Is man's will Free?

[Saved by Grace_06]

Christians,

Would you please prove to me via bible alone that man's will is free and not in bondage to sin? Please explain to me how a man who is enslaved to sin (John 8:34), and who cannot understand the Gospel, since it is a spiritual truth and therefore foolishness (1 Cor 2:14), and who cannot even obey God's commandments (Rom 8:7), choose within himself to keep the highest law, namely deny self and follow after Jesus? Also, how does he do this amazing thing when he does not even seek God (Rom 3:11), but instead supresses the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18)? Lastly, how can he do any of this when the Bible flat out says he cannot.

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil." - Jer 13:23

[Saved by Grace_06]

I found the following question on another website. I thought I'd post it here:

"Can those who believe that they have the final word in Salvation fully understand and appreciate what God through His Grace has done for us?"

To those who opt for freewillism and man being the final determiner of their salvation, how would you answer that question?

[Teacup]

"Can those who believe that they have the final word in Salvation fully understand and appreciate what God through His Grace has done for us?"

I can only speak for myself - it was only after a long hard road to my eyes opening to His sovereignty that I could stop wondering if I had 'done it right'

Somehow, the Lord let me read His words with His spirit teaching me. Somehow it was true to me. Somehow I believe. I know I believe, I just don't know how it came to be. I once went to a church where they would not let me join because I could not give them a time and date of my salvation. It troubled me and caused me to doubt for a long time.....

then the Lord showed me John 3:7-8

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

You see, I know I believe. His Spirit bares witness to mine .....but like the wind, I don't see how this miracle happened. That's why I try not to get too discouraged with family that doesn't believe yet because I know that God can do this miracle in a moment of time....He can raise the dead! ysic, DLee

[Saved by Grace_06]

I can only speak for myself - it was only after a long hard road to my eyes opening to His sovereignty that I could stop wondering if I had 'done it right'

Somehow, the Lord let me read His words with His spirit teaching me. Somehow it was true to me. Somehow I believe. I know I believe, I just don't know how it came to be. I once went to a church where they would not let me join because I could not give them a time and date of my salvation. It troubled me and caused me to doubt for a long time.....

then the Lord showed me John 3:7-8

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

You see, I know I believe. His Spirit bares witness to mine .....but like the wind, I don't see how this miracle happened. That's why I try not to get too discouraged with family that doesn't believe yet because I know that God can do this miracle in a moment of time....He can raise the dead! ysic, DLee


Wow! Thank you for this! It was amazing!! :thumb

[Saved by Grace_06]

Christians,

Would you please prove to me via bible alone that man's will is free and not in bondage to sin? Please explain to me how a man who is enslaved to sin (John 8:34), and who cannot understand the Gospel, since it is a spiritual truth and therefore foolishness (1 Cor 2:14), and who cannot even obey God's commandments (Rom 8:7), choose within himself to keep the highest law, namely deny self and follow after Jesus? Also, how does he do this amazing thing when he does not even seek God (Rom 3:11), but instead supresses the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18)? Lastly, how can he do any of this when the Bible flat out says he cannot.

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil." - Jer 13:23

:alone

[The Learner]

Christians,

Would you please prove to me via bible alone that man's will is free and not in bondage to sin? Please explain to me how a man who is enslaved to sin (John 8:34), and who cannot understand the Gospel, since it is a spiritual truth and therefore foolishness (1 Cor 2:14), and who cannot even obey God's commandments (Rom 8:7), choose within himself to keep the highest law, namely deny self and follow after Jesus? Also, how does he do this amazing thing when he does not even seek God (Rom 3:11), but instead supresses the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18)? Lastly, how can he do any of this when the Bible flat out says he cannot.

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil." - Jer 13:23


He does so by God's mercy and grace doesn't he?

[Saved by Grace_06]

He does so by God's mercy and grace doesn't he?

Thats true. But, can you flush that out for me. How does God's grace play out in a person's salvation? What does the grace do for a person?

[The Learner]

Thats true. But, can you flush that out for me. How does God's grace play out in a person's salvation? What does the grace do for a person?

Off the top of my head I would say that God's grace plays out at least two ways in a pesons salvation.

First God's grace is extended to us in the form of forgiveness of sins. That grace was extended 2,000 years ago. That grace is available for everyone. Even though we know that not everyone will accept that grace.

The second way that God's grace is extended to us is in the knock on the door of the heart by the Holy Spirit. It is like when the first time you heard the Gospel, you had the choice to open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit in. Or you could have hardened your heart and rejected God.

[CelticMist]

Grace = unmerited favor that we do not deserve, blessings from God.

Mercy = God withholding judgment or evil that we deserve

[Saved by Grace_06]

Off the top of my head I would say that God's grace plays out at least two ways in a pesons salvation.

First God's grace is extended to us in the form of forgiveness of sins. That grace was extended 2,000 years ago. That grace is available for everyone. Even though we know that not everyone will accept that grace.

The second way that God's grace is extended to us is in the knock on the door of the heart by the Holy Spirit. It is like when the first time you heard the Gospel, you had the choice to open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit in. Or you could have hardened your heart and rejected God.

You sound like a friend of mine (why by the way wrote a great book on the Pre-trib rapture. Get it here: Book (http://www.amazon.com/EARTHQUAKE-RESURRECTION-Supernatural-Catalyst-Catastrophe/dp/1411639707)) OK that said, here's what Jesus said: "Unless a person is born agian he cannot even "see" the kingdom of God." - John 3:3

So there we know that grace proceeds faith, as you said. Notice though what grace does. It gives us eyes to see the gospel (John 3:3) a mind to understand and believe it (1Cor 2:14), and changes our nature to love God and keep his commandments (Ezk 36:35-37). Why then doesn't everyone have this effect if saving grace is given to all?