Do you surrender your free will when you are Born Again?

[Carl Emerson]

Hi Brother, I believe that the definition of free will is, "the ability to freely choose whatever we desire the most at a given moment in time".

That said, when have any of us ever "totally" surrendered the reins of our life to Him? Would not our sanctification be complete if we were able to do so?

Finally, if there are "conditions" that must be met by us before God is able to save us, why does the Bible tell us that we are saved by grace (by His UN-merited favor)?

Thanks!

--David

He convinces us that He is Lord and we can entrust everything to Him, and gives us the grace to fully surrender to Him.

 

[Carl Emerson]

In New Zealand you are surrounded by a multitude of laws that limit what you can do. You are not free, but bound by countless laws, regulations, edicts etc.
How are you able to claim that you are a free man?

As you know this is a strawman, but there is a large element of truth. Everyone surrenders certain aspects of freedom to complie with laws that benefit and protect society.

In the same way the Christian only is free because he willingly follows laws and restrictions that benefit him and society.
Freewill is only free while itis bound by Jesus's commands.

The alternative is the slavery to the devil that every nonchristian is under.

In my OP I made it clear that there is no such thing as absolute 'free will'.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Not true , Peter walked on water and he wasn't even born again back then .
No you can be saved but reprobate , like that couple who lied about house they were called brothers in Christ yet died on spot to give witness of not lying .

Yes this was at Jesus invitation and He having established the physical laws has the authority to break them at will.

And yes they were in fellowship and called brothers but were not born again. Similar to Judas.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Initially mankind was created in the image and likeness of God. Since the fall, caused by acting out of God’s will, mankind has lost God’s likeness resulting in a fallen will. Once a person is born from above, initated by God’s will, God works in and through the believer through faith that produces deification, Christification or theosis (take your pick) which manifests in the believer’s will becoming God’s will which by extension becomes their free will.

Yes but to be born again required a surrender to His Lordship.

 

[Carl Emerson]

It sounds like you are trying to formulate a rational case for ‘once saved, always saved’.

Believe me, real wisdom is discussable James 3:17 ...the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Real wisdom does not just fire scriptures back and forth.

What I present is a combination of study of the word, life experience, rational thinking, personal encounter with Him, and Grace.

What theological position you prefer is your issue, but remember that the truth sets you free so the closer to the truth you are, the freer you get....

 

[Antoni]

Believe me, real wisdom is discussable James 3:17...the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Real wisdom does not just fire scriptures back and forth.

I agree with you! And with that, must say goodnight!

 

[St_Worm2]

Your definition of grace as being ‘His UN-merited favor’ seems incomplete.

Hi Antoni, how would you further define God's saving grace?

Also, what do you believe God means when He tells us that we are, "saved by grace"?

Thanks

--David

Romans 11
6 If it is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
.​

 

[Tigger45]

Yes but to be born again required a surrender to His Lordship.

Well I said God is the initiator, the surrender of men is a subsequent effect.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Well I said God is the initiator, the surrender of men is a subsequent effect.

Yes but at the point of being born again, there is a full surrender to His will and control - agree?

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

In New Zealand you are surrounded by a multitude of laws that limit what you can do. You are not free, but bound by countless laws, regulations, edicts etc.
How are you able to claim that you are a free man?

As you know this is a strawman, but there is a large element of truth. Everyone surrenders certain aspects of freedom to complie with laws that benefit and protect society.

In the same way the Christian only is free because he willingly follows laws and restrictions that benefit him and society.
Freewill is only free while itis bound by Jesus's commands.

The alternative is the slavery to the devil that every nonchristian is under.

The unconverted person does not have free will. He is a slave to sin and cannot choose anything else other than those actions that have a selfish motive. He will even break the law of the land and do criminal acts if he thinks it is in his best interests to do so.

But when a person becomes converted to Christ, he is set free to choose to follow the paths of righteousness and has been see free from the power of sin. He can choose not to do a selfish, sinful act, and can choose to do those things that reflect the fruit of the Spirit.

 

[Tigger45]

Yes but at the point of being born again, there is a full surrender to His will and control - agree?

As a Lutheran I subscribe to “Simul justus et peccator”.

 

[Carl Emerson]

As a Lutheran I subscribe to “Simul justus et peccator”.

Yes but we have many references to trusting in the Lord with all your heart and this whole heartedness is required to be born again.

EZ 11
19I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

Jer 32
38They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. 40I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.

 

[Jonaitis]

Total surrender to Him is a condition to be met to be born again.

How do you surrender if you are still dead in your sin? Shouldn't regeneration precede our surrender?

 

[Carl Emerson]

How do you surrender if you are still dead in your sin? Shouldn't regeneration precede our surrender?

Are you suggesting you can be born again without being whole hearted?

 

[RexColin]

I personally want him to takeover my life and will in everything, I suck at managing my life my way, he makes far better choices than I did before. Trading my free will for his will, best bargain in the world.

 

[Tigger45]

Yes but we have many references to trusting in the Lord with all your heart and this whole heartedness is required to be born again.

EZ 11
19I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

Jer 32
38They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. 40I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.

You’re not saying you’re sinless right?

 

[Jonaitis]

Are you suggesting you can be born again without being whole hearted?

Rather, regeneration is the change that occurs in the soul. In your natural state you resist God.

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." - Romans 8:7-8

 

[Carl Emerson]

You’re not saying you’re sinless right?

Not in a million years... He showed me the huge chasm between His Holyness and my deep depravity.

 

[St_Worm2]

Not in a million years... He showed me the huge chasm between His Holyness and my deep depravity.

Hi again Brother, if you're still sinning, how can you say that you are "totally" surrendered to God?

Thanks!

--David

 

[Carl Emerson]

Rather, regeneration is the change that occurs in the soul. In your natural state you resist God.

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." - Romans 8:7-8

Following this line how is it then possible to be born again without a whole hearted commitment ??