Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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We all are to some extent.
well I do not believe those who are born again are under the "control of the evil one", notwithstanding all the slurs coming from the keyboard of Rufus. But Scripture does tell us that dominion of this world was delivered to satan at the time of the fall ... and satan uses the things of this world in his attempts to draw us away from God.

tbh ... the way some folks treat others in this thread ... either they are not born again in which case they are under control of satan ... or if they are born again they are carnal in which case they have fallen under the influence of the things of this world.
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If you interpret world in every verse to mean everyone then you are under the power and influence of Satan.
there is a difference between "power" and "influence".

we are all subjected to the influence of satan in this world we live in, but we do not have to be held sway to his influence. Even the Lord Jesus Christ, when He walked the earth, was confronted by satan. The Lord Jesus Christ showed us how to be victorious over satan ... His example still holds true today ... "It is written" ...
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there is a difference between "power" and "influence".

we are all subjected to the influence of satan in this world we live in, but we do not have to be held sway to his influence. Even the Lord Jesus Christ, when He walked the earth, was confronted by satan. The Lord Jesus Christ showed us how to be victorious over satan ... His example still holds true today ... "It is written" ...
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If you interpret world to mean everyone in every verse you are under the power and influence of Satan (according to what you believe).

Since those of the world are under the power of Satan they are being influenced by him.

Especially those taken captive to do his will.

Your nit-picking hair splitting is unwarranted.
 
Unwarranted, but once again based on your lack of understanding.

That seems to be the case far more often than not.
 
there is a difference between "power" and "influence".

we are all subjected to the influence of satan in this world we live in, but we do not have to be held sway to his influence. Even the Lord Jesus Christ, when He walked the earth, was confronted by satan. The Lord Jesus Christ showed us how to be victorious over satan ... His example still holds true today ... "It is written" ...
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John 14:30...for the prince of this world cometh, and has nothing in me.
 
If you interpret world to mean everyone in every verse you are under the power and influence of Satan (according to what you believe).
what you and Rufus say I believe does not equal what I believe.




Magenta said:
Since those of the world are under the power of Satan they are being influenced by him.
again, there is a difference between "power" and "influence" ...

you are influenced by satan which is why you sin and if you claim you do not sin, you are a liar according to 1 John 1.

Being influenced does not mean you are under the "power" of satan ... it just means you have been drawn away from God through the devices satan uses to entice you away.

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Good night, Jordon, thank you again for your very kind words, sir, and it seems some of your answers came from things
your mother believed, obviously she had a very good influence on you in faith matters and I mean her no disrespect...


My own mother did not understand why I was going to get baptized at the age of 49.

She thought my infant baptism should suffice. So did my oldest brother.

Well, at least she saw me come to faith before she departed this world...

We count our blessings where we find them and thank God for all things.:)
Thanks magenta, I appreciate your thoughtful kind words about my mum,

Many people believe like your mum, it's a very special event at church, baptising your new born baby, that may have been the day you got blessed with wisdom, who knows ☺️
Could I get your views on this

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl.Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

We know that Adam was anointed in some way to be guardian of the garden and the animals a keeper of sought. God told his nature in a way that you where to rule over the animals.

Would that also be a kind of cherub ?

Also this is God speaking to the king of tyre, was God saying your nature was once in the garden to the king of tyre, because theres no reference to say he was in the garden, so was he speaking to his nature ? Was our nature once spiritual ? So much so we where classed as cherubs, or was this the same nature that was in the garden.

So point in making is even your nature now, was once in the garden. In other words we all have the same nature as Adam ?
 
John 14:30...for the prince of this world cometh, and has nothing in me.
1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
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1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
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Jesus had no sin.
 
Jesus had no sin.
1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
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1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
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Like I said, Jesus had no sin. The prince of this world has nothing in Him. If one is in Christ, the prince of this world has nothing in you. He may tempt you, but if you resist, he will flee from you.
 
Because if that's how God created it and it works out that way then it's 100% successful.
Yeah it’s funny they claim god is soveriegn …. Yet when you show them his judgements like this repetetive and consistent from this time forward

“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:22, 24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

First son of man ever born

“Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?

But if you do not do what is right,

sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Israel gods chosen nation

“See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:15, 19‬ ‭

After the law was broken by them

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good,

or whether it be evil.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth;

they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;

and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:22, 26-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil.

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

all the sudden his sovereign judgements aren’t acceptable

“God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:6-11‬ ‭

Doesnt matter how often it’s repeated if it doesn’t fit the idea of “pre destination and no one needing to do what god said we need to do , then it’s not acceptable…. Tbis by those explaining how the “ natural man “ just can’t accept the things of God lol as they reject clear and repetetive doctrine it’s like twilight zone …. one of my favorite shows in my youth.

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

i guess only the “ natural 😅 and “ unregenerate “ man …..would possibly believe what the Bible actually says instead of explaining why it’s not true

 
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Like I said, Jesus had no sin. The prince of this world has nothing in Him. If one is in Christ, the prince of this world has nothing in you. He may tempt you, but if you resist, he will flee from you.
What’s that have to do with the verse he showed you plainly saying Jesus died not only for our sins but those of all the world ?
 
.but God is still able to make a natural man do good despite having a heart of stone ?
You guys see god like a puppet master ? He makes us do good or evil ? Then he blames and punishes us for doing the good or evil ?

the bible doesn’t teach a god who’s like that …. But like this

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:19‬ ‭
 
You guys see god like a puppet master ? He makes us do good or evil ? Then he blames and punishes us for doing the good or evil ?

the bible doesn’t teach a god who’s like that …. But like this

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:19‬ ‭

Yes sir well not just a puppet master but a Muppet master.

Well at least in your case sir
 
What’s that have to do with the verse he showed you plainly saying Jesus died not only for our sins but those of all the world ?
repentance is also an examination of us puppets Mr Muppet 😬

But if you don't believe that as well then, perhaps you have a lack of Judgment.

Cuz the way I see a lack of judgment is a lack of conviction which is so evident in your posts.

Anyway sir I'll moving on from your posts and wiping your dirt of my boots on the way out
 
You guys see god like a puppet master ? He makes us do good or evil ? Then he blames and punishes us for doing the good or evil ?
An accurate assessment. Making their deity the origin of evil and the most evil of all the evil things he creates.
Utterly unbiblical yes. Appalling at every level yes.

But they prefer this philosophy. Care to venture a guess as to why?
 
You guys see god like a puppet master ? He makes us do good or evil ? Then he blames and punishes us for doing the good or evil ?

the bible doesn’t teach a god who’s like that …. But like this

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:19‬ ‭

Indeed!!


Allowing people to reject Him is what distinguishes the benevolent and loving sovereignty of the TRUE God from the tyrannical control of the deity/false god of Calvinism.
 
This is a true biblical sequence:

>>> heard the gospel - believed the gospel - received the Spirit (Eph 1:13-14)

This sequence is NOT found in Scripture:

>>>> chosen for salvation - regenerated - given saving faith.

The second is deception.
No one is cleansed prior to belief/faith.