Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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Pilgrimshope

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Sep 2, 2020
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Well that's my question: if faith originates with God, isn't He the One who produces it? And if He produces faith, someone who possesses faith has received it from God? My point being, either someone believes because faith has been produced in them or it is not present and the individual will reject God. If God produces faith, the one in which the faith is produced will believe. The one in which faith is not produced will not believe.
“Well that's my question: if faith originates with God, isn't He the One who produces it?”

he planned and fulfilled the gospel and then sent the message of salvation out to all humanity ….so they could hear the word and either accept it and be saved or reject it and be doomed

she did already produce it then he sent it out for n the message of the gospel to all people . It’s like you don’t think Jesus has done enough to save us and there needs to be some other secret thing he’s gonna do that is enough

The gospel promises eternal life , salvation , it teaches us all the father made known to the son it’s where all his promises began it’s where we are promised his Holy Spirit promises remission of our sins , promised a resurrection and unto life

But it’s like some people are still waiting for god to do that secret thing that can save us . Bro all things began with and came from God acknolwedging what he said to us that can save our souls isn’t trying to take glory from him or save ourselves it’s trusting in him trusting that he’s not telling us fables trusting in who he is and that he’s capable to keep those things he did say to believers

the gospel is complete and can already wothoit anything else being done save any soul that will hear believe

Now some reject it some aren’t sure when they hear it and some will believe it . god isn’t deciding that part the people are according to his declaration of salvation in the gospel

the message of the gospel is all that’s needed god is all through it in spirit and fills our hearts and minds as we abide

gods responsible for giving us the gospel that saves souls that’s what he’s given us the gospel there’s faith available in ot for all but not all will be willing to receive it they love the world more than the idea of eternity with the lord it isn’t what he wanted for them he gave his precious blood fornthier sins too but they rejected him all on thier own
 

BillyBob

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Dec 20, 2023
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Knowing in advance that some would choose to believe His Word that Jesus is His Christ makes God a fortune teller?
Those who choose to believe are in fact known by God (I agree), not simply because they choose to do so - but because a work will be done for them. It will not fail because God in three persons will make it happen!
 
Jul 3, 2015
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2 Corinthians 4 verses 3-4 ~ 2 Corinthians 4 verse 4 ~ Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God.
 

studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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So that means God needed to make a lineage that would go throughout humanity until Jesus time [which is part of God's Plan] be fulfilled.
And then a spiritual lineage in Christ by grace through faith which includes volitionally taking hold of the gift from Heaven.
 
Jul 3, 2015
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Those who choose to believe are in fact known by God (I agree), not simply because they choose to do so - but because a work will be done for them. It will not fail because God in three persons will make it happen!
Next thing you know we will have FWers denying that people's names are written i the Lamb's Book of Life...
 
Jul 3, 2015
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And then a spiritual lineage in Christ by grace through faith which includes volitionally taking hold of the gift from Heaven.
When asked who could go to heaven, do you know what Jesus said?

I don't think you do, but I am hopeful you could get it right even though most everything you say screams you disagree.

It's shaping up to be a hot summer day here. A little refresher perhaps?

With man it is impossible.

Oh, yes, there is also the matter of Jesus saying it was not possible for
a bad tree to produce good fruit but you disagree with that as well.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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“Well that's my question: if faith originates with God, isn't He the One who produces it?”

he planned and fulfilled the gospel and then sent the message of salvation out to all humanity ….so they could hear the word and either accept it and be saved or reject it and be doomed

she did already produce it then he sent it out for n the message of the gospel to all people . It’s like you don’t think Jesus has done enough to save us and there needs to be some other secret thing he’s gonna do that is enough

The gospel promises eternal life , salvation , it teaches us all the father made known to the son it’s where all his promises began it’s where we are promised his Holy Spirit promises remission of our sins , promised a resurrection and unto life

But it’s like some people are still waiting for god to do that secret thing that can save us . Bro all things began with and came from God acknolwedging what he said to us that can save our souls isn’t trying to take glory from him or save ourselves it’s trusting in him trusting that he’s not telling us fables trusting in who he is and that he’s capable to keep those things he did say to believers

the gospel is complete and can already wothoit anything else being done save any soul that will hear believe

Now some reject it some aren’t sure when they hear it and some will believe it . god isn’t deciding that part the people are according to his declaration of salvation in the gospel

the message of the gospel is all that’s needed god is all through it in spirit and fills our hearts and minds as we abide

gods responsible for giving us the gospel that saves souls that’s what he’s given us the gospel there’s faith available in ot for all but not all will be willing to receive it they love the world more than the idea of eternity with the lord it isn’t what he wanted for them he gave his precious blood fornthier sins too but they rejected him all on thier own
The reason I asked the question as I did was to isolate the source of faith. If it is God producing faith, wherever that faith is produced one will find salvation. No one who has faith rejects God. It is only those who do not possess faith who reject the offer of salvation. What you are saying is that all men receive faith and must choose to follow or reject God. But you aren't taking into account the nature of faith. Faith always believes God. That's what makes it faith. So if faith is produced in an individual by God, belief is always the result. It's not that I don't believe individuals are called to make a choice because I do. It's simply that the choice one makes is predicated upon whether faith has been birthed in them by God or not.
 

