Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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Cameron143 said:
If the power was inherent, it would necessarily be experienced by all. The truth is that when God's word goes forth, it always accomplishes what it is sent forth to accomplish. This being the case, when someone is saved as a result of sending forth the word, this was God's purpose. When it doesn't, God's purpose couldn't have been salvation.
So in the first case, the power of God was indeed exercised because the outcome is belief.
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read the verse again Cameron143

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

the "outcome" is salvation to those who believe.

the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes ... the verse does not state the gospel is the power of God to believe as implied by you.






Cameron143 said:
In the second case, are you suggesting God exercised His power so the individual wouldn't believe?
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rolleyes ... projection much? ... that's your claim ... how many times have we heard

"not everybody hears" ...

also "hearing must include comprehension"s cuz "that is the way the natural man, the unregenerated person, hears"

also "he can neither receive nor comprehend"

also "it remains impossible"

all the pages and pages of y'all claiming what you unsuccessfully tried to imply studier believes.




Cameron143 said:
Back to the drawing board.
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oh I'm sure Magenta will oblige your request ... be patient.
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Cameron143 said:
So God's word going forth comes back to Him without accomplishing it's purpose? News to me.
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1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1,14 (ESV)

Indeed Christ Jesus was 100% successful.

Maybe when you stop seeing God as the "divine determiner of individual salvation" but a most gracious God who allowed all mankind to retain some of the image bearing qualities, in that people could respond affirmatively to the Gospel message you will be set free.

And please do not ask about people who never get to hear the Good News, I trust God in all things without having to do damage to the character of God!!!

The End
Debate Concluded.
 
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Intersection said:
How do you know you are not of the elect.
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2 Corinthians 13 v 5 ~ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you- unless you actually fail the test?
 
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It is God Who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. Apart from Me you can do nothing. No word from God will ever fail. “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
 
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Rufus said:
The verses you posted don't answer the questions I asked CV5! Don't you believe that the "whole world" means everyone in it w/o exception? (Rhetorical question...of course you do!). So this means that those "born of God" MUST be included if you're going to remain true to FWT interpretation of "world" or "whole world". The apostle clearly contradicted himself if FWT interpretation of v. 18.
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Rufus ... if you include the context within which 1 John 5:19 is placed by the Author of Scripture you will find that while the "world" or "whole world" lies in wickedness, the wicked one cannot touch those who are born again. Is the born again one affected by the wickedness surrounding him or her ... yes, of course ... even the Lord Jesus Christ was grieved when He walked the earth .

and God's promise is that the wicked one cannot touch the born again believer.

1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
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Ephesians3-7.png

Ephesians 3 verse 7 ~ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.
 
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Kroogz said:
That's a question for the reformed/calvie/tulip folks on this thread.

Very astute question. They have no assurance......BIBLICAL HOPE.
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Correct. How could any person be aware of some dramatic life-changing incident that occurred before they ever existed?
The whole thing is beyond absurd.
 
Flesh-cannot-please-God.png

There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 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. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Romans 3 verses 11-12; Romans 8 verses 5-8; 2 Timothy 2 verses 25-26
 
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HeIsHere said:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1,14 (ESV)

Indeed Christ Jesus was 100% successful.

Maybe when you stop seeing God as the "divine determiner of individual salvation" but a most gracious God who allowed all mankind to retain some of the image bearing qualities, in that people could respond affirmatively to the Gospel message you will be set free.

And please do not ask about people who never get to hear the Good News, I trust God in all things without having to do damage to the character of God!!!

The End
Debate Concluded.
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When a preacher shares the gospel on a Sunday morning, is the word of God going forth?
 
from1-Corinthians1-18-21.png

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Since the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. from 1 Corinthians 1 verses 18-21 The natural man does not choose to believe that which he can neither receive nor comprehend, for it is foolishness to him.
 
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Cameron143 said:
When a preacher shares the gospel on a Sunday morning, is the word of God going forth?
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Depends on the preacher buddy.
If the preacher is a verse editing ignorant buffoon who is mired in a swamp of bogus dogma, run, do not walk to the nearest exit.
 
How about this example:

In Acts 7, when Stephen preached, was that the word of God going forth?
 
cv5 said:
Depends on the preacher buddy.
If the preacher is a verse editing ignorant buffoon who is mired in a swamp of bogus dogma, run, do not walk to the nearest exit.
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How about Acts 7 when Stephen preached. Was the word of God going forth?
 
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