Gods will vs mans free will

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homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,557
497
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#21
Only an android until God, who likes some more than others, steps in and turns on a switch so you are no longer an android.
therefore knock on Heavens door and do not stop, God will answer as in the allegory of that woman needing a cup of sugar states, that the judge will eventually answer, so will you keep knocking.
be willing for God's righteousness over this worlds and peoples of in this world\
The call is to love all, not a few in truth, thank you
Is there anyone you can't forgive ? maybe that is why you might not get it yet?
I forgive, because I am foirgiven, not to get forgiven. I love, not to be loved, because by God in Son I am loved, being willing its the key that opens that door. seeing James saying
"You ask you do not receive" why? is ones asking a selfish ask, to spend it on your own pleasures?
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,131
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#22
God is not free to change, God does not need to repent.
The very first mention of the word repent is God repenting that he had made man on the earth.

Genesis 6:6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,557
497
83
#23
The very first mention of the word repent is God repenting that he had made man on the earth.

Genesis 6:6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

that to me is because God wants no evil, and to take that away with no free choice is not good. So he destroyed all but Noah and his three Sons, and their wives, along with Noah's Wife.
This I get, that all got wiped out to the lineage of Adam and Eve, through Seth only
Any other talk of Cain, and others, to me I see all got wiped out in the flood, except the Nephilim, that I see Was in the wives of the three Sons on that boat (DNA) as Genesis 6 says and the Nephilim continued after. all in Gen 6
Amazing to me, how God has continued to get evil out of the way of us the people he first created himself. leaving it our choice to choose, the tis true love to me, to not be a puppet, thank you Father and Son as Won for me at least, truthfully, Won for all
Son finally took care of that on that cross, the last shedding and sacrifice of blood. that is done once for everyone to get their consciouses purged from Sin, through belief to God of Son as risen for each of us to choose to believe or not
Hebrews 10
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,946
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#24
Every human being possessed of reason has power to choose the right. In every experience of life God’s word to us is, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15. Everyone may place his will on the side of the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by thus linking ourself with divine agencies, we may stand where nothing can force us to do evil.

In Christ we can do all things.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
 

blueluna5

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2018
658
393
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#25
God created man but gave man free will. Yet God wants man to give us our free will and live according to Gods will.
This intersection of free will and "discerning" Gods will, can be quite challenging.

Here is an example. I'm 51 currently out of work. I've been praying for God to guide me through this difficult time. To be honest, I DONT want to go back to corporate work, but the reality of finances and such might dictate i do so versus starting a new business on my own.
I've been praying and asking God to open doors and opportunities which requires faith. At the same time, God isn't a genie, so a job or new business isn't going to come unless I apply, network, etc. I must DO or ACT upon my own free will and or thoughts to make it happen. While there may be some Christians are many who might say patiently wait upon the Lord.

Another example, prior to be going back to church, I was listening to David Goggins (Navy seal, motivational speaker) and purchased his two audio books. Listening to his message of self-empowerment allowed me to lose 20+ pounds through dedicated working out and a strict diet. The mindset of "you are on your own" and you can do it was empowering. However, does this conflict with biblical principals as well? For the bible says "I am made perfect in your weakness." My point is we have the ability through our own free will do certain things, we can choose what car we buy, what foods we eat, surely, I don't need Gods discernment on everything, etc right?

I don't know if others feel this, but when I feel vulnerable (and humble) when I pray to God several times a day.
But when I feel like it's not my time (God doesn't or hasn't answer my prayer) then I say OK, and I'm going to make something happen if you get my point. Please correct me if I'm not thinking about this right.
Is "free will" mentioned in the Bible? I can't think of a spot and so I think the question is faulty at the very beginning.

Now you could say it's "my" will verses "God's" will. But then how do you know for sure it's not God's will?

