Free Will - A More Exhaustive Look
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Well then that just makes my day! 
And a jolly day 2U2, Bro. Tim!
And a jolly day 2U2, Bro. Tim!
I encourage you to mock me as much as you desire.
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I hear what you're saying. The Bible seems rather clear that we are to choose Christ.
What do you make of the below passages?
Psalm 51:10-12 RSV - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Why would David write such a thing for his followers to perhaps sing, and at least consider?
Why, if David held "free will," why would he simply not choose to become the person that he writes of? Why would David request that God change us (again, "us" because these Psalms are for us all) if we can just change ourselves? Doesn't that seem odd to you?
What do you make of the below passages?
Psalm 51:10-12 RSV - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Why would David write such a thing for his followers to perhaps sing, and at least consider?
Why, if David held "free will," why would he simply not choose to become the person that he writes of? Why would David request that God change us (again, "us" because these Psalms are for us all) if we can just change ourselves? Doesn't that seem odd to you?
It gives me great joy to hear that.
Amen!
We would all like to choose to be perfect, but that's not the way it works. We choose to let God move us in the right direction, but that does not result in instant perfection.
We cannot change ourselves. That is why we must ask Jesus into our hearts. Is this concept new to you? We will not be instantly glorified. Sanctification is a process. We need His aid in this.
Quite to the contrary. It makes perfect sense and is crystal clear.
I really do love you and am glad to address your postings.
Amen!
We would all like to choose to be perfect, but that's not the way it works. We choose to let God move us in the right direction, but that does not result in instant perfection.
We cannot change ourselves. That is why we must ask Jesus into our hearts. Is this concept new to you? We will not be instantly glorified. Sanctification is a process. We need His aid in this.
Quite to the contrary. It makes perfect sense and is crystal clear.
I really do love you and am glad to address your postings.
Would you like to see me dance?
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Now that really hurt.
I am asking nicely that you give us your best.
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Indeed. It is by God's Powerful Will, and it is also by His Powerful Right Arm of Salvation (who has always been Christ). To receive a new heart and Spirit is the Purpose of Christ, the Work of Christ, and these two things lead to the Holy Effect of Christ. It is the Lord's Plan:
Ezekiel 36:25-27 NLT - "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."
The Apostle Paul explains this process outlined above as he shows us the Gospel in and through the Work of Christ. Colossians 2:9-15 is so clear in its teachings that we should be able to make the connection between Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Colossians 2:9-15. Colossians 2:9-15 explains Ezekiel 36:25-27.
Colossians 2:9-15 NLT - "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."
Or, we can add more from the Old Testament. This one should blow our minds as well.
Deuteronomy 30:6 NLT - "The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!"
I'm not the one writing these things! I'm not the one saying them! I am only copying and pasting the Holy Word of God. No one should EVER ridicule another for taking the stance that the "free will" concept has some gaping black holes in it. We have clear and obvious reasons for believing what we believe.
Thank you for your input!
Ezekiel 36:25-27 NLT - "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."
The Apostle Paul explains this process outlined above as he shows us the Gospel in and through the Work of Christ. Colossians 2:9-15 is so clear in its teachings that we should be able to make the connection between Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Colossians 2:9-15. Colossians 2:9-15 explains Ezekiel 36:25-27.
Colossians 2:9-15 NLT - "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."
Or, we can add more from the Old Testament. This one should blow our minds as well.
Deuteronomy 30:6 NLT - "The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!"
I'm not the one writing these things! I'm not the one saying them! I am only copying and pasting the Holy Word of God. No one should EVER ridicule another for taking the stance that the "free will" concept has some gaping black holes in it. We have clear and obvious reasons for believing what we believe.
Thank you for your input!
I will make a fine pearl... just for you... just because you are such a good 'ole buddy-pal.
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