Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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When I said "it does not appear to be against Paul's will" ... I said that for your sake ... I was pointing out that it was not against Paul's will.

Read the record in Acts 9 ... think about and consider what occurred.

As in every instance where anyone comes to faith, God reaches out first ... the person either believes or suppresses the truth in unrighteousness.

Paul's call was unique in that the Lord Jesus Christ reached out to Paul directly from heaven. That does not happen in every case. For the most part, faithful believers speak the truth of God's Word to unbelievers. However, in Paul's case, because he was a persecutor of the church, I wonder if any believer would have approached him to preach to him. Although we do have the record of faithful Ananias who was told to go heal Paul ... not without hesitation ... but he did go. I love Ananias.
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ok so your answer is no at this stage ok no probs, 😊
 
All that detail orientation.
And you still can not understand what it is that you can not get a grip on.

You are a persona wanting to convince others that you are real.

Keep straining out those gnats.
The camels find you amusing.

Well...you know the old adage: The devil is found in the [pesky] details! I'd bet my life that you loathe the details in the unconditional promises of the New Covenant as well, right?

And I thought you had me on permanent iggy....again. A "detail" that I did not forget. :rolleyes:
 
But the flaming sword im wondering now what would have happend if he hadn't of put that sword there and he left Adam and eve there clothed in righteousness,
Well I know they would of lived forever but in what condition ?


A condition of "eternal dying". The most horrible fate imaginable, one that God mercifully prevented.
And FYI, Adam (through sheer force of will resisting immense temptation), refused to eat of the tree of life and PREVENTED the Woman from doing so as well. Rather, he trusted in his God to resolve that matter. And He did....:)

Oh and BTW, during the "end times", the anti-christ DOES offer fallen mankind the fruit of his evil version of the tree of life......"eternal life by another way".

Those who do NOT resist the temptation (and take the mark of the beast and worship him) are doomed to eternity in the lake of fire.
Do you see the counterfeit pattern?

Preemptively, God in his mercy WARNS the world of the horrors of taking the mark and "receiving Satan's life" by a very interesting method:

[Rev 9:5 KJV]
And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment [was] as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

[Rev 9:6 KJV]
And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Question: where does the "five months" derive from? Do you know? Its a biblical pattern.......:unsure:
Well I'm familiar with the book of revelation but has any man fully understood it

Well what you've mentioned is what I came to believe that death can live, but only with the lord's breath.

And Adam and eve would have been living ashamed forever, where by they began to no longer be ashamed of there shame, where by they just did ashamed act,ma, without any shame in it.

So God needs to protect there Shame, as the shameless are innocent and that's how the lord created us, so how could the lord bare his children to no longer be innocent, well only the lord can bare that m because we can't, and this is where his will takes over.
 
it is only the blood of Jesus Christ that can
provide true forgiveness, a cleansed conscience, and the imputation of God's righteousness to believers.
The slaying of the animal with which Adam and Eve were clothed is a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The gospel preached to Adam and Eve was proclaimed in Gen 3:15.

Both Adam and Eve believed what God told them about the promised Messiah ... that is why Adam changed her name from ʼishshâh (wife) to ḥaûâ ("life" or "living").

Salvation always was, is now, will always be, by grace through faith.
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one thing we can talk about that, but no we can't separate it.

But the flaming sword im wondering now what would have happend if he hadn't of put that sword there and he left Adam and eve there clothed in righteousness,

Any ideas ?

Well I know they would of lived forever but in what condition ?

Would that have been in a condition of protective righteousness, like a hedge of protection, or would it have been with an imputed righteousness
"And FYI, Adam (through sheer force of will resisting immense temptation), refused to eat of the tree of life and PREVENTED the Woman from doing so as well."

Come to think of it, Adam resisting temptation was crucial during this episode as regards the eventual righteous (and salvific) resolution.
Much like those who are enduring the temptations of the anti-christ during the 7 year tribulation......right? :unsure:
 
"And FYI, Adam (through sheer force of will resisting immense temptation), refused to eat of the tree of life and PREVENTED the Woman from doing so as well."

Come to think of it, Adam resisting temptation was crucial during this episode as regards the eventual righteous (and salvific) resolution.
Much like those who are enduring the temptations of the anti-christ during the 7 year tribulation......right? :unsure:
ok I understand what your saying, so dual complexity right, when we where created before the fall, the dual complexity in us may be nature in us me and you (natural nature but innocent and at peace, combined with his breath of life.

What died may well have been the innocent of our nature but his breath life never.

So then a battle unfolds between life and death in our nature.

But one thing remains his will his life his way
 
one thing we can talk about that, but no we can't separate it.

