Yes, choice plays a crucial role in accepting God's grace.
Les Feldick teaches that grace is a gift that cannot be earned, and while God is sovereign in election, He does not force anyone. Every individual must personally decide to let God's grace reign instead of the old sinful nature. This choice is not a work but the necessary response of faith to the gift of salvation.
Romans 5:17 — Shows that receiving the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness is connected to reigning in life, implying a response.
Romans 6:14 — States that sin shall not have dominion because believers are not under law but under grace, which involves a choice not to let sin reign.
The Scriptures present grace as an unmerited gift. Romans 5:17 declares, "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." This indicates that grace must be received. Similarly, Romans 6:14 says, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." This verse implies a state of being under grace, which believers acknowledge and embrace. The Bible also states in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The word "whosoever" indicates an open invitation requiring a personal response of belief.
Les Feldick emphasizes that while God has chosen believers before the foundation of the world, this does not negate personal choice. He explains that from one side, it is "whosoever will may come," and no one is left out. But when an individual decides to accept God's remedy for sin, they can look back and see that God chose them (Clip 1). He further clarifies that God's grace is a gift, not something earned (Clip 2). Les teaches that choice is not forced; believers are left with the choice of whether to let the old Adam nature reign or to let grace reign (Clip 5). He reconciles election and free will by stating that every individual has the opportunity of choice, but they cannot choose unless God calls and elects them (Clip 3). Thus, the role of choice is to respond to God's grace by faith, permitting it to rule over the sinful nature.
Les teaches that these two truths—God's sovereign election and human choice—are not mutually exclusive. He says, "You reconcile both of them together. That as the human race moves down through time, every individual has that opportunity of choice. But on the other hand, they cannot choose unless God calls them. And He elects them" (Clip 3). He also shares an illustration of a woman who appreciated how he put it: "From the front side, it's whosoever will may come. Nobody is left out. But when we decide to go through that door, we decide to stay with the Lord, and we decide to accept His remedy for our sin, then what can we see? Oh, He chose us before we were ever born" (Clip 1).
Les explains that after salvation, believers have a choice: "Let not old Adam continue to reign in your mortal body." He says, "You are now left as a believer with this choice of letting not old Adam continue to reign" (Clip 5). He also teaches that grace is the attribute of God that can take a person who realizes they are nothing more than a fallen creature and save them on the basis of believing the gospel plus nothing (Clip 4).
Les emphatically denies that any work is required. He states, "If you can tell me that you have to do something for your salvation, it will not fit, because it's a gift." He continues, "And what I know of gifts, you don't deserve them. You don't work for them. You don't merit them. It's something that someone has done for you out of the goodness of their heart" (Clip 2).
Why Grace Is Not a License to Sin — Romans 6 Explained
Nobody seemingly tries to take it away from them. They have full liberty. In fact, as I read the statement of one general of a bygone time, he said, well, that's just one of the privileges of being a foot soldier. Well, where do they get such thinking? Why do these young men just suddenly lose everything that they must have learned at their mama's knee? It's that old sin nature.
Whosoever Will May Come
Les clarifies that while God has chosen us, the invitation is open to 'whosoever will,' and the act of choosing to accept His remedy is what reveals His election.
Grace as a Gift
Les emphasizes that salvation is a gift, not earned by works, so the only response is to accept it, not to work for it.
Election and Free Will Reconciled
Les teaches that both election and free will are true: every individual has the opportunity to choose, but they cannot choose unless God calls and elects them.
Grace Reaches Down
Les explains that grace is what reaches down to save a fallen person on the basis of faith alone, highlighting that the choice is simply to believe.
The Believer's Choice
Les shows that the word 'let' implies choice—believers must choose not to let sin reign but to live under grace.
God’s Foreknowledge vs. Free Will: How Salvation Works
"...willing." Now I said that this is going to be, I think, a picture, an illustration or parallel of God calling out the body of Christ from amongst the Gentiles. God the Father has sent the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is moving amongst the human race, wooing them, presenting them with the plan of salvation.
Not Under Law but Under Grace — What Romans 6:14 Really Means
What am I talking about? That the God of creation himself, that invisible triune God, that one of the persons of that triune God stepped out and took on human flesh, walked amongst sinful men, subjected himself to the desires of sinful men, and he let them nail him to a Roman cross. He permitted it. He could have zapped the whole Roman empire with one word if he'd have wanted to.
Romans 5:17: For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
This verse shows that grace is received, implying a personal acceptance.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Believers are placed under grace, and this positional truth requires a response of faith.
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The 'whosoever' shows that belief is the condition for receiving grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Salvation is by grace through faith, both are gifts, yet faith is the channel of acceptance.
No. Les Feldick teaches that choice is not forced. He points out that the word 'let' implies choice, and believers are left with the decision of whether to let sin reign or to let grace reign (Clip 5).
Yes. Les explains that people have 'chosen not to be' and that all have had their opportunity (Clip 2). He also states that God does not force anyone.
Les teaches that both are true. Every individual has the opportunity to choose, but they cannot choose unless God calls and elects them (Clip 3).
Watch the Teaching: Why Grace Is Not a License to Sin — Romans 6 Explained