--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man is not saved against his will, but…" description: "\"A man is not saved against his will, but he is made willing by the operation of the Holy Ghost. A mighty grace which he does not wish to resist enters ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ca/charles-spurgeon-82_calvinism_a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but_1805976.png" --- # A man is not saved against his will, but he is made… ![“A man is not saved against his will, but he is made willing by the operation of the Holy Ghost. A mighty grace which he does not wish to resist enters into the man, disarms him, makes a new creature of him, and he is saved.” quote by Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ca/charles-spurgeon-82_calvinism_a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but_1805976.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ca/charles-spurgeon-82_calvinism_a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but_1805976.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ca/charles-spurgeon-82_calvinism_a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but_1805976.png) > “A man is not saved against his will, but he is made willing by the operation of the Holy Ghost. A mighty grace which he does not wish to resist enters into the man, disarms him, makes a new creature of him, and he is saved.” [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Salvation comes when the Holy Spirit makes a person willing, transforming them into a new creation **In simple terms:** The Spirit convinces us to accept grace, changing us Key Takeaway Seek openness to divine influence Themes faith grace transformation Mood contemplative hopeful Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal crisis - religious conversion - ethical decision making - leadership challenges Key Concepts spiritual awakening free will Questions to Reflect On - What does willingness look like in your life? - How can you recognize the Spirit’s work? A Different Perspective Human resistance can block spiritual change ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calvinism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calvinism/) [Ghost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghost/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Holy ghost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-ghost/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“I would not give much for a man’s Christianity if he is saved himself and is not willing to try and save others. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-l-moody/i-would-not-give-much-for-a-man-s-christianity-if-he-is-saved-himself/) [D.L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-l-moody/) > [I have talked with people that have no assurance of sins forgiven. They want to feel saved before they're willing to commit themselves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paris-reidhead/i-have-talked-with-people-that-have-no-assurance-of-sins-forgiven/) [Paris Reidhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paris-reidhead/) > [When a man is saved by divine grace, he is not wholly cleansed from the corruption of his heart. When we believe in Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/when-a-man-is-saved-by-divine-grace-he-is-not-wholly-cleansed-from/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“The doctrines of original sin, election, and effectual calling, final perseverance, and all those great truths which are called Calvinism – though Calvin was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-doctrines-of-original-sin-election-and-effectual-calling-final/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-would-rather-believe-a-limited-atonement-that-is-efficacious-for/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [I have my own opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-have-my-own-opinion-that-there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-christ/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/calvinism-is-the-gospel-and-nothing-else/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [We declare, upon Scriptural authority, that the human will is so desperately set on mischief, so depraved, and so inclined to everything that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/we-declare-upon-scriptural-authority-that-the-human-will-is-so/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [To me, Calvinism means the placing of the eternal God at the head of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/to-me-calvinism-means-the-placing-of-the-eternal-god-at-the-head-of/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [It is no novelty, then, that I am preaching; no new doctrine. I love to proclaim these strong old doctrines, that are called by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/it-is-no-novelty-then-that-i-am-preaching-no-new-doctrine-i-love-to/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [We say that Christ so died that He infallibly secured the salvation of a multitude that no man can number, who through Christ's death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/we-say-that-christ-so-died-that-he-infallibly-secured-the-salvation/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Calvinism did not spring from Calvin. We believe that it sprang from the great Founder of all truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/calvinism-did-not-spring-from-calvin-we-believe-that-it-sprang-from/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Prayer is the autograph of the Holy Ghost upon the renewed heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/prayer-is-the-autograph-of-the-holy-ghost-upon-the-renewed-heart/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [We might preach till our tongues rotted, till we should exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would be converted unless there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/we-might-preach-till-our-tongues-rotted-till-we-should-exhaust-our/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“The gospel is preached in the ears of all men; it only comes with power to some. The power that is in the gospel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-gospel-is-preached-in-the-ears-of-all-men-it-only-comes-with/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) ## More by Charles Spurgeon > [The more holy, the more humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-more-holy-the-more-humble/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [He is not humanity deified. He is not Godhead humanized. He is God. He is man. He is all that God is, and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/he-is-not-humanity-deified-he-is-not-godhead-humanized-he-is-god-he/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Lord, send Your life throughout the entire church. Visit Your church; restore sound doctrine and holy, earnest living. Take away from professing Christians their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/lord-send-your-life-throughout-the-entire-church-visit-your-church/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Christ came to bring healing to those who are spiritually sick-you say that you are perfectly well, so you must go your own way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/christ-came-to-bring-healing-to-those-who-are-spiritually-sick-you/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Who among you today is doing the most for your Master's kingdom? I will tell you. Lend me a spiritual thermometer by which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/who-among-you-today-is-doing-the-most-for-your-master-s-kingdom-i/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [I do not know when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-do-not-know-when-i-am-more-perfectly-happy-than-when-i-am-weeping/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Light physical is said by Solomon to be sweet, but gospel light is infinitely more precious, for it reveals eternal things, and ministers to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/light-physical-is-said-by-solomon-to-be-sweet-but-gospel-light-is/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [If