The ten commandments.

[jonebgood]

Man must choose to cooperate with God? Adam couldnt cooperate with God, and He was created without sin. In fact when Adam sinned he hid from God. Then he blamed Eve. God looked for Adam not Adam for God. I cant even choose what shirt to wear at times. Without Christ I cant choose to do anything. Jesus parables are about the Saviour looking for the lost sheep, the lost coin, etc. God looks for man not vice versa. A famous evangelist used to say repent and come to Christ, well I think that might be somewhat backward, come to Christ and let him change your life. Yes the law points us to Christ and He alone can save us.

[djconklin]

Yes the law points us to Christ and He alone can save us.

Correct.  Jesus fulfilled the Law's requirement for righteousness and the Law pointed to Him as our Saviour.  The Gosel and the Law are like hand and glove.

You also correct about Jesus seeking to save us.  But, like the lost lamb we must choose to follow our Master's voice when He calls.

[Randy S]

<<Adam couldnt cooperate with God, and He was created without sin.>>

That is untrue.  Adam had a choice, and he chose to rebel against God. If that were not true Adam would not have been guilty of sin.

Denying that we have free will is a major cop out. 

When Paul writes: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. ", he's talking about this cooperation which leads to transformation.

[jonebgood]

First of all "we" are not like Adam. Adam was born without sin. We were born with a sinful nature, Adam was not.  Perhaps I should have said after Adam sinned he refused to cooperate with God. He chose fig leaf salvation over Gods. He hid from God.  Romans clearly shows the relationship of sinful man with Holy God.  None of us are righteous, none of us seek after God, so clearly it is God who seeks us out.  Thank God that He comes to us and makes us righteous with His salvation through the cross of Christ. Without the Holy Spirit awakening our spirit within us we would be totally, eternally lost. This is the wonderous grace of our Lord.  Peace and grace to you.