[ksen]

I think if the Non-Calvinists and Calvinists can get on the same page about what, exactly, is Free-Will then we will have gone a long way to doing away with the constant misunderstanding and misrepresenting of the faith of the Reformers.

[ksen]

GRPL Ping!

[opus86]

Bump for later perusal

[HarleyD]

"A good nature will result in good choices, and an evil nature will result in evil choices."

God makes things simple. Man makes things difficult.

[Gamecock]

Great post.

Many of his points have been made repeatedly by members of the Swarm. It is good to see all of the points wrapped up neatly in one article.

[sr4402]

But there is a better question than this to ask. Free will. What is it?

According to the non-Calvinist, it is the ability to Choose God. The ability to choose to follow Christ on ones own volition. There is only one problem with this, The Lord Jesus Christ said it was not the case:

John 6:44 (NSAB) "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

and

John 15:16a "You did not choose Me but I chose you"

The Lord Jesus Christ is clearly saying that no one can come to him (Christ) unless the Father draws him. Jesus says he does the choosing. So those who argue Free will to come to Christ have a problem not with us, but with Christ himself.

The Apostle Paul, rightly echos this when he quotes Psalm 14:1-3:

Romans 3:11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

So if this is so clear, why all the arguments? It is because the flesh wants it's own importance. The old nature says it has to have some part in salvation. The flesh wants to say "I chose God", but again the Lord Jesus Christ clearly says otherwise.

If you take John 6:44, memorize and meditate on it in your heart, the Holy Spirit can show you the truth of the matter. And once you have heard, you can only shout with praise! Your Salvation and your Savior is much greater than you ever believed!

It looks like your free will, but the truth of the matter is that the Father has drawn you with the irresistible grace of Christ, resurrected your dead spirit to the point where you say "I Believe" and, Bless His Holy name, He still works on you all the way to the Pearly Gates.

Free will is an illusion. It sounds really nice and it feels good in the flesh, but the truth of Scriptures shows a completely different reality. Taking in the Word of God as it is reveals Christ, His wooing us, and the reality of what is really going on.

[ponyespresso]

for personal study

pony

[RnMomof7]

Excellent article Kevin.
Sproul explains it much the same , that choices are based on our preference and our preferences come from our heart.

I am going to bookmark this.

Thanks

[Jerry_M]

As a Calvinist, let me say that I believe in free will. All men are free to do anything they want to. However, the unregenerate sinner will never want to submit to God, thus he doesn't.

[Cvengr]

Matt 12:33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good...

This is commented upon by the author of the article, "Christ teaches here that choices come from the heart. The will does not command the heart; rather, the heart commands the will."

The statement begs the question. The passage shows how man is able by free will, to remain faithful to God. By remaining faithful and continuing to be sanctified, and by keeping our thinking processes on track with His Word, our soul may process Scripture and doctrine and it is formed into the human spirit as good thinking.

The more we 'right think', the more we flush out the old corruption from the heart and replace it with that which He provides by the Holy Spirit.

The more our hearts abound with as a good tree, the more our words speak with good fruit and we will be judged by that fruit.

The volition and choices made on the battleground of the soul, determine the volatility of effect of the Word upon our hearts. Where we make bad choices and reject it, we not only do not grow in righteousness, but we begin to degenerate our hearts and scar our souls to future growth in Him.

We live by continuing to grow in Him, and with our free will fighting the good fight. The Church today is composed by those with free will who choose to remain faithful and obedient to His will.

There's plenty of freedom and things to do in life after remaining faithful in Him. Life isn't simply struggle against bad choices. It's a happiness and joy in living by His will.

[Cvengr]

BTW, good article and thanks for posting.