I nod thoughtfully.
"You touch upon a mystery, which we may not fully understand in this life. For these things are both correct, are they not?"
"What saith the Scriptures?"
"On the one hand, we are all at fault before the LORD when we fall short of His holy and righteous standard for us. As we read in the first chapter of James:"
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
"Yet the Scriptures also clearly teach that it is only through His grace that we have any ability whatsoever to follow Him. As we read in the second chapter of Ephesians:"
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
"And further, in the ninth chapter of Romans:"
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion...
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
"So the LORD does indeed choose people, but not from any fitness or righteousness or goodness they themselves possess. It is by His grace. But we are all responsible to follow His commands."
"And as we read in the second chapter of Philippians:"
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.