Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

[Blain]

That was my opening post some 3000 posts ago ,

But the word slave is the issue for free will, so of course we know that free will is never going to agree, especially since it has a law of it's own lol,

If people refuse to listen then there is nothing we can do expect pray that God might open their eyes. personally I am proud to be called a slave to Christ

 

[Magenta]

"Free will" in the Bible? ~ Freedom is something believers are called to (Galatians 5 verse 13). We need Jesus to “set us free” (Galatians 5 verse 1). If Jesus has not freed us from the bondage of sin, then we are still slaves to sin (Romans 6 verses 6-7). Freedom is found in the presence of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3 verse 17). Only Jesus can give us true freedom (John 8 verse 36). Only through His lovingkindness can we truly make choices unfettered by a nature that is inherently hostile toward God.

 

[HeIsHere]

the narrative of Cornelius’s salvation experience as given in the book of Acts does support the view that regeneration precedes faith. Indeed it does not,

A close examination the story of Cornelius closely it leaves us with no doubt that regeneration does not precede faith.

When Peter declared the gospel to Cornelius and his family, they believed and the Holy Spirit fell on them.

Cornelius and his house were regenerated at the time of hearing the gospel (by which faith comes), and this is exactly what happened according to the scriptures, then the theological view that regeneration precedes faith is discredited and proven false.
This back-to-front system asserts they are born again but not yet saved.

To be regenerated means to be born again, to have become a partaker of the divine nature, to be united with Christ, crucified with Christ, and a new creation.

Regeneration is salvation.

There is no text which declares that faith results from regeneration, that regenerations comes before faith. It is always stated the other way.

Never are [sinners] told to believe because they have already received new life.”

 

[Blain]

the narrative of Cornelius’s salvation experience as given in the book of Acts does support the view that regeneration precedes faith. Indeed it does not,

A close examination the story of Cornelius closely it leaves us with no doubt that regeneration does not precede faith.

When Peter declared the gospel to Cornelius and his family, they believed and the Holy Spirit fell on them.

Cornelius and his house were regenerated at the time of hearing the gospel (by which faith comes), and this is exactly what happened according to the scriptures, then the theological view that regeneration precedes faith is discredited and proven false.
This back-to-front system asserts they are born again but not yet saved.

To be regenerated means to be born again, to have become a partaker of the divine nature, to be united with Christ, crucified with Christ, and a new creation.

Regeneration is salvation.

There is no text which declares that faith results from regeneration, that regenerations comes before faith. It is always stated the other way.

Never are [sinners] told to believe because they have already received new life.”

Seems to me it happens at the same moment not before or after.

 

[HeIsHere]

I get it. Your salvation only requires God in part. But true salvation requires God in all.

I have noticed that the 'system" people say they care about context and technically they do but it’s NOT the context of the passage.

It is actually the context of "the system" that they bring into the text, over and over again!

I also notice how "system people" do NOT use the context of the passage to understand the meaning of a verse, but another verse from elsewhere that is also wrenched of its context.

When that cannot be done because scripture is actually quite clear that regeneration never precedes faith then just go back to the ......

"oh you saved yourself" or "you do not understand reformed theology."

 

[Magenta]

Seems to me it happens at the same moment not before or after.

Cornelius and his family were devout, God-fearing Gentiles who worshipped the one true God, showing
they already believed and sought Him before Peter arrived; the Holy Spirit falling on them was God's
sign to Jewish believers that salvation through Jesus was for Gentiles too, proving God shows no
favoritism. They were already believers in the one true God, not pagans, but the Spirit's descent
confirmed they received the full gospel message and could be part of the New Testament church.
"Natural" men do not believe. The gospel is foolishness to them.

 

[Blain]

Cornelius and his family were devout, God-fearing Gentiles who worshipped the one true God, showing
they already believed and sought Him before Peter arrived; the Holy Spirit falling on them was God's
sign to Jewish believers that salvation through Jesus was for Gentiles too, proving God shows no
favoritism. They were already believers in the one true God, not pagans, but the Spirit's descent
confirmed they received the full gospel message and could be part of the New Testament church.
"Natural" men do not believe. The gospel is foolishness to them.

So in regards to being regenerated they already had faith to begin with?

 

[Jordon]

If people refuse to listen then there is nothing we can do expect pray that God might open their eyes. personally I am proud to be called a slave to Christ

Well when it comes to free will it will decide for it's self if it wants a prayer

It's madness the term free will should really tell anyone there free to do what they like lol, only the reality is God's tells us where not.

The simple truth is your never going to get agreement with a person who believes there free will is so good , especially in those who believe free will is the universal law of the universe, and theres a dedicated council that watches the whole universe for anyone persons free will being broken.

 

[Magenta]

So in regards to being regenerated they already had faith to begin with?