Think about the people in the Bible. Were they just sitting around doing nothing and waiting for God to bless them? I can't think of any. "Be still and know that I am God" is a popular one used to wait patiently and do nothing. Be still. I mean being patient is a virtue, but who could be still? David wrote it and he was a warrior that killed giants, punched out bears, and was king of a nation. So surely it doesn't mean do nothing.

Your actually stopping yourself from being successful... bc you say I really hate the corporate world but I need to make money. So God says "is this what you want?" And you say the same. So God says "it doesn't sound like you want it." And so it continues...

Perhaps your belief about wealth is the problem. Does it have to be miserable to work? Are there jobs I could enjoy more and make money?

Let's say you won the lottery.....wahoo! But then you remember I didn't even buy a ticket. So you think of ways you won. My spouse could have bought it, my parent, etc. But your brain wouldn't accept that as a reality bc it doesn't make sense to you.

I've never heard a donkey talk, seen an ear form that was cut off, watched someone dead come to life, etc. All of that is impossible without God. Yet... there's that little exception in my belief. "Without God"

You could gain wealth in other ways, but it's your belief that is holding you back.

"You listen to my voice in the morning lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. "
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
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#26
.
Gen 6:6 . . It repented The Lord that he had made man on the earth,
and it grieved him at his heart.

The Hebrew word translated "repenteth" in that verse is somewhat
ambiguous. It can indicate a change of mind as well as regret, sorrow, or
pity. When applied to God, I seriously don't think it pertains to His realizing
He's made a mistake that needs correcting.

Seeing as how the supreme being is capable of foreseeing the ramifications
of His actions, then I must assume He already knew ahead of time that the
day would come when humanity would cause Him sadness-- not only the
antediluvians, but also the Jews (Isa 63:10) and the Christians (Eph 4:30)

In other words: were the parameters of His creation of Man a mistake, the
supreme being would've done it differently.
_
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,019
557
113
#27
Is "free will" mentioned in the Bible? I can't think of a spot and so I think the question is faulty at the very beginning.

Now you could say it's "my" will verses "God's" will. But then how do you know for sure it's not God's will?

Think about the people in the Bible. Were they just sitting around doing nothing and waiting for God to bless them? I can't think of any. "Be still and know that I am God" is a popular one used to wait patiently and do nothing. Be still. I mean being patient is a virtue, but who could be still? David wrote it and he was a warrior that killed giants, punched out bears, and was king of a nation. So surely it doesn't mean do nothing.

Your actually stopping yourself from being successful... bc you say I really hate the corporate world but I need to make money. So God says "is this what you want?" And you say the same. So God says "it doesn't sound like you want it." And so it continues...

Perhaps your belief about wealth is the problem. Does it have to be miserable to work? Are there jobs I could enjoy more and make money?

Let's say you won the lottery.....wahoo! But then you remember I didn't even buy a ticket. So you think of ways you won. My spouse could have bought it, my parent, etc. But your brain wouldn't accept that as a reality bc it doesn't make sense to you.

I've never heard a donkey talk, seen an ear form that was cut off, watched someone dead come to life, etc. All of that is impossible without God. Yet... there's that little exception in my belief. "Without God"

You could gain wealth in other ways, but it's your belief that is holding you back.

"You listen to my voice in the morning lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. "

Thank you for the thoughtful response. You are right, I don't really WANT to go back to corporate work. But the realities of financial burdens are such that I have been looking to get back in the same field. I thought that perhaps there would be another way, and if I prayed to our Lord diligently, he would perhaps open new doors and avenues for me. Perhaps I don't have enough faith (patience) as it's been 9 months since I've been working and I'm draining our savings to almost nothing. My wife is anxious and angry. I was a SVP at an investment firm and now I'm looking into driving for Uber for Doordash to make some cash. God has humbled me and that's OK. Our children don't understand but it's affecting them too. I still have much to be thankful for. I just want to DO SOMETHING.... action on my part, in addition to my prayers and supplications.
 

