It's not about God's power, it's about God's sovereign will.
It is only those whom the Son
makes free that are free to choose (
Jn 8:36, cf
Jn 8:32,
Ro 6:18,
22,
8:12,
Gal 5:1).
God does not have a sovereign will regarding the individual salvation of people, He desires all to be saved, but they are often unwilling.
Mat 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
- God has a willingness even desire to save
- But man often has no desire to follow
Eze 33:11 Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'
In the issue of salvation, there is always a two-way choice based on our response to God's word.
Job 36:8-12 And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction, Then He tells them their work and their transgressions—That they have acted defiantly. He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity. If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.
and again:
John 14:22-24 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
