“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” (Matthew 23:37 NASB Luke 13:34)
That should put an end to a debate about free will. God gave that divine ability to His chosen people as He had to Adam and Eve. The ability to choose to be obedient to God’s will. But man was unwilling. Crazy, I know. Refusing God Almighty. But that is not as bad as it gets. Now men are refusing His Son.
I’ve raised dozens of chickens, but none like these three. Hatched eggs, swapped, bought and sold chickens for eggs and pleasure, but never pullets from a commercial farm. Moved from cage to cage with hundreds of others from their hatch since September, they are now slow to experience the joys of free-range. It will take a while before they get brave and discover how much God has blessed them.
We are like that when we first come to Christ. Held captive by sin and moved from one fear to another, we who have been purchased with blood are set free. God’s wisdom and patience trains those in Jesus who choose the good experiencing freedom as His children.
Don’t be unwilling.
His Family Table 