What is the extent of God's Freewill?

Charlie_ · May 14, 2010

When the Bible talks about freewill, what is the extent of it? Is freewill a gift God gave us to be whoever we want? A follower of Christ? A carpenter? A doctor? etc?

If that's the case, as we all know, not all of us are born with the same "set of tools". Some people cannot be doctors and some cannot be carpenters, does this negate or remove the concept of freewill?

Bless you.

BarrySoetoro · May 14, 2010

Charlie_ said:
When the Bible talks about freewill, what is the extent of it? Is freewill a gift God gave us to be whoever we want? A follower of Christ? A carpenter? A doctor? etc?

If that's the case, as we all know, not all of us are born with the same "set of tools". Some people cannot be doctors and some cannot be carpenters, does this negate or remove the concept of freewill?

Bless you.

After humanity's fall from grace, humans only had the limited choices afforded by the tree of good and evil, which is a warped perverted sense of good and evil (both are degrees of RAA, i.e. missing the mark).

Being born of the Spirit restores that connection with God the Father through Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Only those who have been 'born again' can truly do 'good.'

Charlie_ · May 14, 2010

BarrySoetoro said:
After humanity's fall from grace, humans only had the limited choices afforded by the tree of good and evil, which is a warped perverted sense of good and evil (both are degrees of RAA, i.e. missing the mark).

Where is the scripture that says this? and does this mean adam and eve removed freewill from all of us?

And what is RAA?

Being born of the Spirit restores that connection with God the Father through Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Only those who have been 'born again' can truly do 'good.'

Of course, but what if a born again Christian wants to be something he obviously cannot be?

Bless you.

BarrySoetoro · May 15, 2010

Charlie_ said:
Where is the scripture that says this? and does this mean adam and eve removed freewill from all of us?

And what is RAA?

Of course, but what if a born again Christian wants to be something he obviously cannot be?

Bless you.

Gen. 3
RAA is Hebrew for 'evil,' which is inferior to what is truly 'good.'
Born again Christians can overcome their sinful natures as an airplane overcomes gravity at liftoff. It is for the Christian to discover what (s)he can be by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Thaeoles · May 15, 2010

The extent of 'freewill' is the human imagination. Because of our fallen nature, we are either slaves to sin or servants to God. Our choices are determined by these factors, as well as how God has made us to be naturally inclined to certain subjects of life. The Bible never really addresses 'freewill' in detail, but is quite clear that God has determined the future.

Duckybill · May 15, 2010

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

Charlie_ · May 15, 2010

I should have clarified, say for example someone is born without sight or hearing, where is the freewill to be whatever they want? Freewill doesn't exist for them.... or at least my understanding of what is freewill?

Im asking what does the bible mean when it talks about freewill?

Thaeoles · May 16, 2010

Where does the Bible talk about 'freewill'?

Duckybill · May 16, 2010

Thaeoles said:
Where does the Bible talk about 'freewill'?

I was going to ask the same question.

Charlie_ · May 17, 2010

Well this changes everything I know, you guys are correct.

I searched and the only mention of freewill in the bible is a freewill offering.

I was told that God loved us so much he gave us freewill to love him or not. But there were obvious consequences(damnation) if you didn't believe.

Armistead · May 17, 2010

Seems man has always had the freewill to make his choices for good or evil, even before the fall. Adam and Eve were told not to eat and chose not to eat for who knows how long. They were scared to die, so they knew fear of making that choice. Indeed they had to be tempted to a rather harsh degree before they made that choice....so freewill existed before the actual fall.

As for freewill, man is very limited it seems.

Emmy · May 17, 2010

Dear Charlie. When God gave us the 10 Commandments, we had the choice of following God`s loving advice to us, or ignoring, or going against it, we were given free will, no force or coercion. God made us in His image, we are the only beings in this Universe to be able to think, or reason. The extent of God`s freewill is " we choose to love and do good, or we ignore God`s loving advice altogether, or just partly, Or we do as We like, selfishly follow our own wishes and desires. God is LOVE, He loves us and wants loving sons and daughters. We also have God`s eternal Law, follow God`s Commandments, and reap what we sow, or do as we like, and have fitting consequences. God`s Law stands forever, even the World in its Unbelief, knows there are always consequences. Often sooner than later, but God is in Commandment, and we can trust His fair and all-embracing Judgment. I say this humbly and with love, Charlie. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

Charlie_ · May 19, 2010

Armistead said:
Seems man has always had the freewill to make his choices for good or evil, even before the fall. Adam and Eve were told not to eat and chose not to eat for who knows how long. They were scared to die, so they knew fear of making that choice. Indeed they had to be tempted to a rather harsh degree before they made that choice....so freewill existed before the actual fall.

As for freewill, man is very limited it seems.

I always thought they wanted the knowledge the fruit provided. Not because they were hungry?

Emmy said:
Dear Charlie. When God gave us the 10 Commandments, we had the choice of following God`s loving advice to us, or ignoring, or going against it, we were given free will, no force or coercion. God made us in His image, we are the only beings in this Universe to be able to think, or reason. The extent of God`s freewill is " we choose to love and do good, or we ignore God`s loving advice altogether, or just partly, Or we do as We like, selfishly follow our own wishes and desires. God is LOVE, He loves us and wants loving sons and daughters. We also have God`s eternal Law, follow God`s Commandments, and reap what we sow, or do as we like, and have fitting consequences. God`s Law stands forever, even the World in its Unbelief, knows there are always consequences. Often sooner than later, but God is in Commandment, and we can trust His fair and all-embracing Judgment. I say this humbly and with love, Charlie. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

So we dont actually have freewill to become something we dont have the skills to be. Example, a deaf man cannot take up a certain profession that requires hearing.

Rick Otto · May 19, 2010

If God is omnipotent, His will is "free" of anything save Godly restraint.
There is no "free" will in humanity.
We can only do what God allows.

Charlie_ · May 19, 2010

Rick Otto said:
If God is omnipotent, His will is "free" of anything save Godly restraint.
There is no "free" will in humanity.
We can only do what God allows.

So then some are more blessed than others, wouldnt it be easier for some to believe and be obedient to gods will, than others?

Rick Otto · May 19, 2010

Charlie_ said:
So then some are more blessed than others, wouldnt it be easier for some to believe and be obedient to gods will, than others?

Of course, but only from a finite perspective. We know from scripture (the eternal, God's perspective) that it is impossible for ANYone to even understand the gospel* unless their already "saved" (regenerated - "born again" in spirit) because spiritual things cannot be perceived or desired by "natural" (fallen) man. 1Cor2:14

So "easier" is a figurative, or at least relative term.
We can't rightly even say it's easy for God. Look at the trouble He went to.
*it is foolishness to those "that are perishing"

What is the extent of God's Freewill?

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