Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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BillyBob said:
Rom 12:3 - maybe you think of yourself more highly than you ought to think
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[Rom 12:3-6 KJV]
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;
HeIsHere said:
Not a reference to saving faith.
Notice the idea of measurement, if there were measures of saving faith then people would have varying degrees of salvation.
This faith is for the use of gifts.
Next.
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Correct @HeIsHere !
@BillyBob , you might want to at least read a few verses to get a feel for the context.
 
cv5 said:
[Rom 12:3-6 KJV]
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

Correct @HeIsHere !
@BillyBob , you might want to at least read a few verses to get a feel for the context.
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You are correct in how the word was used. However, that does not change the fact that spiritual FAITH is given, not something that is present in natural man....
 
BillyBob said:
You are correct in how the word was used. However, that does not change the fact that spiritual FAITH is given, not something that is present in natural man....
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The text makes no such claim about it not being present, neither do I see the term "spiritual faith" in the passage.
 
the_seeker said:
I requested a definition of the concept of "free will" but I have not gotten it from anyone here.
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If you happen to be in a giving mood, please provide what if anything you might have to offer in this matter. Thanks.
 
BillyBob said:
You are correct in how the word was used. However, that does not change the fact that spiritual FAITH is given, not something that is present in natural man....
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Standard Reformed "canned dogma"......entirely synthetic and patently unbiblical.
 
studier said:
Measure of faith to believers for function in the Body of Christ. See also 1Cor12:9.

Not a gift of faith to an unbeliever to believe the Gospel.
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Yup that is what I stated, apparently the scripture is a logical fallacy now. :rolleyes:
 
studier said:
Fess up. It'll do you good and provide some credibility.
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I would like to see you fess up at least once. Like admitting you trash talked Rufus
for months and then pretended it was just to keep him busy and entertained.
Oh, no, nothing at all about your love of trash talking Rufus. Nope. Nada. Just a
pretense easily seen through. All while complaining about his trash talking you.

Fess up. It'll do you good and provide some credibility.
 
studier said:
Measure of faith to believers for function in the Body of Christ. See also 1Cor12:9.

Not a gift of faith to an unbeliever to believe the Gospel.
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In trying to address the absurdity of God accepting the faith of unwilling believers, the go-to example that is given is that of Jonah, who wasn't willing that the Ninevites be spared while totally ignoring that Jonah absolutely believed that God would save the Ninevites.
 
Cameron143 said:
I've never said belief doesn't precede salvation; only that regeneration precedes faith. An individual is saved when they believe. But it is God who produces faith in an individual as the Spirit of God employs the word of God. Further, in Acts 2:37, we find God giving hearing...when they heard this, circumcising the heart...they were pricked in the heart, which changed their will or volition...what shall we do? All this resulting from the word of God being preached and the Spirit of God using it to produce faith.
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You admit belief precedes salvation but then insert the Calvinist assumption that regeneration precedes faith. Scripture never says this. Instead, it says the opposite: “These are written so that you may believe … and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John20:31). Belief precedes life. It's not the product of a prior regeneration. The order stands: God’s Word + Spirit convict > people choose to believe > salvation (including regeneration).
 
HeIsHere said:
if there were measures of saving faith then people would have varying degrees of salvation.
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LOGICAL FALLACY alert.

HeIsHere said:
the scripture is a logical fallacy now. :rolleyes:
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What you have stated is not Scripture, either. Stop lying.

Oh, but I do see a pattern. You deny what is written and just make up whatever to suit you.

Like claiming you are defending God's chatacter when you repeatedly slander Him.
 
Mem said:
In trying to address the absurdity of God accepting the faith of unwilling believers, the go-to example that is given is that of Jonah, who wasn't willing that the Ninevites be spared while totally ignoring that Jonah absolutely believed that God would save the Ninevites.
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The sheer volume of go-to's is quite the thing. The never-ending repetition after correction worse. Tribes and traditions.
 
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