I did provide some scripture for you earlier, but you mentioned that "you would not read it" because "you disagreed with my statements about predestination and blindness". So I will repost here. WIth a slightly modified statement on blindness.
Calvinism states that God premits blindness for a portion of humanity, not giving them sight. But that is not how the Bible describes blindness. Here are a few scriptures:
Rom 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown
it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,
even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify
Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
2Th 2:11-12 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
In both of these cases God gives a “reason” for blindness, a love of sin, and lack of thankfulness. These things occur "before" a person is made blind. These passages must be taken into account whenever you hear blindness used in scripture. This blindness can occur at different times in a persons life, Judas as an example, was already perceived as a “Devil” at the time Jesus met him. God then used him (Judas) for a negative plan.
You mentioned there are no verses in the Bible that support the idea of free will. But that is untrue. There are many scriptures that give an “IF”, even Cain was given an if moment:
Gen 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire
is for you, but you should rule over it."
God was not lying to Cain, if Cain did well he could be accepted. This is the same with cities, and nations.
Jer 18:7-10 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy
it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant
it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.
But this “IF” this choice is all throughout scripture in the OT. Now let’s look at a few scriptures regarding salvation:
Job 36:10-12 He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity. If they obey and serve
Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.
Job 36:10-12 above clearly shows how God give two “Salvation” choices to people, one of life one of death.
(SOme versions of) Calvinism forces salvation on given individuals, stating that God gifts the Holy Spirit to people not based upon any obedience, choice, etc. Just because God desires it. This is the same as Fatalism which was fought by the Early Church.
The reality of receiving the Holy Spirit is much different.
Joh 14:15-16 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
Joh 14:22-24 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
The above scriptures which “are” talking about the Holy Spirit show that our response to God’s word, our obedience, leads to receiving the Holy Spirit. Judas who asked how blindness and sight works, was told by Jesus that obedience to God was the key. Those who obey “first” then receive the love of the Father. "First" meaning after God reaches out with His saving word. This is the same as the other passages I shared on blindness, blindness only occurs to those who “had pleasure in unrighteousness”.
Note I do not believe we are saved by our deeds, but that these scripture show there is a choice made by us. To explain this a little better. When we marry a person, we don't just put on a ring and say "I am married". We date, investigate the persons character, this is the same with salvation. When a person chooses to follow Christ, they "see" His character of forgiveness, and love, but also HIs desire for obedience. Although being married to Jesus (figuratively) is what saves, we also "choose" based upon knowing His character. A part of that is "knowing" that in order to be married to Christ, we will have to obey Him.
That's why the scripture states:
Joh 3:19-20 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
People who see the character of Jesus but wish to remain in their sin, are not eventually, saved.
www.christianpost.com
, but it’s interesting that you think you manifest only good fruit. I mean, more power to you if you do, but ISTM that that would be quite the feat, even with the Holy Spirit guiding you.
