Foreword

 Volition: His Gift-Our Responsibility is based on a series of 20 lessons Chester McCalley gave at Beth Haven Church in the early 1980s. After his death, his assistant for nearly 30 years found manuscripts for a good portion of this book on the human capacity to choose. Recognizing the value of these lessons, especially in the face of a world that either diminishes personal responsibility for our choices, or simply denies we have free will at all, I believe it to be a good choice to complete this book to benefit you, others, and myself. The content is derived from his notes. Dad was inspired by Ron Merryman’s lessons on “Human Volition & Divine Sovereignty” (currently available in book form from merrymanministries.net). I encourage you to test these lessons and principles against Scripture, just as Chester would have insisted.

 Dad dedicated his life to actively deepening his understanding and insight into God’s revelation. He pursued this goal with great effort by studying the original text and grounding his attitude in humility, curiosity, and reverence. His approach was to never assume he fully knew the meaning of the text, even the most familiar of passages. He would often say God’s word always provides something new we can learn, better apply to our lives, or reinforce as we pursue the never-ending process of transforming our minds and hearts to be more Christ-like. He never tired of digging into the most precious, dynamic, and truthful book we possess, God’s written word.

 I was in college when Dad presented these lessons on volition. Now as I approach my 60s, I reflect on the remarkable impact God’s word and Dad’s teaching, in particular the many lessons contained in this book, have had on my life. Reading through his notes as I prepared to finish this manuscript, I often came across comments and ideas that I not only put into practice in my life, but also use to mentor others. I’m reminded of Proverbs 22:6 which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” I am incredibly grateful my parents brought me up with a worldview anchored in God’s truth. The biblical concepts in this book through application and prayer will prepare you to persevere during even the most challenging of times and will lay a foundation for you to develop a rich and unbreakable relationship with your Creator.

 The narrative of this book is typical of the gift Dad had for communicating deep spiritual truth in a way even a middle school student could understand. The opening chapters remind us that the troubles we experience in this world and the emptiness we feel in our hearts when we are not in fellowship with our Lord are all due to one simple fact. Our wills are not aligned with His or with each other’s.

 Are we making choices to follow God’s will as expressed in Scripture? Are we placing our own desire above others? God made us for relationships. Christ-like love is the supreme ethic that enables healthy relationships. Proper use of our will is how we live out a faithful and loving relationship with God and each other. This book will provide you with the wisdom of how to use your volition to respond to God in the way He designed us to function.

 My hope and prayer as you study this book is that you will discover opportunities to correct your human viewpoint and replace it with the most precious knowledge we have, God’s divine viewpoint on how to use our capacity to choose. Additionally, the lessons you apply from this study will allow you to be a testimony to your family, friends, co-workers, and those you disciple, mentor, and influence. We are called to shine the light of Christ in this world. Our light is always more apparent when we are surrounded by darkness, which is an unfortunate reality of this world. May God’s Spirit guide you through this study in a way that motivates you to make intentional choices that will prepare you to be a more useful vessel for Him so that you might build up and encourage others to do the same.

 Dave McCalley

Summer 2020