Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

[Genez]

What about it? That actually opens up a whole new can of worms for your Calvinism. So, let me see if I get this straight…God eternally decreed people not to have hearts to understand or eyes and ears to not see or listen, yet gets angry when they are simply following His eternal decree in what He has given them? And if He eternally decreed them to do those abomination, then did He also eternally decree those things not to come into His mind or command them, when at the same time He eternally decreed those things, per true and faithful Calvinism?

But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands ​

or eyes that see or ears that hear. Deuteronomy 29:4​

​

What God decreed was to have these dulled people to exist and to live because of knowing in his omniscience what they would choose to be. He has simply given them what their hearts deserve to receive. Yes. Deserve.

He is utilizing them in his plan for those who will have eternal life to have destroyed all the lies that Satan and his angels follow.

God's plan?

It is to purge all evil thought from ever being manifested ever again. Doing so with those whom He has decreed will be the ones alive with Him forever.

It is as if he is now exposing all of His people to a disease called "evil" so that our spiritual immune system will build up power to make evil to become something unknown and not thought about in the future. Thoughts about evil will not even enter our minds, no more than we see dinosaurs today.

We who have been given eternal life are now partakers in God's process for making evil to become extinct in the future.

........

 

[Genez]

This idea that scripture "plainly states" .... even this has to be shown to be the correct way to understand the passage.

That have not been granted wisdom.
They can only vomit back what they took in but can not digest with understanding.

 

[cv5]

But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands ​

or eyes that see or ears that hear. Deuteronomy 29:4​

​

What God decreed was to have these dulled people to exist and to live because of knowing in his omniscience what they would choose to be. He has simply given them what their hearts deserve to receive. Yes. Deserve.

He is utilizing them in his plan for those who will have eternal life to have destroyed all the lies that Satan and his angels follow.

God's plan?

It is to purge all evil thought from ever being manifested ever again. Doing so with those whom He has decreed will be the ones alive with Him forever.

It is as if he is now exposing all of His people to a disease called "evil" so that our spiritual immune system will build up power to make evil to become something unknown and not thought about in the future. Thoughts about evil will not even enter our minds, no more than we see dinosaurs today.

We who have been given eternal life are now partakers in God's process for making evil to become extinct in the future.

........

Indeed, they made some bad CHOICES, (not WILLING to hear), and suffered the consequences......
The Calvinist have no answer to these passages, as they are likewise not WILLING to hear. And shall likewise suffer the consequences......

[Jer 11:10 KJV]
They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

***************************************************************************************

[Zec 7:11 KJV]
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

[Zec 7:12 KJV]
Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

[Zec 7:13 KJV]
Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

[Zec 7:14 KJV]
But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

 

[HeIsHere]

That have not been granted wisdom.
They can only vomit back what they took in but can not digest with understanding.

Yes I see what you mean, anyone can quote scripture, so important to remember!!

 

[cv5]

Yes I see what you mean, anyone can quote scripture, so important to remember!!

Agree. The Bible tweet Barbies and Bible tweet Kens rarely grasp the passages that they copy and paste.
Lately, there are a couple of newish posters here that NEVER quote scripture.
I don't know if that is better or worse. Maybe better!

 

[Genez]

Yes I see what you mean, anyone can quote scripture, so important to remember!!

Too many keep leaving out God's provision that God wants us to have to make things complete.

Today, we have Bibles that can make one delusional to think it makes them self-sufficient.
We still have an absolute need for good pastor-teachers! So few are to be found.

Many are not good teachers, though they teach something that passes for teaching.

2 Timothy 4:3 tells us why that is so.

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. ​

Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great ​

number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ​

I always recommend one teacher I know of, because he is the only one I know of that is readily available with thousands of lessons that include deep insights into the Hebrew and Greek texts. And, will not ask for money!

Here it is again. https://www.rbthieme.org/index.html

God provides.

We pray to locate such provisions.

 

[cv5]

1Th 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received G3880 the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received G1209 it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Transliteration
paralambanō (Key)
Pronunciation
par-al-am-ban'-o
Part of Speech
verb
Root Word (Etymology)
From παρά (G3844) and λαμβάνω (G2983)

The KJV translates Strong's G3880 in the following manner: take (30x), receive (15x), take unto (2x), take up (2x), take away (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

1. to take to, to take with one's self, to join to one's self
   1. an associate, a companion
   2. metaph.
      1. to accept or acknowledge one to be such as he professes to be
      2. not to reject, not to withhold obedience
2. to receive something transmitted
   1. an office to be discharged
   2. to receive with the mind
      1. by oral transmission: of the authors from whom the tradition proceeds
      2. by the narrating to others, by instruction of teachers (used of disciples)

******************************************************************************************
Transliteration
dechomai (Key)
Pronunciation
dekh'-om-ahee
Part of Speech
verb
Root Word (Etymology)
Middle voice of a primary verb

The KJV translates Strong's G1209 in the following manner: receive (52x), take (4x), accept (2x), take up (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

1. to take with the hand
   1. to take hold of, take up
2. to take up, receive
   1. used of a place receiving one
   2. to receive or grant access to, a visitor, not to refuse intercourse or friendship
      1. to receive hospitality
      2. to receive into one's family to bring up or educate
   3. of the thing offered in speaking, teaching, instructing
      1. to receive favourably, give ear to, embrace, make one's own, approve, not to reject
   4. to receive. i.e. to take upon one's self, sustain, bear, endure
3. to receive, get
   1. to learn

 

[HeIsHere]

Agree. The Bible tweet Barbies and Bible tweet Kens rarely grasp the passages that they copy and paste.
Lately, there are a couple of newish posters here that NEVER quote scripture.
I don't know if that is better or worse. Maybe better!

