt any man. But every man is tempted when he is drawn away out of his own lust, and enticed. Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.”Jas 1.13-15 Solomon, too, in his book of Proverbs, has this answer for those who wish to find an excuse for themselves from God Himself: “The folly of a man spoils his ways; but he blames God in his heart.”Prov 19.3 And in the book of Ecclesiasticus3 we read: “Do not say it is through the Lord that I fell away; for you ought not to do the things that He hates: nor say, He has caused me to err; for He has no need of the sinful man. The Lord hates all abomination, and those who fear God do not love it. He made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of His counsel. If you are willing, you shall keep His commandments, and perform true fidelity. He has set fire and water before you: stretch forth your hand to whichever you will. Before man is life and death, and whichever pleases him shall be given to him.”Sir 15.11-17 Observe how very plainly is set before our view, the free choice of the human will.