...of everything. We like to say we have 'free will' or 'free choice', but that is not what the Bible tells us. That may be what our choices appear like from our vantage point; but, God has chosen His children from the time of Creation. There is no situation or circumstance we can contrive by 'choice' that can thwart God's will for us...whether that be blessings or adversity...whether we understand it or not. His ways are higher than our ways.
Rather, when we 'choose' to follow the Lord and believe, we 'choose' to serve Him and store up treasures in heaven. When we ignore or outright disobey the Lord in our lives by our own 'choice', I think God gives us opportunities to bring condemnation and judgement on ourselves. If gone unrepented with no faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, we 'choose' to place ourselves under His judgement. On the other hand, through faith in Christ (which itself comes from God, not ourselves) we 'choose' to bring glory to God the Father.
What do you think?
2007-02-28 08:14:34 · 12 answers · asked by BowtiePasta 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
DUDE wrong...the bible says we have free will...tht is our choice of accepting God or not...re read it man
2007-02-28 08:18:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
First you say we don't have any choice...and then you say we have some choice.
You need to make up your mind. Either you choose or you do not.
But perhaps it is God's will people do not believe the Bible...if "whether we think so or not that God is totally in control of everything" and "there is no situation or circumstance we can contrive by 'choice' that can thwart God's will for us."
If this is not the case...then there actually is choice and God does not totally control everything.
~ Eric Putkonen
2007-02-28 08:27:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll tell you what I think (cause you asked) referring to each line of your text, starting with the question as the first.
1. true, assuming we know what you think of as God,
2. assumption that the bible has authority
3.good observation
4. lost the train of thought, you go with a physical description of reality to a theological premise that God knows all things from before time. I would counter with a physical description of how our free will is not that free, i.e., we think we can move around as we please, but we actually move around according to our limits of bodily mobility as pertaining to gravity, strength, endurance, etc.
5. that is a noble statement, I would like some proof.
6. of course, considering we are mortal, God is immortal.
(paragraph break)
7. standard Christian thought.
8. true, we reap what we sow, but it could use clarification
9. okay, this is the most interesting philosophical point. If we choose not to judge ourselves, as you say, we place our judgement under God. An analogy to this is, if we as a U.S. citizen act however we please, and commit a crime, regardless of our judgment, the U.S. will judge us. So spiritually, if we do not atone, God has the final say, so I think you are saying that God gives us a chance to judge, but if we choose not to, he judges us (isn't this free will???)
10. I would ask why, if man can judge himself (as you yourself said) why does he need Jesus Christ?
The point where you say..."whic itself comes from God."
Is the most interesting. What is this? Is it Jesus? Is it physical, spiritual, mental? Is it faith itself, judgement itself, love itself? Reality itself? Atonement itself?
Some things to consider.
2007-02-28 08:30:47 · answer #3 · answered by Julian 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't think, I just feel Happy, to read, I think you have an angel mind, perhaps not as perfect as the lord, nor as perfect as the Son although you are his Son Too?. excel and become in God Image is your gain, please the Lord, not me, nor anyone else, until then you are with HIM, Glory to god, and I hope this can continue expanding. God is my Shepperd? What????? <
2007-02-28 08:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by paradiseemperatorbluepinguin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Free will" concerning salvation is not in the Bible, anywhere. I challenge anyone to reveal a verse where "free will" is used in conjunction with salvation. We, who believe, are of the elect, the ecclesia, the out called ones. Ephesians 1 lays it out very clearly. All humanity is tainted with sin, dead in trespasses and sins, and destined for Hell. God, out of mercy, love and grace, chooses out some for salvation. We have nothing to do with our salvation, it is all a work of God. Election and predestination are all through Paul's writings, you will not find him speaking of free will, us "choosing" God, or making Him Lord and Savior (He IS Lord and Savior, we don't make Him anything). God is totally sovereign.
2007-02-28 08:23:47 · answer #5 · answered by BrotherMichael 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm. Interesting take on that. Personally, I think we each create our own realities. And if you believe in God and think he's in control, then he is. If you don't, but you feel guilty about it you could bring judgement upon yourself. And if you don't believe in the Christian concept of God, maybe heaven and hell don't exist for you, and if you don't believe in God at all, then God doesn't exist.
2007-02-28 08:23:26 · answer #6 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe whether we think so or not that God is totally in control...?
that i agree with,all the way!
2007-02-28 08:27:06 · answer #7 · answered by Jo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should accept responsibility for your own life and stop giving it to a non existent god
2007-02-28 08:22:47 · answer #8 · answered by Nemesis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just because our frail minds can't comprehend how free will and God's foreknowledge can co-exist doesn't mean that they don't.
.
2007-02-28 08:18:08 · answer #9 · answered by s2scrm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I believe I can fly, should I jump from a roof?
2007-02-28 08:18:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