Radrook
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- Feb 25, 2016
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I'm sorry, but belief in Free Will is an illusion.
We do have Dominion, which was given to Adam for the ordering of our lives, and within this Dominion we do have the ability to make choices.
But Free Will only pertains to our ability to sin or not sin, it doesn't even pertain to an ability to reject Salvation, or even walk away from it once received.
The best demonstration in the Bible which shows our lack of Free Will is in the very chapter you have used as your example (FOR) Free Will.
Rom 7:14-21
14) For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Being sold under sin refers to being a SLAVE of Sin.
No Slave has Free Will, this next verse backs up the one above.
Rom. 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Now to continue with Rom.7
15) For that which I do I allow not:
for what I would, that do I not;
but what I hate, that do I.
16) If then I do that which I would not,
I consent unto the law that it is good.
17) Now then it is no more I that do it,
but sin that dwelleth in me.
18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:
for to will is present with me;
but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19) For the good that I would I do not:
but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20) Now if I do that I would not,
it is no more I that do it,
but sin that dwelleth in me.
21) I find then a law,
that, when I would do good,
evil is present with me.
This whole recitation of Paul's is an example of Sin happening even against the Will or (Free Will), because Sin is part of our makeup as human beings, it's what is called, our Sinful Nature.
There isn't any teaching by any writer in the Bible including Jesus, which give us any understanding of how we are to deal with Free Will,.... If, it is such an important part of us, why not?
But, there is a lot of teaching which says we cannot resist Sin, we are slaves of Sin, as with the verses above.
Even after a person is Saved and Baptized, they Sin.
But God be Praised, He has even made provision for our Sinful Nature, remember, we were Saved when we were still Sinners, this means nothing has changed.
Except the understanding of what the magnitude of Gods' Grace actually is.
Rom. 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
I will sum it up this way, I'll make it simple.
If we as Christians are.
1) Dead to the Law
2) Dead to Sin
3) Dead to the Flesh
How does a Christian sin?
That is where Gods' Grace comes in, it's in our understanding of our standing in Jesus Christ.
Be Blessed
Please remember, that we cannot consider ourselves slaves to sin as you are saying because we have a liberator-Christ Jesus.
Paul was merely speaking about a tendency, an inherent condition brought about by Adam who via his disobedience sold our birthright of perfection to a slave master called Sin.
So a price had to be paid to liberate us.
That price was paid by Jesus out redeemer.
1 Corinthians 6:20 ►
New International Version
you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
That’s why we are referred to as being purchased
Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: "Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
That’s why we are referred to as no longer being slaves to sin:
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
[/quote]Rom 6:20
Jubilee Bible 2000
For being previously the slaves of sin, now ye have been made the slaves of righteousness.
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