Originally posted by Aeon
He has always been aware of our own dispositions. And the dispositions of his angels.
Agreed. However, the disposition of the fallen man, or the creation created for the purpose of bringing about God's Will, even by their disobedience, is not a concept that surprises God.
But His knowledge of who we are and what we are going to do, doesn't mean that he is responsible for what we choose, or that he planned it.
I also do not believe God is "responsible" for man's disobedience. I do, however, understand that God did create some for one purpose, honor, and some for another, dishonor.
But he sure did allow it to take place so that we could excersize our freedom to choose.
Again, your freedom to choose is really only freedom to the extent that you are free to choose about those things that you can choose. Hope I didn't confuse you too much there.
You are not free to choose to be sinless, or to be God. The fallen man can choose, yes, but he can only choose from a pool of unrighteous choices.
I forget who said it, maybe Spurgeon or C.S. Lewis, but basically, "Your will is only as free as your strongest desire." Man, be he saved or unsaved, will
always act according to his greatest desire. The greatest desire for the unsaved is always going to be a sinful choice. Their act may even be one of kindness. If, however, it is not the love of Christ that compels our actions, it is sinful.
And in the end, God does not MAKE us happy. We CHOOSE to find happiness in following, and believing what has been revealed.
And in the end,
ONLY GOD can make us happy.
God bless.