An Article on free will

@Selah

No Word of God you cite states man was imparted a free-will to choose toward God, but here is the Word of God which clearly states man does not choose God to any degree!

The gracious Benefactor of us Christians exclusively produces
  1. divine choice of we beneficiaries unto salvation, for the Christ of us Christians says “you did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16) and “I chose you out of the world” (John 15:19)
    AND, Paul is in accord with Jesus’ words for he wrote to the Ephesians “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:3-4)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 15:16 and John 15:19 state God exclusively chooses us believers by/of/through God
  2. beneficiaries’ faith/belief in Lord Jesus, for the Christ of us Christians says (see also a word about belief/faith (Greek πίστις pistis) and believe (Greek πιστεύω pisteuó))
    “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29)
    AND Paul is in accord with Jesus’ words for Paul wrote to the Ephesians “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His work” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
    AND Peter is in accord with Jesus’ words for Peter declared “God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:8-9)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 6:29 state for us believers to believe in Jesus whom the Father has sent is exclusively by/of/through God
  3. beneficiaries’ fruit of the Spirit/righteous actions/good works, for the Christ of us Christians says
    “he who practices the Truth comes to the Light, that his works may be revealed, that they are having been worked in God” (John 3:21)
    AND Paul is in accord with Jesus’ words for he wrote to the Philippians “being filled with the fruit of righteousness that [is] by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 3:21 state fruit in we believers is exclusively by/of/through God
  4. beneficiaries’ birth by the Holy Spirit, for the Christ of us Christians says "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (John 3:3) as well as “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8)
    AND Peter is in accord with Jesus’ words for he wrote to persons residing as aliens “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 3:5-8 state we believers being born again is exclusively by/of/through God
  5. beneficiaries’ repent by God’s working, for the Christ of us Christians says
    “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to babes” (Matthew 11:25)
    AND the apostles and elders are in accord with Jesus’ words with thier saying, “Well then, God has given to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:25 state that God exclusively causes man to think differently after an encounter with God (repent means to think differently afterward)
  6. beneficiaries’ love by God’s working, for the Christ of us Christians says
    “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34)
    AND John is in accord with Jesus’ words for he wrote “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7, see the phrase “love is from God” meaning God is the source of true love)
    AND John expands with his writing of “God is Love, and the one who abides in Love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16, see the phrase “one who abides in Love” is equivocated with “one who abides” “in God” which extends from God’s exclusivity with “God is Love”)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 13:34 states that the love, true love (John 3:33), the very righteous love, the Godly love within us children of God, this love is exclusively by/of/through God

And here we have the Truth (John 14:6), the love of Christ controls us believers (2 Corinthians 5:14)!
 
Kermos said:
Behold, your faith's work of "yawn" again at the beautifully loving "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).



You commanded "Stop boasting in self", which I reject because your command extended into telling me that I'm lost unless I repent from believing in the Son whom the Father has sent (John 6:29), after God caused me to write to you:
​
I answer (unlike you who hides from the inquiry of post #8,808) with my brother Paul "far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).​
​
Therefore, your command "Stop boasting in self" is an amplification of your confusion as demonstrated in the following.


You believe without your choosing toward God that you would be under punishment from God instead of pleasure, so you believe buy your way into heaven with your fleshly free-will faith payment in your "apart from Christ, I chose to believe in Christ so Christ must profit me with salvation", yet the Christ of us Christians declares "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5) and "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (John 3:3) and “you did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16) and “I chose you out of the world” (John 15:19, includes salvation) and “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29) and “It is the Spirit who gives Life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and are Life” (John 6:63), so you believe falsehood (2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:9-10).

I have read your posts to coalesce your statement of belief.
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What is the context and who are the recipients of John 15.5 @Kermos?

J.
 
Selah said:
I must disagree. Faith is not a work as you consider it. It takes FAITH to believe in our Savior Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him,] for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Click to expand...
1746991411743.png

From Google Images.
It means Forever...
:)
 
Kermos said:
@Selah

No Word of God you cite states man was imparted a free-will to choose toward God, but here is the Word of God which clearly states man does not choose God to any degree!

