The Fight Against Free-Will Works Religion

“It is, therefore, imperative that the few…who know and love the truth of God, should confront the traitor free will, with the boldest statements of God’s free grace; war with the deception of man’s capabilities by insisting upon the helplessness of fallen man, and the efficiency of the Holy Spirit’s operations, exalting Christ alone as the salvation of God, freely given in covenant love – fully accomplished by atoning blood, and fixed immovably in the heart of every elect vessel of mercy by the invincible power of the Holy Ghost. These are the only weapons that are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2nd Corinthians 10:4-5)”

- excerpt from Joseph Irons’ “The Fight Against Free-Will Works Religion”

KenH said:

“It is, therefore, imperative that the few…who know and love the truth of God, should confront the traitor free will, with the boldest statements of God’s free grace; war with the deception of man’s capabilities by insisting upon the helplessness of fallen man, and the efficiency of the Holy Spirit’s operations, exalting Christ alone as the salvation of God, freely given in covenant love – fully accomplished by atoning blood, and fixed immovably in the heart of every elect vessel of mercy by the invincible power of the Holy Ghost. These are the only weapons that are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2nd Corinthians 10:4-5)”

- excerpt from Joseph Irons’ “The Fight Against Free-Will Works Religion”

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If Mr. Irons were here, I would direct his attention to the 3rd chapter of Genesis, where from the very beginning God gave Adam and Eve the free will choice to obey Him or Satan.

But Mr. Irons would not listen, probably rebuke me as a heathen, just as other hyper-Calvinist would do.

KenH said:

“It is, therefore, imperative that the few…who know and love the truth of God, should confront the traitor free will, with the boldest statements of God’s free grace; war with the deception of man’s capabilities by insisting upon the helplessness of fallen man, and the efficiency of the Holy Spirit’s operations, exalting Christ alone as the salvation of God, freely given in covenant love – fully accomplished by atoning blood, and fixed immovably in the heart of every elect vessel of mercy by the invincible power of the Holy Ghost. These are the only weapons that are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2nd Corinthians 10:4-5)”

- excerpt from Joseph Irons’ “The Fight Against Free-Will Works Religion”

Click to expand...

Luke 10:25. Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26. He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?”
27. And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28. And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” (NRSV)

We have in this passage of Scripture a very good, righteous, and upright but regenerate Jew asking Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus tells him that he must do each of the things that the he had just mentioned—including loving his neighbor as himself. There is none of Calvin’s “total depravity” doctrine here! There is none of Calvin’s denial of the Biblical doctrine of freewill here! What we have here is the unadulterated truth right from the Bible itself!

Throughout the Old Testament, we find the Hebrew people choosing of their own free will to disobey God, and we find more of the same in the Apocrypha. Indeed, in Ecclesiasticus we find the Hebrew people being rebuked for their sinful choices and being reminded that that the choice to do good or to do evil is their choice.

Ecclesiasticus 15:13. The Lord hates all abominations;
such things are not loved by those who fear him.

14. It was he who created humankind in the beginning,
and he left them in the power of their own free choice.

15. If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.

16. He has placed before you fire and water;
stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.

17. Before each person are life and death,
and whichever one chooses will be given. (NRSV)

And, of course, throughout the New Testament we are instructed to believe. The choice is ours!

If loving the Lord my God with all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all of my strength, and with all of my mind is “Free-Will Works Religion” count me in!

Examples of Biblical (NASB, 1995) passages which support free will:

Deuteronomy 30:19. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,”

Jeremiah 18:7-10. “At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it;”

Ezekiel 18:32. “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.”

Matthew 9:29. Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.”

Mark 16:16. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Romans 10:9. that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

John 5:39. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”

John 15:7. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

2 Corinthians 5:15. and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Ephesians 1:13-14. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

1 Thessalonians 4:14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:3-4. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

II 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.

Revelation 22:19. and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

KenH said:

“It is, therefore, imperative that the few…who know and love the truth of God, should confront the traitor free will, with the boldest statements of God’s free grace; war with the deception of man’s capabilities by insisting upon the helplessness of fallen man, and the efficiency of the Holy Spirit’s operations, exalting Christ alone as the salvation of God, freely given in covenant love – fully accomplished by atoning blood, and fixed immovably in the heart of every elect vessel of mercy by the invincible power of the Holy Ghost. These are the only weapons that are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2nd Corinthians 10:4-5)”

- excerpt from Joseph Irons’ “The Fight Against Free-Will Works Religion”

Click to expand...

www.soteriology101.com - Provisionism
www.evangelicalarminians.org - Arminianism
www.reasonablefaith.org - Molinism

Charlie24 said:

from the very beginning God gave Adam and Eve the free will choice to obey Him or Satan.

