The doctrine of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation is a topic that has been discussed and debated by many scholars.

Before we answer this, it must be noted that we can’t just pick one side and ignore the other because the Bible teaches both doctrines clearly.

“The Bible teaches that God has sovereignly chosen who will be saved before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; Romans 8:29-30). That every sinner is spiritually blind (2 Corinthians 4:4) and dead (Ephesians 2:1), unable to believe and repent (John 6:44; Romans 3:10-12), completely rebellious in their unbelief (Romans 1:21-23), making them totally responsible if they perish because of the hardness of their heart (Romans 2:5; John 3:18-19).

It is only God who can change a sinner’s heart.

On the one hand, the Bible teaches the sovereignty of God in salvation; on the other hand, it speaks about the sinner’s responsibility (Ezekiel 18:30; Matthew 23:37; John 5:40; Acts 17:30; Romans 1:20; Romans 10:9-10).

Since both doctrines are in Scripture we must believe both.

Some might say you can’t believe both because it would be ‘self-contradictory’. But we should not allow our limited understanding change the fact that we are required to believe in both.

“Ultimately, we need to come to terms with the fact that we have a finite mind and cannot fully comprehend both extremes logically. That being said, there is no problem or confusion in God’s mind concerning how He fits these two doctrines into His sovereign plan. Since He authored the sacred Scriptures through the power of His Spirit, He knows perfectly how these two doctrines ultimately reconcile (Isaiah 55:8-9: ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’).”

This verse emphasizes that God’s understanding and plans are far beyond human comprehension, supporting the point that there is no confusion on His part.

Since He authored the sacred scriptures through the power of His Spirit, He knows perfectly how these two doctrines ultimately reconcile.

Using Scriptures to answer this question

From the standpoint of human responsibility, God calls all people to repent (Acts 17:30; Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Mark 6:12), and also promises that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:13; John 3:15–16).

Yet the Bible also records that salvation does not depend on the human will.

As stated in Romans 9:16, salvation is not dependent on man’s will, desire or effort, but rather on God’s mercy. Similarly, John 1:13 describes the redeemed as being born not of the will of man, but of God.

Furthermore, the two essential components of salvation, repentance (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25) and faith (Eph. 2:8–9; Phil. 1:29; Acts 16:14) are both granted by God in the process of regeneration.

Apart from the work of God in the heart of man, the Scriptures record that no one would ever come to Him since “there is none who seeks God” (Rom. 3:11; cf. 8:7-8; 1 Cor.2:14; Eph.2:1–3).

It is widely held by theologians that God is absolutely sovereign over salvation. This is something that isn’t very often spoken of in church circles.

A theological system that makes salvation dependent solely on a man’s will is clearly contrary to the Scriptures and effectively dethrones God.

Jesus said that no one could come to Him unless the Father first draws him (John 6:44, John 6:65), and it is God Himself who regenerates us and frees us while we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1).

Other similar doctrines which have two sides

In one of his question and answer sessions, John MacArthur provides an answer to explain the correlation of God’s sovereignty and Human responsibility by asking a set of simple questions (paraphrased / not directly quoted). This will help us understand the tension between these two doctrines by noticing the same amongst other doctrines.

Question 1: Who wrote the book of Romans?

There are two answers to this; we can either say it was Paul or God who wrote the book of Romans.

Both are correct answers.

Paul wrote the book of Romans while being inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Yet still, it was all of Paul’s words, his experiences, his heart, his will and his mind fully engaged to say exactly what he wanted to say. Yet Paul’s every word was inspired by God.

Question 2: Who lives your Christian life?

There are two answers to this; we can either say it is us, or we can say it is Christ living through us.

Both are correct answers.

If we say it is only God, we can make the mistake of wrongly attributing all the sinful things we do to Him. But, on the other hand, if we say it is only us, then we will end up taking credit for all the good things that God does through us.

Paul expressed this same dilemma when he said, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Even Paul didn’t know the answer to who was living His Christian life.

Question 3 Was Christ God or Man?

There are two answers to this, Christians will usually answer this saying that He was 100% God and 100% man or truly God and truly man.

But this is still a similar paradox to the previous two questions because now we have Jesus at 200%. Yet it is entirely true that Jesus was indeed God and man.

Question 4: who sustains the believer?

