Can We Really Exercise Free Will?
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Do we have free will to access the Holy Spirit before the will of the Lord is to grant it to us?
The will of God before creation was for everyone to access the HS/be in Christ/saved. (Eph. 1:3-13)
What was granted in Philippians 1:29?
The Opportunity for Belief and Suffering are Granted
Much like if one were to get a phone call saying "You have been granted a trip to XXX [you name the place]," such a granting "to" something is an opportunity. It does not mean you will seize the opportunity to partake. In like manner, the wording in Philippians 1:29 "to believe" and "to suffer" may be deemed as opportunities. Certainly since the Philippian people Paul is addressing did believe, they had the opportunity to (noted in the gospel presentation mentioned in 1:5). They obviously seized that, and having that opportunity itself is for the sake of what Christ did (as the gospel proclaims).
So too, believers have an opportunity "for the sake of Christ" to suffer for Him. This suffering is conditional, but something Paul leading up to v.29 has been exhorting them to partake of. Note the contextual connections thus far:
Conclusion
The second way of reading appears far stronger to me than the first. The context demonstrates that the granting "to suffer" is an opportunity that Paul is building a whole argument around in order to encourage the Philippians to seize it as their own opportunity to do something for Christ. It is a conditional action that he wants them to do.
And if the "to suffer" is so conditional, then the "to believe" (by parallelism) is also a conditional opportunity. Conditioned, at least in part, to the hearing of the gospel.
answered Jul 14, 2014 at 23:45
ScottS
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Nice work from this commentator. What do you think @studier ?
The Opportunity for Belief and Suffering are Granted
Much like if one were to get a phone call saying "You have been granted a trip to XXX [you name the place]," such a granting "to" something is an opportunity. It does not mean you will seize the opportunity to partake. In like manner, the wording in Philippians 1:29 "to believe" and "to suffer" may be deemed as opportunities. Certainly since the Philippian people Paul is addressing did believe, they had the opportunity to (noted in the gospel presentation mentioned in 1:5). They obviously seized that, and having that opportunity itself is for the sake of what Christ did (as the gospel proclaims).
So too, believers have an opportunity "for the sake of Christ" to suffer for Him. This suffering is conditional, but something Paul leading up to v.29 has been exhorting them to partake of. Note the contextual connections thus far:
- Paul's suffering in chains even now is to their benefit (v.7-8), and thus Christ's benefit.
- Paul's prayer for their love, righteousness, etc. (v.9-10); which, as noted above, if they engage in, they shall suffer for it.
- Paul's suffering benefited others to come to know Christ (v.12-13), and made bold other believers to speak of Christ (v.14).
- Paul even rejoices when Christ is preached for wrong reasons, reasons meant to increase Paul's sufferings (v.15-18)
- Paul rejoices in how such suffering, even if to death, magnifies Christ, because the suffering is from his testimony for Christ (v.19-21).
- Paul desires to suffer no more, to die and be with Christ, but yet is willing to continue to suffer for the testimony of Christ if need be, in part because it will benefit the Philippians for Paul to continue to live (v.22-24), and increase their faith by coming to them again (v.25-26).
- Paul thus exhorts the Philippians to behave right, have testimony of faith in the gospel, and not be fearful of what adversaries may do (v.27-28), that is, how they may suffer for those actions.
- Because Paul declares that such suffering for Christ is an opportunity they have before them to seize, for the sake of Christ Himself (v.29), and similar to Paul (v.30).
- And so suffer for the interests of Christ and of others (2:1-4).
Conclusion
The second way of reading appears far stronger to me than the first. The context demonstrates that the granting "to suffer" is an opportunity that Paul is building a whole argument around in order to encourage the Philippians to seize it as their own opportunity to do something for Christ. It is a conditional action that he wants them to do.
And if the "to suffer" is so conditional, then the "to believe" (by parallelism) is also a conditional opportunity. Conditioned, at least in part, to the hearing of the gospel.
answered Jul 14, 2014 at 23:45
ScottS
20.7k55 gold badges5757 silver badges109
***********************************************************************************
Nice work from this commentator. What do you think @studier ?
"I agree with this post though I would think a word slightly more to the point was that they were
granted the privilege to not only believe but also to suffer.
"To live is [to live for] Christ and to die [is to die in identification with Christ] is gain".
– user10231
CommentedJun 9, 2016 at 20:20"
Calvinists must understand that God's "election" carries with it the POSSIBILITY/POTENTIAL of being manifest in two component ways:
1) privilege
2) service
Yes we are privileged to serve, but this is predicated upon the MFW of the believer.
There is the POTENTIAL for the imputation of the privilege of blessing for the believer in "real time".
BUT, the believer must be WILLING and FAITHFUL to do His will, and His will is always to bless us.
The most prominent example of Scripture being the Nation Israel.
The POTENTIAL for service was there. The PROMISES of blessing were there.
The OPPORTUNITY was always available.
But they squandered these opportunities for service and the privilege of blessing, lacking faith and obedience.
This as a result of their own volition, their own choices, their own MFW.
What do you think @studier ?
1) privilege
2) service
Yes we are privileged to serve, but this is predicated upon the MFW of the believer.
There is the POTENTIAL for the imputation of the privilege of blessing for the believer in "real time".
BUT, the believer must be WILLING and FAITHFUL to do His will, and His will is always to bless us.
The most prominent example of Scripture being the Nation Israel.
The POTENTIAL for service was there. The PROMISES of blessing were there.
The OPPORTUNITY was always available.
But they squandered these opportunities for service and the privilege of blessing, lacking faith and obedience.
This as a result of their own volition, their own choices, their own MFW.
What do you think @studier ?
Man's turning to God is not due to his Freewill, but of God's love to those of His choosing!
“…I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jer. 31:3 cf. 1 Jn. 4:19).
Both of these verses testify as to God's grace to His people and man being drawn. Without it, no man can come to God in faith.
“…I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jer. 31:3 cf. 1 Jn. 4:19).
Both of these verses testify as to God's grace to His people and man being drawn. Without it, no man can come to God in faith.
God's drawing is like gravity: it is a universal constant from the beginning of creation but some may will to resist it.
Yet God Himself never tells us "do not bother seeking me. I am unknowable. How dare you even to try?" Instead He tells us to seek Him diligently assuring us that:
13You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you
(Jerimiah 29:13)
Apparently, it is God's desire to be known. Jesus affirmed this fact about Himself when He said:
7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.…(Matthew 7:7)
The Reformers started out encouraging common people to seek God in the scriptures. Later, I think, they began to enjoy their roles as "interpreters of the truth" and began to dictate the truth - or their views ABOUT what was true. Finally, it was no longer enough to preach. Instead, they enforce their views by violence.
He founded a substance abuse center (Crossroads Centre). He also holds benefit concerts (Crossroads Guitar Festival) to raise funds for the center.
yep ... he's a believer.Jordon said:And took notice about his recovery and becoming a Christian.
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