INTRODUCTION:

Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article 17a: “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it.”

No one can be compelled into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus!

No one can be coerced into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus!

No one can be cajoled into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus!

Unsaved people can only be called into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus, and they can only be called into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus by GOD, HIMSELF! Every person who is mentally capable and mature enough to do so decides for themselves – and only for themselves – to repent of their sins and believe in JESUS as their Savior and LORD, or not.

Therefore, every person who is mentally capable and mature enough to repent and believe in JESUS is accountable to GOD for their refusal to repent of their sins and believe in JESUS.

Romans 8:28-30

(28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (29) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (30) And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Here is the clearest statement in Scripture about the order of salvation: GOD foreknew who HE would save, HE predestined them to be conformed into the image of JESUS, HE called them to salvation (through the gospel),

HE declares them just on the basis of their faith in JESUS, and HE will ultimately glorify them with JESUS at the time of their resurrection! And, once a person has been saved, they remain personally accountable to GOD for their beliefs and practices.

EXPOSITION:

The individual believer has the sole privilege and responsibility before GOD as to when and how to worship GOD.

Romans 14:5,12 (5) “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”

The individual believer will answer to GOD for the decisions they make about worshiping and serving GOD, and how they do – or do not – apply the Scriptures to their life. (12) “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Again, every individual believer must determine to follow their conscience in the matters of faith and practice… and… other believers must not attempt to manipulate them into what they believe and how they behave. Cf. 2nd Corinthians 4:2 “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

This “Individual Soul Liberty” also applies to areas that are not addressed in the Bible!

Church Services: How many? When?

Church Dress: Business, Business Casual, Casual?

Sunday Activities: Recreation, Shopping?

Bible Translation: One, Which One, Multiple?

Family: Married, Single?

Family: Kids, No Kids? School: Public, Christian, Home? Etc., Etc., Etc.