An Article on free will

[Eternally-Grateful]

John 6:29 says, “This is the work of God: that you believe (πιστεύητε) in Him whom He has sent.”
The Greek verb πιστεύητε (present active subjunctive, 2nd person plural of πιστεύω) shows it is a commanded, ongoing trust-not a meritorious deed.
Jesus contrasts works (ἔργα, v.28) with one singular “work” God requires: faith in the sent One, not effort-based religion.

Romans 4:5 confirms this: “To the one who does not work but believes (πιστεύοντι)... his faith is credited as righteousness.”
Faith and works are opposed as categories-faith is not earned merit, but God-appointed trust.

So John 6:29 does not refute scriptural explanation-it reinforces it: belief is the “work” God requires, not the work man performs.

6:28 "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God" This was the central religious question of first century Judaism (cf. Luke 18:18). The religious Jew was assumed to be right with God based on

his lineage
his performance of the Mosaic Law as it was interpreted by the Oral Tradition (Talmud)

J.

Its the work of God we do this

not our own.

Lets Give God some credit why don't we?

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Man, see my previous post

by what power? who brings a man to faith

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Man performs the act of believing-but it is not a meritorious work; it is the response God commands (Acts 16:31; John 3:16).

ouch.

I think The jews shows man response to God's commands. and it was not good.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

I think we are on the same page here with 2 distinct groups regarding faith .

1-.Lost person-God requires faith to be saved for the sinner

where does this faith comes from. who's work is it to bring this person to faith? (you showed above in your former post what brought us to faith)

2- saved person- God gives faith to the believer , it’s a fruit of the spirit hence it’s given to every born again believer

hope this helps !!!

 

[civic]

by what power? who brings a man to faith

Lets read what Jesus said and taught below for the answer to your question

God requires belief/ faith. Always has in the OT as He does in the NT. Hebrews 11 makes it clear. Believing is mans responsibility to Gods drawing , conviction of the Holy Spirit. God does not believe for us. Jesus numerous times taught this truth.

Here is how some would rewrite Jesus words below and add to scripture things that were never said nor implied.

Parenthesis is Calvinism false assertion below that God gives faith. Jesus said it was THEIR faith that saved them.

Luke 7:50
And he said to the woman, Thy faith ( I have given you )hath saved thee; go in peace.

Luke 8:48
"Daughter," said Jesus, "your faith ( I have given you )has healed you. Go in peace."

Luke 17:19
Then Jesus said to him, "Rise and go; your faith( I have given you ) has made you well!"

Luke 18:42
"Receive your sight!" Jesus replied. "Your faith( I have give you ) has healed you."

Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Matthew 9:2
Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.

Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take courage, daughter," He said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was cured from that very hour.

Matthew 9:29
Then He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you."

Matthew 15:28
"O woman," Jesus answered, "your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Mark 5:34
"Daughter," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction."

Mark 10:52
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

John 4:53
So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Right on synergy.

So let's describe works....

A work of the Law and works are totally different.
We are no longer under works of the Law.
Under the Mosaic Covenant man strived to be a good person and to do good.
The Holy Spirit has always existed, but He did not dwell with persons.
They did not have the POWER to live the life God would have wanted.
There was no change of heart...
Thus Ezekiel and Jeremiah....I will give you a new heart....a heart of flesh.

My understanding is that AFTER we become saved, we will be required to do good deeds...
works of faith...faith in God leading us to good works....a labor of love.
I'd say that, yes, this is a good combination.

So we do good deeds/works because the Holy Spirit does empower us to do them.
Doing them for God gives us the strength for the good work because of our love for Jesus.

But we also have to understand that God commands us to do them...
He expects us to do them.

It's for holiness and sanctifiction as @Johann just stated,,,,
but what if we stop wanting to be sanctified?
It's like James said.
A faith without works is a dead faith.
A dead faith leads to a dead spirit.

It would be nice to know what others believe on this, I think, crucial subject.

1. There was no law when Abraham believed
2. There were works in abrahams times. just like their are works today.

when people see the word works. they must not automatically assume works of the law.

There is no law in context in eph 2. Nor is there law in contrext of Titus 3. or romans 4.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

What answer EG?
Free will is not the answer.

Of course he had free will.
Why did he CHOOSE to disobey God?

I believe it was because of Eve.

Adam sinned.
He sinned BEFORE he ate the fruit.
What made him sin if he knew no evil?

Yes, He chose to deny God before he ate. pride was his first sin

The tree of the KNOWLEDGE of good and evil.

and?

Adan had free will.. for someone who promotes free will. I am amazed you are arguing against this

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

I don't agree...as you know.

its ok

James made a point.
It was simple.
We should accept it as he meant it AT THE TIME.

Yes he made a point

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?


Profit - to ophelos - advantage, benefit ,of any use
says - lege to say, to talk, to speak, to confess
faith - pistin - faith, to have confidence in, to trust, to be persuaded
so we see, we have people who CLAIM they have faith. Claim they are persuaded about God and what God says about them and his promise to them . they trust God. they have confidence in God and all his says.

