I agree that God gives man the ability to repent. But it doesn't follow that man WILL repent - if God "forces" a man to repent, then the man is not repenting. Yet, God tells us "{You} Repent and believe the Gospel". I can't fully explain it, either, but I see an interaction that totally depends on God. To say that man comes to God without God is Pelagianism.
I have no problem in reconciling "free will" verses simply because I can say that man does have that commandment of God but is unable to exercise the will to do the commandment until God gives him the power.
You statement is quite in line with Catholic teaching and what we have been saying here for weeks now.
Regards
It certainly does follow. IF God takes specific action to save a particular person it WILL happen. Certainly we have no doubt that God took a specific step to save Paul and bring him to repentence. Does anyone see Paul's "free will" in action and Paul making some kind of decision?
The thought that "God gives man the ability to repent" reduces all of this down to an inactive God who just threw out some mass repentance grace to everyone and is sitting back watching what will happen. This is not consistent with the God of scripture who blinded Paul and specifically chose him for the task of going to the Gentiles.
I would submit that God does this for every single believer in various ways. Some people have dramatic salvation stories. Others simply bow their heads and say a pray. But in every case it is God who directly worked on that heart to call us to a specific purpose for His church just like He did with Paul. There is not ONE person saved who God did not want saved. There is not ONE person lost that God cannot save if He set His mind to it.
Our differences are hair breath in length but the theological implications are profoundly significant.