BillyBob

Well-known member
Dec 20, 2023
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Wow! Someone willing to discuss the best interpretation of Scripture instead of being pejorative, which is refreshing.

Regarding "It is good to see that you no longer believe in man's freewill, but now agree that we turn to God because of His calling, mercy, and grace (which can never fail)!": I have always believed that souls have MFW, but interactions with tulipists on CC has prompted me to clarify or elaborate what I mean by saying "God initiates; sinners cooperate--or not". Such clarification that I have added to our website (bolded) includes the following:

Jesus Himself expressed GRFS even more succinctly using three, four and five letter words: “Ask… seek… knock…” (Matt. 7:7). This indicates that God graces every sinful soul with the ability or opportunity to understand how to be saved (MT 7:7, cf. 1Tim. 2:3-4, Ezek. 33:11), which might be called “seeking grace” (Tit. 2:11). As Hebrews 11:6 states: “he [God] rewards those who earnestly seek him” (cf. Isa. 45:19).

Seeking God is the beginning of saving faith, and not seeking God or rejecting His salvation in Christ is the essence of evil atheism or faith in I-dolatry (Rom. 3:11, 1:18-23). All humans sin, but every sinner has the opportunity to repent/have saving faith (per Rom. 1:20, 2:7, 3:21-22, 4:16 & 5:8-19). Thus, sinful humanity retains the image of God or moral free will, so every normal adult soul is able by faith to choose to seek salvation–or not (cf. Deut. 30:19).

The distinction between kerygma and didache involves a difference in content and purpose. The kerygma proclaims GRFS, which calls for repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Lord, which is an all or nothing decision that occurs at one moment in time. The didache teaches God’s will regarding how saints or those who have been saved should live in order to be a good witness for Christ, which involves learning more of God’s Word throughout one’s lifetime.

A passage teaching this truth is Colossians 2:6-7: “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord [kerygma], continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught [didache].” There is no qualitative difference between faith that accepts God’s saving grace at conversion and faith that accepts God’s working grace while walking/living (EPH 2:8-10, 2CR 5:7, RM 1:17), but only a quantitative difference as each additional moment passes–and of course faith remains non-meritorious during the saint’s entire lifetime.

Regarding 2 Timothy 1:8-10:

1. You - He saved us before time began!
Me - God devised His POS before time began.

2. You - He called us with a holy calling before time began!
Me - God's plan was to save all who cooperate with His POS.

3. You - Not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace.
Me - Agreed.

4. You - Which is now given to us in Christ Jesus.
Me - Agreed.

5. You - God did not perform these acts just to watch them fail.
Me - Agreed (?) that God's POS does not fail.

6. You - Ask yourself, who is the us that is mentioned?
Me - Us is those who have cooperated with God's POS.

7. You - Is it the entire human race, or is it His elect (the people of His choosing)?
Me - Sometimes "us" refers to everyone, so we must use discernment.

Over...
Thanks for reading my post and I'm glad that we agree on some of the points being discussed.
 
Jul 3, 2015
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And then a spiritual lineage in Christ by grace through faith which includes volitionally taking hold of the gift from Heaven.
Do you mean once you discover the significance of the work God has done in you, you decide/choose to co-operate with God?

That once you lay aside any inherent rebellion and opposition and hostility to God as a result of Him drawing you with loving kindness, which worked repentance in you, which was HIS goal and not yours, you were finally able to understand that which had been hidden from you before and seen as foolishness? Jesus did come to open the eyes of the blind and seek and save the lost. It just comes across as crass when the free will crowd keeps making it about what they did while pretty much ignoring everything God had already done in their lives. You know? Like honestly to the point where there are those who claim God was not even required.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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Many will tell any lie in an attempt to discredit you.
This is the crux of the matter: where does faith come from? Is it produced by God or men? If it does originate with men, salvation is, at least in part, to men's glory. If it originates with God, then all the glory belongs to God. As jealous as God is for His own glory, the latter comports better to what is revealed about God.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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Agreed. I saw elsewhere where you wisely stepped off the merry-go-round. This thread may now be destined for the 15k+ posts circle.
Yeah lately it seems any subject begins a circle between two factions lol at least it’s not a church and just a discussion forum or itd be a bigger shame
 
Jul 3, 2015
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This is the crux of the matter: where does faith come from? Is it produced by God or men? If it does originate with men, salvation is, at least in part, to men's glory. If it originates with God, then all the glory belongs to God. As jealous as God is for His own glory, the latter comports better to what is revealed about God.
Yes, I understand. They make receiving about what they do instead of being about what God does. Some deny faith as a gift.


1 Corinthians 4 verse 7b; John 3 verse 27; Romans 9 verses 15-16 ~ What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did also receive it, why do you boast as not having received it? John replied, "A man can receive only that which is given him from heaven." "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
:)