But yet, Peter noted that the Lord "was unwilling that any should perish but that all should come to repentance". I agree that God the Father provides the rain that softens the "soil" so that the word of God can penetrate and take root. But, I do believe that we have a choice to surrender (or not). I do not believe that "irresistible grace" is taught by Scripture.
My beloved brother and Apostle Peter wrote to and of the Assembly of God "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance".
The context which occurs immediately prior, "is patient toward you", speaks loud and clear to the audience, as does the opening of the epistle "Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). BTW, that "received" contains "siezed by", as in siezed by God, just like the Apostle John wrote with:
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, [even] to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)
Please see that "nor of the will of man". See that it is not man's will. Behold children of God are born of God.
Recalling that Peter wrote to and of the Assembly of God as found in 2 Peter 1:1, here is the entirety of 2 Peter 3:9:
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
This Holy Spirit inspired writing contains telling phrases:
- His promise (referring to eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ)
- is patient toward you (that "you" refers to people who received or ["patient"] will receive the faith delivered by our God and Savior, Jesus Christ)
- not wishing for any to perish (that "any" refers back to that "you")
- but for all to come to repentance (that "all" refers back to that "any")
The Apostle Peter clearly, absolutely, and literally points to the members of the Assembly of God, the congregation of believers on the Lord Jesus Christ.
The passage has nothing to do with free will; in other words, the verse provides nothing in support of accepting/choosing Jesus.
Do you, Lady Crosstalk, believe that you chose Jesus?