Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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cv5 said:
Does anyone perceive the slightest hint of coercion, arm-twisting, pre-programming or other nefarious intrusions into free will or volition regarding the fact of Zacchaeus RECEIVING of the Lord Jesus JOYFULLY in these passages? And the fact that his volitional initiative was that which was crucial to the proclamation by Christ Himself of his salvation?

@Jackson129 @HeIsHere @Kroogz @Genez.......anybody?
How about @Magenta @Rufus @Cameron143? Will they postulate that, due to mysterious gnostic principles known only to them, there is embedded in this poignant missive some kind of doomer gate-slamming contrariety or unattainability barrier whereby no-one can possibly be saved if they desire it (Him)?

The way I see things, we have a "Seeker" Who is the initiator, offering the gift, and a free will "responder"......who in his heart was ALSO seeking, and then receiving the gift.


[Luk 19:1 KJV]
And [Jesus] entered and passed through Jericho.

[Luk 19:2 KJV]
And, behold, [there was] a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

[Luk 19:3 KJV]
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

[Luk 19:4 KJV]
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that [way].

[Luk 19:5 KJV]
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

[Luk 19:6 KJV]
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

[Luk 19:7 KJV]
And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

[Luk 19:8 KJV]
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore [him] fourfold.

[Luk 19:9 KJV]
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

[Luk 19:10 KJV]
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
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Satan must raise up his holes and boulders in the road.

Satan is insanely jealous of what the Christian has been promised by God.

Even if the believer does not believe what is promised?
Satan knows it will come to pass.

All he can do is hate what he is jealous of.
For his time for being restored to God has passed.

We being restored make him painfully aware of having blown it for himself.
 
Genez said:
Satan must raise up his holes and boulders in the road.

Satan is insanely jealous of what the Christian has been promised by God.

Even if the believer does not believe what is promised?
Satan knows it will come to pass.

All he can do is hate what he is jealous of.
For his time for being restored to God has passed.

We being restored make him painfully aware of having blown it for himself.
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it's funny how you like to hate but don't call that satan 😭
 
John 7:17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
 
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Genez said:
You have it real easy.
All you have to do is to make up something false, and be dogmatic about it.

But, you will have it real easy only for the time being.
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I have it easy because I have peace with God. Since that will never change, it will always be true. While knowing truth is important, knowing the Truth is more important. If your study of the scriptures doesn't lead you into God's presence and conform you more into the image of Christ, you have learned more about God without even becoming more like God.

I appreciate the warning, but perhaps you would be better served to follow your own caution. Be less busy and spend a little more time at Jesus' feet.
 
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Cameron143 said:
I have it easy because I have peace with God. Since that will never change, it will always be true. While knowing truth is important, knowing the Truth is more important. If your study of the scriptures doesn't lead you into God's presence and conform you more into the image of Christ, you have learned more about God without even becoming more like God.

I appreciate the warning, but perhaps you would be better served to follow your own caution. Be less busy and spend a little more time at Jesus' feet.
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Truth is a person Who chooses to whom He reveals God... which is the only way to know God.
I know you know this, and know God. :)

Matthew11-27.png

Matthew 11 verse 27 ~ All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
 
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@Jordon : Thanks, Bro! How are you? It must be getting pretty cold over at your place now! It's getting hot here!
 
Cameron143 said:
I have it easy because I have peace with God. Since that will never change, it will always be true. While knowing truth is important, knowing the Truth is more important. If your study of the scriptures doesn't lead you into God's presence and conform you more into the image of Christ, you have learned more about God without even becoming more like God.

I appreciate the warning, but perhaps you would be better served to follow your own caution. Be less busy and spend a little more time at Jesus' feet.
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may I say find this post refreshingly gnostic 🤩😋
 
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Jordon said:
The elements are the eternal foundation created in heaven.
The foundation will refine the earth, you just want to make things fit it not my fault I can't agree with what your saying ..mind body and soul is what I just showed you.
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I am not sure what you just tried there.....
But, it has a real meaning.

Ever take Chemistry class?

The "Elemental Chart" is commonly known as the periodic table, a chart that organizes all 118 known chemical elements into rows (periods) and columns (groups) based on their atomic number and recurring chemical properties.

Elements is the same word found in the Greek!

A mega nuclear fusion will take place as all the created planets, stars.... and life forms will burn up and be gone!
All matter from the first creation will cease existing.

That is why it says it like this!

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass
away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth
and everything done on it will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10

It was not symbolic.
It is about what really will happen.
 
OLDBUTNEW said:
@Jordon : Thanks, Bro! How are you? It must be getting pretty cold over at your place now! It's getting hot here!
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32 scooby doo I have good warm house nice and cosy, with good neighbours,


everybody needs food neighbours, with a little understanding, that's when good neighbours become good friends 😋
 
Jordon said:
32 scooby doo I have good warm house nice and cosy, with good neighbours,


everybody needs food neighbours, with a little understanding, that's when good neighbours become good friends 😋
Click to expand...

@Jordon : Ah, yes, good old Neighbours! What a Classic TV show that was, eh!!
 
Genez said:
I am not sure what you just tried there.....
But, it has a real meaning.

Ever take Chemistry class?

The "Elemental Chart" is commonly known as the periodic table, a chart that organizes all 118 known chemical elements into rows (periods) and columns (groups) based on their atomic number and recurring chemical properties.

Elements is the same word found in the Greek!

A mega nuclear fusion will take place as all the created planets, stars.... and life forms will burn up and be gone!
All matter from the first creation will cease existing.

That is why it says it like this!

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass
away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth
and everything done on it will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10

It was not symbolic.
It is about what really will happen.
Click to expand...
that's a an atheist stand point if view that life will cease to exist, the foundations of the earth will not and they will burn the earth up and refine it and the foundations of the earth is also a living Jewel where Abraham's and his crew is in a place called peace and good living , because God told me the foundations where created before the earth in heaven, and he said where was you when the foundations of the earth where layed, well what he was saying there is you where in the same place as your breath of life, heaven.. where my foundation was layed and created

Then what you have is the same in you, a foundation that will refine you to. Because his foundations comes from heaven.

And where you have a solid foundation is house will stand.
 
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"she who smelt it, dealt it", "she who denied, supplied it", "she who said it, let it", "she who knew it, blew it", "she who snoozed it, oozed it"!
 
cv5 said:
Can't explain? Who can't explain?
I'm a premillennialist and I CAN "explain" all of those prophecies and concatenate them with the book of revelation accurately without breaking a sweat.
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Could you please explain it using the Choctaw language. It would be most helpful.. .. ..
 
Magenta said:
Where do you find it was ever a possibility?
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God chastises every one he receives as a son.

​
For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, ​
even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes." Hebrews 12:6​

Angels are also called, "sons of God."
And, up until Lucifer rejected his last chance?
The Lord loved Lucifer as a son.

God punished Lucifer as a son in hopes he would learn that he was not as powerful and smart as he deluded himself into thinking he was. God wanted Lucifer to repent.

Or, did God's nature somehow change?
When God created them, God loved all the angels.
 
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