I think using logic to refute Calvinism is useful to a point.

I am just soooo taken aback of the level of cognitive dissonance.

Jesus states "believe in me" over and over again, oh right, he was speaking to those he would regenerate first.

"Being born from above" is not at all part of justification or sanctification, it is just some special "enabling' for the chosen that must occur prior to responding to the Gospel message.

Their doctrine is such a joke with dire consequences unfortunately!

 

[HeIsHere]

Too many keep leaving out God's provision that God wants us to have to make things complete.

Today, we have Bibles that can make one delusional to think it makes them self-sufficient.
We still have an absolute need for good pastor-teachers! So few are to be found.

Many are not good teachers, though they teach something that passes for teaching.

2 Timothy 4:3 tells us why that is so.

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. ​

Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great ​

number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ​

I always recommend one teacher I know of, because he is the only one I know of that is readily available with thousands of lessons that include deep insights into the Hebrew and Greek texts. And, will not ask for money!

Here it is again. https://www.rbthieme.org/index.html

God provides.

We pray to locate such provisions.

The Calvinist would change this to The Unfailing Sovereignty of God.


Of course their definition of sovereignty is not at all in line with the God of scripture.


Indeed, anyone who starts here is someone from whom we can learn!!

THE UNFAILING LOVE OF GOD

The Bible declares that “God is love”—a simple yet significant statement revealing that love is what God is as well as what He does. Do you have a full understanding of the depth and magnitude of this love? Or is your conception of His infinite divine love merely based on your own limited concept of human love?

The love of God is the most critical concept you will ever encounter for it provides your salvation, motivates your growth to spiritual maturity, and secures your glorious, eternal future with Him. God’s plan for your life is based on His unfailing, unconditional love. He always deals with you in love. He loves you even though you are unattractive, unlovable, and undeserving. God can never divest Himself of love for you.

As your understanding and appreciation of the love of God grows, you learn to reciprocate that love. You also build a firm foundation for human love. Reciprocating His love increases your capacity to love in your own soul and to sustain extraordinary relationships with other people. The ultimate source that gives meaning and purpose to life is The Unfailing Love of God.

 

[Jackson129]

Take me for instance I fish alot like to eat fish. Its free food. So if im hungry and I go catch some fish. I thank God for the meal he created them without him I would have to fish to catch. But in order to eat those fish I actually had to go fishing. God gave me the fish I had to go work for/ catch them. Man's responsibility is part of the salvation process.

 

[cv5]

Take me for instance I fish alot like to eat fish. Its free food. So if im hungry and I go catch some fish. I thank God for the meal he created them without him I would have to fish to catch. But in order to eat those fish I actually had to go fishing. God gave me the fish I had to go work for/ catch them. Man's responsibility is part of the salvation process.

Free will and self-motivation.
That idea is purposefully integrated into the warp and woof of creation itself.
Angels and men and animals alike.

 

[Genez]

The Calvinist would change this to The Unfailing Sovereignty of God.


Of course their definition of sovereignty is not at all in line with the God of scripture.


Indeed, anyone who starts here is someone from whom we can learn!!

THE UNFAILING LOVE OF GOD

The Bible declares that “God is love”—a simple yet significant statement revealing that love is what God is as well as what He does. Do you have a full understanding of the depth and magnitude of this love? Or is your conception of His infinite divine love merely based on your own limited concept of human love?

The love of God is the most critical concept you will ever encounter for it provides your salvation, motivates your growth to spiritual maturity, and secures your glorious, eternal future with Him. God’s plan for your life is based on His unfailing, unconditional love. He always deals with you in love. He loves you even though you are unattractive, unlovable, and undeserving. God can never divest Himself of love for you.

As your understanding and appreciation of the love of God grows, you learn to reciprocate that love. You also build a firm foundation for human love. Reciprocating His love increases your capacity to love in your own soul and to sustain extraordinary relationships with other people. The ultimate source that gives meaning and purpose to life is The Unfailing Love of God.

Calvies share the same dusty shelf with Mary worshipers.
Neither can be reasoned with...


So be it.

 

[Jordon]

Calvies share the same dusty shelf with Mary worshipers.
Neither can be reasoned with...


So be it.

.

Hear these Calvie bells, ring a ding ding


Hear these bells ringing

Gods mercy is inherent to him its simply the way he is,

And his mercy is offered to all through Jesus Christ to .

