Well put!!!
To those who are not sure about the extent of "free will", I would suggest an excellent book that my minister recommended to me:
"The Sovereignty of God" by A.W. Pink
Excellent read; clear explanation. Plus, the title should explain it all.
Neal
It does explain it "all" since there is only one other alternative: "The sovereignty of man (as his own god)".
Num 21:8-9
8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.(emphasis added)
It looks to me we take part in the affair, albeit not deserving of any personal merit. Those who chose not to look, or believed they would survive without looking -- died.
The Gospel is simple, repent (recognize we are fatally bitten in need of salvation) and receive (looking to the cross for the only remedy) the all complete free gift of salvation provided by Jesus Christ.
Jhn 3:27
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Yes!
Jhn 1:12
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
And Yes!