It is a bit hard for me to see how cause and effect does not somehow apply to everyone. We do indeed choose, but our choices are caused by all the things impinging on our thinking and urges. If, as God has planned all along, some of us are slaves to sin, we still choose to sin, even if it includes rejecting God. If, on the other hand, God changes us, giving us new life, so that we are no longer slaves to sin, we can choose him. You can talk about cannot, but there is always the will not. So how can they if they will not?
Their hearts were already shut. As for the claim that "God wanted them to believe, Jesus wanted them to believe.", if as you say, "they shut their hearts, making it impossible for them to believe.", God can indeed convict whoever he chooses, and as God's Word always has an effect, they closed their hearts and minds to it. I want to hear a good description of how the word "want" applies to God. You seem to think it is like with us. Christ said, "not my will but yours" to the Father. His humanity "wanted" to avoid what he knew was coming, but he well knew he also WANTED to follow through with the plan, for the joy set before him. God feels many things, no doubt, but what he WANTS, he will accomplish.
I believe in free will. We got different voices and we choose by free will which we listen to.
A few years ago God told me to do something. I struggled with this for a while, then I decided - by I believe, free will - not to do it, and I hardened my heart since I went against God's will and what I knew was right. Even God knew I would say no, he wanted and gave me the possibility to say yes. Could I have said yes, of course I could! Would I have said yes, yes if I had decided to, too bad I didn't!
The same choice was given the Jews. They did as I did, they listened to the voice that said no. Like God wanted me to say yes, God wanted the Jews to say yes. That's why Jesus talked to them.
With this said an unbeliever often doesn't want to choose to believe. That's why the Holy Spirit needs to convinct us. Of course the circumstances matter. I think it's impossible to know how free will and God's will meet. It's one of those "how and why" - questions. Long before I got saved, I had periods where I was a believer for a few days, but left faith again. I always convinced myself to do so. Allready back then it was a fight of "wills".
You seem to want everyone to have some kind of sovereignty over even God. Do you really think God's eternal plan, in every (and any) specific detail, hinges on our stupid, weak, ignorant, self-important hearts?
God allowing a person free will doesn't give a person sovereignity over God. God is sovereign. His plans can certainly not be thwarted, but I don't think God has a plan in specific details in every small thing.
Have you read 2 Kings 20? What understanding do you think this gives us on how God deals with us from his all knowing to eternal plan, predestination and our free will?
20:1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” 2 Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3 “Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5 “Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”’” 7 Then Isaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.” And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
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