Free will ? Is it always a choice

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,262
29,541
113
#23
I'm not clear regarding the thread title and opening post. You describe a person going from
normal mental capabilities and then loosing them. Are you asking if they still have a will?
i think the question regards whether people who are mentally incapacitated due to some physiological
degeneration have any ability to decide whether or not to believe. But free will is a misnomer any ways.
The will is constrained by too many factors to truly be considered free in the first place.



John 5:24
:)
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,487
13,793
113
#24
We live in a fallen world, and stuff happens without it being a direct consequence of someone’s choices. Also, some unpleasant consequences are the direct result of other apparently unrelated choices. It is likely very rare that a person would choose a life of extreme limitations due to illness. Rather, they choose activities known generally to be destructive in some cases, and are ignorant or think they will beat the odds.
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
13,099
10,665
113
#25
Is everyone a phony Christian or why isnt every Christian on earth in perfect health all the time? Why are there even sick people around.
Luke 8:50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
JJms 5:14-15 'Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up'
Isa 53:5 'But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
...God's word says this, you'll have to ask Him your questions...
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,314
3,618
113
#26
Luke 8:50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
JJms 5:14-15 'Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up'
Isa 53:5 'But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
...God's word says this, you'll have to ask Him your questions...
That's only part of what God's word says. It's not enough to cherry pick verses and ignore the rest. Even the people who go around saying "greater things than these shall you do" don't actually do anything that great. They make a lot boasts but never actually do anything to back it up.
 
Jul 6, 2023
68
11
8
#27
because they where children when they became mentally unconscious to make decisions, befor the age of ten.

Which is the age of accountability,

From then they never recovered, but Somone said one thing and someone said another.

One said if the lord wanted to save them he could heal them.

And To another one said in the choice of innocent children they would be given a choice after they pass away from this world.

There's something wrong with both choices.

First choice is it fair to ask a young child to choose ?
Upon resurrection

Second choice many children in such state of loss of mind are not being healed. Is it fair to say they won't be saved.

What's the answer,
2 questions:
Which scriptures establish the age of accountability?
Which scripture declare children innocent?
 

Fundaamental

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2023
3,289
421
83
#28
2 questions:
Which scriptures establish the age of accountability?
Which scripture declare children innocent?.
Age of accountability


Isaiah 7:15-16

New International Version

15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

The age of a countability is determined by common sense 😊. Law of the land.


Children being innocent.
The bible has a lot to say about it.

Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Isaiah 54:13
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

Mark 9:37
Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Luke 18:17
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Psalm 139: 13-14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

Matthew 18:14
In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
 

JohnRH

Junior Member
Mar 5, 2018
676
324
63
#29
Age of accountability


Isaiah 7:15-16

New International Version

15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

The age of a countability is determined by common sense 😊. Law of the land.


Children being innocent.
The bible has a lot to say about it.

Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Isaiah 54:13
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

Mark 9:37
Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Luke 18:17
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Psalm 139: 13-14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

Matthew 18:14
In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
I agree that children (babies, toddlers) are innocent because they don't have the law, and ... sin is not imputed when there is no law. Romans 5:13 (KJV)
 
Jul 6, 2023
68
11
8
#30
Age of accountability


Isaiah 7:15-16

New International Version

15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

The age of a countability is determined by common sense 😊. Law of the land.


Children being innocent.
The bible has a lot to say about it.

Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Isaiah 54:13
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

Mark 9:37
Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Luke 18:17
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Psalm 139: 13-14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

Matthew 18:14
In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Thank you for your response.

So before the age of accountability the child is innocent and therefore does not need a Savior?

Also:
Luke 18:16 Jesus is responding to His disciples rebuking the parents who were bringing their children to him. So I think He's really saying don't hinder anyone from coming to Him, for the Kingdom belongs to those who come to Him. As to verse 17 you enter the Kingdom by being like a little child, i.e. someone who has no position, greatness, prestige, or power to enter that Kingdom under their own steam (they needed their parents to bring them).

Isaiah 43:15 does not speak to their innocence. Only that they are taught and have great peace. Isn't the Gospel all about teaching sinners about Christ so they can have forgiveness/peace?

Mark 9:37 This conversation actually starts in verse 35 when Jesus asks the disciples what they were arguing about on the road. They didn't want to tell him because they had argued about which of them was the greatest. Jesus states that to be first you must be last (i.e. the least) and servant of all (i.e. low man on the totem pole). Jesus is illustrating this point by placing a child in front of them. Socially/legally children are least/low man on pole". Taking the child in His arms, He indicates that welcoming the child (i.e. the least, last, lowest) in His name is "welcomes me and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the One who sent me." So this conversation does not appear to be about innocence but rather about humility and servanthood and how that relates to our relationshipto Christ and the Father.
 
