The heathen conception of God is that of an irresistible force, directed by an irresponsible will. And if we examine our own feelings regarding God and the spirit which pervades our prayers, we shall perhaps find that some such thoughts of God's nature linger dimly and undefined in our own ideas; also many well-sounding phrases about "the future being entirely in God's hands," are used too frequently, not only as an expression of humble dependence upon our Father, but as mildly suggesting a certain amount of irresponsibility and of almost absolute impotence upon our part. Because the omnipotent God couldact independently of the will and energy of man, we are too apt, practically, to conclude that He does so. Now everything alike in the works of God which we call nature, and in the teaching of the Scriptures, shows us that God does not do so; and hence arises the solemn fact of man's responsibility.
I. Everywhere the Divine principle of co-operation meets us. Take, for example, in the kingdom of nature, the various processes of agriculture. In these our direct dependence upon matters entirely beyond our own control is brought before us with a vividness and distinctness which cannot fail to impress us. Yet beyond our control as are the actual results, from another point of view the produce of the earth is entirely dependent upon man's labour. The rain may descend in full and genial blessing, the sun may shine in quickening and ripening power, and no blade shoot above the earth nor ear ripen into golden glory, if man has not ploughed the earth and scattered the seed.
II. Pass from the world of matter to the higher world of mind, and here the same principle meets us. God has not forced knowledge upon mankind; man's persistent devotion and untiring energy are necessary to its gradual attainment. And so in religion, transcendently important as it is in mankind, God has not bestowed upon religious truth an irresistible power; her progress results from man's zeal and devotion in her service. It is a solemn fact that the spread of the Gospel is, in a large measure, dependent upon us.
III. And in the higher sphere of individual spiritual life this same principle holds true. God does not force men into faith. Religion is a Divine and spiritual force, but not irresistible or rather, not independently operative. The faithful, trustful, loving spirit in us is needful still to the performance of her mighty works in ourselves and in others.
T. T. Shore, The Life of the World to Come,p. 71.
References: Matthew 13:58. Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. i., p. 324.