Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

[Magenta]

John 14 v 17a, Romans 8 v 6-9 ~ “Inability” in Bible. The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Praise be to God for calling me out of the world.

 

[reneweddaybyday]

It wasn't me that accused others of approbation lust. It was poor discernment to begin with and poor judgment to post. That's where you should be directing your correction.

I was merely pointing out that the "look at all the emojis" is not a good gauge.

I have no idea whether folks suffer from approbation lust ... never heard of it before ... but to gauge by emojis received is not a good standard to determine whether someone comments because they seek the approval of those whom they congregate with.

I just take folks at face value and figure those who post here want to discuss Scripture. I love, love, love to discuss Scripture.
.

 

[Cameron143]

I was merely pointing out that the "look at all the emojis" is not a good gauge.

I have no idea whether folks suffer from approbation lust ... never heard of it before ... but to gauge by emojis received is not a good standard to determine whether someone comments because they seek the approval of those whom they congregate with.

I just take folks at face value and figure those who post here want to discuss Scripture. I love, love, love to discuss Scripture.
.

I found it quite ironic that the very ones carrying on about approbation lust couldn't even see their practice of it.

 

[reneweddaybyday]

I found it quite ironic that the very ones carrying on about approbation lust couldn't even see their practice of it.

Before today, I never heard of approbation lust ... don't know anything about it so I can't say whether folks comment because of that ... like I said ... I figure folks comment because they want to discuss Scripture.
.

 

[cv5]

I found it quite ironic that the very ones carrying on about approbation lust couldn't even see their practice of it.

If they aren't practicing it, who cares one way or another?

 

[sawdust]

I used to think the Calvinists were just weird with weird ideas, I mean how could any Christian believe a dogma like divine reprobation

however, when I learned about "stealth Calvinism" and the scheming and strategizing to expand their false doctrine from the

seminaries into the evangelical churches I knew it did not come from a "good" place.

That sounds ominous.

 

[reneweddaybyday]

Job 26 answered Bildad's claim, that man cannot be righteous, with what seem to be sarcasm saying,

2“How you have helped the powerless
and saved the arm that is feeble!

3How you have counseled the unwise
and provided fully sound insight!

4To whom have you uttered these words?
And whose spirit spoke through you?


And verse 4 brings to mind the verse, 'do you not know that you are the temple...?" and also the significance of Jesus' cleansing of the temple by driving out the moneychangers, along with Jesus' parable of the strong man.
Those thoughts coupled with the, 'to whom you yield yourselves...," verse is pretty convincing that we were designed as houses... which compels me to meditate on the spiritual significance of the 'many mansions' Jesus spoke of in His Father's kingdom of which He goes to prepare us...

I couldn't help but note these thoughts generated as I catch up on the thread.

I love this verse ...

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
.

 

[Genez]

John 14 v 17a, Romans 8 v 6-9 ~ “Inability” in Bible. The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Praise be to God for calling me out of the world.

Believers are commanded to walk in the Spirit, and not the flesh.
Since they must be commanded?
It is not an automatic way to be after regeneration.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16​

For those who refuse to walk in the Spirit?
Even die the sin onto death?
Were they saved?

 

[rogerg]

I used to think the Calvinists were just weird with weird ideas, I mean how could any Christian believe a dogma like divine reprobation

however, when I learned about "stealth Calvinism" and the scheming and strategizing to expand their false doctrine from the

seminaries into the evangelical churches I knew it did not come from a "good" place.

Yeah, can you imagine that? The nerve of those guys to believe that Jesus Christ alone is actually and fully (the) Savior and not themselves - that salvation is by His grace given as a gift without any works. Poor dumb fools - will they never stop their scheming and just go instead to the "good place" of works for salvation? (sarcasm off)

 

[Jordon]

What is your deal exactly with Armenian people that several times you have spoken so negatively? From calling them a curse to saying preaching false idols and on and on you went off ranting. I would respectfully like to know why you feel this way towards a small minority/country who have been through their own hell throughout history and survived. Still continues to survive today and their faith has never wavered despite all of it.

well the Armenian apostolic church teach and promote free will. Which isn't recorded in the bible, and just like the Armenian apostolic church, many people in this thread and all over the forum are teaching free will hate speeches.

Did I say I have a problem with Armenian people ? No I never

But the people who teach free will have a huge problem and that is themselves, there the ones who have the problem, and there the one s with the attitude problem, there ones doing the hating the abusing the religious racism, the arguing, the twisting and rejection of scripture, along with worshiping idols, following men and man made doctrines,


Along with destroying grace.

