Energy? A business model? Relationship? Maybe you just don't care because it isn't a word you use. Well, in the most important realm of all human knowledge, theology, the term synergism denotes a particular way in which God acts. It describes a togetherness of God and man in the working of salvific power over a rebellious, sinful heart. It states that we cooperate with God in assuring our own salvation. You have been exposed to synergism if you have ever heard the statement, "Just allow Jesus to come into your heart!" or "Let go and let God!"
Synergists teach that that we are born as God's children by the will of man but the Bible teaches that we "were born, not of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13)
Do you see that?
Do you see that?
No one can believe in Jesus unless God grants it.
In context verses 12 and 13 say,
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. No man receives Christ unless God first opens his heart in regeneration. John continues this theme throughout his book in chapter 3 and again in chapter 6. No one can believe in Jesus unless God grants it (John 6:65) and ALL to whom God grants it will believe (John 6:37) The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing (John 6:63).
This is resistless logic. This is a syllogism which leaves no room for synergism.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. No man receives Christ unless God first opens his heart in regeneration. John continues this theme throughout his book in chapter 3 and again in chapter 6. No one can believe in Jesus unless God grants it (John 6:65) and ALL to whom God grants it will believe (John 6:37) The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing (John 6:63).
This is resistless logic. This is a syllogism which leaves no room for synergism.
The opposite of synergism is monergism.
Monergism of course states that it is God alone who effects the act of salvation over a sinful, rebellious heart, and only at that point, after God has worked the miracle of a born again life, may a person then become a co-laborer with Christ. Even then, we know that truly good works performed by a saved person are works prepared before the foundation of the world as written down in Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
This is the right and true way of how God works. This is called regeneration
This is the right and true way of how God works. This is called regeneration
Walk a minute with me through Scripture.
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." (John 6:37)
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. (John 6:44)
It is the Spirit who gives life (quickens, regenerates); the flesh is no help at all. ..."This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." (John 6:63, 65)
Simply put, no one can believe in Jesus unless God grants it and all to whom He grants it will believe.
The Spirit quickens [regenerates, saves, makes born again], the flesh counts for nothing.
John 6 is one of many Bible passages which clearly demonstrates that regeneration is intimately tied to faith and that salvation is by Christ alone, utterly abolishing any remote possibility of synergism.
The Spirit quickens [regenerates, saves, makes born again], the flesh counts for nothing.
John 6 is one of many Bible passages which clearly demonstrates that regeneration is intimately tied to faith and that salvation is by Christ alone, utterly abolishing any remote possibility of synergism.
Christ not only commands us to believe but gives us what we require to do so.
A great theologian of ancient times names Augustine said this:
"When God crowns your merits, He crowns nothing but His own gifts."
This is a profound quote that one can spend a great deal of time dwelling on!
Is faith a requirement for salvation?
Of course it is, but that very faith is itself a gift from God!!
Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
The reason why one person believes the gospel and not another is not because one person was more prudent or wise but because of the grace of God in Jesus Christ alone.
Synergistic theology leaves the saved person with something in themselves in which to boast. However, God is very clear in His Word that there is nothing whatsoever that a person may boast in save God's glory alone.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Jesus clearly told Nicodemus that in order to even see the Kingdom, an act entirely of the Holy Spirit must be done and He called it, 'being born again'.
John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
You see then that if even the act of choosing to believe hinges on the sheer volition of the individual, then it is true that one could say salvation is all of oneself, one's own choosing.
However, if one actually adheres to the Biblical declaration that salvation depends entirely upon the will of God Almighty, only then can one honestly say that salvation is All of Christ!
Synergism is a lie. Monergism is the only thing the Bible teaches.
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