FREE WILL

[Alex2165]

FREE WILL


Acts 14.16
16. "And in the generations gone by, He permitted all the nations to go their own ways,"


This verse revealed very important issue about free will of humankind. As it said in this verse, "He (GOD) permitted" humankind, "to go their own ways." Literally saying, "Do whatever you want."

They are many ways we can choose, and we select the one which is seems the best for us. But there is always exist One Way, the Way of GOD, which is easy to find but hard to follow, it is the Law and Gospel of the Lord.

Sometimes we think that we found a right to follow, even in GOD'S way, but even in this we are also can choose the wrong way.

Paul thought that he is doing favor for GOD by persecuting Christians, but how wrong he was when the Christ revealed Himself to him (Acts 9.1-7) and showed him the right way (Proverbs 14.12, 16.2.25).

This Statement about nation clearly and directly indicates free will that is given to us by GOD, and we are responsible for our deeds personally and will give answer to GOD for each way we choose to go.

We cannot blame GOD or anybody else for our failure in our ways, we cannot blame even Satan when we do something wrong, because we at the driver seat of our lives and to whatever way we turn the consequences of this way will be upon us.

 

[Silverhair]

Free will is at the same time both the best and the worst gift that God could have given to mankind.

 

[Cathode]

Free will was plucked from the prohibited tree of Eden and by eating brought about the fall of man in disobedience.

In the Redemption and by obedience we eat the fruit of a different tree, The Cross.

“ He eats my flesh and drinks my blood, has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day “

 

[Oseas3]

FREE WILL

Acts 14.16
16. "And in the generations gone by, He permitted all the nations to go their own ways,"

This verse revealed very important issue about free will of humankind. As it said in this verse, "He (GOD) permitted" humankind, "to go their own ways." Literally saying, "Do whatever you want."

They are many ways we can choose, and we select the one which is seems the best for us. But there is always exist One Way, the Way of GOD, which is easy to find but hard to follow, it is the Law and Gospel of the Lord.

Sometimes we think that we found a right to follow, even in GOD'S way, but even in this we are also can choose the wrong way.

Paul thought that he is doing favor for GOD by persecuting Christians, but how wrong he was when the Christ revealed Himself to him (Acts 9.1-7) and showed him the right way (Proverbs 14.12, 16.2.25).

This Statement about nation clearly and directly indicates free will that is given to us by GOD, and we are responsible for our deeds personally and will give answer to GOD for each way we choose to go.

We cannot blame GOD or anybody else for our failure in our ways, we cannot blame even Satan when we do something wrong, because we at the driver seat of our lives and to whatever way we turn the consequences of this way will be upon us.

The theory of free will is invention of demons, a mortal false interpretation of the Word of GOD.

In the garden of Eden there was a great population without sin ruled by an annointed and a protective Cherub, that covered/ protected them, and they lived in the GOD's garden for countless millenniums UNDER the Word of GOD, the TREE of good and evil, which had/has power to gives life(the good side of the Word of GOD) and also kills(the MORTAL side of the Word of GOD), a sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In the garden of GOD they were without sin because no one had eaten anything of the mortal side of the Word of GOD, in fact they had eaten only and only of the side that gave life to them, good side of the Word of GOD. GOD had ordained that they should not mix the good side of His Word with its mortal side, otherwise they would die. Unfornately, it was what hapenned when the annointed Cherub MINISTERED to them this other side of the Word of GOD, the MORTAL side-falsification of the Word of GOD- Genesis 3:1-11.

Then the Lord GOD said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out with his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord GOD sent him out of the Garden of Eden and stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis was revealed by GOD to Moses around 2500 years after Adam or 1500 years BC, so during two millenniums and half the Word of GOD remained occult colletively as is written in Acts 14:16,"saying that in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways" as is written in Genesis 6:1-7&11-12, it because GOD manifested Himself only to a person individually(to those of His seed-Genesis 6:8-10), starting by Seth until Moses-Genesis 5:3-32 and continues in the next chapters until Moses.

The theory of free will is invention of demons, a mortal false interpretation of the Word of GOD.
The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;1Timothy 4:1-2

 

[JonC]

First you have to define "free-will".

