Resistance to Grace
There are two factors in the operation of grace, God's action and man's action; each is fully efficient, each is necessary. God is omnipotent and can do as He wills; man is free and can do as he wills. Man cannot begin or carry on the work without God; God will not complete it without man. The mystery of grace consists in the interaction of these two forces. They seem to conflict with one another. We cannot say how they harmonize, and how each exercises its full action without detriment to the other. Scripture sometimes speaks as if all depended on God alone. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you a heart of flesh. . . and I will cause you to walk in My commandments and keep My judgments and do them" (Ez. xxxvi. 26, 27). At other times it seems as if all depended on man. "You have your choice. Choose this day that which pleaseth you, whom you would rather serve. . . You are witnesses that you yourselves have chosen you the Lord to serve Him" (Jos. xxiv. 15, 22). We indeed decree and do that which works out our salvation, but God grants us to do both, and operates in us. The mystery is insoluble. St. Paul replies to questioners: "O man, who art thou that repliest against God?" (Rom. ix. 20). But the practical conclusion is certain: Do what in you lies and God will never fail you.