Yet never does a thing he says, ie, they have no works (they are hearers and not doers)

and James asked the question. Can THIS TYPE OF FAITH save them?

Paul says no. I guess you say yes??

James was speaking about believers....

No, he was not.

If he was, you claim we can believe yet not have faith, and be saved?

if one HAS FAITH.....a believer...
BUT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS......the BELIEVER does not have works....

He did not say one had faith,

He said they CLAIM TO HAVE FAITH

again look at the words

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says/claims/states he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

He never said they had faith. this is the first error in trying to interpret james words

John 15:1-2a
1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away;

Every branch IN ME ---- a believer
That does Not bear fruit-----the believer is not bearing fruit....
The Father takes away.

too tired...
'night

Takes away here means lifts up..

Try to study what a vinedresser does.

but that does nto even matter

On james, these people NEVER had works..

1. They claimed to have faith
2. They had ZERO WORKS. (these are not people who had faith, did some works for awhile. then fell away, these are people who claimed they had faith, yet had zero sip nada works.

so john 15 does not relate to james anyway

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

We have one nature EG.
It's human.
The human nature.

Speak for yourself

It became tainted by sin.
Let's call it something different...
concpiscense.

Or what the word calls, the nature to sin, or a sin nature.

God did not create us with this nature. it came after we sinned.

God created us in his image

We still have our human nature...
but now it has this concupiscense in it.

But the Holy Spirit keeps the concupiscense under control after
we become born again and He dwells within us.

God gave me a new nature.

but again....

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Amen my brother. After all, doing God's will; that's what "good works" is all about! Not only that, God has already prepared these good works in advance for each one of us (who believes).

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Amen

Saved by grace. for good works.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Nicely put.
I don't understand why good works is so problematic for some.

I like what you said
"Good works ate doing God's will."

Amen.

God works are not a problem.

unless we make them a requirement for eternity in heaven with God.

then it becomes a huge problem

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Scripture says we are justified by faith apart from the works of the law

I would add. By any works of merit. not just works of the law

 

[civic]

I would add. By any works of merit. not just works of the law

yes and faith is never a work or merit. its trusting in Gods promises/word/gospel in spite of circumstances.

in faith we are pleading with God for His mercy and for God to forgive us our debts/sins and repent of them and trust solely in Him as our Lord/Savior.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Actually, I tend to shy away from these Calvinist-type discussions as they seem to always lead to endless arguments. Once in a great while, I’ll post something like I did today; I don’t usually.

I agree,

sadly people start talking around each other and not too each other.

If I believe OSAS I am a calvinist

If I believe free will. I am an arminian.

99.9 percent of the time. we are neither.. But we cannot make our point. because sadly. those accusing us can not see what they are doing.

Its why I hate isms.. Lets talk about God. Not trying to defeat some ISM

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

It leads to debate because of the extreme position that Calvinism takes and the fact that it never existed in the church before the 1500's.

I don't want to debate with you because I know you're not a calvinist believer....
Just wanted to make some comments on using the word ELECT...
(not that it's wrong, but I think I explained it).

Arminianism did not exist either.

But that's beside the point. History would not support Jesus (ot history written by men, namely all the extra biblical books of the jews and other writings of men not scripture)

Thats why Peter said no prophecy is up for private interpretation.

The OT prophet spoke as from God

They apostles witnessed this truth and confirmed what the OT prophets said.

Scripture interprets scripture. Not our denominations, Our men, Our leaders or even ourself.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

do you think those who remain lost were preordained for hell ?

I think I finally caught up.

Did Jesus die for them?

Could they be saved if they repent and believe?

if so. then no..

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

many times in the OT it says that Israel tempted the Lord.

with God its 100% external since God is Impeccable.

Could God have destroyed them?

The answer is yes. so could God be tempted in that way?

Of course he could

Can God sin? No. God would be completely justified if he destroyed them

 

[civic]

I think I finally caught up.

Did Jesus die for them?

Could they be saved if they repent and believe?

if so. then no..

anyone and everyone can repent and believe the gospel.

 

[GodsGrace]

I believe it was because of Eve.



Yes, He chose to deny God before he ate. pride was his first sin

and?

Adan had free will.. for someone who promotes free will. I am amazed you are arguing against this

I know this is not easy.
I've been on threads about this that went on forever...
I don't discuss it much anymore because we just go around in circles.

I agree that Adam ate the fruit because of Eve....
He realized what she did and wanted to "be with her"...not abandon her to her disobedience.
She was all he had.

You said that pride was his first sin.
Stop for a second.....
If the sin nature had not entered into Adam YET....
when he decided to eat the apple...
WHAT made him tend toward sin?

They were not to eat from the tree of good and evil.
So they KNEW ONLY GOOD ....
BEFORE eating the fruit.

So, if they hadn't eaten from the tree yet to know evil...
Where did the evil desire of pride come from?

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

and Jesus was Good, just like His Father.

Amen

he who knew no sin was made sin for us.