The gracious Benefactor of us Christians exclusively produces
  1. divine choice of we beneficiaries unto salvation, for the Christ of us Christians says “you did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16) and “I chose you out of the world” (John 15:19)
    AND, Paul is in accord with Jesus’ words for he wrote to the Ephesians “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:3-4)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 15:16 and John 15:19 state God exclusively chooses us believers by/of/through God
  2. beneficiaries’ faith/belief in Lord Jesus, for the Christ of us Christians says (see also a word about belief/faith (Greek πίστις pistis) and believe (Greek πιστεύω pisteuó))
    “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29)
    AND Paul is in accord with Jesus’ words for Paul wrote to the Ephesians “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His work” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
    AND Peter is in accord with Jesus’ words for Peter declared “God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:8-9)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 6:29 state for us believers to believe in Jesus whom the Father has sent is exclusively by/of/through God
  3. beneficiaries’ fruit of the Spirit/righteous actions/good works, for the Christ of us Christians says
    “he who practices the Truth comes to the Light, that his works may be revealed, that they are having been worked in God” (John 3:21)
    AND Paul is in accord with Jesus’ words for he wrote to the Philippians “being filled with the fruit of righteousness that [is] by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 3:21 state fruit in we believers is exclusively by/of/through God
  4. beneficiaries’ birth by the Holy Spirit, for the Christ of us Christians says "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (John 3:3) as well as “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-8)
    AND Peter is in accord with Jesus’ words for he wrote to persons residing as aliens “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 3:5-8 state we believers being born again is exclusively by/of/through God
  5. beneficiaries’ repent by God’s working, for the Christ of us Christians says
    “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to babes” (Matthew 11:25)
    AND the apostles and elders are in accord with Jesus’ words with thier saying, “Well then, God has given to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:25 state that God exclusively causes man to think differently after an encounter with God (repent means to think differently afterward)
  6. beneficiaries’ love by God’s working, for the Christ of us Christians says
    “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34)
    AND John is in accord with Jesus’ words for he wrote “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7, see the phrase “love is from God” meaning God is the source of true love)
    AND John expands with his writing of “God is Love, and the one who abides in Love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16, see the phrase “one who abides in Love” is equivocated with “one who abides” “in God” which extends from God’s exclusivity with “God is Love”)
    SO, clearly, Jesus’ words in John 13:34 states that the love, true love (John 3:33), the very righteous love, the Godly love within us children of God, this love is exclusively by/of/through God

And here we have the Truth (John 14:6), the love of Christ controls us believers (2 Corinthians 5:14)!
Click to expand...
And where, in your above verses, do you think it states that man has no free will?

1. I see John 15:19 when Jesus tells HIS APOSTELS that he chose them, which indeed He did.
This does NOT mean that God chose everyone....

2. I see John 6:29 where we're told to believe in Jesus.
Told to believe in Jesus...NOT that God forces us to believe in Jesus because He predetermined this from the beginning of time.

3. You posted John 3:21 Those who practice the truth come to the light.
COME to the light. Free will.
Just as those who do not practice the truth stay in the dark.
Free will choices...they either come to the light or stay in the dark.

4. I see John 3:3,5 One must be born again.
Where does it state that man is not free to become born again??

Acts 11:18 Thank you! We are told to repent in order to be saved.
Repenting is a free will choice. Nowhere does it state that God DOES THIS FOR US.


5. Love one another.
This is a command.
A command infers free will....I can obey the command or choose to disobey the command.


Problem: There is NO SCRIIPTURE that states that man does not have free will.
Because: Man DOES have free will.


Explain this: Looks like someone had free will.....


Philemon 1:14
14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.


And this: Looks like someone can resist the Holy Spirit....


Acts 7:51
51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.
 
GodsGrace said:
And where, in your above verses, do you think it states that man has no free will?

1. I see John 15:19 when Jesus tells HIS APOSTELS that he chose them, which indeed He did.
This does NOT mean that God chose everyone....

2. I see John 6:29 where we're told to believe in Jesus.
Told to believe in Jesus...NOT that God forces us to believe in Jesus because He predetermined this from the beginning of time.

3. You posted John 3:21 Those who practice the truth come to the light.
COME to the light. Free will.
Just as those who do not practice the truth stay in the dark.
Free will choices...they either come to the light or stay in the dark.

