In the Christian world it is generally assumed that faith is a human choice. It is said that man has free will and can choose his own final destination.
This places man on a pedestal, because apparently man can dispose of things without God having any influence on this. Anyone who argues that man does not have free will, in the sense of a will that is outside of God and can go against God’s intention, will invariably hear the objection: “but we are not puppets!” And that’s right. In our relationship with God, we are like clay in the potter’s hand (Rom.9:20-21).
the disciples at Emmaus
One of the stories from Scripture that clearly shows the decisive role of God and the subordinate role of man is that of the disciples at Emmaus. They were disappointed and sad, for they had placed their hope in Jesus who had done mighty works and spoken words, but was crucified and put to death by the chief priests and rulers of the people (Luke 19:27-28). So they were on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Then Jesus joins them and you read:
Luke 24
16 But their eyes were closed, so that they did not recognize Him.
Then you read up to three times that something is opened:
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, and He vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Were not our hearts burning within us, while he spake unto us by the way, and opened unto us the scriptures?
(…)
45 Then He opened their minds so that they understood the Scriptures.
God opens eyes through faith and that is a gift from God (Eph.2:8). Not man’s choice, but His choice!
Proverbs 20
12 An ear that hears and an eye that sees, both of these the LORD has made.