If one is new to the teachings in the Bible, where do you find books/verses which speak to the matter of "free will"?
2007-01-02 05:31:20 · 17 answers · asked by rare2findd 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
1 Peter 2:16 “Behave like free men, and never use your freedom as an excuse for wickedness.” It is clear though that God did not purpose that man’s freedom be unlimited. It was to be exercised within the boundaries of God’s laws, which were righteous and would work for the benefit of everybody. And those boundaries were wide enough to allow for much personal freedom of choice, so that God’s rule could never be oppressive.—Deuteronomy 32:4.
2007-01-02 05:37:26 · answer #1 · answered by Gizelle K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are plenty of free will verses in the Bible, but I find it much easier to explain free will in the light of predestination than the other way around. Predestination makes free will a cart of rotten apples, where original sin taints us to the point that no one seeks God, it's rather the reverse -- God can and must choose His own. Many would give man the credit for making a choice, but how can he even claim a decision if faith isn't already given? But you have your verses, interpret them however you like.
2007-01-03 19:26:47 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Notice Isaiah 66:3-4:
"...Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."
God called, but the ones being talked about here did not answer. Rather they chose their own way!
Notice 2 Peter 3:9
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Since it is God's will that no one be lost, all would be saved if we did not have free will. But many will be lost (Matt. 7:13-14).
Notice also, Joshua 24:15:
"...choose you this day whom ye will serve..."
We have the ability to choose who we serve.
Our ability to make choices is evidenced throughout the Bible. Think about this. There are many, many commands in the Bible. Why would God give commands and issue laws if men had no choice or control over their own obediance?
The Gospel is to be preached to everyone, not just a few or the elete! (Mark 16:15) He that accepts, believes and obeys this message will be saved. (Mark 16:16) "Whosoever will" has an invitation to "come" to the water of life and spend eternity in heaven. The problem though, many will not, choosing the pleasure of sin over service to God.
2007-01-02 06:24:09 · answer #3 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm not common sufficient with the Quran to assert sure or no in answer on your question from an Islamic attitude. even inspite of the shown fact that, i comprehend that there isn't any verse interior the Holy Bible which specifically states that "God gave guy 'unfastened Will'". the final thank you to make certain mankind's "unfastened will" could be to attitude your question from a extremely different attitude (mentioned as 'asking interior the damaging'). enable's ask; "At what factor does God preclude us from exercising unfastened will?" while asked in this form, it turns into extremely sparkling that mankind certainly does rejoice with unfastened will. each and each guy and lady is often waiting to return to a determination for them-self whether to do something, or to not do something. apparently, regulation as all of us comprehend it somewhat relies upon this same good judgment. You the two dedicate an act, or you fail to act. the two way, it is your determination to make, and you're held responsible for that determination. God has lovingly given us rules to maintain on with and examples for the time of background which reveal what consequences can result from our judgements, yet at no time has God, or his angels, ever truthfully compelled all and sundry to do something against that good's unfastened will. I for this reason think of it somewhat is a honest assertion to assert mankind enjoys (or suffers from) having unfastened will. Does that help?
2016-10-19 09:01:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deut 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendents may live.
Actually the whole of that chapter talks about being blessed for doing the right things and cursed for doing things that are not right in God's eyes. He wants us to choose the next best thing, so that we will have a life of joy.
2007-01-02 05:45:19 · answer #5 · answered by mynickname 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deut 30:19
2007-01-02 05:40:22 · answer #6 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A reference to free will is not in the Bible but the concept is. God gave man dominion of the earth..
Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Dominion: The power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority.
Sound like free will to me.... Jim
2007-01-02 05:40:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This can be found in Genesis and throughout the bible. There is nothing that explicitly says you have freewill. It is all implied.
Like God's command to Adam and Eve to not eat of a certain tree. If they did not have freewill God would not have issued a commandment nor would they have the ability to disobey.
2007-01-02 05:35:12 · answer #8 · answered by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand or perform. It is not up in heaven, so distant that you must ask, `Who will go to heaven and bring it down so we can hear and obey it?' It is not beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, `Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear and obey it?' The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.
"Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death. I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, laws, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
2007-01-02 05:37:57 · answer #9 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:14-16 (in Context) Joshua 24 (Whole Chapter)
2007-01-02 05:35:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