Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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clearly he still believes the parable of the good samaritan is about the half dead victim of the thieves and not that he should behave as the good samaritan and apply the healing balm of God's Word to the hearts of those who read his rants ... just sayin'


Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
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I do not know where he is from.
So its difficult to say.

But what he does is like someone ghetto ranting.
Someone who is turf warring for his gang to dominate over others.

He probably knows no better.
But, he should know that what he does is bad for the truth.
 
The Gospel is not the same as teaching regenerate people spiritual truths.
right ... Paul made clear in 1 Cor 1-3 that he taught the milk of the Word to the general congregation and Paul also got together with those who were perfect (of full age) to speak of deeper spiritual matters (1 Cor 2:6-16).

It just suits the agenda of some to include the gospel in with 1 Cor 2:14 ... sad, really.




Genez said:
To try to teach spiritual truths to an unregenerate person would be futile.
and do those who fold the gospel into 1 Cor 2:14 not preach the gospel because of that very same sentiment?

We're supposed to preach the gospel ... shout it from the rooftops ...



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One other thing before I call it a day. This is on the topic of what scriptures says about humility and how God gives grace only to the humble. What you man-loving, man-exalting FWers lack is that you don't know who your Federal Head is! And if you do, you are very dismissive of his life, ministry and death. Did not Jesus come into this world meek and lowly, as a HUMBLE servant of God!? Since God chose his elect IN Christ in eternity, then Christ's HUMILITY, as the Federal Head of the Father's elect, qualifies them (Col 1:12). EVERYTHING that God gives to his chosen people comes through the Son! There isn't one single thing that doesn't come through Jesus to God's chosen people.

But you FWers are so enamored with yourselves and the mighty power of your "freewill", you can't even remember that Christ is at the very core, the very corpus, the epicenter of all scripture.

Did @Rufus come into this world as a meek, lowly and humble servant? And receive Grace?

You guys tell us over and over and over that man cannot believe until we are saved.

So you HAD to receive Grace as a proud wretch. And you teach us God does not give Grace to the proud.
 
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Did @Rufus come into this world as a meek, lowly and humble servant? And receive Grace?

You guys tell us over and over and over that man cannot believe until we are saved.

So you HAD to receive Grace as a proud wretch. And you teach us God does not give Grace to the proud.

Salvation involves God's Sovereign Imposed Grace.

God simply forces the flesh to shut up to let the soul have its say for once.
Sovereign God can do as He pleases....

God's Sovereign Imposed Grace is Depravity bypass surgery.
 
Rom 1 is about Natural Revelation!
only if you uncouple Rom 1:18-32 from Rom 1:16-17 ... which is what most people do.

They read Rom 1:16-17 and say "this applies to the (cough, cough) 'elect'" ... then read Rom 18-32 and say this applies to those who are not 'elect' ... they figure God doesn't reveal the gospel to them because they are not 'elect'. What a discombobulated way to read Scripture!




Rufus said:
How ironic is that since I also appealed to such revelation earlier today? Natural Revelation is yet another reason why sinners need no excuses even when they never heard the gospel.
ever read these verses?

Romans 2:14-16 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; ) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

This "work of the law" is written in the heart of all descendants of Adam. In the day God judges, all will be judged according to the Word of God ... whether the work of the law written in the heart (non-Jews) or the law written on tablets of stone (Jews).

Born again believers will also stand and give an account (Rom 14:12).




Rufus said:
Every man knows he's a sinner! That's enough to convict for God knows what's in every person's heart, since He is greater than our hearts!
some think they're doing a-okay ... like the Lord, Lord crowd.
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Hey, Mr. RDBD, I'm still waiting on you to explain how the sense of vv. 9 & 23 in Jn 17 differ. You made the claim, now back it up!
so? ... I'm still waiting for you to learn the lesson of the Good Samaritan without changing the point the Lord Jesus Christ taught to what you want taught so that you never learn how to treat other people ...

but, you can find your answer to the John 17 verses here click
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Sugarcoating.png

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3 v 23). There is no one who does not sin (from 1 Kings 8 v 46). No one living is righteous before You (from Psalm 143 v 2). If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1 v 8). Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (John 8 v 34) And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (John 3 v 19-20). The heart is incurably wicked (Jeremiah 17 v 9). What is evil? Sin is evil. Stop sugar coating it. All men sin, and commit evil in the sight of God. There are none good, no, not one! A bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit.
 
Did those "whosoever/whomever/whoever believe by the efficacy of their own "freewill" or by God's grace?
By the manifesting of God Himself through the various ways [Burning Bush - Natural Creation - Preaching the Gospel - Testimonials - Consciousness - Miracles] that causes one to consider God.
 