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"Consider this type @Charlie24 (I'm probably going to hell now for sure)

Eve was tricked into eating the fruit, Adam was not. He willingly chose to partake in order to have his bride, Eve, who was dead from the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, a type/foreshadow of the law.

Christ willingly chose the death of the cross in order to have His bride, the Church."

kyredneck said:

"Consider this type @Charlie24 (I'm probably going to hell now for sure)

Eve was tricked into eating the fruit, Adam was not. He willingly chose to partake in order to have his bride, Eve, who was dead from the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, a type/foreshadow of the law.

Christ willingly chose the death of the cross in order to have His bride, the Church."

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So Adam was a "romance novel" kind of guy - eating the fruit to "save" his spiritually dead wife? He sinned because of his love for her?

The Bible says Adam was "with" Eve. If he is such a romantic kind of guy, why didn't he jump up and save her from the lies of the devil?

kyredneck said:

"Consider this type @Charlie24 (I'm probably going to hell now for sure)

Eve was tricked into eating the fruit, Adam was not. He willingly chose to partake in order to have his bride, Eve, who was dead from the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, a type/foreshadow of the law.

Christ willingly chose the death of the cross in order to have His bride, the Church."

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You're not going to Hell, you understand that works come because we are saved not to get saved!

That's a view I can go along with, haven't noticed it quite that way before.

I think the point is that God gave them a choice, they chose their course.

Scarlett O. said:

So Adam was a "romance novel" kind of guy - eating the fruit to "save" his spiritually dead wife? He sinned because of his love for her?

The Bible says Adam was "with" Eve. If he is such a romantic kind of guy, why didn't he jump up and save her from the lies of the devil?

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14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, having been deceived, into transgression came, 1 Tim 2

Adam made a choice. Eve was tricked. Scripture clearly indicates Adam as a type of Christ. That's 'wiggle room' to speculate/meditate on it.

In the same vein as:

Ephesians Chapter 5

Scarlett O. said:

So Adam was a "romance novel" kind of guy - eating the fruit to "save" his spiritually dead wife? He sinned because of his love for her?

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That is a common take on the situation(not saying it is correct, as I don't know) . It is how John Milton dealt with it in Paradise Lost, Book 9:

"Thus Eve with Countnance blithe her storie told;
But in her Cheek distemper flushing glowd.
On th' other side, Adam, soon as he heard
The fatal Trespass don by Eve, amaz'd,
Astonied stood and Blank, while horror chill [ 890 ]
Ran through his veins, and all his joynts relax'd;
From his slack hand the Garland wreath'd for Eve
Down drop'd, and all the faded Roses shed:
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
First to himself he inward silence broke. [ 895 ]

O fairest of Creation, last and best
Of all Gods works, Creature in whom excell'd
Whatever can to sight or thought be formd,
Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet!
How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost, [ 900 ]
Defac't, deflourd, and now to Death devote?
Rather how hast thou yeelded to transgress
The strict forbiddance, how to violate
The sacred Fruit forbidd'n! som cursed fraud
Of Enemie hath beguil'd thee, yet unknown, [ 905 ]
And mee with thee hath ruind, for with thee
Certain my resolution is to Die;
How can I live without thee, how forgoe
Thy sweet Converse and Love so dearly joyn'd,
To live again in these wilde Woods forlorn? [ 910 ]
Should God create another Eve, and I
Another Rib afford, yet loss of thee
Would never from my heart; no no, I feel
The Link of Nature draw me: Flesh of Flesh,
Bone of my Bone thou art, and from thy State [ 915 ]
Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe."

KenH said:

“It is, therefore, imperative that the few…who know and love the truth of God, should confront the traitor free will, with the boldest statements of God’s free grace; war with the deception of man’s capabilities by insisting upon the helplessness of fallen man, and the efficiency of the Holy Spirit’s operations, exalting Christ alone as the salvation of God, freely given in covenant love – fully accomplished by atoning blood, and fixed immovably in the heart of every elect vessel of mercy by the invincible power of the Holy Ghost. These are the only weapons that are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2nd Corinthians 10:4-5)”

- excerpt from Joseph Irons’ “The Fight Against Free-Will Works Religion”

Click to expand...

Those who love the truth of God's word support their views from God's word, rather than reading into God's word their man-made doctrine. Once a person has been deluded by Calvinist Confirmation Bias (CCB) they see "the things" to mean "all the things" and none seek God as none ever seek God. Never mind Luke 13:24 where God's word says explicitly that many lost people will seek the narrow door (Christ) but will not find Him.

