Romans 11: 33-36
Can we give anything to God?
Yes!
Can we give anything to God that God has not first given to us?
No!
Most would answer ‘yes’ to the first question and say that humans have a ‘free will.’ However, nearly all those in religion don’t answer the second question correctly…or they don’t see the difference between the two questions. The answer to this second question proves that humans do not have a ‘free will.’
The Christian argues that we need to give our choice, faith, good deeds, or a combination of these to God in order to be saved. First, let me say that scripture teaches that all mankind will be justified, made immortal, and God will be everyone’s all by and only by the work of Christ (1 Corinthians 15, many more verses). However, each in their own order. Therefore, faith and human choice play a part in getting this salvation early and having a special salvation (1 Timothy 4:10). Otherwise, if not given faith by God, people come to realize Christ through judgement.
Okay, so that being said, back to the argument that we give God our choice, faith, good deeds, etc. Of course we do! However, it is God that gives us this faith, choice, and good deeds. Therefore, they are not free. If God gives us something that we then give back to Him, then it is not a free will choice but instead…God’s choice.
This is what is being described in the rhetorical questions asked by Paul in Romans 11: 33-36
33 O, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How inscrutable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
34 For, who knew the mind of the Lord? or, who became His adviser?
35 or, who gives to Him first, and it will be repaid him?
36 seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all: to Him be the glory for the eons! Amen!
The answer to all of Paul’s questions is ‘NOBODY.’ Verse 36 says that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all…therefore, of course nobody knew the mind of the Lord or became His adviser. But, I want to focus on verse 35: who gives to Him first, and it will be repaid him?
Nobody is again, the answer. Paul is teaching that nobody gives anything to God first and God repays him. This is impossible because God gives life, breath, and all…TO ALL(Acts 17: 25-26)! So, everything we have is given to us by God. This includes our faith choices.
However, Christianity teaches the exact opposite of Paul. Those of this religion say that we give God ‘our free will choice’ and God then repays us with eternal life or eternal hell. Christians say that God ‘requires’ something of us for salvation and Paul says that God requires nothing (Acts 17:25). Why does God require nothing? Because He gives humans everything that they have.
This does not mean that faith and choice do not play a part, it just means that God supplies the faith and the choice.
Its like this: God accomplished salvation for all creation through Christ’s death for sin, His entombment, and His resurrection. God chooses who will be saved first and then gives them faith so that they believe. Those not given faith do not have salvation at this time and will come to realize Christ’s accomplishment through judgement.
So, we do make choices and give God many things. However, we absolutely cannot give God anything of our own creation. This is because we are not creators, we are not God. We can only give to God what He has given to us in the first place.
35 or, who gives to Him first, and it will be repaid him? (Rom. 11:35)
Nobody! God does it all.
Grace and peace to you all.
Saved ignoble 
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