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While it's true that we make choices, it is the Lord who determines the results. Those who suggest otehrwise would seek to limit God's utter sovereignty over His creation. I can will myself to be rich, I can will myself to be taller, I can will myself to have a nicer car.

So, when someone comes to choose to believe that Christ is his Savior, it is really God who is determining that belief? Can we choose to think about or do anything that God does not want us to think or do?

Our inherent nature is sin, naturally our will is set against doing what He commands of us.

So, we do have a will? And we can act in ways that go against what god desires of us? Either we have free will and we can think and act in ways that God does not desire, or we don't and all of the results of our thoughts and actions are what god desires and ordains.

>>So, when someone comes to choose to believe that Christ is his Savior, it is really God who is determining that belief?<<

Essentially, yes. The Holy Spirit opens your eyes to your iniquity, and gives you a regenerate heart that desires to please God. We are born at a natural enmity towards God, and only He can cause us to see the light of His truth. If we could achieve salvation on our own, by our own will, then there would be no need for Christ, and that would mean that God is dependent upon us for our salvation. The moment that He becomes dependent upon us for anything, He ceases to be all powerful and all knowing. This would also make our salvation a fruit of our works, and not born out of utter, irresistible Grace.

This is the foundation of Divine Election, and what causes a split among many Christian churches (Calvism vs. Arminism or Monergism vs. Synergism). It's not as simple as making a choice to believe in God, as the unsaved cannot simply generate faith on his or her own, it takes the power of the Holy Spirit to awakene that faith.

Acts 2:39 - For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.

Acts 13:48 - When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Galatians 1:15, 16a - But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me...

Scripture, both Old and New Testament are peppered heavily with evidence of effectual calling. If you'd like, I can FReepmail you some more tonight when I have more time.

>>Can we choose to think about or do anything that God does not want us to think or do?<<

Of course. Our "default" nature is bent towards sin, and even the saved Christian has indwelling sin that can entrap and captivate him if he chooses to make improper decisions. Christians still sin. Where the difference is, however, lies in how we have reconciled our sins with our creator vs. the unsaved who have not, and still sin with unrepentant impunity. This is why "self-control" is the last and greatest fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5)

>>So, we do have a will? And we can act in ways that go against what god desires of us? <<

Yes we do, I never said we didn't. We are free to make decisions, however, we do not control results.

>>Either we have free will and we can think and act in ways that God does not desire, or we don't and all of the results of our thoughts and actions are what god desires and ordains.<<

You're not seeing the difference between decisions and results. Your two above sentences are both correct. We make decisions, but God, in His omniscient and omnipotent sovereignty, knows how we will respond, and already knows how the situation will work out.

Please read the following for a deeper explanation:

http://www.apuritansmind.com/Arminianism/WalterChantryMythOfFreeWill.htm

I had a hard time accepting this truth as well. Most people do. But the more I studied it, and the more I searched the Scriptures, the more it makes perfect and complete sense.

Soli Deo Gloria,

IOTN