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A Question about freewill
disciple:
I am new to this forum.....And just recently found Ray's website.......
Free will is something I have been contemplating lately and have some thoughts on it..Not answers..
If the actions of man are not under his own controll, then do we actually commit sin ? Does this mean
Hitler did not really murder millions of Jews and Christians ? Does this mean that when the pagans of ancient times murdered there own children by cutting there throats from ear to ear in sacrifice to there false gods, that it was not there fault, it was predestined for them to do this ?
As you can see, one could carry this to quit and extreme .
But I currently have no definitive answer. Still searching for a more simple understandable answer.
Kat:
Hi disciple,
I'm glad you have joined us here.
The subject of free will is a topic that is discussed here quite often, because it is so difficult to comprehend. You must read and reread Ray's articles and the scripture that he shows to hope to come to an understanding.
I have found an email that answers your question, but this will only get you started.
http://bible-truths.com/email11.htm#responsibility ----------
[Ray Replies]
Dear Chris:
You ask how one is held "accountable" when he only did what he HAD to do? I actually do answer this in my paper, but let me relate it for you. God has NOT given man 'free' will (the ability to make UNCAUSED choices), all of man's choices are CAUSED BY SOMETHING. But the man DOES MAKE THE CHOICES!
When you or I are confronted with a decision to either do something that we know is right, or know is wrong, we weight the options and MAKE THE CHOICE. God has absolutely given man a brain that has the ability to process information. Man CAN process information and make a choice. But it is the information itself the causes the choice one way or the other. The man cannot make a choice WITHOUT some form of information that influences or ultimately CAUSES him to make a choice. NO ONE MAKES US MAKE THE CHOICE, even other unforeseen circumstances and information DOES MAKE OR CAUSE US TO CHOOSE! True, circumstances beyond our control, which we do not see or even perceive, do cause us to MAKE a choice, but ... BUT, IN OUR OWN HEART AND MIND, WE MAKE THE CHOICE -- not someone else or something else.
But "it's all GOD" Who is ACTUALLY doing it, isn't it? NO, YOU, ACTUALLY, ARE THE ACTIVE PARTICIPANT WHO IS DOING IT! God merely brings about the circumstances that INFLUENCE AND CAUSE YOU TO DO IT!
Now then, pay close attention to what I am saying: Why are we held accountable for something that we absolutely COULD NOT HAVE AVOIDED? Why? Because at the time we made the 'voluntary' (not absolutely 'FREE,' but 'voluntary') CHOICE, it was in OUR heart and in OUR mind to DO SO. And if the choice was WRONG, or SINFUL, then WE, not GOD, must be held accountable. God takes the "responsibility" for what we did -- hence He DIED ON A CROSS FOR US, but WE are accountable for our SINFUL WRONG CHOICES.
This is the only way man will LEARN right from wrong! Adam and Eve were 'TOLD' right from wrong, but not until they actually 'EXPERIENCED' right and wrong, did it make sense to them. IT IS WRONG TO SIN WHETHER WE WERE COERCED TO COMMIT SIN OR NOT. "The DEVIL MADE me do it." It matters not, YOU DID IT and are therefore accountable.
Juveniles commit MILLIONS of crimes and sins for which they are not RESPONSIBLE. But, nonetheless, our own court system HOLDS THEM ACCOUNTABLE. And even human, carnal, judges take this factor into consideration when handing out penalties.
It is the PENALTY that also CAUSES US TO CHOOSE RIGHTLY after we have chosen WRONGLY! When we burn our fingers on a hot stove, we LEARN to not touch a hot stove.
God has developed a "ways and means" to accomplish His righteous end, plan, and purpose. And God's ways are VERY WISE -- they WORK, and they work very well! We have this absolute promise from God:
"When Thy JUDGMENTS are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world, WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Isa. 26:9)!!!
God be with you,
Ray
-------------------------------------------------------
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
Deborah-Leigh:
Welcome to the Forum Disciple :)
The free will subject is as broad as it is long. It is huge and spans thousands of years of questions debates, doubts and assumptions. We have here at Bible Truths, the magnificent blessing of having these teachings on the Myth of Free Will available. They are epic in their scope and breathtaking in their depth and most satisfying in their healing properties of deliverance from error. You will find these teachings under the Lake of Fire part 15 A,B,C, and D on the home page. Enjoy! What a gift it is!
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
rick:
AND the most wonderful part is this world is exactly where God determined it to be on this day (my birthday) before HE ever created it. NOW, that is a load off of my mind..................Rick
Kat:
Hi rick,
Well I hope this day is a great started to another year
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
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