Scripture explicitly states that man has a free-will (the plans of a man...choose for yourself....etc). But that depends on how the word is defined.

 

[Cathode]

First you have to define "free-will".

Scripture explicitly states that man has a free-will (the plans of a man...choose for yourself....etc). But that depends on how the word is defined.

A will independent of God’s Will, free to choose good or evil.

 

[JonC]

A will independent of God’s Will, free to choose good or evil.

Do you believe God has free will?

 

[canadyjd]

Scripture tells us people have human will that is enslaved to sin (Romans 6) and they certainly do whatever they want to do according to their sinful nature.

What they do not want to do is obey God or come to God for salvation. (Romans 1) Consider these words….

“No one can say Jesus is Lord but by the Spirit”

Paul wasn’t saying people cannot mouth the words “Jesus is Lord” was he? No, of course not. Jesus Himself said many will call Him Lord and He will proclaim He never knew them.

Paul is talking about coming to Jesus for salvation, acknowledging Him as Lord. No one can do that unless they are enabled by God Holy Spirit.

“Free will”, as commonly used, seems to mean free to accept the gospel for salvation. Free from what, though? Free from any influence from any outside source? Free from God’s influence? From from the influence of others? Free from the influence of our own sinful nature?

Again, imo, people have human will enslaved to sin, according to scripture. At the very least that means our human will is not “free” from the influence of sin in our lives, according to scripture.

peace to you

 

[JonC]

What they do not want to do is obey God or come to God for salvation. (Romans 1)

I agree. But this is by definition "free will".

The problem is not a lack of free will but the thing we desire. God does not force us to disobey. We disobey freely.

 

[canadyjd]

I agree. But this is by definition "free will".

The problem is not a lack of free will but the thing we desire. God does not force us to disobey. We disobey freely.

I agree God does not “force” us to disobey. We act according to our will, enslaved to sin, (Roman’s 6)

Then we disagree concerning the definition of “free will”. To say we “disagree freely” is not the same as saying we are able to seek salvation freely, which is what the advocates of “free will” claim.

peace to you

 

[JonC]

I agree God does not “force” us to disobey. We act according to our will, enslaved to sin, (Roman’s 6)

Then we disagree concerning the definition of “free will”. To say we “disagree freely” is not the same as saying we are able to seek salvation freely, which is what the advocates of “free will” claim.

peace to you

I'm not sure we disagree.

Natural man, uncalled by God, has a legitimate choice - obey or disobey. He chooses to disobey because his desires are "of the flesh".

Likewise, God has free will. He freely chooses good because of His nature.

So I would say we are able to choose God, uninfluenced by God, except we can't because we do not want to.

In other words, we choose wickedness freely. God does not push us in that direction.


It's (our disagreement) probably more philosophy than anything else...but it's fun.

 

[canadyjd]

I'm not sure we disagree.

Natural man, uncalled by God, has a legitimate choice - obey or disobey. He chooses to disobey because his desires are "of the flesh".

Likewise, God has free will. He freely chooses good because of His nature.

So I would say we are able to choose God, uninfluenced by God, except we can't because we do not want to.

In other words, we choose wickedness freely. God does not push us in that direction.


It's (our disagreement) probably more philosophy than anything else...but it's fun.

Ok, just to be sure, you are claiming all of mankind has “free will” to choose God, but 100% of the time they choose not to?

That seems to be a distinction without a difference, imo.

peace to you

 

[JonC]

Ok, just to be sure, you are claiming all of mankind has “free will” to choose God, but 100% of the time they choose not to?

That seems to be a distinction without a difference, imo.

peace to you

I am. The choice chosen does not negate the will involved.

A mind set on the flesh will always choose the things of the flesh. But that is a free choice (not compelled).

I will always choose cheesecake over lime beans. But I do so because I desire cheesecake.

And yes, I always desire cheesecake.

 

[canadyjd]

I am. The choice chosen does not negate the will involved.

A mind set on the flesh will always choose the things of the flesh. But that is a free choice (not compelled).

I will always choose cheesecake over lime beans. But I do so because I desire cheesecake.

And yes, I always desire cheesecake.

I understand your position and disagree.

peace to you

 

[JonC]

I understand your position and disagree.

peace to you

You don't like cheesecake??!!!