But the flaming sword im wondering now what would have happend if he hadn't of put that sword there and he left Adam and eve there clothed in righteousness,

Any ideas ?

i always have ideas haha sometimes one of them isn't even terrible :ROFL:



the cherubim and the flaming sword are there to "keep" the way to the tree of life ((kjv, or nkjv 'guard')) - - that's not to prevent humanity from having life, but to preserve the path.

compare the ark of the testimony with the two cherubim, which is the mercy seat, and the shekinah glory that dwells between them

what is the purpose of that heavenly fire in the most holy place? to save or to destroy? what does it mean when there is a temple in which that holy smoke and fire does not reside?

and compare the mount of transfiguration - - Christ revealed as that same glory, between Moses and Elijah. what is the purpose of this revelation? what would it mean if Christ were not there, if He was not glorified, and all that one had was law and prophecy, but no Spirit?


:coffee::unsure:
 
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When the Lord first spoke to Paul, there was a light that shined around him ... Paul asked Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? (Acts 9:6). so it does not appear to be against Paul's will.

i don't think the getting knocked off the horse and blinded was Sauls will lol - - and then when he said Lord and asked what he was being commanded to do, he had effectively thrown away his own will in order to inquire about Christ's


Paul's will at the time was to go murder beleivers and trample out the name of Jesus. he wasn't truth-seeking, he was truth-destroying
 
Ahh...what a pious, God-fearing, penitential confession -- NOT! A "confession" with an excuse. The [defective] woman YOU gave me [I didn't ask for her, btw) gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate." So, Adam implicitly blamed God first for giving him defective merchandise, then he blamed the woman. The woman made me do it...AND she would not have been able to do that, God, if you knew what you were doing in the first place!

Such a contrite, humble and sincere confession...

if he had been blaming God for causing him to sin - - which is the most idiotic interpretation possible but somehow in the idiot visible church by far the most prolific - - why did God accept his words, not curse him, give him the promise of the Messiah, shed the blood of an innocent, spotless lamb, take away his filthy robe, clothe him with a garment made by the very hand of God Himself, and declare to all the angels BEHOLD he has become like Christ?


next time you sin try accepting no responsibility, telling God it's His fault, and see whether you get that kind of treatment.

;)
 
Indubidably.
Not only that, the true seeker knows the truth when (finally) he hears it, and flees from the former error, never to return.

Take heed @Jordon ......:rolleyes:

No, TSing is scientific, always open to amendment by new truth because knowing is believing.
 
i don't think the getting knocked off the horse and blinded was Sauls will lol - - and then when he said Lord and asked what he was being commanded to do, he had effectively thrown away his own will in order to inquire about Christ's


Paul's will at the time was to go murder beleivers and trample out the name of Jesus. he wasn't truth-seeking, he was truth-destroying

did god change Paul’s will ? Or did he simply impose his own Will on Paul ?

And how does that translate n his teachings to those who weren’t ordained and chosen apostles of Jesus ?

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

our Will still exists God is healing it because we believe the gospel he’s confirming it tonthe truths of the gospel we believe but our will still exists and we still have to make choices otherwise

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:26-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Gods Will isnt for anyone to perish but that all would repent and believe the gospel and be saved .

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If that’s true why are some not going to be saved ? Or is gods Will going to save everyone and prove his judgements all wrong ? Like this repeated one

“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 ‭NIV‬‬

is it just whatever god wills ? Or is his Will that all repent and none perish ?

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why doesn’t he just skip all that stuff and tell us “ whatever I decide is what is going to happen you have no choice ?”

It sure would be a lot more honest of him rather than teaching mankind they will be judged by thier deeds and words they choose to speak and act in .

strange he would teach people that hey need to repent and believe the gospel to be saved if it’s just his own choice who’s going to be saved and they have no corrupt will to be cleansed and healed

God created us with a free Will to be saved we need to choose his will in the gospel over our own sinful and corrupt will
 
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the cherubim and the flaming sword are there to "keep" the way to the tree of life ((kjv, or nkjv 'guard')) - - that's not to prevent humanity from having life, but to preserve the path.

compare the ark of the testimony with the two cherubim, which is the mercy seat, and the shekinah glory that dwells between them
yes ... God communes with man at the mercy seat ... in the most holy of holies ...

Exodus 25:18-22 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.




posthuman said:
what is the purpose of that heavenly fire in the most holy place? to save or to destroy?
signifies the presence of the Lord.




posthuman said:
what does it mean when there is a temple in which that holy smoke and fire does not reside?
no presence of the Lord.




posthuman said:
and compare the mount of transfiguration - - Christ revealed as that same glory, between Moses and Elijah. what is the purpose of this revelation?
they spoke of the crucifixion (Luke 9:31).




posthuman said:
what would it mean if Christ were not there, if He was not glorified, and all that one had was law and prophecy, but no Spirit?
1 Cor 1-3 ... or candlestick removed
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i always have ideas haha sometimes one of them isn't even terrible :ROFL:



the cherubim and the flaming sword are there to "keep" the way to the tree of life ((kjv, or nkjv 'guard')) - - that's not to prevent humanity from having life, but to preserve the path.

compare the ark of the testimony with the two cherubim, which is the mercy seat, and the shekinah glory that dwells between them

what is the purpose of that heavenly fire in the most holy place? to save or to destroy? what does it mean when there is a temple in which that holy smoke and fire does not reside?

and compare the mount of transfiguration - - Christ revealed as that same glory, between Moses and Elijah. what is the purpose of this revelation? what would it mean if Christ were not there, if He was not glorified, and all that one had was law and prophecy, but no Spirit?


:coffee::unsure:
I need time to digest this lol. The ark with the cherubim on top, what's the significance of those cherubim, well the ark also live in us to. And the ark became the path to lead us back into the ark,

The other great significance God also lets us protect the ark, just like Noah, he likes to give us great responsibility, and his will willed Noah to build an ark,
And when the flood was over, God gave a promise, that never again will he destroy the earth with a flood, as he knew the time was now right for his people to live again. Then moses was a chosen leader who would help us be taken up like Elijah.

He knew also how his way was protecting many people before the flood and he knew when one day his flame protecting the way of life, would once again shine in our heart, also known as the the day we see the morning star rise in our hearts.

The day we all meet again.
Or the day we see his will shine in our hearts and even that day when it first shined, the day the lord said wake up you sleepers.
Which wakes you up everyday.
 
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i don't think the getting knocked off the horse and blinded was Sauls will lol - - and then when he said Lord and asked what he was being commanded to do, he had effectively thrown away his own will in order to inquire about Christ's
yep




posthuman said:
Paul's will at the time was to go murder beleivers and trample out the name of Jesus. he wasn't truth-seeking, he was truth-destroying
prior to God having reached out to him.

I have always. maintained that God reaches out to mankind and mankind either believes or suppresses the truth in unrighteousness.

those who believe receive the promise.

those who reject receive the consequence.

However, God reaching out will not always be as shown in what occurred with Paul. For the most part, God sends faithful believers to preach. That is God reaching out to mankind.

God has also given us His Word to read ... that, also, is God reaching out to mankind.
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the cherubim and the flaming sword are there to "keep" the way to the tree of life ((kjv, or nkjv 'guard')) - - that's not to prevent humanity from having life, but to preserve the path.

compare the ark of the testimony with the two cherubim, which is the mercy seat, and the shekinah glory that dwells between them
also want to add ... the mercy seat foreshadows the Lord Jesus Christ ... it is in Him that we can know all the fullness of God ... it is in Him that we have access to the throne of grace ... we have no approach to the Father outside of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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God created us with a free Will
It is not anywhere stated in Scripture that man was created with a will that is free. Man was created
good and he disobeyed God, which God knew man was going to do. Man was then enslaved to sin.
 
i always have ideas haha sometimes one of them isn't even terrible :ROFL:



the cherubim and the flaming sword are there to "keep" the way to the tree of life ((kjv, or nkjv 'guard')) - - that's not to prevent humanity from having life, but to preserve the path.

compare the ark of the testimony with the two cherubim, which is the mercy seat, and the shekinah glory that dwells between them

what is the purpose of that heavenly fire in the most holy place? to save or to destroy? what does it mean when there is a temple in which that holy smoke and fire does not reside?

and compare the mount of transfiguration - - Christ revealed as that same glory, between Moses and Elijah. what is the purpose of this revelation? what would it mean if Christ were not there, if He was not glorified, and all that one had was law and prophecy, but no Spirit?


:coffee::unsure:
I may just add that I think I answered your question of it being a for shadow, as moses leading us to be taken up like Elijah,

But I may add revelation and new revelations can come to us all, and you never know when there going to come. And they come for different reason and can be personal, the book of revelation is mainly written about all the spiritual significance of the old and the new.

But can man fully understand it ? isn't the book of revelation the lords understanding
 
i don't think the getting knocked off the horse and blinded was Sauls will lol - - and then when he said Lord and asked what he was being commanded to do, he had effectively thrown away his own will in order to inquire about Christ's


Paul's will at the time was to go murder beleivers and trample out the name of Jesus. he wasn't truth-seeking, he was truth-destroying
So you could say God went against Paul's will then 😊
 
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So you could say God went against Paul's will then 😊
It could easily be argued that in his heart of hearts, Paul desired to serve God. But alas, he was
deceived (as is the majority of the world), blinded to the truth and in need of intervention.
.:)

So interesting how we have a FW perspective telling us God would be unfair if He revealed
Himself to one person an any way that differed in how He reveals Himself to another person.
Such deception parading itself as qualified to teach rather boggles the mind.
 
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So you could say God went against Paul's will then 😊
God's will is oftentimes conflicts with mans will. But this does not mean that men do not have a will of their own, on the contrary it confirms that they do!
 
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