The Bible describes Cornelius, a Roman centurion, as a devout man who "feared God" (Acts 10:2),
meaning he worshipped the God of Israel, was generous, prayed regularly, and lived righteously,
representing the "God-fearer" Gentile category; God sent an angel to guide him to Peter, who then
shared the Gospel, leading to Cornelius and his household's conversion. Natural men do not fear God.
They hear the gospel message as foolishness.

 

[HeIsHere]

Seems to me it happens at the same moment not before or after.

Faith/believe is the God condition set by God, it is HIS sovereign decision to make, first belief/trust in Christ Jesus and the gift of

salvation He offers then regeneration/saved/born from above.

Scripture is clear on the ordinal sequence.

 

[HeIsHere]

So in regards to being regenerated they already had faith to begin with?

Cornelius was an honorable man but he did not have eternal life until he believed in Christ Jesus for eternal life, the passage makes clear he believed first and received the Holy Spirit.

 

[Blain]

Well when it comes to free will it will decide for it'sself if it wants a prayer

It's madness the term free will shouldn't really tell anyone there free to do what they like lol, only the reality is God's tells us where not.

The simple truth is your never going to get agreement with a person who believes there free will is so good , especially in those who believe free will is the universal law of the universe, and theres a dedicated council that watches the whole universe for anyone persons free will being broken.

I suppose they are free to choose but if we truly had free will then we could be saved simply by willing it.

in fact if free will exists then why do people need to be drawn to the father to begin with? It just doesn't add up and I have not seen any scriptures stating any kind of free will so there is that

 

[Magenta]

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among
many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

HeIs denies the order of salvation.

 

[Blain]

Cornelius was an honorable man but he did not have eternal life until he believed in Christ Jesus for eternal life, the passage makes clear he believed first and received the Holy Spirit.

But isn't there a difference between believing and having faith? I mean I believed in the gospel as a kid I believed in Jesus but not until I surrendered my heart and soul to him was I saved

 

[reneweddaybyday]

There's believing, and there's believing unto salvation. There's understanding, and there's enlightened understanding by the HS. One of those things is not like the other.

right ... but what I was pointing out is the fact that natural man can submit to or obey truth that God has revealed in Scripture without coming to faith in the gospel

The most crucial truth ... that which leads to salvation ... is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others who do not come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

That the gospel is a stumbling block to some ... or foolishness to others ... does not mean they do not understand the gospel. They understand and suppress the truth in unrighteousness ... they reject that which God tells us is the only salvation. There is only One name by which mankind is saved ...

Acts 4:11-12 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Faith in anything or anyone other than the Lord Jesus Christ does not lead to salvation.
.

 

[Cameron143]

I have noticed that the 'system" people say they care about context and technically they do but it’s NOT the context of the passage.

It is actually the context of "the system" that they bring into the text, over and over again!

I also notice how "system people" do NOT use the context of the passage to understand the meaning of a verse, but another verse from elsewhere that is also wrenched of its context.

When that cannot be done because scripture is actually quite clear that regeneration never precedes faith then just go back to the ......

"oh you saved yourself" or "you do not understand reformed theology."

Perhaps one day you will come to fuller understanding, but until you understand the truth concerning man in his fallen natural estate you will continue in error.

 

[HeIsHere]

But isn't there a difference between believing and having faith? I mean I believed in the gospel as a kid I believed in Jesus but not until I surrendered my heart and soul to him was I saved

In the Greek one is a noun, one is a verb, but same word.
Salvation comes by receiving the gift of salvation it takes both.
We believe the accurate Good News, but faith (action) requires an object we place our faith in God and His free offer of the gift of eternal life.

 

[Magenta]

I suppose they are free to choose but if we truly had free will then we could be saved simply by willing it.

in fact if free will exists then why do people need to be drawn to the father to begin with? It just
doesn't add up and I have not seen any scriptures stating any kind of free will so there is that

The whole world is blinded. But the FW crowd believes man's will is fee to decide to believe something they
cannot even comprehend, that which is foolishness to them, while they are taken captive to do the will of the
devil. That is a large part of why their position makes no sense. It is certainly not supported by Scripture.
Scripture says such a man cannot obey or submit to God.

 

[reneweddaybyday]

Strewth. There is believing and there is not believing. There is understanding and there is not understanding. It is the object of one's belief and understanding that determines salvation and enlightenment, not the quality of belief or understanding.

in agreement it is the Object of faith that determines salvation.

.

 

[Jordon]

I suppose they are free to choose but if we truly had free will then we could be saved simply by willing it.

in fact if free will exists then why do people need to be drawn to the father to begin with? It just doesn't add up and I have not seen any scriptures stating any kind of free will so there is that

oh it exists alright lol, 30000 posts tells you so, but it exists in the flesh as cited in John 1,

And as scripture declares the flesh and the old flesh nature of mankind needs the will of God, to improve its nature, but I can't dare to say the word control where free will is concerned, that would break the law of free will lol, and the free willers will be on you with a ton of bricks