Do I still have a problem with them ? Absolutely not, how ridiculous.


Absolutely no way do I have a problem with such people, well absolutely not,

To let such people be a problem to me, would be an absolute waste of my time, and my inner peace.
With such people I don't even bat an eyelid.

And with such people as far as I'm concerned they can get on with there very disrespectful life.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

well the Armenian apostolic church teach and promote free will. Which isn't recorded in the bible

Free will is freedom to choose

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​

​

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14-15​

 

[Magenta]

Free will is freedom to choose

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​

​

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14-15​

Free will defined as the ability to make choices is not accepted across the board. That man has volition is plain,
but Scripture also teaches that man is a slave to sin taken captive to do the will of the devil. Scripture also teaches
that the natural man cannot submit to or obey God, that it is impossible for the flesh to please God. There are many
verses that speak to this condition of man being unable to do the very thing free willers claim he can.

 

[rogerg]

Free will is freedom to choose

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​

​

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14-15​

Both of the above are of the old covenant. Search "a new covenant". No choices needed nor possible by people of the New Covenant - God made all choices including who would be placed under it. He also satisfied on their behalf, all of its requirements and stipulations.

 

[cv5]

Yeah, can you imagine that? The nerve of those guys to believe that Jesus Christ alone is actually and fully (the) Savior and not themselves - that salvation is by His grace given as a gift without any works. Poor dumb fools - will they never stop their scheming and just go instead to the "good place" of works for salvation? (sarcasm off)

That is standardized Reformed canned response. Doesn't work around here buddy.

 

[cv5]

Both of the above are of the old covenant. Search "a new covenant". No choices needed nor possible by people of the New Covenant - God made all choices including who would be placed under it. He also satisfied on their behalf, all of its requirements and stipulations.

"No choices needed nor possible by people of the New Covenant"

Bizarre and absurd. Does not in the least describe observable reality. Not to mention entirely unbiblical.

 

[Jordon]

Free will is freedom to choose

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​

​

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14-15​

Yep you can't choose anything that belongs to God without knowing his will which included his everlasting life.

And you don't surrender your life until the fathers will is complete in you.

The father guides you by his will when you speak to him as a child of God.

your definition of free will is a Oxford dictionary definition, where as Gods definition of choice and will are separated into different categories.

You either have the choice Of God or the choice of your own or the choice of Satan.

You either ignore Gods will by expressing your own will born out of sin or you listen to satan telling you have a will above God, which you would think it's free if your not saved.

If your saved you would know fine well that the fruits of the spirit have Gods will power and self control to beat satan.

Was it your choice to be blessed with self control (will power by God)

No it wasn't your choice or your will.

Once you have that will and once your saved, that will remains and if you don't live by that will or seek the treasures of your heart, then your listing to the free will of sin nature.

And if your saved the only will you have to make Gods choice of a spiritual nature is by hedge of protection and a prick in your conscience
.

Anyhow since you've been told this before and since your not listening, no doubt you'll just persist.

 

[HeIsHere]

That sounds ominous.

Oh their tactics are well documented.

One rule of stealth/covert Calvinism is never say Calvinist, notice that one.

They have five year and ten year plans, usually titled local church reformation.

Since there is no gospel for all humanity in Calvinism the church is their mission field.

There are even memes....

 

[HeIsHere]

Yeah, can you imagine that? The nerve of those guys to believe that Jesus Christ alone is actually and fully (the) Savior and not themselves - that salvation is by His grace given as a gift without any works. Poor dumb fools - will they never stop their scheming and just go instead to the "good place" of works for salvation? (sarcasm off)

Deception is never of God.
The covert introduction of these false teachings into former Baptist traditonal evangelical churches is well documented by various churches in the USA.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Both of the above are of the old covenant. Search "a new covenant". No choices needed nor possible by people of the New Covenant - God made all choices including who would be placed under it. He also satisfied on their behalf, all of its requirements and stipulations.

The man who developed this ungodly doctrine supported burning his critics alive at the stake

 

[HeIsHere]

"No choices needed nor possible by people of the New Covenant"

Bizarre and absurd. Does not in the least describe observable reality. Not to mention entirely unbiblical.

Yes very absurd.

When coming to this thread I remind myself that to understand the Good News of Christ Jesus

and to CARE about the Good News of Christ Jesus

is equal to opposition to the TULIP system whether lite or bold.