In case anyone is interested, here is an online version of Paradise Lost: Paradise Lost: Book 1

Also, here is an online modern English version(along with a paraphrase) of Paradise Lost: Book 1: Satan wakes up in Hell and rallies his fallen friends

Van said:

Those who love the truth of God's word support their views from God's word, rather than reading into God's word their man-made doctrine. Once a person has been deluded by Calvinist Confirmation Bias (CCB) they see "the things" to mean "all the things" and none seek God as none ever seek God. Never mind Luke 13:24 where God's word says explicitly that many lost people will seek the narrow door (Christ) but will not find Him.

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Luke 13:24, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Jesus warns how some who profess Jesus, trust in their works were not yet saved, Matthew 7:21-23, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Charlie24 said:

If Mr. Irons were here, I would direct his attention to the 3rd chapter of Genesis, where from the very beginning God gave Adam and Eve the free will choice to obey Him or Satan.

But Mr. Irons would not listen, probably rebuke me as a heathen, just as other hyper-Calvinist would do.

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Adam and Eve had a human will free from a sin nature, and yet, Eve was deceived and Adam used his human will to rebel against God.

You aren’t really giving an example of “free will” choosing to obey God, are you?

From that point on, all humanity has a human will enslaved to sin as a master that controls them.

Peace to you

Van said:

Note how the false teaches rail against "free will" but never address "limit spiritual ability." Scripture teaches that natural people, non-indwelt people cannot understand spiritual solid food, but can understand spiritual milk, the fundamentals of the gospel.

Not one of these claiming to be truth seekers even addresses this bedrock scriptural truth. So they endlessly copy and paste smokescreed.

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No one “addresses” your continuous nonsense because it isn’t worth the time to correct you again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again………

You rewrite scripture, literally, in an attempt to force your man made philosophy upon it. That makes you the false teacher, though you are blind to that truth

That is why you continuously fail in your attempt to destroy the doctrines of Grace.

You can’t handle the TRUTH of God’s Word. So you make up your own version. It’s Van’s Word, not God’s Word.

Peace to you

KenH said:

".....On th' other side, Adam, soon as he heard
The fatal Trespass don by Eve, amaz'd,
Astonied stood and Blank, while horror chill [ 890 ]

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You see, I was talking about scripture. Not Milton's error.

Adam was not on the "other side". Adam didn't "hear" about Eve.

The Bible says that Adam was WITH Eve. Specifically from Genesis 3 = "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves."

Adam was not the good guy, running from the "other side" of the garden to save his wife. They both sinned - Eve being deceived and Adam deliberately disobeying and as God told him, "listening" to Eve and eating the fruit.

I've never understood making Adam the romantic lead in this sad, sad story.

canadyjd said:

Adam and Eve had a human will free from a sin nature, and yet, Eve was deceived and Adam used his human will to rebel against God.

You aren’t really giving an example of “free will” choosing to obey God, are you?

From that point on, all humanity has a human will enslaved to sin as a master that controls them.

Peace to you

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The human will, even one enslaved to sin, does not always sin just as the will enslaved to God does not always turn away from sin. Man has the ability to make real choices both to sin and to reject that sin.

Jos_24:15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve ..."
Psa_119:30 "I have chosen the faithful way..."
Joh 7:17 "If anyone's will is to do His will,..."
Act_2:37-38 "Brethren, what shall we do?" "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized ... And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Act 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Gal_3:2 ... Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?
2Co_3:16 "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."

All these verses clearly confirm that man, even an unregenerate man, can exercise a free-will in a manner pleasing to God.

"Spiritually Dead people" can indeed seek and choose to believe.
In fact, God expects it and requires it.
Amo 5:4 For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel, "Seek Me that you may live.
er 29:13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
sa 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.
Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Jesus will call "all men" to Himself when He has risen from the dead, that God calls all men to repentance, and that salvation is offered to all people
Joh 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."
Act 17:30 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
Tit 2:12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

canadyjd said:

Adam and Eve had a human will free from a sin nature, and yet, Eve was deceived and Adam used his human will to rebel against God.

You aren’t really giving an example of “free will” choosing to obey God, are you?

From that point on, all humanity has a human will enslaved to sin as a master that controls them.

Peace to you

Click to expand...

I was of the mind that Adam and Eve were created totally with an innocent nature.

When they sinned, by choice they fell to the state of the sinful nature, thereby passing it on to all.