childeye 2
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- Aug 18, 2018
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When I was much younger, I did view free will the same as you. But now, I would respectfully submit that it's not that simple. I now believe and would testify that the deliberate commission/choice to sin is an indicator of corruption of the soul, and therefore should not be mistaken as any indicator of a free will.It is really quite simple: if we have NO 'free will' or 'free choice' then it would be IMPOSSIBLE to be judged according to our 'choices'.
To admit that we as carnal beings, have an inherent disability to sin, is to confess that we are in need of a savior if we are to escape the condemnation that comes from being under the law. For this reason it makes perfect sense why Jesus does not ever imply that we are to be judged according to any allusion of free choice to sin or not sin, but rather according to what measure we use to judge others. Hence the belief in a free choice to sin or not sin becomes an impediment to mercy and understanding and a source for self condemnation.
Respectfully, this cannot be true since Jesus was without sin and he did what was always rghteous, and yet he was not a puppet. I believe that sin must be seen as a disability and not counted as any ability. If we do not see this, then I believe that we are as blind and deceived as the Pharisees who were critical of the Christ in the following scripture. Matthew 9:11-13.If we have no 'free will' or 'free choice' then there would be no way for us to do something righteous or commit 'sin'. Take away 'free will' or 'free choice' we are nothing more, nothing less than 'puppets'.
I don't see free will as applicable to learning since ignorance is not a choice but a predisposition.And think about this: if there is no 'free will' or 'free choice', what is the purpose of the Bible? In other words, if one has no 'freedom to choose', what is the purpose of any 'book of learning'?
I believe the purpose of the bible is to testify to the Christ. To learn that to know God is to know the value of Love. To learn that only through faith in the perfect Image of God sent by God is the soul filled with Light and a person enabled to be righteous.
While it is true that we must be always choosing to be doing something or not doing something at every moment so long as we are alive, this does not mean that the will is free as pertains to morality/immorality. It simply means we're alive, just as all living creatures have individual wills that also must be choosing to do something or to not be doing something at all times.Everything in our lives is a matter of us having the 'freedom' to choose. From the moment you awake each day the day begins with 'choices'. For every single act we perform each day is a matter of 'choice'. The fact that our choices are often limited in no way negates the fact that our choices are OUR OWN. How else could we be held responsible for them?
In regards to being held responsible, I would say that God would not expect a carnal minded person to be capable of anything but following a carnal desire.
Please consider these two statements and consider how the word "responsibly" denotes something different in each one. I would say that the first one is concerned with establishing one's own righteousness, and the second is concerned with establishing God's righteousness. Romans 10:3.
1) We can only act responsibly when we take responsibility for our sins.
2) We can only act responsibly when we truly care about how our actions will affect others.
I thank you for your sincere consideration of my thoughts concerning these matters.
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