Our God is a sovereign God. Think about that. No one lives as "free men" under a sovereign, the King's will is all that matters. And so we pray, in all matters, "Thy will, not ours, be done".
Isaiah 46
Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
1 Peter 1:
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
2 Timothy 1:8
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time
“What will does a dead man have exactly?”
We are described as dead. We are also described as slaves, and servants of sin. “ 23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.” - Gal 3
“3In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” - Gal 4
“22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. “ - Gal 4
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” - Gal 5
It is an error to take an analogy too far.
“Our God is a sovereign God. Think about that.”
I have. And if sovereign God chooses to allow us choice, who are you to oppose Him?
And thank you for reminding me of a verse I left out earlier: 1 Peter 1: “To those who are elect exiles...according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood”.
Elect. How? “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” Why? “for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood”.
Just like I said.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 - For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Psalm 146:3-4 - Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
The dead are aware of nothing.