Actually, I would affirm with scripture that we are born sinful and depraved, but that God's powerful message of redemption, the GOSPEL, His appeal to be reconciled gives us the ability to respond to his grace. Why wouldn't it? Why wouldn't an appeal to be reconciled from the fallen condition sent by God be insufficient to enable a response?
It is good that you affirm the Scripture that we are born sinful and depraved.
Your questions are very good, and the only aspect of your questions in which I would draw an inclusive scribble is the aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
To suggest that the fallen condition prohibits a fallen person from responding to an appeal to be reconciled from that condition on the basis that he is in that condition is non-sensical.
It would be like God coming down from heaven with a cure for cancer and saying whosoever takes of this medicine will be cured from their cancer unless of course you have cancer.
Human rationalization would desire as you appoint and illustrate.
But look at the illustration in this manner:
All have cancer. However, the cancer has not manifested and, although fatal, is unknown. The person does not even consider they are sick much less fatally so. Unknown to the person, the cancer has devastated not only the body but all aspects of hope at it ravages even the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Some, not knowing they already are cancerous, make all manners of life style adjustments in preventive measures. But the cancer is already present, and, like termites, keeps eating away at the fabric of life.
God, clothed in doctor's robes and having no particular credentials and appearance of authority, comes down from heaven presenting Himself as the only cure for cancer.
What is the bottom line difference between those who believe and those that don't?
Not the presence. (He has no form or comeliness and when we see Him there is no beauty that we should desire Him.)
Not the miracles. (When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man
get these things, and what is
this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?}
Not the message. (And amazement came upon them all, and they
began talking with one another saying, “What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.”)
Not even the ultimate sacrifice. (the crucifixion)
Why do many that are invited to the wedding feast not come? (Tell those who have been invited, But they paid no attention and went their way,...)
Why are the chosen few show up? (For many are called, but few
are chosen.)
Scan.
I would like to add this for your thinking.
In all the talk, one aspect is often overlooked.
There are often Scriptures offered that show that not a single person in all humankind are not in some manner presented with the Gospel.
Such Scriptures would include:
"If I am lifted up..."
"True light... enlightens every man..."
"That whoever believes ..."
"Come unto me all ye ..."
So, where is the balance with such Scriptures and the Calvinist view?
Not all would agree with me, but it is important that everyone know God has done all the work. That God can make no other provision than that which has been made.
So what is the answer to what may be considered "the horns of a dilemma?"
The key word is "receive."
"As many as receive..."
Note: Folks do not render the word as - to grab, or take hold of as one might grasp, or any other such word that has a connotation of violence or any great human effort. Rather, it is a word that basically means to acknowledge as one might acknowledge a package by signing the receipt. Some would assign a harsher expression, but the use of the word is tender, as one receiving their bride at the altar. It is not to be rendered in any other light.
What then is the difference?
The key is the response to the light presented. John 1
Does the person turn away from the light or continue in that light?
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
The difference is when God presents light, the unbeliever will turn away. They shun salvation, they reject and refuse to continue in the light. They purpose as did Adam to reject God.
The difference is when God presents light, the believer will continue in the light, will not turn from the light, not refuse the light, not reject the light, but continue in the light given - they in effect like a groom "receive" the light.
Believers do not turn from the light.
Unbelief turns, shun, avoids, and consider the light nonsense.
