You can't chose to believe something can you?

[Hammster]

One desires to believe God, ... while the other desires not to believe.

Okay, why does one desire to believe and one doesn’t?

 

[A_Thinker]

Okay, why does one desire to believe and one doesn’t?

Per Jesus ...

John 3

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[Hammster]

Per Jesus ...

John 3

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Okay, why does one do evil, and another one do truth?

 

[A_Thinker]

Okay, why does one do evil, and another one do truth?

All is sourced in the plan of God.

We were made (by God) to make choices.

 

[Jonaitis]

So, in reality, we can't force ourselves to believe something, right?

We choose what we love and want, and it isn't God if we are unchanged by him.

 

[Hammster]

All is sourced in the plan of God.

We were made (by God) to make choices.

Again, what’s the difference between you, let’s say, who chose to believe in Christ; and the sinner who rejected Him all of his life? Are you just a better person because you don’t hate

 

[A_Thinker]

Again, what’s the difference between you, let’s say, who chose to believe in Christ; and the sinner who rejected Him all of his life? Are you just a better person because you don’t hate.

I am what God made me.

 

[Hammster]

I am what God made me.

That didn’t answer the question.

 

[Calvin_1985]

First, I will say this...The only predestination the Bible shows us and speaks of is the predestining of Israel to bring forth the Messiah so as to bring Salvation of reconciliation to Our Creator. That Messiah is Jesus of Nazereth. Yahweh does not predestined individuals to Salvation or to condemnation.

Second, after numerous days spent on this site, I have come to realize that these forums do nothing for nobody. Sincere folks ask questions and they are bombarded with numerous opinions and interpretations Both true and false. Seriously, if you have questions regarding something, do not go to the internet, do not go to a Pastor, do not appeal to commentaries, but go to the Father without a decision in your mind and seek to know from him. He will show youif you truly desire to know the Truth. All this forum nonsense does is confuse people.

 

[A_Thinker]

Again, what’s the difference between you, let’s say, who chose to believe in Christ; and the sinner who rejected Him all of his life? Are you just a better person because you don’t hate.

Ultimately, I want what God wants. Others may not.

It is the way God made me. All comes from God. I certainly can't take any credit for it.

I don't think that it is an issue of being better. I think that it is an issue of being aligned with God.

 

[Hammster]

Ultimately, I want what God wants. Others may not.

It is the way God made me. All comes from God. I certainly can't take any credit for it.

I don't think that it is an issue of being better. I think that it is an issue of being aligned with God.

Then if that’s the case, those that love darkness are that way because it’s how God made them. Right?

 

[devin553344]

I didn't choose to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the reason I can and do.

I didn't choose to believe in predestination, the Bible says God chose us and predestinates so I believe the word of God.

I didn't choose to believe in the Trinity, the Bible says these 3 testify as 1. The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.

I didn't choose to believe 1+1=2.

So, in reality, we can't force ourselves to believe something, right?

Many people have false beliefs. They call that a schizophrenia trait. And it is reported that much of the sane population have schizophrenic traits. Schizophrenia

"Schizophrenia is characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behaviour. Common experiences include hallucinations - hearing voices or seeing things that are not there and delusions – fixed, false beliefs."

Noticing "false beliefs" at the end of that paragraph. I think the bible is an attempt to dismiss false beliefs. Also science is an attempt to dismiss false beliefs.

Although simply having false beliefs does not make one schizophrenic, it is a trait of schizophrenia.

What do we believe? What are we taught as children? Is it false? We have much debate on the interpretation of scripture here. Then all believe the other interpreting people are in false beliefs.

Just a thought

 

[salt-n-light]

I didn't choose to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the reason I can and do.

I didn't choose to believe in predestination, the Bible says God chose us and predestinates so I believe the word of God.

I didn't choose to believe in the Trinity, the Bible says these 3 testify as 1. The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.

I didn't choose to believe 1+1=2.

So, in reality, we can't force ourselves to believe something, right?

Yeah you can. There’s a different between “ I didn’t choose to believe” vs “ I had no choice based on what was presented but to believe”

 

[A_Thinker]

Then if that’s the case, those that love darkness are that way because it’s how God made them. Right?

God made everything. Or, at least, got the ball rolling ... with a measure of free will thrown in. So, then, there are some made, ... who will not align with God.

 

[sawdust]

Then why was I unable to believe back then when I was 19? I said the sinner's prayer and was unable to believe or repent from my sins.

Then one night I opened the Bible to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit came in and gave me eternal life which resulted in a life change too.

You confuse unwillingness with inability. You were unwilling to believe (as you revealed in a later post). There are many who sit in wheelchairs at this time who are more than willing to "get up and walk" if only they had the ability.

 

[Hammster]

God made everything. Or, at least, got the ball rolling ... with a measure of free will thrown in. So, then, there are some made, ... who will not align with God.

Aren’t you crediting God for making you as a person who loves the light? That doesn’t sound like free will.

 

[sawdust]

Then if that’s the case, those that love darkness are that way because it’s how God made them. Right?

I suspect that was Lucifer's last line of defence. "You made me this way (rebellious), how can I be any different?" Hence the Lord put His plan into motion of subjecting everyone into a position of Total Depravity (the complete inability to do God's will) in order to show that no-one is created rebellious (evil) but rather we all learn and choose for ourselves that which we love. The light or the dark, the choice is ours. God has ensured we see both so there can be no claim of ignorance and no denial of what we are. It's the price of real freedom.

 

[Hammster]

I suspect that was Lucifer's last line of defence. "You made me this way (rebellious), how can I be any different?" Hence the Lord put His plan into motion of subjecting everyone into a position of Total Depravity (the complete inability to do God's will) in order to show that no-one is created rebellious (evil) but rather we all learn and choose for ourselves that which we love. The light or the dark, the choice is ours. God has ensured we see both so there can be no claim of ignorance and no denial of what we are. It's the price of real freedom.

So why do some choose the light, while others choose the dark?

 

[ace of hearts]

The context was clear that “he” is the unregenerate man.

So are you saying that yes, he’s a slave to sin? If so, I don’t understand what you mean by “yes, upon redemption”.

Perhaps I used the wrong word upon. Accepting redemption proves a person made a choice.

Jn 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

There are a few verses that say whosoever will. I don't know how to interpret that except a person has a free will.

 

[ace of hearts]

So why do some choose the light, while others choose the dark?

What does that matter? It seems some here want to prove God is unjust. Concerning predestination God knew what an individual by name would do before creating the world.