 

[canadyjd]

You don't like cheesecake??!!!

My blood sugar doesn’t like cheesecake

peace to you

 

[Alan Gross]

We cannot blame GOD or anybody else for our failure in our ways

Scripture tells us people have human will that is enslaved to sin (Romans 6) and they certainly do whatever they want to do according to their sinful nature.

What they do not want to do is obey God or come to God for salvation. (Romans 1) Consider these words….

“No one can say Jesus is Lord but by the Spirit”

Paul is talking about coming to Jesus for salvation, acknowledging Him as Lord. No one can do that unless they are enabled by God Holy Spirit.

Again, imo, people have human will enslaved to sin, according to scripture.

This reference is talking about some of the things
concerning the O.P., "FREE WILL":

"FREE AGENCY AND CONVERSION."

"Man is unable to turn from sin
until he is Quickened by the Spirit of God.

"For proof of this see the passages given
in proof of the fact
that man cannot do otherwise than to continue in sin
so long as he is in his Natural State.

"The New Nature, therefore,
must be Implanted into their soul, logically prior (but not chronologically 'prior')
to them being Spiritually Enabled to exercise Repentance and Faith.*

This is the meaning of the New Hampshire Declaration of Faith
when it says that Repentance and Faith
are "Inseparable Graces WROUGHT in our souls
by the Regenerating Spirit of God."

"This is also the teaching of Ephesians 1:19, 20.

"But when a man turns to God in Repentance and Faith
he Acts Voluntarily (Now that they have been Spiritually Enabled)
and is thus a Free Agent.

"He is not compelled to turn
by a power outside of his own Nature.
(AFTER HIS "NATURE" HAS BEEN REGENERATED
BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD IN THEIR NEW BIRTH.)

THIS is a good piece of information to catch onto
and learn RIGHT HERE:

"Because, in the Implanting the New Nature,
the Holy Spirit Operates
"in the region of the soul below consciousness" (A.H. Strong).

AFTER THE NEW BIRTH
AND THE IMPLANTING of THEIR NEW SPIRITUAL NATURE,
IN THAT Region of their soul, "below the level of consciousness"
HE IS NOW ABLE TO "SPIRITUAL WILL"!!
BECAUSE IN THE NEW BIRTH
THEY HAVE BEEN SPIRITUALLY REGENERATED by The HOLY SPIRIT.

Because, "that New Nature, when Implanted,
becomes as much a part of the man as the Old Nature was;

and NOW HIS OWN "NEW NATURE" IS ENABLED SPIRITUALLY
and He Moves HIS OWN NEW "SPIRITURAL WILL"
HE NOW POSSESSES, in strict conformity
to HIS "NEW BORN AGAIN SPIRITUAL NATURE",

and the same Laws that have always existed,
and WHAT IS NOW GOING TO BE: A Normal Action
WHEN HE EXERCISES and USES
HIS Brand New Spiritually Regenerated "Will".

And He "Will" be EXERCISING and USING
HIS Brand New Spiritually Regenerated "Will",

HOW? WHEN?

When he Now Starts: "Believing", "Trusting", "Choosing", "Deciding", etc.

"Thus this man is now a Free Agent in Conversion;
and, of course, remains that Free Agent,
although God continues to Work in him
"both to Will and to Work for His Good Pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

"But this Work, like the Work of Quickening,
does not "coerce" their Will.

"Both before and after Regeneration an individual's "Will"
expresses one's Character.

"The difference between the Unregenerate and Regenerate States,
is not in regard to the Freedom of their Will
but in the fact that before Regeneration,
that man was the "bond-servant of sin" (John 8:34),

"while, after Regeneration, all believers are,
through the Power of their New Spiritual Life,
"bond-servants of Righteousness" (Rom. 6:18).

"In both of these cases, men are "bond-servants",
and the Will is subject to the Character,
being as "Free" in one case as in the other."

 

[Alex2165]

Free will was plucked from the prohibited tree of Eden and by eating brought about the fall of man in disobedience.

In the Redemption and by obedience we eat the fruit of a different tree, The Cross.

“ He eats my flesh and drinks my blood, has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day “

I think that the different tree you mentioned perhaps will be the Tree of Life.

Good post.