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
2,984
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#28
So are we all robots ? No choice

That means I can't choose to repent and I can't choose to love.
Nope, our will is a slave to sin, or a slave to righteousness. That doesn't make us robots our take away choice at all. Why people say this is beyond me, it's Bible 101. We can't please God before we are born again, it's just not possible. We are slaves to sin before being born-again and are completely blind to the things of the spirit, and if we are blind to them then we cannot seek them out. Once we are born again we can see to seek these things out to please our Father in gratitude. These are the 2 natures of man, we are in our sin nature from birth to rebirth and will always make sinful choices in this condition. Even if we think we are doing something good, we are not. We can not please God with anything we do and we are doing everything for selfish reasons before we are made new by His grace, even if we don't "feel" we are doing bad.

Once we are born again we are made new with a new nature, the things of the spirit are now seen and understood by us like they couldn't be before. Now when we do anything outside of His will, we are corrected by His Spirit that we've been reconciled to. Our choices are always slaves to our natures and they're never "free", at least not according to Jesus and His words carry a lot of weight with me.
No free will does NOT = No Choice. It just doesn't.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
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#29
.
Some years ago, in a boatyard where I was employed at the time, a young
Christian boasted of his dedication to Christ. So I asked him: What about the
command to walk in the Spirit? (Gal 5:16) How are you doing with that one?

Well, the brash, pleased-with-himself youngster admitted he didn't even
know what that meant, let alone how to do it. (chuckle) Relative to
"dedication" Mr. Super Saint hadn't even got to first base yet; and judging by
the fact that was on a third marriage the last time we spoke, I'd have to say
he never did get the hang of it.)
_
 

sawdust

Active member
Feb 12, 2024
940
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#30
Free will does not exist. Man does not have free will, God does not have free will.
God is not free to Lie, God is not free to change, God does not need to repent.
Men make choices, but their self=will is bound, not free.
Your understanding of free will doesn't exist because everything is bound to it's own nature but is that what is meant by free will?

Free does not mean to be without limitations. If such were the case, freedom couldn't truly exist for the universe would be a mishmash of random chaos.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,557
497
83
#31
.
Gen 6:6 . . It repented The Lord that he had made man on the earth,
and it grieved him at his heart.


The Hebrew word translated "repenteth" in that verse is somewhat
ambiguous. It can indicate a change of mind as well as regret, sorrow, or
pity. When applied to God, I seriously don't think it pertains to His realizing
He's made a mistake that needs correcting.


Seeing as how the supreme being is capable of foreseeing the ramifications
of His actions, then I must assume He already knew ahead of time that the
day would come when humanity would cause Him sadness-- not only the
antediluvians, but also the Jews (Isa 63:10) and the Christians (Eph 4:30)


In other words: were the parameters of His creation of Man a mistake, the
supreme being would've done it differently.
_
Agreed, God remains the one and only one good
 

blueluna5

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2018
658
393
63
#32
Thank you for the thoughtful response. You are right, I don't really WANT to go back to corporate work. But the realities of financial burdens are such that I have been looking to get back in the same field. I thought that perhaps there would be another way, and if I prayed to our Lord diligently, he would perhaps open new doors and avenues for me. Perhaps I don't have enough faith (patience) as it's been 9 months since I've been working and I'm draining our savings to almost nothing. My wife is anxious and angry. I was a SVP at an investment firm and now I'm looking into driving for Uber for Doordash to make some cash. God has humbled me and that's OK. Our children don't understand but it's affecting them too. I still have much to be thankful for. I just want to DO SOMETHING.... action on my part, in addition to my prayers and supplications.
The corporate world kills the soul. Although sometimes you have people there that make it worthwhile. Still at the end of the day you feel like a number.

Maybe you can find a work from home job in your field? Could you teach it online? Not sure the field. Finances, Fitness (you mentioned losing 20 pounds) tend to make money. You could try a temp agency to just get something or find something you enjoy. Whatever you know how to do you can sell. Cleaning, mowing, plumbing, dog sit, babysit.

