But, Hillsage, if you are claiming, as you appear to be doing, that everything that happens is predestined by God, then we have absolutely no freedom, and God ends up being the author of terrible evil and suffering.
Isn't that exactly what the church believes to be ETERNALLY true? Doesn't the OT make you kind of cringe at times? It certainly does me.
I typed up a screensaver banner one time that said;
"God reigns through those who obey, and He rules over those who disobey." I don't limit those words to just believers. I think that the concept of 'Free Will' sounds good because we 'think' we have it. But I don't see '
total free will' in scripture.
What father holding his little girl‘s hand crossing a busy street would ever let it go? The more she pulls, the tighter he squeezes. There is no way she is going anywhere! Is God any different? The argument that a person can choose hell by rejecting God as a result of "free" will is in effect saying a little girl has more strength than her dad. God has given man a "measure" of free will, but certainly not to the degree that He would allow him or her to damn themselves forever in torment. Is God less of a parent than we are (Mt.7:11)? We extend increasing freedom to our children as they mature. Too much too soon is disastrous. He knows just how much freedom we need for our development.
God, as Creator, is owner of all things (Ps. 2:8; Ez. 18:4; Col.1:16; He. 1:2), and that includes you and I. He has never relinquished that title. Only He has absolute "free" will over His property.
Should we be forever lost, He would be the loser and God is not a loser! Many say hell is locked on the inside. But Christ has the keys! (Re.1:18). Many believe God‘s hands are tied; as much as He would like to keep us, He is unable. But, is our power to destroy His property really greater than His power to preserve or restore it? How free and powerful are we? What role did we play in controlling our life experiences that have made us what we are? Will we deliberately choose what sufferings we will undergo in the future that inevitably will affect what we become? What intricacies of our reasoning processes, which determine our decisions, do we fully control?
Is the Bible right in saying no one seeks after God, that our natural mind is at odds with Him and not subject to his law? Indeed it cannot be subject said Paul (Rom 3:11, 8:7). How can a naturally hostile mind, which indeed cannot submit itself to God, of its own "free" will do so? Is there not a contradiction here? Only God can give us faith and draw us to Himself; we cannot muster it up. See Heb 12:2, Ro 12:3, Jn 6:44, 15:16, Phil 1:29, Mt 11:27; 16:16-17: Jn 1:13; Act 13:48; 1Co 4:7; Ep 2:8-9; 3;16-17; Ph 1:6; 2:13; col 1:12; 2Th 3:2; 1Ti 1:14; Tit 1:1; Ez 36:26-27; Jer 24:7; 31:33-34; 32:39-40. To idolize "free" will as though it were the crux of our salvation contradicts the Bible's 'predestination truth' and fosters a boastful attitude!
PHI 2:13 for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
I don't claim 'all understanding' of this, but I do know there's enough in scripture on this subject that I yield to its depths.
Romans 9:20-21 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
"What God requires of us he himself works in us, or it is not done. He that commands faith, holiness, and love, creates them by the power of his grace..." - Matthew Henry
