A Man Convinced Against His Will...
The British writer and feminist, Mary Wollstonecraft, wrote in her 1792 treatise “Convince a man against his will, He’s of the same opinion still.” But her statement was written in quotes indicating that the saying did not originate with her. It may have come from Samuel Butler’s seventeenth century poem Hudibras, Part III, where he said:
“He that complies against his will
Is of his own opinion still
Which he may adhere to, yet disown
For reasons to himself best known”
Even so, it is not known whether Butler borrowed the thought himself. We will never know, but one thing is sure, it is certainly true. Why am I addressing this quote? Because I believe that many dear souls who struggle with doubt about their salvation fall into this category. They believe the facts of the gospel in their heads, but they have never surrendered themselves to the One who died for them. They are convinced against their will.
These tortured souls know that Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it,” yet they have yet come to the point where they are willing to give up their life to Jesus Christ to do with them what He will. James puts it this way in James 4:8 “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, purify your hearts, you double-minded [emphasis mine].”
These folks are double-minded. They want their sin, but they don’t want the consequences. They have yet to humble themselves in the sight of God and repent completely of their sin(s).
Friend, are you convinced against your will? Do you know in your heart that you need to surrender your whole life completely to Jesus Christ, yet you are resisting Him? Ask God to help you to be willing to be made willing. You cannot do this yourself. Fall on your face, in your heart, and cry out for God’s mercy. “…A broken and contrite heart He will not despise.” Psalm 51: 17. God will accept you!