Free Will - A More Exhaustive Look

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Evmur

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He died on the cross to pay the sin debt and remove the barrier between God and man. And salvation is by trusting in Christ's work on the cross. That is a choice. I'm very sorry that you don't agree. But it is the biblical truth.


Nope. God didn't give man THAT option. The only options that God gives to man for salvation is to either believe the promise or reject it.
you say things that you don't understand, one minute you say we choose to believe then you say there is a barrier between you and God.

The bible says you were dead ... dead men do not have freewill.
 
Jan 31, 2021
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Read Romans 6 over and over. It's all there. Man chooses to whom he will serve. Paul said so plainly. v.16
That is what I told you, but appears in your post as your quote. Have you done so?

When were you predestined and chosen? after you were saved or before the world began?
Eph 1:4 is clear: before the world began. So what? Is it impossible for God to claim before the world began that "all believers are chosen to be holy and blameless"? Of course it isn't impossible for God to say that.

In fact, He DID say that; in Eph 1:4. The "us" in 'God chose us' is defined as "us who believe in 1:19. So the verse actually says that God chose believers.

Of course, God has always knows who would be born throughout all history. That's no problem for Him. And He has chosen all believers for service.

... how then can you now say it by your own freewill?
I don't know what you are asking?
 

Evmur

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I'm not tangeled up at all. And I AM arguing from the Bible, unlike yourself. You give me calvinist talking points. I give you verses.


The "that not of yourself" refers back to "saved" or salvation.

This verse proves that man cannot save himself. He is saved by faith in Jesus Christ and His work. Not mine.

How can you argue against this?
aw you are making it up to suit your opinion. everyone knows that the "that not of yourself" refers to faith.

Paul says that in himself, that is in his flesh no good thing dwelleth

but you say faith dwelled in you
 

Evmur

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That is what I told you, but appears in your post as your quote. Have you done so?


Eph 1:4 is clear: before the world began. So what? Is it impossible for God to claim before the world began that "all believers are chosen to be holy and blameless"? Of course it isn't impossible for God to say that.

In fact, He DID say that; in Eph 1:4. The "us" in 'God chose us' is defined as "us who believe in 1:19. So the verse actually says that God chose believers.

Of course, God has always knows who would be born throughout all history. That's no problem for Him. And He has chosen all believers for service.


I don't know what you are asking?
you don't know what you are saying "who you will serve" serve is not freewill.

Again you twist the scripture to make it say what you want

"whom He foreknew He also predestined ...." but you say "who He did not foreknow He also predestined" How could He predestine an unknown person or people?
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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Feb 20, 2021
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Until a person experiences being Chosen by God, they'll NEVER understand.

John 15:16 NKJV - "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."

It amazes me how MOST "christians" deny John 15:16.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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John 9:39-41 NLT - "Then Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgment--to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, "Are you saying we're blind?" "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see."

Nearly all "christians" fall under the type of people discussed in John 9:39-41. They don't realize that they are blind.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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Josh 24:14
English Standard Version
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 English Standard Version
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

Every time Israel turned from God they chose to do so.

Our God is a Consuming Fire
:)
 

Magenta

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Colossians 2:13 NLT - "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature
was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins."

As Evmur states, those who have yet to be relieved of the Adamic Curse, they are "dead."
And as Evmur stated, dead men cannot choose. However, they can be "Called" alive.

Colossians 2:13-14
:)
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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Every time Israel turned from God they chose to do so.
Are you sure that they didn't do so because it was written in the Heavenly Scroll of the Lord?

I find it amazing that NO ONE acknowledges this Scroll.

Isaiah 34:15-16 NIV - "The owl will nest there and lay eggs, she will hatch them, and care for her young under the shadow of her wings; there also the falcons will gather, each with its mate. 16 Look in the scroll of the LORD and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together."

The Holy Spirit enforces what is in this Scroll that contains the Mysterious Plan of God.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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If you don't seek, you won't find.
That doesn't mean everybody has to, though.;):sneaky:
I wasn't seeking when the Lord found me in the Arizona desert. And it was there that His Spirit Powerfully Indwelt me. I didn't choose the Lord, but the Lord found and chose me in a most Powerful way.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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Wow. I haven't seen this one before!
I think you may have? I mentioned it was the first time in quite a while since I'd used an image
representing Christ because some people in the past had been offended when I did that before...
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
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I think you may have? I mentioned it was the first time in quite a while since I'd used an image
representing Christ because some people in the past had been offended when I did that before...
I remember that conversation where I encouraged you to disregard the opinions of weak, insecure people, but I hadn't seen any of those panels. You are just incredible. I am constantly astounded by this gift that God has given you.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

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All power and wisdom and honor and glory goes to God! :D

PS~ the cross of Christ is somewhat "hidden" in the upper left hand corner...
Humans think and believe that we are who we are based upon our own development. Totally incorrect. God is in total control and creates us to be who we are. Here is but one of many examples:

Tanakh: "God made all four of these young men intelligent and proficient in all writings and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding of visions and dreams of all kinds?"

As you say, all Glory goes to God!
 

Beckie

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Feb 15, 2022
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If you don't seek, you won't find.
That doesn't mean everybody has to, though.;):sneaky:
Having the Bible through a few times i can tell ya there is not a passage speaking of us having out free will