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ya, i'm not buying that God interfered with Pharaoh's free will there either; i even suspect a euphemism or something. I am kind of surprised that you two aren't arguing each other's side though! lol
So you are surprised I'm not arguing FOR free will, then? Why so? Peace
Yes, the but scripture states that HE hardened it. Hardened is an active verb denoting a process, and it plainly states that the originator of that process was G-d.
You might also consider how G-d interfered with Jonah's "free will" when he didn't want to go to Ninevah, and also the prophecy given to Peter where it was said that when he was of mature age, another would come and take him where he did not want to go. And then of course, let's not forget Paul when He interfered with his "free will" by knocking him off his religious high horse to make him serve Him.
There is also a principle involved here also that the more you surrender willingly to His will, the less "free will" you are allowed as you mature in Him. Peace
No, he was turned over to judgment after sinning repeatedly and so He gave him the desires of his heart, which included being hardened. HE makes strong our bands if we don't seek Him to get them removed. Sin, when it has conceived, bringeth forth death, which he found out in short order afterwards. Same reason Paul was able to turn over an unrepentant man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh. Peace
Problem is that in these days many people do not have any honor to believe , as condemnation does not motivate no one , and the judgment of the King of people souls who is God has no interest to reveal Himself to people who will not believe ......................... Then there is the question of asking people about hell which will only motivate people to hate the question and those who ask the question , as the spirit behind the hatred has gained dominion in the heart of many unbelievers , where the quickening from Heaven is to love instead as the authority of the judgment has gone to far in the western nations , where Christianity has lost many people because of judgmental-ism from the church .................. Jesus said `` Judge and you will be judged ``, so the church is being judged as it is not any good for the gospel ..................As far as free will to believe Jesus prefer the child like faith , which come the right heart......
If humans have free will to follow Jesus with every ounce of their being or face eternal torment in hell, I see the following to be the implications:
People that do not choose to follow Jesus with every ounce of their being are inherently more evil than those who do choose to follow Jesus with every ounce of their being.
Does the Bible teach that some people are inherently more evil or that everyone is equally evil?
Other thoughts?
What the Bible teaches is we are made in God's image. As such we do not act on instinct but have been empowered with thinking ability. We all have the capacity to develop a conscience and now as in ancient times individuals and societies develop moral codes distinguishing right from wrong. However, as a follower of Jesus, not in name only, it's likely that you will follow a moral code that stresses love of God and neighbor and as such exert self control over your thoughts and actions in alignment with that moral code. It's a moral code not based on a series of laws but based on principles. It does require more thought and in a way to be a Christian requires an individual who is willing to put the time and effort into living according to those principles.
Although the Bible does indicate that incorrigibly wicked people exist it doesn't mean that all who don't follow Jesus are incorrigibly wicked or inherently evil. The very definition of the word means a condition that is permanent and inseparable. People have the ability to "follow Jesus" and by extension the Almighty. They just need to be careful which Jesus they follow and not be put off by some who claim to follow Jesus but really don't. It's not for nothing that the Bible warns us that not all who claim to be Christians are Christians-Matthew 7:23.
BTW there are enough scriptures in the Bible to refute the teaching of hell. Some point to Mark 9:47,48 as proof that Jesus himself said there is a hell. However, the earliest copies of the Bible written in Koine Greek do not have the word hell. In this scripture the original word was Gehenna. Gehenna is not fiery torment. It's the second death that the Apostle John wrote about in Revelation.
Why do you believe that free will requires more than 1 option? If we freely choose the one option, it's still free.
Can I choose a different option then the option god knows I will make before the beginning of time?
That's what true free will is. Choosing a different option then the one god has planned for you.
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