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There is no place in the Scriptures which claim that man has no "will". That is, if by the definition of "will" you mean a perception that the man/woman is making a decision to do things. The underlying question is, "Is this 'will' being conditioned, managed, guided by God or is the man an entity with complete freedom in this decision making?" The answer Scripture provides is, "There is nothing without the direct influence of God's management."

All of the admonitions to, "...do this, do that..." may seem to imply to you that there must be "freedom" to accompany the request or they would be meaningless. Sorry, this is your misunderstanding. The entire point of the Mosaic Law was to demonstrate the inability of the Jews to be holy. Irrespective of effort, intent, piety, or work. Read Paul's epistles, especially Romans & Galations. God asked Israel many times to do something, all the while denying them the ability to perform. Why? To demonstrate their broken natures. And, the need for His intervention.

God is managing it all. But, if you believe I am arguing that this removes my guilt, let me assure you I am not. The Scripture is crystal clear...men will be held responsible in spite of the fact that He manages us into the sin.

And an uproarious argument against this claim is precisely what Paul anticipated he would hear from Roman congregations who read his letter (Chap. 9). "You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?"

Paul's answer is sobering. Who exactly do you think you are to question God's right to do this? Are you God's judge? He can, and does, exactly as He wishes with each person, molding them, making them into vessels for honor...or destruction. Erase this material from your theology at your own peril.

AMEN, Dutchboy88!

May all Christians learn from your terrific posts on this thread to trust in God rather than in their own "good choices."

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." -- 1 Corinthians 15:10

`Tis not that I did choose thee,
For, Lord that could not be;
This heart would still refuse thee,
Hadst thou not chosen me.
Thou from the sin that stained me
hast cleansed and set me free;
Of old thou hast ordained me,
that I should live to thee.
`Twas sov'reign mercy called me
and taught my op'ning mind;
The world had else enthralled me,
to heav'nly glories blind.
My heart owns none before thee,
for thy rich grace I thirst;
This knowing, if I love thee,
Thou must have loved me first."
Josiah Conder, a 19th-century London Congregationalist, prominent author, abolitionis who also worked to repeal Britain's anti-Jewish laws and the compiler of his best-selling "Congregational Hymn Book."

"Conversion and salvation must, in the very nature of things, be wrought and effected either by ourselves alone, or by ourselves and God together, or solely by God Himself. The Pelagians were for the first. The Arminians are for the second. True believers are for the last, because the last hypothesis, and that only, is built on the strongest evidence of Scripture, reason and experience: it most effectually hides pride from man, and sets the crown of undivided praise upon the head, or rather casts it at the feet, of that glorious Triune God, who worketh all in all. But this is a crown which no sinners ever yet cast before the throne of God who were not first led into the transporting views of His gracious decree to save, freely and of His own will, the people of His eternal love. Exclude, therefore, O Christian, the article of sovereign predestination from thy ministry or from thy faith, and acquit thyself if thou art able from the charge of robbing God." -- Absolute Predestination, by Jerome Zanchius, Chapter 5, III, (3).

I hope Harleyd won't mind me quoting him. He speaks to God's sovereignty so eloquently...

When we choose that green shirt over the blue shirt, in some weird way God is guiding that decision-or perhap us for our benefit. And for scripture reference I would use, “All things work together for good with those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.” Somehow selecting that green shirt to wear for the day works for our good. That is part of the “All” in all things. This is indeed a mystery.
Why selecting that shirt would matter (or a pair of socks) I don’t know. But knowing that thought has brought me great comfort. We can rejoice because it means that God won’t allow us to make any decisions that won’t be for our benefit somewhere down the road. Even the bad ones like wearing a green shirt. ;O)

Amen, Harleyd!

All Christians are entitled to know the truth of your post and the great "comfort" and assurance predestination brings. Sadly, the world conspires to keep it from us and thus lay the free gift of salvation at our own feet, and not those of "that glorious Triune God," as Zanchius wrote.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." -- Philippians 2:13