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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Seems to me that there is nothing ''free" about the will of men. "Will" implies someone is inevitably going to be making a choice. We make choices based on our likes and dislikes, as our experiences develop our penchants. Our wills are not then free from influences as the term ''free will" insinuates, but very heavily influenced, if not controlled by, carnal influences. Since the main subject matter of "free will" is related to the topic of a person's use of it to "chose" the salvation offered by Christ, i must assume this person this person is as yet, unsaved. And if yet unsaved, then a slave to sin according to scripture. And if a slave, powerless to change his status single handedly.

We do not exist in a spiritual vacuum. Spiritual warfare is raging all around us. If we are not of God, we are of the father of lies. Only His intervention is able to dislodge the evil one that mounts the spirits of the unsaved as a rider mounts a steed.

Scripture tells us we were created to bring Glory to God and to enjoy His love while we do it. We do have choices to make in our lives. Just because we are incapable of choosing Him (Gen. 6:5) does not make us robots. I tire so much of hearing that phrase! One predetermined decision does not a robot make!

But,for those who still are not convinced, can we hopefully agree that the reason we were created was to bring Him Glory? If so, what brings more glory to God? A single filthy, sin ridden human that reaches out of his element to grasp salvation? Or a God that can reach into that miserable creature's filthy, sin loving man and change him from the inside out enabling him to search after the invisible reality of God?

I despise the theology that rips the amazing accomplishment and glory of God's grace filled deliverance of men and hands it to the human as a trophy, as if that man had accomplished the feat by his own will. Ugh!
167 posted on 01/03/2005 2:39:46 PM PST by griffin
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To: griffin

Excellent post. By the grace of God alone, for His glory and our delight.


173 posted on 01/03/2005 2:51:42 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg (There are very few shades of gray.)
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To: griffin
But,for those who still are not convinced, can we hopefully agree that the reason we were created was to bring Him Glory?

Glory or pleasure. I don't think its up to us to bring God glory. Pleasure, maybe.

If so, what brings more glory to God?

Your question sets things up for us humans to decide what brings God glory. Apart from scripture, I'm not qualified. It is my understanding that Jesus's death and resurrection brought God glory and nothing we do can add or subtract to that.

A single filthy, sin ridden human that reaches out of his element to grasp salvation?

Jesus say we are spiritually dead. We have no way of reaching out if we are dead.

Or a God that can reach into that miserable creature's filthy, sin loving man and change him from the inside out enabling him to search after the invisible reality of God? However, if I can reach out, then its by my works that I am saved. God does 99.99 %, I still get credit for the .01 and therefore its my glory that accounts for my being saved.

If I am dead, this is about the only chance I have. Otherwise I'm doomed.

177 posted on 01/03/2005 2:57:23 PM PST by Raycpa (Alias, VRWC_minion,)
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