Can We Really Exercise Free Will?
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Salvation has always been by grace through faith. What's that got to do with God's command to believe His word or die?
It seems to me you are one who, like @Cameron143, think believing (an act of our will) is the same as faith (an empowerment of God by means of the word)
If I could create reality by believing something, I would believe there is the tastiest lasagne sitting before me right now as I'm very hungry so I'm off to get lunch.
It seems to me you are one who, like @Cameron143, think believing (an act of our will) is the same as faith (an empowerment of God by means of the word)
If I could create reality by believing something, I would believe there is the tastiest lasagne sitting before me right now as I'm very hungry so I'm off to get lunch.
Salvation has always been by grace through faith. What's that got to do with God's command to believe His word or die?
It seems to me you are one who, like @Cameron143, think believing (an act of our will) is the same as faith (an empowerment of God by means of the word)
If I could create reality by believing something, I would believe there is the tastiest lasagne sitting before me right now as I'm very hungry so I'm off to get lunch.
It seems to me you are one who, like @Cameron143, think believing (an act of our will) is the same as faith (an empowerment of God by means of the word)
If I could create reality by believing something, I would believe there is the tastiest lasagne sitting before me right now as I'm very hungry so I'm off to get lunch.
2 Timothy 1 verse 9~ He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. Ephesians 1 verses 4-5~ He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1 verse 11~ In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will.
Maybe WE'RE not getting it. Maybe we missed some commandment about socks and the days to wear them, what color...or not even any at all.
Matt.9:28
Matt.21:25
Matt.21:32
Mk.1:15
Mk.5:36
Mk.9:23
Mk.11:31
Mk.16:11
Mk.16:14
Lk.1:20
Lk.1:45
Lk.8:50
Jn.1:12
Jn.2:11
Jn.3:12
Jn.3:18
Jn.3:36
Should I keep going? What do all these and many, many other verses all have in common? The onus to believe is placed fair and square on our shoulders. It is not God's responsibility for you believing. He supplies the power (grace) to overcome the barrier of sin and He supplies the truth but you are responsible for your own volitional response, believe or don't believe.
If people won't take responsibility for their own willfulness, why should the Lord entrust them with His greatest treasure, His word, Christ is the word.
We simply believe something. If I say God is good, you either believe the statement or not. You don't choose to believe or not believe by an act of volition. The belief is present or it isn't.
The same thing is true when the gospel is shared. We hear it and either believe or do not believe. We don't say to ourselves...should I believe or not? What choice should I make? I choose...
We are commanded to believe, but no where does scripture say we are to choose to believe. Belief doesn't come through an act of our will. It comes through an act of God...by the word of God. We believe as a result of what God does.
The same thing is true when the gospel is shared. We hear it and either believe or do not believe. We don't say to ourselves...should I believe or not? What choice should I make? I choose...
We are commanded to believe, but no where does scripture say we are to choose to believe. Belief doesn't come through an act of our will. It comes through an act of God...by the word of God. We believe as a result of what God does.
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Commanded to believe while Scripture attests that the mind governed by the flesh is
hostile to God, because it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Romans 8:7
Despite those who say no verses speak to man's inability. What book are they reading?
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." John 6 verse 44 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2 verse 14 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8 verse 7-8
hostile to God, because it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Romans 8:7
Despite those who say no verses speak to man's inability. What book are they reading?
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." John 6 verse 44 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2 verse 14 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8 verse 7-8
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