tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203174451356862507.post6474918617150889623..comments2023-05-20T06:30:03.560-05:00Comments on Jon's Journey: Free WillJonathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01266729238990589293noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203174451356862507.post-78922850555540597312014-11-17T16:08:02.253-06:002014-11-17T16:08:02.253-06:00I say we do not have a free will. We do have an en...I say we do not have a free will. We do have an encumbered will, a twisted will, a tainted will, but a will never the less. I make that distinction. Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06869272176391202061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203174451356862507.post-13465748735469939902014-08-29T14:38:58.262-05:002014-08-29T14:38:58.262-05:00Jon,
We want to cling to the verses that rely on ...Jon,<br /><br />We want to cling to the verses that rely on God's work for us (He must increase)…and take the verses that somehow lead us to believe that we play some role in our salvation and make them subordinate to verses that it clear that it is all God's work.<br /><br />The being born that the Gospel of John is referring to is the new birth in Christ. That is why it is clear to say , "not of the flesh…nor of blood, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN…but of God."<br /><br />Listen to that class if you get some time. he explains it better than I can<br /><br />Thanks, Jon.Steve Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251554325064300307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203174451356862507.post-320701739667965092014-08-29T08:46:36.948-05:002014-08-29T08:46:36.948-05:00Thanks Steve Marti n for the comments and sharing ...Thanks Steve Marti n for the comments and sharing those verses. The verse in John 1 is contrasting being born by the will of human parents vs being born by the will of God. The way I read these verses, God initiated the child father relationship we have with him. <br /><br />But there are other verses that speak about us needing to chose to follow, obey, love, believe.<br />Do you see the problem some may find with saying we have no free will? That everything seems pointless? God is just going to pick the people He wants to take to heaven, and he picks others to send to hell - the choices we make, and the responses to God's love make no difference at all. It seems to me that way of interpreting this issue allows us to ignore large portions of the Bible. Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01266729238990589293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203174451356862507.post-79591455237086385852014-08-28T23:14:55.377-05:002014-08-28T23:14:55.377-05:00That sign on the bus says it all.
If we really ha...That sign on the bus says it all.<br /><br />If we really had a "free" will…then we COULD stop worrying.<br /><br />But since our wills are 'bound'…to sin…we are NOT free. <br /><br />You see?Steve Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251554325064300307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203174451356862507.post-5664549453509022532014-08-28T22:55:09.022-05:002014-08-28T22:55:09.022-05:00Jon,
I strongly urge you to give this a listen:
...Jon,<br /><br />I strongly urge you to give this a listen:<br /><br />https://theoldadam.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/pastors-class-22free-will22-etc.mp3<br /><br />It's easy listening. Not dry one bit. It's like you were talking it over with a friend.Steve Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251554325064300307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203174451356862507.post-15295109960888092312014-08-28T22:47:55.067-05:002014-08-28T22:47:55.067-05:00Hi Jon.
You've touched upon one of my favorit...Hi Jon.<br /><br />You've touched upon one of my favorite subjects.<br /><br />There are a few other good Bible verses that categorically deny our so-called "free-will".<br /><br />The Gospel of John tells us (chapter 1, I believe) that "we are born not of the flesh, nor of blood, nor of the will of man (there it is), but of God."<br /><br />Also in John, Jesus says, "Nobody can come to me except he be drawn by the Father." (and that word "drawn" is more accurately translated to "compelled").<br /><br />Of course there is the conversation that Jesus has with Nicodemus where Jesus tells him that "you have to be born again". Nic says" how can I do that…" Then Jesus tells him that "you can't do it…it has to come from above."<br /><br />Regarding our freedom, Jesus tells the Pharisees that they are NOT FREE. They say, we are descendants of Abraham, we are no ones slaves." And Jesus says, "If you sin, you are a slave to sin."<br /><br />And of course, Jesus tells the disciples, "You do not choose me, but I have chosen you."<br /><br />So much for "our freedom" when it comes to the things of God.<br /><br />Now…we do have freedom with regard to decisions on this plane. Choosing our spouse. Our car. Our job. What color socks we will wear, etc.<br /><br />My 2 cents.<br /><br />Thanks, Jon.Steve Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251554325064300307noreply@blogger.com