So, are you saying no one can understand the gospel unless God wills them to?
Faith as always is the gospel key . Its when mankind separates faith from works that things go astray. Faith is a work of God .Not of our own self.
Philippians 1:6 informs us. Christ in us who began his good work in us
wills to finish it till the end .He is our confidence .We put no confidence in our flesh (powerless faithless)
It is not so much understanding the gospel as in tasting, being made partakers of the Holy Ghost. But to work "to do it" .Its all one work God works in the believer.
Yes its
both will and to do His good pleasure. Working to do another's will takes power. its the kind of food or power the disciples knew not of .The will and power of the father. Our daily bread.
Philippians 2:13 For it is
God which
worketh in you
both to
will and to
do of
his good pleasure. Do all things
without murmurings and disputings:
If we do his will to our own good pleasure (self edifying) then it falls into the category of
dead faithless works.( Hebrews 6)
If we would offer our works (self edifying) offered towards Him rather than him working in us or towards us = Blasphemy.
God gives us the power to do his good will. It is not a work that we who have no power
can do . He informs us this we will do,
if God permits.
Hebrews 6: 1-3 King James Version (KJV)Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works, and of
faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And
this will we do,
if God permit.
We the
can do the works he requires according to the power of His faith or labor of His love towards or in us.
Those who do his will and accredit it to themselves show "self edifying', "self righteousness" .In effect they say to the world. . Christ needs to get crucified over and over one demonstration of His work of faith is not enough.
Hebrews 6: 4-6 King James Version (KJV)4 For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the
good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the
Son of God afresh, and put
him to an open shame.
If God permits he promises Christians he will not forget the good works we offer towards his name. Edifying Him not seen not ones own self.
God whose name is Jealous will not share the power of His glory with a corrupted creation, dead in their trespasses and sin. Emanuel works with us. Yoked with Christ making our burden lighter.
Hebrews 6: 9-10 King James Version (KJV) But, beloved, we are persuaded
better things of you, and
things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For
God is not unrighteous to
forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed
toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.