Dec 30, 2020
868
228
43
#31
2 questions:
Which scriptures establish the age of accountability?
Which scripture declare children innocent?
When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, this knowledge is inherited to all of their descendants. Where there is no law, there is no transgression. This knowledge is our conscience and we are able to distinguish right from wrong. We, therefore, are born under the law and are responsible for all our thoughts and actions. We are all born condemned because, from birth, our motivation for living is love of self. If an infant or child dies young, I'll let God decide because He knows everything, including how they would've turned out if allowed to grow. I am not qualified to make a judgement or question God.
 

Fundaamental

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2023
3,289
421
83
#32
Thank you for your response.

So before the age of accountability the child is innocent and therefore does not need a Savior?

Also:
Luke 18:16 Jesus is responding to His disciples rebuking the parents who were bringing their children to him. So I think He's really saying don't hinder anyone from coming to Him, for the Kingdom belongs to those who come to Him. As to verse 17 you enter the Kingdom by being like a little child, i.e. someone who has no position, greatness, prestige, or power to enter that Kingdom under their own steam (they needed their parents to bring them).

Isaiah 43:15 does not speak to their innocence. Only that they are taught and have great peace. Isn't the Gospel all about teaching sinners about Christ so they can have forgiveness/peace?

Mark 9:37 This conversation actually starts in verse 35 when Jesus asks the disciples what they were arguing about on the road. They didn't want to tell him because they had argued about which of them was the greatest. Jesus states that to be first you must be last (i.e. the least) and servant of all (i.e. low man on the totem pole). Jesus is illustrating this point by placing a child in front of them. Socially/legally children are least/low man on pole". Taking the child in His arms, He indicates that welcoming the child (i.e. the least, last, lowest) in His name is "welcomes me and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the One who sent me." So this conversation does not appear to be about innocence but rather about humility and servanthood and how that relates to our relationshipto Christ and the Father.
your welcome 😊

Yes I do see the children have a saviour before choosing Christ,

But this is a good question 😊

There is a will from the father and the son.

Both are drawn together.

I see the father draws children to the son,

The main point is the father loves the children to hear the truth about his commandments,

He also loves them in such away he sends a guardian angel, and ask the parent to speak of his truth, the father loves this.

I feel as if there is no corruption the transition to Christ is forgone conclusion, because the will of the father was untainted, as the parent loved them as the father loved them as a child.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,262
29,541
113
#34
What are some examples of factors?
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin." John 8:34

The best place to start is with Scripture: all are slaves to sin before the new birth. Afterwards?

“You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:18)


John 8:36 plus Romans 8:2 If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
:)
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,262
29,541
113
#37
There's no mention of "the will" in those passages.
How do slaves to sin have a will that is free?

PS~ there is no free will mentioned in the Bible at all, aside from freewill offerings.

That does not mean we do not make choices...


Jesus' Words in John 6:65
:)
 

JohnRH

Junior Member
Mar 5, 2018
676
324
63
#38
How do slaves to sin have a will that is free?

PS~ there is no free will mentioned in the Bible at all, aside from freewill offerings.

That does not mean we do not make choices...


Jesus' Words in John 6:65
:)
A person has a will, but the person is not a will. Nor is the will a person.
 

selahsays

Well-known member
May 31, 2023
2,796
1,484
113
#39
because they where children when they became mentally unconscious to make decisions, befor the age of ten.

Which is the age of accountability,

From then they never recovered, but Somone said one thing and someone said another.

One said if the lord wanted to save them he could heal them.

And To another one said in the choice of innocent children they would be given a choice after they pass away from this world.

There's something wrong with both choices.

First choice is it fair to ask a young child to choose ?
Upon resurrection

Second choice many children in such state of loss of mind are not being healed. Is it fair to say they won't be saved.

What's the answer,
selahsays … We have a merciful Father and whether or not He heals or doesn’t heal, it’s up to Him. He hears our prayers of faith and He will always answer them according to His will. God does not hold those who, for whatever reason, aren’t able to choose to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, responsible. Our God is always fair.
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
6,233
2,527
113
#40
A person is free to choose until their sinful ways make the choices for them.

Sin and sinful lifestyles are willfully engaging yourself into slavery of sin.

Which is why we value freedom.