We were dead in sin,there is no way we have the power to receive such gift,however its the holyspirit who works in us,when he does there is nothing a man can do but follow God.
we r saved by grace n faith through our lord Jesus n we had no part in him ,God alone can save.
So is it God who is forcing a person to change? No..he has done a work of regeneration,where the whole nature of a sinfull man is changed.
Its God who changes,its god who saves so that he alone gets all glory
No one said it is not of God, but God will not force you to accept him..see,this is what certain theologies and 'positions' say, but if you had to force your wife,or girlfriend, or a friend to be in relationship with you, by force..is that loving? Is it a real relationship? Or is it mere abuse?
I never said the Holy spirit does not involve himself in salvation..where i will adamantly disagree is where it seems you may be going, OSAS and five point calvinism.
God did not make us automatons..
If God 'makes' you serve him, then you are merely a puppet in his hands..and are not in a real relationship..thats more abuse than a sincere relationship.
God's character is that of a Loving God..and a loving God will not force himself on you, he may call out to you...but he is not a cosmic arm twister.
Behold I stand at the door and knock He said..not, Behold I stand beside the doorknob and pick the lock..
If you invite him in your heart, its not to boast about, you simply stopped resisting God, that is the only 'work' you can even claim you did, if that is even a 'work' in itself, i would say its more of a 'response' and a submitting,than a work, or something to brag about..so don't go thinking that by accepting Christ it would be a 'boast worthy' claim of anyone, that is what those who call us 'free willers/free willies' will accuse those who reject their claim want. No..the one who rejects determinism still believes in grace, but grace always includes responsibility and grace always requires a response, you can reject it or accept it. However..what many call grace is really a cheap imitation that should be packaged as the stuff they are truly selling, licentiousness.