Acts 16:14

[Hammster]

A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. (Acts 16:14 NASB)

Why was it necessary for Jesus to open her heart? What was wrong with her in the first place? Did she not have the free will to choose prior to that?

 

[Steeno7]

A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. (Acts 16:14 NASB)

Why was it necessary for Jesus to open her heart? What was wrong with her in the first place? Did she not have the free will to choose prior to that?

To respond. Could she have still responded negatively?

 

[Hammster]

To respond. Could she have still responded negatively?

Why couldn't she respond before?

 

[Steeno7]

Why couldn't she respond before?

You didn't answer my question.

 

[Hammster]

You didn't answer my question.

Yes.

Why couldn't she respond before?

 

[Steeno7]

Yes.

Why couldn't she respond before?

Her heart was closed.

 

[Hammster]

Her heart was closed.

Why does that prevent someone from responding? What's wrong with them?

 

[Steeno7]

Why does that prevent someone from responding? What's wrong with them?

If we were left to ourselves no one would believe. God solicits our response through the influence of our mind and emotions, our 'heart'.

 

[abacabb3]

To respond. Could she have still responded negatively?

No. God caused her to respond, so the result was predetermined.

 

[Hammster]

If we were left to ourselves no one would believe. God solicits our response through the influence of our mind and emotions, our 'heart'.

Okay, but why would no one believe if left to themselves?

 

[Hammster]

No. God caused her to respond, so the result was predetermined.

I disagree. But not really the subject of this thread.

 

[Steeno7]

No. God caused her to respond, so the result was predetermined.

God opened her heart to respond. It does not say He caused her to respond positively. That we are made response-able in no way limits or determines how we respond.

 

[Hammster]

Let's not derail.

Thanks.

 

[abacabb3]

Okay, but why would no one believe if left to themselves?

GOd "grants belief" and "there is no one who understands," implicitly on their own.

 

[Hammster]

GOd "grants belief" and "there is no one who understands," implicitly on their own.

 

[abacabb3]

I disagree. But not really the subject of this thread.

You asked whether she had the free will to respond before God opened her heart. She apparently did not because by necessity GOd had to act first. So, being that God does all these things in accordance with His predertermined purpose, they are necessarily related and answer your question.

 

[abacabb3]

 

[Hammster]

You asked whether she had the free will to respond before God opened her heart. She apparently did not because by necessity GOd had to act first. So, being that God does all these things in accordance with His predertermined purpose, they are necessarily related and answer your question.

The thread is about her condition prior to God opening her heart.

 

[abacabb3]

The thread is about her condition prior to God opening her heart.

Well, it was inability otherwise there was no purpose in God opening her heart, because everyone's hearts would be open by default.

 

[Hammster]

Well, that was fun.