There is not one verse that clearly states "regeneration precedes faith" not one.
There is not one verse that says anything about free will in the context of choosing salvation.

There are plenty of verses that talk about what man is able to do, and what he is incapable of doing.

Unfortunately, you contradict and outright deny a lot of them.
 
Reads like salvation can be lost to me? :unsure:

Well there sure is a lot of warnings in scripture.

Revelation 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels..../KJV

If He wont blot out the names of those who overcome, then it implies that some will not overcome and be blotted out.

Besides, when we turn to the Lord and say the sinners prayer, we don't really know if that is when He writes our names in His book of life, or later?

I know everyone likes to believe it is at the moment of the sinners prayer, and everybody likes to believe, that's it I'm saved and once saved always saved, because they said the sinners prayer and asked forgiveness. OSAS is people's justification to sit down and not work for the Lord's kingdom,

The parable of the talents shows us that the one who doesn't press in to his service to the Lord winds up being an unprofitable servant. That man's talent was taken from him and he was cast into outer darkness. Food for thought.
 
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So let me ask you @Rufus buddy:
Is our inheritance yet future?
Predestined = "to (yet future ) obtain a thing".

[Eph 1:11 KJV]
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated. (to obtain it) according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

@studier can assist here no doubt.
 
Well there sure is a lot of warnings in scripture.

Revelation 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels..../KJV

If He wont blot out the names of those who overcome, then it implies that some will not overcome and be blotted out.

Besides, when we turn to the Lord and say the sinners prayer, we don't really know if that is when He writes our names in His book of life, or later?

I know everyone likes to believe it is at the moment of the sinners prayer, and everybody likes to believe, that's it I'm saved and once saved always saved, because they said the sinners prayer and asked forgiveness. OSAS is people's justification to sit down and not work for the Lord's kingdom,

The parable of the talents shows us that the one who doesn't press in to his service to the Lord winds up being an unprofitable servant. That man's talent was taken from him and he was cast into outer darkness. Food for thought.

If you find a verse that clearly states God un-justifies/un-redeems a believer and when and how you may have a case, but it does not exist.

Til then I then I think Jesus is quite clear.

28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
John 10:28-29
 
There is not one verse that clearly states "regeneration precedes faith" not one.

They forced that concept upon us in order to remain consistent with what they choose to believe it to be.
Like the Catholics concocted the 'immaculate conception of Mary' to give an answer to the illiterate peasants under their roof.

Got to keep in mind. Many in the day that these doctrinal concepts were being birthed were illiterate and uneducated.
 
There is not one verse that says anything about free will in the context of choosing salvation.

There are plenty of verses that talk about what man is able to do, and what he is incapable of doing.

Unfortunately, you contradict and outright deny a lot of them.

You say what you do?...
Because you "choose" to believe that.

Isn't belief a choice we make?

It is really a silly game some play.

For some, arguing is a form of sublimation to get their minds off of their emptiness.
A void that only possessing and breathing truth can cure.

And, Jesus warned.
Only a few will find it.
Find the life He wishes to bestow in us all.
Possessing prosperity of our soul.

Few find it. I did not say that. Jesus did.

Many would rather argue to keep diverting away from consciousness the emptiness that refuses to leave unless it is pushed out.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to
have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10​


We have become a sublimation nation.

Get sound doctrine.
Or die on the vine.


Grace and Truth.....
 
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For some, arguing is a form of sublimation to get their minds off of their emptiness.
A void that only possessing and breathing truth can cure.

And, Jesus warned.
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is this your way of telling her you think she's empty ? Or are you talking about someone else ?

Ive been following all your posts made to this lady, and it seems you have a personal grievance with not just her but many people here,

To be honest I'm sick of reading your posts and your personal insults
 
is this your way of telling her you think she's empty ? Or are you talking about someone else ?

Ive been following all your posts made to this lady, and it seems you have a personal grievance with not just her but many people here,

To be honest I'm sick of reading your posts and your personal insults

I was stating principle.

One person's reaction will not be the same as another's.

Calvinism was the principle of the topic.
Not the person.
 
is this your way of telling her you think she's empty ? Or are you talking about someone else ?

Ive been following all your posts made to this lady, and it seems you have a personal grievance with not just her but many people here,

To be honest I'm sick of reading your posts and your personal insults

I rarely make a post to her.
You sure you got the right person in mind?
 
By the manifesting of God Himself through the various ways [Burning Bush - Natural Creation - Preaching the Gospel - Testimonials - Consciousness - Miracles] that causes one to consider God.
I thought you told me that God was not the cause of Moses turning, but that Moses decided all by himself! :cautious: