Can We Really Exercise Free Will?
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Creation does not proclaim the gospel no matter how hard you listen or want to toss your aspersions.It's common knowledge the creation speaks to us but don't tell @Cameron143 because he can't hear it and we wouldn't want him to feel left out.
Creation declares the glory of God. If you had read my post more carefully you would have noticed I mentioned that. But that doesn't come in the form of hearing, just as @Genez posted to you.It's common knowledge the creation speaks to us but don't tell @Cameron143 because he can't hear it and we wouldn't want him to feel left out.
Now now, @Cameron143 and @Genez let us just calm down and try to be respectful to each other debates like this can bring the worst out of us but we must treat each other with love first and foremost we can disagree on things but be respectful and mature about it
Hello! Perhaps a balance, there are things we do not have a choice in, to be born for example. There are things we do have a choice in. Tomorrow we can choose to work 100% for God, for his Kingdom 'Here I am and I have come to do your will oh Lord'. Or we can choose not to: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15). The best thing is to make wise choices with the level of freewill that we do have, IMHO. God Bless You
So, are you saying that the word of God is a two edged sword? That it will have a different outcome depending on the hearer?
I believe that also. His word accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent. To His elect, it is used to convict them to repentance in dust and ashes. To others, it is a stumbling block which leaves them without excuse. Either way, it accomplishes God's intended purpose.
That must mean that it can both give life or give death depending on the condition of the hearer. And, it is God who changes the condition of men.
My understanding of what he said regarding the drawing process was, at the time of being presented the Gospel, God will look at how we responded in that process and not give consideration to all the things that can be known about God that we will learn after we are saved. For example, God doesn't look to see if we know Jesus is God for that is a spiritual concept that can only be understood by those who are indeed regenerated and are under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Again, if I misunderstood, @Genez can correct me.
You seem to understand pretty wellMy understanding of what he said regarding the drawing process was, at the time of being presented the Gospel, God will look at how we responded in that process and not give consideration to all the things that can be known about God that we will learn after we are saved. For example, God doesn't look to see if we know Jesus is God for that is a spiritual concept that can only be understood by those who are indeed regenerated and are under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Again, if I misunderstood, @Genez can correct me.
“So, are you saying that the word of God is a two edged sword? That it will have a different outcome depending on the hearer?”
yes exactly but I would have said “based on the response of the Hearer” like this
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Mark 16:15-16 KJV
The word is preached to all but thier response to it determines the outcome of thier own self
“And, it is God who changes the condition of men.”
god is responsible for the gospel and sending to everyone that’s how he changes them but if they reject it it won’t help if they accept it it will change thier beliefs
We don't need power to be saved. God merely exercises His power in saving us. There is no mention of partial regeneration in scripture.
“ Regeneration “ is something we need to cooperate with
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2 KJV
what changes our minds is the gospel jesusnos teaching us the truth about God the father , ourselves , the world we live in ect as we accept those beliefs our minds change over to be like his we accept his ideas and thoughts in the gospel and ot changes our thinking and the strong holds in our minds we have a role in being renewed
It comes from accepting Jesus teachings in the gospel
“if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ( this is why belief of the gospel is called for new belief changes our minds from what they were )
and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Ephesians 4:21-24 KJV
god doesn’t just make us new the new testsment makes us new and he’s responsible for it . Our part is to accept his word and let his word bear fruit in us
To be made new we need to abide in his doctrine that teaches us the truth
I always believed that the baptism of the holy spirit made us new anyone can study God's truth but it will remain hidden from them without the holy spirit
Excellent proofs because these people were only mere generations from the Apostles and would have proper Biblical understanding than Augustine would have had.
amen it’s only when something is preached that it comes on the form of hearing ….
I have not stated that "man is good". I do believe man can know good and evil ... I have asked you specifcally, Magenta ... and I do not believe you have ever responded:
interesting that you will not respond to questions asked concerning what did God mean when He said man can know good ...
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That is an interesting question, I don't think it isn't that we can know good from evil but as far as free will goes can we freely choose good and evil when we are told we were once dead and slaves to sin?
I may have to consider this because there was cain who was told by God to rule over sin
Sure amen the Holy Spirit is essential and …..it’s a gift to those who believe the gospel where Jesus promised it to believers
But what I’m saying is we receive the spirit up front yet look at the doctrine
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1 KJV
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Romans 8:13 KJV
See they received the spirit but now they need to stop living in the flesh and following the spirit like this
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:16, 18-21, 25
the walking part is our part if we truly believe the gospel , we have already received the spirit of promise. But what I’m saying is the part where we are “ regenerated “ or “ made new “ we have to stop resisting and cooperate have to let our belief of the gospel change how we believe about things
see maybe I think “ everyone sins god doesn’t really care Jesus died for our sins “ but then I hear the gospel
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3 KJV
this ant for me to then explain why it doesn’t apply to me but instead I should accept that principle that if we don’t repent we’re going to perish . If I believe in Jesus and hear him teaching that I need to repent my belief and ideas about it should change he’s the lord the savior ….I’m the one needing saved if only I’m willing to believe him it can change me from a sinner to a son of God in my mind and heart
its not just a magic button god hits to make a person new the gospel explains how we’re made new in it receiving the spirit of Jesus is one aspect of it for sure but again that comes from belief of the gospel we couldn’t receive the Holy Ghost of we didnt believe the gospel it’s a byproduct
He was also told “ just do what’s right and you’ll be accepted but if you don’t do what’s right ….then sin is waiting and desiring you you must rule over it .