you are to go to Christ, do not put on your good doings and feelings, or you will get nothing. Go in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-you-are-to-go-to-christ-do-not-put-on-your-good-doings-and/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Don't you know that day dawns after night, showers displace drought, and spring and summer follow winter? Then, have hope! Hope forever, for God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/don-t-you-know-that-day-dawns-after-night-showers-displace-drought/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“A mother can translate baby-talk: she comprehends incomprehensible noises. Even so doth our Father in heaven know all about our poor baby talk, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-mother-can-translate-baby-talk-she-comprehends-incomprehensible/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [God is our portion, Christ our companion, the Spirit our Comforter, Earth our lodge, and Heaven is our home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/god-is-our-portion-christ-our-companion-the-spirit-our-comforter/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Jesus poured out his soul in life before he poured it out unto death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/jesus-poured-out-his-soul-in-life-before-he-poured-it-out-unto-death/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [There are believers who by God's grace, have climbed the mountains of full assurance and near communion, their place is with the eagle in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/there-are-believers-who-by-god-s-grace-have-climbed-the-mountains-of/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [If we want revivals, we must revive our reverence for the Word of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-we-want-revivals-we-must-revive-our-reverence-for-the-word-of-god/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Believe only half of the praise and half of the criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/believe-only-half-of-the-praise-and-half-of-the-criticism/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) [Explore all 1,523 Charles Spurgeon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) ## More Calvinism quotes > [“Finally, the Reformers also agreed that worship should be in the vernacular and that the twofold structure of Word and sacrament be maintained. Zwingli…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-webber/finally-the-reformers-also-agreed-that-worship-should-be-in-the/) [Robert E. Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-webber/) > [My Calvinism persuades me that we are open to God, in the sense that we are not delimited, not organisms with fixed attributes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-calvinism-persuades-me-that-we-are-open-to-god-in-the-sense-that/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [Lutheranism restricted itself to an exclusively ecclesiastical and theological character, while Calvinism put its impress in and outside the church upon every aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/lutheranism-restricted-itself-to-an-exclusively-ecclesiastical-and/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-haddon/my-hope-arises-from-the-freeness-of-grace-and-not-from-the-freedom-of/) [Charles Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-haddon/) > [“Ah! Gentle, gracious Dove, And art thou grieved in me, That sinners should restrain thy love, And say, “It is not free: It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wesley/ah-gentle-gracious-dove-and-art-thou-grieved-in-me-that-sinners/) [Charles Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wesley/) > [Calvinism is the consistent endeavor to acknowledge the Creator as the Lord, working all things after the counsel of His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/calvinism-is-the-consistent-endeavor-to-acknowledge-the-creator-as/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [The alternative of hypothetical universalism, according to which Christ's work is sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect, was alive and well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-alternative-of-hypothetical-universalism-according-to-which/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ What I am trying to argue here \[Save Calvinism\] and in other works before this one is that the Reformed tradition as I have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/what-i-am-trying-to-argue-here-save-calvinism-and-in-other-works/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-would-rather-believe-a-limited-atonement-that-is-efficacious-for/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [During my academical life, and from this time forward, I was indefatigable in my search after truth. I read all the authors of greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/during-my-academical-life-and-from-this-time-forward-i-was/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [“Jonathan Edwards, the dear old soul, who, if his doctrine is true, is now in heaven rubbing his holy hands with glee, as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/jonathan-edwards-the-dear-old-soul-who-if-his-doctrine-is-true-is-now/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [Calvinism that does not humble has missed its mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-j-chantry/calvinism-that-does-not-humble-has-missed-its-mark/) [Walter J Chantry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-j-chantry/) > [For the Arminian, salvation is possible for all but certain for none. In the Calvinist position, salvation is sure for God's elect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/for-the-arminian-salvation-is-possible-for-all-but-certain-for-none/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Calvinism emphasizes divine sovereignty and free grace; Arminianism emphasizes human responsibility. The one restricts the saving grace to the elect: the other extends it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-schaff/calvinism-emphasizes-divine-sovereignty-and-free-grace-arminianism/) [Philip Schaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-schaff/) > [“The Cross of Christ is the Aroma of Life for the elect and the Aroma of Death for the reprobate”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-raj-s/the-cross-of-christ-is-the-aroma-of-life-for-the-elect-and-the-aroma/) [Royal Raj S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-raj-s/) [Browse all 104 Calvinism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calvinism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A man is not saved against his will, but he is made willing by the operation of the Holy Ghost. A mighty grace which he does not wish to resist enters into the man, disarms him, makes a new creature of him, and he is saved.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Charles Spurgeon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but-he-is-made-willing-by-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Calvinism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but-he-is-made-willing-by-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ca/charles-spurgeon-82_calvinism_a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but_1805976.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ca/charles-spurgeon-82_calvinism_a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but_1805976.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ca/charles-spurgeon-82_calvinism_a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but_1805976.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A man is not saved against his will, but he is made willing by the operation of the Holy Ghost. A mighty…” — Charles Spurgeon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Charles Spurgeon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A man is not saved against...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but-he-is-made-willing-by-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-man-is-not-saved-against-his-will-but-he-is-made-willing-by-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```