Will power plays a significant role in the Christian life. We are told to resist the devil so he flees from us, another way of saying to not give in to temptation. We are also instructed that our works will reveal the transformation the Holy Spirit has done in us (not that works will save us). These are two examples of will power, free will, choice, whatever word or phrase you wish to use. The simple fact is, we have to choose to follow Christ and His commands, and that means living our lives in a way that honors him. It is a choice at least on some level, not only the moment we accept but every day when we bring our struggles and failures back to the cross.
Yet we also know our own weaknesses. We know where we fail, and fail daily. The Holy Spirit goes to work immediately to transform us once we accept Christ. We also rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, draw us closer to the Father, etc.
Where do you believe the line is between human will/our choices/et al and the Holy Spirit? Or is there a line at all? How do we view both with the proper perspective?
Yet we also know our own weaknesses. We know where we fail, and fail daily. The Holy Spirit goes to work immediately to transform us once we accept Christ. We also rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, draw us closer to the Father, etc.
Where do you believe the line is between human will/our choices/et al and the Holy Spirit? Or is there a line at all? How do we view both with the proper perspective?
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will
and to do of his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 KJV
he works in us because of this
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17 KJV
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
John 6:63 KJV
when we met the fospel in and believe as we are commanded to do it is able by that belief to change our sorry or knowledge and will to keep sinning , and create the will of Gods children in us to walk upright pleasing lives before God following after the only son because we are the children
if we let christs word mean more Than our own thoughts and ideas and ways it will change our thoughts and ideas and ways teaching us true discernment and transforming our Will to meet the lords will for us
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2 KJV
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and 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. ( our Will )
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV
The only thing that can change our mind and heart to what Christ wills is to believe the gospel
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
John 7:16-17 KJV
it’s truly a process of hearing and believing the gospel learning from Jesus and allowing the gospel to become part of our minds and hearts this allows for the powerful word of Christ to teach us true discernment of good and evil or our corrupt Will and Gods good pleasing and perfect Will for us in Christ
it takes a lifetime but really our fight is one day long and renewed each day and we’re always only held accountable for the measure of understanding he’s given us so we don’t have to live up to others standards but what Christ is teaching us
sorry for the length loves the post !! If we let the gospel change our mind and heart the actions will follow Godnis working in believers through his word to change our Will from sinner to child of the living God when our Will changes so do those bonds we once knew they become shattered chains laying at our feet
you’ve got on an important thing our Will is the issue Gods Will on the gospel is our answer and healing our redemption