2 Chronicles 30:10-12 So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Ze bilingual humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the Lord.
Hezekiah reinstituted a huge Passover celebration in Jerusalem, and he invited all Judah and Israel to come, believe and worship. He sent out messengers all over the land to announce the Feast and invite the people to come. The response to this gospel proclamation and invitation was either rejection or acceptance.
It has been the same ever since throughout the world. The Bible reveals the same either-or response in all of its history. When it comes to responding to Jesus there is no middle ground, no neutral position. One will either deny Him and crucify Him or he will fall on his knees at the cross and follow him. “He that is not with me is against me.” And to ignore the Gospel call is the same as to scorn and mock. To respond to the invitation and come is the same as to believe in Jesus.
The truth is that, as dead sinners, we do not have the desire or ability to decide for Jesus and come to him on our own. But if we do humble ourselves and come it is because the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel and created the faith. Every time we hear the life-changing Gospel, which should be every day, the Spirit that comes to us responds with “Yea and Amen.”
At the same time we recognize that there is another force within that resists the offer of free grace. This is the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. Trust the Spirit to grant the power to overcome. And we repent and come.