The Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther said, "When God works in us, the will being changed and sweetly breathed upon by the Spirit of God, desires and acts, not from compulsion, but responsively.
"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). In our sinful nature, we are not willing to believe in Christ (Romans 3:9-11). Our will is corrupted by sin. Upon hearing the gospel of Christ, God works in us, "not from compulsion, but responsively" (Ephesians 1:13).
God never does violence to our will (Hebrews 3:15). He does not coerce nor force us against our will. As Luther said, "the will being changed and sweetly breathed upon by the Spirit of God, desires and acts." We are then willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31).
God changes our hearts through the gospel of Christ. The word heart is most often used in the Bible to describe our inward person, which is our mind, will, and emotions. To be born of the Spirit means we are transformed in mind, will, and emotions.
The Holy Spirit convicts of unbelief (John 16:7-11). He never forces us to believe in Christ, but enables us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. That's how the goodness of God works in us. The goodness of God leads you to repentance (Romans 2:4).
