Can free will exist with predestination?

[GenemZ]

By very definition, the word predestination itself means that what you do was determined before you were ever born.

Not what you do. What you are to be involved in. God predestined into what family you would be born. But, he did not predestinate that you would be a brat, or good child. He predestinated that where you were born and lived... but he did not predestinate that you would like, or dislike it. One person growing up in your neighborhood may have loved it. Another, hated it... That is where free volition comes in.

I do believe in free will, I believe that though God will not chose things for you, things outside your own choice are all controlled by God. I believe that none of us that are going to Heaven would be going if God hadn't called us.

We can not know what we have not been shown. "Many are called (invited), yet few are chosen." Many were given the same opportunity. Few received it. The few are the ones God knew would believe. Because free will is involved, he must also invite those who refuse... to show them later on that they chose to reject.

However, I believe He called us because He knew we would accept, which we did.

Others are called (invited) as well... Why? It reveals free will.

The Bible tells us that all things are worked together for the good of the God's children.

That only applies to those who mature and grow to love God. Not all believers do. Many simply emote or become sentimental about God. These refuse sound teaching on the Word of God. They hate correction. They want to believe what they want to believe about God.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3 niv

All things do not work together for the good for those who do not love God.

"For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment." 1 Corinthians 11:29-31

Not all believers even know what it is to love God. They have an idol created in their minds and worship their image of Jesus like a young girl back in the fifties worshipped Elvis. They refuse to learn the Word in accuracy. They seek out teachers to tell them what they want to hear.... For them, all things do not work together for the good. Many become unhappy and are emotionally unstable. Yet, they will often times be the first ones to shout out, "PRAISE GOD!"

Outbursts of emotion does not indicate love. Love can be very quiet and thoughtful, not drawing attention to oneself.

Yet, all things do work together for the good for those who have grown to be able to love God. The Greek even implies the following...

"For we have come to know in fact that God works.... "

"Have come to know..." That indicates that its part of a maturing process. We must grow into this realization of truth. Not all will. When we are first saved and God is disciplining us it is not seen as working for the good. It hurts and causes "fear and trembling," as we work out our salvation.

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. " Hebrews 12:5b-11 niv

Those who refuse, never learn the truth of Romans 8:28! All things do not work together for the good for them!

"For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction (sin onto death), their god is their stomach (emotions), and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." Philippians 3:18-19

Only those who mature can say that they truly know that God works all things together for the good.... for those who "love him." Those who do not love him, refuse to mature! They refuse to take up their cross.. they refuse correction...

We all need correction on the road to spiritual maturity.

"There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12 niv

Yet, many seek out teachers to tell them what they think is right, is right!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD ." Isaiah 55:8 niv

Those who are walking in pride and fear being made to feel helpless and stupid (needing grace) will refuse. Those who trust God, will accept correction... in fear and trembling.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise." Psalm 111:10 niv


"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." Philippians 2:12 niv

There are those who escape the cross... become its enemy... and glory in their way to worship. Their glory is their shame...

This means that He does have a hand in things, not just an observational standpoint. So, though we have free will, and our choices affect what happens to us, He moves things around it, and He uses the choices we do make in his plan. He depends on us chosing how He knows we will chose, and works with and around our choices. I know this is all very confusing, but it does make sense in my mind. Does anyone else see what I do?

He also plans situations were we are forced to make a choice... To test if we will abide in his Word, or to seek out the answer in his Word! After all, he planned to have Satan tempt him in the wilderness... And, we are to follow his example. Yet, if you truly desire to know the love of God, you will see eventually when you look back, that he was working all things for the good. If you wish to worship a Christ of your own ideals... then you will not be able to say that as one who knows it is true.

" But constantly be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

If you do that... down the road , Romans 8:28 will become a matter of fact in your life. Not just seen as a promise!

Grace and peace, GeneZ