And it's through Jesus Christ we receive both mercy and Grace as well as through him.

The fathers mercy is just the same his compassionate heart offers forgiveness as well as guiding us protecting us, towards his son.

The fathers grace is source of all blessings he's is patient with us and it's through him we receive a relationship with his son that is to have a relation ship with him also.

The fathers mercy can be seen in the desire to walk away from sin.

Which means his mercy enables us and his grace empowers us to change.

His grace enables us to live the life he intended,

The fathers grace leads us to the son and the sons forgives us of all Sins, and the sons grace blesses us with the fruits of the holy spirit.

 

[Jordon]

@Jordon : Yes, goodnight, my wonderful and dear British mate.

good morning my loving merciful friend

 

[Jordon]

@Jordon : That's funny, Bro! I had noticed, and I think it's very funny!

And I don't think they're talking to me anymore!

out of the whole cc forum there is only 4 people in this thread who are probably only worth loving being there enemy they are @cv5 @Blue155 @Genez @Bible_Highlighter


I believe they could be your friend when it suits to be m

That's the code of free will, to suit your self when you want

And to have a bible called a yourself bible

 

[Bible_Highlighter]

I have already explained ... when someone lies and repents of lying, turns to God and confesses the sin, God is faithful and just to forgive ... this is God's mercy.

Grace is God giving to us what we don't deserve.

Mercy is God not giving to us what we do deserve.

.

Indeed. Well said. To help others here understand it, here are some....

Real-World Illustrations:

1. Courtroom Example:

Mercy

A guilty man stands before a judge. He truly committed the crime.


The judge says:
“I will not give you the full punishment that the law demands.”


That is mercy.
It withholds what he does deserve.

Grace

The judge then says:
“Not only will I forgive you, but I will pay your fines, wipe your record clean, and give you a fresh start.”


That is grace.
It gives what he does not deserve.

Why this matches Scripture:

• Mercy removes wrath.
• Grace gives the gift.
  Both keep the man from perishing.

2. Homeless Man Example:

A man is homeless, cold, and starving.

Mercy

Someone tells him:
“I will not throw you off my property or call security on you.”


That is mercy.
It withholds the negative response he deserves from trespassing.

Grace

That same person then says:
“Come inside. I will give you food, a warm bed, and a clean set of clothes.”


That is grace.
It provides good things he did not earn.

How it matches God’s salvation:

• Mercy keeps back the judgment.
• Grace offers adoption into God’s family.

Praise be unto the Lord Jesus Christ (who is God) for His abundant grace and mercy.


Hebrews 4:16

"“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”





.....

 

[Jordon]

Take me for instance I fish alot like to eat fish. Its free food. So if im hungry and I go catch some fish. I thank God for the meal he created them without him I would have to fish to catch. But in order to eat those fish I actually had to go fishing. God gave me the fish I had to go work for/ catch them. Man's responsibility is part of the salvation process.

sounds a bit fishy to me m

If the lord is making sure your never hungry your all ready saved.

Ring a ding ding

 

[Jordon]

Indeed. Well said. To help others here understand it, here are some....

Real-World Illustrations:

1. Courtroom Example:

Mercy

A guilty man stands before a judge. He truly committed the crime.


The judge says:
“I will not give you the full punishment that the law demands.”


That is mercy.
It withholds what he does deserve.

Grace

The judge then says:
“Not only will I forgive you, but I will pay your fines, wipe your record clean, and give you a fresh start.”


That is grace.
It gives what he does not deserve.

Why this matches Scripture:

• Mercy removes wrath.
• Grace gives the gift.
  Both keep the man from perishing.

2. Homeless Man Example:

A man is homeless, cold, and starving.

Mercy

Someone tells him:
“I will not throw you off my property or call security on you.”


That is mercy.
It withholds the negative response he deserves from trespassing.

Grace

That same person then says:
“Come inside. I will give you food, a warm bed, and a clean set of clothes.”


That is grace.
It provides good things he did not earn.

How it matches God’s salvation:

• Mercy keeps back the judgment.
• Grace offers adoption into God’s family.

Praise be unto the Lord Jesus Christ (who is God) for His abundant grace and mercy.


Hebrews 4:16

"“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”





.....

The fathers mercy enables m and his grace empowers

The lords does the same his mercy enables and his grace empowers and his grace leaves you with elegance


Could I see your mercy and your elegance, I'm just a little Calvie m

 

[Jordon]

@OLDBUTNEW
His word says I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy on

It means his mercy enables you it means his mercy comes upon you to have a desire to walk away from sin

His mercy is his enabling m

 

[Dino246]

@OLDBUTNEW
His word says I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy on

It means his mercy enables you it means his mercy comes upon you to have a desire to walk away from sin

His mercy is his enabling m

Do have some strange compulsion to click “Post reply” before proofreading? Many of your recent posts contain random occurrences of the letter ‘m’.

As for the content of your post, mercy is not getting what you deserve (death for sin). It has nothing to do with enabling.