But think of yourself like a brand. What direction do you want to go? Write it down and do things similar to your goal for money.
On one hand you have this proverb.
"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty".
Make the goals achievable.

On the other hand.
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand."
Obviously talking about the kingdom of heaven. But it's the same idea with yourself. If you hate what you do and are forced to do it at least 8 hours a day. You are a kingdom divided against yourself.

When I was in a similar position I went through a temp agency and continued applying to my dream jobs. I stayed for a couple of months and was at peace with being there. My friend there taught me how to crochet and I remember crocheting on my break and thinking this isn't so bad. I kinda like it here. Literally that week I got an interview for my dream job and didn't even want to do it bc I thought I wouldn't get it. And bc I was already happy. I did get it.

Personally I think just being at peace let my prayers go through quickly. It's hard to do when you need money right now though. So for me I needed another job to be at peace.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
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#33
.
I can't recall whether my childhood catechism classes discussed repentance.
But I do remember them emphasizing contrition; which Webster's defines as
feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable
behavior and/or actions, etc.

Now the interesting thing is: God's paternal offspring is incapable of sin.

1John 3:9 . . No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed
abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

So then, if a chip off the olde block cannot sin, then the neither can the
block. That being the case, then I seriously doubt the Bible would contain
bona fides examples of God feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for
improper or objectionable behavior and/or actions, etc.
_
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,557
497
83
#34
.
I can't recall whether my childhood catechism classes discussed repentance.
But I do remember them emphasizing contrition; which Webster's defines as
feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable
behavior and/or actions, etc.


Now the interesting thing is: God's paternal offspring is incapable of sin.

1John 3:9 . . No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed
abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.


So then, if a chip off the olde block cannot sin, then the neither can the
block. That being the case, then I seriously doubt the Bible would contain
bona fides examples of God feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for
improper or objectionable behavior and/or actions, etc.
_
God is good all the time as good is God all the time, seeing the Son went to that cross without any flesh fight. ?Amazing grace given us all to believe and appreciate and ask for the new life offered in the risen Christ to take hold of us all, at least is started (Eph 1:13) and has been doing that in me as well as many others, kids in process too.
Can say like Paul said it Phil 3, not that I am perfect, God is and that I stand in trust to this truth, my paraphrase over the done work of Son for us all to be made as perfect in risen Son for each of us and not take it for granted, or any credit to the self either thanks
 

jacko

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2024
1,019
557
113
#35
The corporate world kills the soul. Although sometimes you have people there that make it worthwhile. Still at the end of the day you feel like a number.

Maybe you can find a work from home job in your field? Could you teach it online? Not sure the field. Finances, Fitness (you mentioned losing 20 pounds) tend to make money. You could try a temp agency to just get something or find something you enjoy. Whatever you know how to do you can sell. Cleaning, mowing, plumbing, dog sit, babysit.

But think of yourself like a brand. What direction do you want to go? Write it down and do things similar to your goal for money.
On one hand you have this proverb.
"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty".
Make the goals achievable.

On the other hand.
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand."
Obviously talking about the kingdom of heaven. But it's the same idea with yourself. If you hate what you do and are forced to do it at least 8 hours a day. You are a kingdom divided against yourself.

When I was in a similar position I went through a temp agency and continued applying to my dream jobs. I stayed for a couple of months and was at peace with being there. My friend there taught me how to crochet and I remember crocheting on my break and thinking this isn't so bad. I kinda like it here. Literally that week I got an interview for my dream job and didn't even want to do it bc I thought I wouldn't get it. And bc I was already happy. I did get it.

Personally I think just being at peace let my prayers go through quickly. It's hard to do when you need money right now though. So for me I needed another job to be at peace.

Thank you. I've been praying for a breakthrough whatever that may be.
 

