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Intimacy with God  /  Chapter 19: If You Want to Be Perfect  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 1
The chapter argues that Jesus’ words “if you wish to” reveal something about human free will and God’s way of saving; how does the claim “God does not compel anyone to come to Him—compulsion is repugnant to Him” reshape the way you think about God’s character and how He draws people?
Another way to ask: If God doesn’t force anyone to come to Him, how does that change the way you see God’s character and how He invites people to follow Him?

Direct Answer Based on David Bercot’s teaching, God’s character is shown as non-coercive: He invites and responds to seekers rather than forcing anyone, so His “drawing” respects real human choice. This frames salvation as God-given but not imposed—God supplies grace to those who truly want Him.

Support from Transcript:

  • Jesus’ words “if you wish to” show “the young man's soul had the power of free will.”
  • “Being free, the choice depended on the man himself, for the gift depended on God.”
  • “God gives to those who are both willing and exceptionally earnest.”
  • “God does not compel anyone to come to Him. Compulsion is repugnant to Him.”
  • God’s approach is described with Matthew 7:7-8 language: “He supplies to those who seek… gives to those who ask… opens to those who knock.”
Discussion Follow-ups If God refuses compulsion, what kinds of church pressure or emotional manipulation might conflict with His way? How does this shape prayer and evangelism—more like inviting and less like forcing?

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