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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | what does free will mean? | Bible general Archive 4 | emie | 201184 | ||
What does free will mean and where is it found in the old and new testiment? | ||||||
2 | what does free will mean? | Bible general Archive 4 | DocTrinsograce | 201185 | ||
Dear emie, Welcome to the forum! The will is the activity of the human mind in making choices. "Free will" is the idea that the mind, in choosing, is not obligated or bound to make one choice or another. There are three common views held in Christendom today: Pelagianism -- This view asserts that pleasing God is possible by anyone if they are taught the difference between right and wrong. The view holds that sin is a matter of ignorance. Therefore, men are in need of a teacher. Semi-Pelagianism -- This view asserts that pleasing God is possible by anyone whose will has been restored. The view holds that sin is simply a moral illness. Therefore, men are in need of a doctor. Augustinianism -- This view asserts that men are incapable of pleasing God until they are spiritually reborn. The view holds that sin brought spiritual death to mankind. Therefore, man is in need of the divine miracle of rebirth -- something only God can do. Of the three views, only the third one holds up to full Biblical scrutiny. Scripture clearly teaches that Man is accountable to God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Romans 14:12). Adam and Eve -- the parents of humanity -- were created as morally responsible people. They were created without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:29), but they fell from this state by disobeying God (Genesis 3). Since Adam is the father of mankind, his sin effected the whole human race (Romans 5:12-19). Ever since Man has been flawed by sin. Every human being (except Jesus Christ because He was born of a virgin) has inherited original sin (Psalms 51:5, Romans 3). Man is born in sin with an evil and wicked nature (Matthew 7:11, Ephesians 2:3). Men even shares the same evil nature as Satan (John 8:44). Man sins by choice and by the motivation of his very nature. Sin fills every aspect of his being from head to toe (Isaiah 1:5-6). His heart and mind is filled with it (Ecclesiastes 9:3, Ephesians 4:17-19, Titus 1:15, 1 Timothy 3:8, 6:5). "The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). There remains no good in man (Romans 7:18). Man is basically evil, not good. His heart is as hard as stone (Ezekiel 11:19, Jeremiah 23:29). Man imagines that he is only sick, but the Bible says he is dead (Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13). Man feels he is, at worst, near-sighted, but Scripture says he is blind (2 Corinthians 3:14). Man shrugs off his vices as minor, but the Word says he is a slave (John 8:44, Ephesians 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:26). Because of this utter sinfulness of human nature, Man lacks the moral ability to change his nature (Jeremiah 13:23). He can't stop sinning or even want to stop sinning (2 Peter 2:14). Everything he does has a sinful motive behind it, even when his actions outwardly appear good (Genesis 6:5). Man is unable to obey God (Matthew 7:18, Romans 8:7-8). He never seeks God (Romans 3:11). He is unwilling and unable to come to God for help (John 3:19-20, John 5:40, John 6:44, 65). It would be an utterly hopeless situation if it were left up to man. With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). It was for this very purpose that God sent His Son. He didn't send Christ in the hopes that some would believe. He sent Christ in order to secure the redemption of His own (John 10:26-27). Praise God that He didn't leave it in our hands. If He had, none would be saved. In Him, Doc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Bible general Archive 4 | Author | ||
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lwoods496 | ||
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lwoods496 | ||
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myGOD is true | ||
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emie | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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rajesh005 | ||
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rajesh005 | ||
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LASHIMA9 | ||
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holyours | ||
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Learning1228 | ||
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JCSaves |