http://www.spirituallysmart.com/free_will.html
"Free Will" is not really the issue as far as the Word of God instructs. What the issue is accountability. On this page i will talk about what the Bible says about our wills and what is required of us.
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
The word "Wilfully" dissected:
1) voluntarily, willingly, of one's own accord a) to sin wilfully as opposed to sins committed inconsiderately, and from ignorance or from weakness.
Now why would God warn us about sinning "wilfully" if we have no "free will"? Why that's "illogical"
And why would the terminology be, "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin"? That clearly shows that this is a person who had received forgiveness from Jesus through His blood that was shed on the cross at Calvary is not to be forgiven again.
Here's another usage of that same Greek word for "wilfully" in the new Testament:
1Peter 5:2 "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;"
"Willingly" is the same exact Greek word (hekousiōs) used in Hebrews 10:26
Here's another similar Greek word. hekōn
1) unforced, voluntary, willing
2) of one's own will
3) of one's own accord
1 Corinthians 9:17 "For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation [of the gospel] is committed unto me."
No "Free Will" you say? Hmmm, sounds like false doctrine to me. I have provided three verses in the Bible that refute your no "Free Will" claim. These verses are used in the context of making choices using free will. These verses can not be ignored. I have, at least made a case against no "free will" from the Bible.
Be careful what you say for you can make God to look like He's double minded.
Now it's important to mention that these verses are all being applied in the context of saved men using their free wills. Because Jesus has set us free from the bondage of satan we now can use our free wills to serve God more completely. In other words, God opens the door for us. Doors satan can not close. In God's mercy he does this.
As Paul states,
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1Cor 15:10
Paul used his free will and knowledge of God and the gifts God gave him to labour "more abundantly than they all". Paul states in the Scripture above that "... if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward" 1 Cor 9:17
And we will receive a reward if we labor for God.
"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." 1 Cor 3:8
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal 6:7
As Jesus also stated, "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:48
Say you are sitting under a tree in total ignorance of the knowledge of God. Not knowing the Lord at all and God has a messenger of His come by that tree and sees you sitting there and he turns and says to you, "Seek God."
Well, then you now know you should "seek God." And then what does God say?
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." Deuteronomy 4:29
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Luke 11:9, 10
Then someone may say, "What about this verse?" "...There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Romans 3:10-12
This is true, it takes God's prompting through preaching His Word or God directly guiding you to His Word like what happened to me. When I needed God most in my life He supernaturally lead me to His Word where I received the instructions from God on what to do.
This page should bring the Fear of God upon you the fear of God is wisdom. Job 28:28.
"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." Proverbs 14:27
The Fear of the Lord causes you to stay in Him. the fear of God is love. love is the keeping of God's commandments.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1 John 2:3
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If there are 10 commandents, "rules", we are supposed to live by them, where is the free will in that?
svenus97 2 years ago
are you really asking that? the free will is that you dont have to do if you dont want to. just like when an israelite sinned and was stoned to death. or adam and eve were thrust from the garden.. simple basic bible man. but you're too smart for that right? thats why the Lord told us to be simple. as children. but you dont want to. you want to change the gospel into a conspiracy theory.
tlthe5th 2 years ago
Fine, then how about this... He gave you free will right... and so it means to do what you want, but he will still punish you severly if you don't belive in him...? Isn't that hypocritcal and evil? Free will, but punished if not acting like he said, where is the free will in that?
svenus97 2 years ago
I don't get it. His way is the same way every institution is. If you don't follow the rules you pay the price. You don't have to pay attention to His commandments. just like you don't have to follow the law of the land. but if you get caught you get punished... sound familiar? It started at home with mommy and daddy. are you going to pretend God is unfair when you were born with the same exact rules and consequences in your home? Only God is the ultimate Judge. take your chances then...
tlthe5th 2 years ago
@tlthe5th The rules in the institutions are made because the actions we take that break the rules affect others in one way or another in a negative way. We are bound by those rules because breaking the rules have a potential of demeaning others around us. However, do our acceptance of jesus christ and our love for him affect others? That rule do not have any constraints in affecting society, but we have to believe in god and love him or else? Doesnt sound like free will to me.
liestand 1 year ago 6
@liestand if you believe what God did for you or us through Christ you would love Him. The bible says we love Him because He loved us first and sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins. if you understood this then you would love God. there's a lot involved but one lesson that stands out to me right now is that if we seek God we will find Him. We do have free will to accept God's love for us or reject it. Jesus said men often choose death although He doesnt take pleasure in that. He pleads
tlthe5th 1 year ago