Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

[Blain]

I would just like to remind everyone that while we can disagree on things we must be mature about it this thread seems to have become a battle ground and it is not a benefit to see this as a battle to win or not.

 

[Jackson129]

I would just like to remind everyone that while we can disagree on things we must be mature about it this thread seems to have become a battle ground and it is not a benefit to see this as a battle to win or not.

100%

 

[HeIsHere]

Bumping this post again...

Important to reveal the fruit of the dogma.

I'm sure that Satan is thrilled when the super-determinists proclaim a Salvation that is both unavailable and unobtainable by means of the preaching of the gospel message.

And the bonus for Satan: proclaiming fatalistic Calvinism makes Jesus out to be a fraud and a liar.

 

[cv5]

I don't see how these passages could be misunderstood at least as far as I can tell

The Lord intentionally uses the verb "ask G154" FIVE TIMES in these passages. Is He trying to tell us something?

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g154/kjv/tr/0-1/
to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require

 

[cv5]

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things

Wonderful. So strap on that armor and sword and get to it sir.

The battle that is.

Don't let us hillbilly Jethro Bodine types steal the victory from the cultured academics such as yourself.

 

[NightTwister]

Wonderful. So strap on that armor and sword and get to it sir.

The battle that is.

Don't let us hillbilly Jethro Bodine types steal the victory from the cultured academics such as yourself.

In other words, "grow up."

 

[cv5]

Of course we have a will but the agurment of free will vs having a will would suggest that if we are only free when Jesus sets us free until then we are slaves and therefore not free, we have the freedom to choose but to freely choose we must be set free we see in scripture that we are called slaves to sin or slaves to Christ not called free

As for the calvinists I don't know who your refering to on that one

Well let me suggest that the super-determinists arguments lack merit and that they have got it all wrong.

But these gatekeepers do have a pair of handcuffs available for the asking. So be careful out there.

 

[fredoheaven]

1 Timothy 1:19 KJV — Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Having/ keeping intellectual belief of " believing unto eternal life" is being encourage, while others reject it having "put away" concerning regeneration as a result of faith have made them stranded spiritually. Yes, its about receiving for life or rejecting for the damnation. You are indeed free to choose.

 

[cv5]

In other words, "grow up."

Indeed, growing up to fully mature stature in Christ is surely predicated upon a FREE WILL decision to cooperate with the Holy Ghost.

So yes, I intend to do my best. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement.

 

[Genez]

Grace is one thing but I am asking for evidence for partial regeneration

Saving grace does that very thing.
You need to see this for yourself.

Otherwise, you will need to believe you entered into salvation without even knowing who Jesus is.
Why even know who Jesus was?
If God just snaps his fingers and makes us regenerated.

Sounds foolish, doesn't it?
Calvinism does just that.

 

[HeIsHere]

I'm talking about Lazarus in the grave. Made alive, then heard, or heard and then made alive?

Oh was he still sinning in the grave?

I mean you say people can reject... is a dead man able to do that?

The local cemetery is waiting for you.

 

[HeIsHere]

The Bible defines death as separation.

Calvinism/reformed defines death as inability or medical death.

This error in definition allows them to manipulate scripture.

 

[cv5]

Oh was he still sinning in the grave?

I mean you say people can reject... is dead man able to do that?

The local cemetery is waiting for you.

It's always some inscrutable paradox impediment with these super-determinists.

According to them, all things are impossible.

 

[Genez]

I would just like to remind everyone that while we can disagree on things we must be mature about it this thread seems to have become a battle ground and it is not a benefit to see this as a battle to win or not.

It is supposed to be a battleground.
Just like basic training simulates warfare!

It how it is fought that matters.
But, must be fought just the same.

If the Holy Spirit has his way?
Personal feelings (at times) will not matter.
God is desiring to be killing off your old preferred ways, to replace with his own.

​

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, ​

and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24​

From the notebook:

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone keeps on desiring to 'come after'/follow Me {positive volition - being occupied with Christ} - and you do - disregard self {rejection of human good - and it is an order} and pick up your cross {execution of divine good} and keep on following Me."​

{Note: This 'cross' is not Calvary's cross. Instead it is like the cross of Peter. It refers to the willingness to set aside that which the world counts important (human good) and substitute for it God's plan (divine good).

grace and peace.....

 

[cv5]

In other words, "grow up."

Or sit down. It's all good depending on your free will disposition.

And yes dear commentator, genuine worship is always and forever a FREE WILL offering of thankfulness and praise.

[Luk 10:42 KJV] 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath CHOSEN that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

[Genez]

The Bible defines death as separation.

Calvinism/reformed defines death as inability or medical death.

This error in definition allows them to manipulate scripture.

Salvation is all about 'spiritual death.'
We are born spiritually dead.

Ironically...
We must carry our dead souls to the hospital on a stretcher.
Present it to the Good Doctor.
And then, ask for "our benefits."

Part of us is still conscious.
That part knows we need to be saved.
If that were not the case?
We would not have to be presented the Gospel.
God would simply just zap us through the birth canal,
and then present to us then that we must believe and be saved.

Makes no sense.

But, Christians do have a reputation for not starting off as the brightest firefly in the meadow.

​

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise ​

by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth." 1 Corinthians 1:26​

Many of us were dumb according to the world's view.

Please note what it does not say:

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. None of you were wise ​

by human standards; none of you were influential; none of you many were of noble birth." ​

It says instead....

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise ​

by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth."​

​

That is probably why we see so much resentment and fighting amongst believers.
It is a carry-over of old jealousies and envies from the old way of thinking.

​

It must go, if we are to grow.​

grace and peace ......

 

[Genez]

I'm talking about Lazarus in the grave. Made alive, then heard, or heard and then made alive?

Lazarus was saved prior to his physical death.

 

[HeIsHere]

Lazarus was saved prior to his physical death.

Perfect, that ends that line of argumentation.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Yes it is why we must be born again before this process happens we need the spirit to overcome the flesh

“we need the spirit to overcome the flesh”

we need to overcome the flesh through following the spirit, it doesn’t just happen .

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:

but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

receiving the holy spirit doesn’t then eliminate the flesh we have flesh and the spirit we have to follow the spirit and not follow the flesh it’s a decision we have to make and commitment

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.


Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:

but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:12-

a person can receive the Holy Spirit and then ignore it and follow sin it doesn’t just happen the spirit doesn’t just overcome the flesh it enables us to be able to overcome the flesh and out the misdeeds of the body to death ….

like we didint have the right tool but now we do we still have to use the tool correctly

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; ( thisnis an instruction he’s not saying god is going to don this for you ) fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

after we have received the spirit then we have to overcome the flesh by following the leading of his spirit ( word )

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

( people who don’t follow the spirit are still under the law )

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:16, 18-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you see what I’m saying at all ? The people he’s writing to had already received the spirit when they believed now he’s telling them “ you need to follow the spirit you received and live and not follow the flesh and die “

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Lazarus was saved prior to his physical death.

Can i ask what this is based upon ?