"CONNECTIONS"
Answers to questions:
Do we really have free will?
This is another one of those questions that will arise in several ways during our study. The idea is: If God is all knowing; that is, He knows what we are going to do before we take action then, do we really have free will? Well, this is how I see it; just because God knows something is going to happen doesn’t mean He’s causing it to happen. It is true; God either directs or allows all things. This can be approached is several ways: The Bible has a lot to say on this issue; I performed a word search on the word “whosoever” and the first occurrence was in Genesis 4:15:
And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. Genesis 4:15
Note that God “set a mark upon Cain” to protect him but “whosoever” was willing to risk the consequences could slay Cain. God is granting free will here even though the slayer of Cain would have to be a bold person. This also brings other question: Why did God allow Cain to kill His brother in the first place?
Again, free will; Cain was aware of what God required as a proper sacrifice; but he chose to bring another offering that God rejected. This caused him to envy his brother.
The principle of free will extends throughout the Bible and is evident in God’s redemptive plan; the last record of the word “whosoever” is in Rev. 22:17:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. Joel 2:32
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 22:17
Yes, we can confidently know that we have free will. Love is not love unless it is reciprocated. God desire is that we know and love Him; it is clearly evident that He loves us but, He will not force us as that would be a relationship established in imperfection. God’s ways are perfect, right and just; in anything He does or allows.
We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
God’s perfect plan is to have a personal love relationship with “whosoever” chooses to put their trust in Him.
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