Rufus

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2024
2,461
270
83
#36
Free will does not exist. Man does not have free will, God does not have free will.
God is not free to Lie, God is not free to change, God does not need to repent.

Men make choices, but their self=will is bound, not free.
I would posit that God's will is perfectly free since it's free from sin, corruption, darkness and evil which is why He is also free to think, speak and act only in accordance with his holy, righteous and good nature. This is why God cannot sin; conversely, unregenerate man cannot not sin since his will is not free from corruption, evil, sin, etc.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,557
497
83
#37
I would posit that God's will is perfectly free since it's free from sin, corruption, darkness and evil which is why He is also free to think, speak and act only in accordance with his holy, righteous and good nature. This is why God cannot sin; conversely, unregenerate man cannot not sin since his will is not free from corruption, evil, sin, etc.
Still in unredeemed bodies for now, Gods grace sufficient ( 2 Cor 12:7-10) entering God’s courts with thanksgiving and praise all the way< daily. Trusting God to continue to teach all about this love and mercy of Son for us all to be born new by God Father of Son, that HolySpirit teaching me to rest in this done work of Son. Listening with two ears growing in maturity, no more need for milk
thank you Rufus
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
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cfbac.org
#38
1John 3:9 . . No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he
cannot sin, because he is born of God.

FAQ: Is that verse talking about born-again Christians?

REPLY: Jesus is described as God's begotten son, which is translated from a
Greek word that pertains to one's natural child as opposed to an adopted child
and/or a foster child. For example Luke 7:12, Luke 8:42, and Luke 9:38.


Jesus is also described as God's "only" begotten son, meaning of course that
he is God's sole paternal descendant (John 1:14, John 3:16, John 3:18,
1John 4:9)


Born-again Christians aren't related to the Father as direct descendants. Instead;
they are God's handiwork (2Cor 5:17, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:24, Col 3:9-10) and brought
into His family circle by means of adoption (Rom 8:15-16, Gal 4:4-6, Eph 1:4-5)


That being the case, then it's to be expected that born-again Christians would
not be 100% sinless.


1John 1:8 . . If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth
is not in us.


* Self deception can be defined as delusional, i.e. a persistent false psychotic belief
regarding one's self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary.
_
 

sawdust

Active member
Feb 12, 2024
940
194
43
67
Australia
#39
FAQ: Is that verse talking about born-again Christians?

REPLY: Jesus is described as God's begotten son, which is translated from a
Greek word that pertains to one's natural child as opposed to an adopted child
and/or a foster child. For example Luke 7:12, Luke 8:42, and Luke 9:38.


Jesus is also described as God's "only" begotten son, meaning of course that
he is God's sole paternal descendant (John 1:14, John 3:16, John 3:18,
1John 4:9)


Born-again Christians aren't related to the Father as direct descendants. Instead;
they are God's handiwork (2Cor 5:17, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:24, Col 3:9-10) and brought
into His family circle by means of adoption (Rom 8:15-16, Gal 4:4-6, Eph 1:4-5)


That being the case, then it's to be expected that born-again Christians would
not be 100% sinless.


1John 1:8 . . If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth
is not in us.


* Self deception can be defined as delusional, i.e. a persistent false psychotic belief
regarding one's self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary.
_
Yes it is about Christians. It is the same word (translated begotten) as used in Jn.3:8 and 1Jn.5:18 which is clearly talking about those born of the Spirit (ie. believers)

John is saying no-one born of God can habitually practice sin (no license to sin) because belonging to God, ensures we will come under discipline and it's gonna hurt if that happens. While we are filled with the Spirit we cannot sin but in order to sin, we must first reject God's truth (usually out of ignorance) and make a willful decision to sin. This is why John tells us to confess our sin (1Jn.1:9) so we can be filled with the Spirit again and walk in His way instead of our own.

We cannot claim to be without sin because the other law (Rom.7:23) remains in our flesh (what we call the sin nature) so even if we go a day without committing a sin, we are still with sin.