Belief in Christ does bring a new life, Mr. Rogers. And no one can or will believe unless and until the Holy Spirit regenerates their dead and God-denying heart.
“And no one can or will believe unless and until the Holy Spirit regenerates their dead and God-denying heart.”
OTOH, I agree - unless God is working, no one turns to God. However, there are multiple passages indicating God IS working in the lives of most men - and that most still refuse to come, that they might have life.
That is my difference with Calvin. He believed life is given in a secret act of regeneration, and then one is irresistibly called and given faith (belief) as a gift.
I believe that when scripture says God desires all men to repent and be saved, that it means all men. That when it says God so loved the world, it means the world. And when it speaks of his own not receiving Him, it means they refused to receive Him.
Repentance is available to all, except those who “knew God, [but] did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened...Therefore God gave them up...”
But we will probably have to agree to disagree. May God bless you as you worship today, and may he bless me & my family as we worship in one of the local SBC congregations.