How do you sustain your salvation? Is there anything we can do to maintain our salvation?

There are two answers to this as well. The Bible says that believers must persevere in their walk with God yet the scriptures also state that we are kept solely by His power.

In a similar way, all major biblical doctrines have human and divine elements, but how they work together isn’t completely clear, yet we accept them by faith and teach them both.

Sinners take full responsibility for their sin, and God receives full glory for salvation. Believers are responsible for obeying and loving God, and it is the Holy Spirit within them who brings this about.

Attempting to harmonize this concept with our limited understanding, or trying to find some middle ground, only results in the destruction of both doctrines.

As believers, we are responsible for disciplining ourselves, bringing our bodies under control, obeying, honoring, and loving God, serving Him, fighting against the flesh, and walking by the Spirit. At the same time, we give all the glory to God for every good thing that happens in our lives. This is how we need to understand it. Once we come to terms with these truths, they become beautiful—truths that ultimately come together perfectly in God’s glory and His infinite mind. Maybe one day, we’ll fully grasp how it all works.

Charles Spurgeon was once asked how he reconciled God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, to which he famously replied, “I never try to reconcile friends.” Spurgeon believed that these two doctrines, though they may seem at odds to us, are not in conflict but work together harmoniously in God’s divine plan. God’s sovereignty in salvation and human responsibility to repent and believe are not opposing forces but complementary truths that we may not fully comprehend. Rather than trying to force a reconciliation, Spurgeon urged believers to trust that both are part of God’s perfect design.

It is the Father’s will that sinners be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) and that those who trust Christ rest secure in their salvation (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39). Believers are called to receive eternal life (1 John 2:25; John 3:16; Romans 6:23), and Jesus promises that those who come to Him He would never lose them (John 6:37; John 6:39).

Why Are Sinners Condemned if they have no choice?

If God is sovereign in salvation, a common question naturally arises: How can sinners be condemned if they have no choice or chance to be saved? If God chooses some for salvation, what happens to those who aren’t chosen? Are they truly responsible for their rejection of Christ?

In this section, we’ll explore these difficult questions, looking at what Scripture teaches about human free will, God’s justice, and His ultimate purpose in salvation and judgment.

Firstly, we have to understand that even though we all have “free will” to do as we please, biblically speaking that ‘will’ is not entirely free. Our will and therefore our choices are still within the confines of our sin and fallen condition.

With this in mind let’s look at a verse that calls on all people to repent.

Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

The verse above teaches that people have a role in responding to the offer of grace extended to them through the gospel.

There is an “unlimited” supply of grace available to anyone who desires to quench their thirst which is why we are commanded to go to the world and preach the gospel to “every” creature.

The offer is always unlimited, or men wouldn’t be condemned for rejecting Christ. That is why when Jesus was condemning unbelievers He said you will die in your sins because you believe not in me (John 8:24).

Unbelievers do not end up in hell because of their “specific”sins of anger, selfishness, etc., because all people who would be in heaven were at some point in their lives sinful and selfish amongst other sins. Salvation ultimately comes down to how each individual responds to the gospel message.

In the end, those who reject Christ will be condemned.

Matthew 23:37 (NKJV)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

As we can see the offer is made available to all people. But this leads us to the question: How could God hold sinners responsible for their fallen state if they cannot alter it without His intervention? Why are sinners condemned if they have no choice?

To answer this we must first acknowledge that that God is the only person who knows and does what is right. In contrast to the standards we use in this world, He is the ultimate standard of goodness because He possesses omniscient wisdom and knowledge.

It’s true that many will read this statement and say, “it sounds unfair.” But think about this: if you want fair treatment, then all sinners should be condemned to hell for rebelling against God.

However, the fact that some do get saved despite their failings is not fair. The fact that God chooses some for salvation is not about being fair or biased. Rather, it is about God demonstrating His grace and putting His full glory on display, which is His right.

This is a fundamental truth that God does everything for His glory.

Think about this: if there was no sin, it would also mean that God would never have been able to manifest the glory of His nature as a gracious, merciful, compassionate, forgiving, loving, kind Savior to humanity and angels.

God allows sin so that He can destroy it and demonstrate His graciousness. In addition, as part of God’s nature He is also a God of wrath, judgment, justice, and holiness, which He demonstrates in condemning sinners who break His law.