Who has to open a person's heart for them to comprehend the gospel?
The Lord, in the person of the Holy Spirit, must open a person’s heart. Every person who comes to a saving knowledge of the Gospel has their understanding opened by the Holy Spirit’s work. The Spirit is omnipresent, so no one can truthfully claim He never approached them; He does not miss a single soul.
Les explains that Paul proclaimed the Gospel, but before the Jewish lady in Philippi could comprehend it, the Lord had to open her heart. That work is done in the person of the Holy Spirit, and it has never changed. Les emphasizes that every person who comes to a saving knowledge of the Gospel must have their understanding opened by the Holy Spirit. He further notes that this is there for everyone because the Holy Spirit is omnipresent—He is everywhere and does not miss a soul. No one can say the Holy Spirit never approached them. Les connects this to John’s Gospel, chapter 1, verse 9, where the true Light lights every man coming into the world, and to Romans chapter 1, teaching that no one at the Great White Throne will say they never had a chance.