4. I see John 3:3,5 One must be born again.
Where does it state that man is not free to become born again??

Acts 11:18 Thank you! We are told to repent in order to be saved.
Repenting is a free will choice. Nowhere does it state that God DOES THIS FOR US.


5. Love one another.
This is a command.
A command infers free will....I can obey the command or choose to disobey the command.


Problem: There is NO SCRIIPTURE that states that man does not have free will.
Because: Man DOES have free will.


Explain this: Looks like someone had free will.....


Philemon 1:14
14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.


And this: Looks like someone can resist the Holy Spirit....


Acts 7:51
51 "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.
Click to expand...
Here’s the issue as I see it-- the Pauline epistles are seldom mentioned, studied, or even referenced. Instead, there’s a tendency to selectively quote out-of-context verses solely from the four Gospels, without transitioning to Paul’s writings and the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

J.
 
Johann said:
Your statement is incomplete and lacks context. Care to elaborate?

J.
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Well those connected to Christ mystically is His One Body the Church, which consist of different members, some being apostles 1 Cor 12:12-28

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 ;And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

2 ;And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Now Christ has always been the Head of His Body the Church. The Apostles of Jn 15:5 are part of that body
 
Johann said:
Here’s the issue as I see it-- the Pauline epistles are seldom mentioned, studied, or even referenced. Instead, there’s a tendency to selectively quote out-of-context verses solely from the four Gospels, without transitioning to Paul’s writings and the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

J.
Click to expand...
All scripture is teaching of the Holy Spirit, Pauls epistles and the four Gospels have the same author, the Spirit of God, and all scripture is of use in either period of time. Paul says Old Test scripture was of use for the NT man of God 2 Tim 2

15 ;And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
 
brightfame52 said:
All scripture is teaching of the Holy Spirit, Pauls epistles and the four Gospels have the same author, the Spirit of God, and all scripture is of use in either period of time. Paul says Old Test scripture was of use for the NT man of God 2 Tim 2

15 ;And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Click to expand...
Great!! So why are so vehemently opposed as to human volition? I fully concur we did not regenerate ourselves yet AFTER our salvation it is synergistic--an Imperative, and the human volition/new nature to OBEY the Imperative @brightfame52.

Are we in agreement?

J.
 
Johann said:
Here’s the issue as I see it-- the Pauline epistles are seldom mentioned, studied, or even referenced. Instead, there’s a tendency to selectively quote out-of-context verses solely from the four Gospels, without transitioning to Paul’s writings and the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

J.
Click to expand...
Too much time on the confessions and systematic theology,,,,it obscures scripture and it's seen through calvinist teachings.
 
brightfame52 said:
All scripture is teaching of the Holy Spirit, Pauls epistles and the four Gospels have the same author, the Spirit of God, and all scripture is of use in either period of time. Paul says Old Test scripture was of use for the NT man of God 2 Tim 2

15 ;And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Click to expand...
Johann is right.
Your verses are always out of context.
What is sad is that you don't even realize it after being told time and time again.

Progress is nice.
 
Johann said:
Great!! So why are so vehemently opposed as to human volition? I fully concur we did not regenerate ourselves yet AFTER our salvation it is synergistic--an Imperative, and the human volition/new nature to OBEY the Imperative @brightfame52.

Are we in agreement?

J.
Click to expand...
An salvation spiritual imperative is given to them that have life, not to the dead in sin. Now man has no cooperation in being made alive from the dead, its an resurrection from the dead Eph 2:5

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)

Prior to this quickening from the dead, our nature is one of disobedience Eph 2:2-3

2;Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 ;Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
 
brightfame52 said:
An salvation spiritual imperative is given to them that have life, not to the dead in sin. Now man has no cooperation in being made alive from the dead, its an resurrection from the dead Eph 2:5

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)

Prior to this quickening from the dead, our nature is one of disobedience Eph 2:2-3

2;Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 ;Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
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Your item no. 5
Listen carefully please.

WHILE WE WERE YET IN SIN HATH HE QUICKENED US.

While we were in sin.....DEAD
God made us alive,,,,,,born again.
WHILE WE WERE DEAD.

God didn't quicken us first and then save us..

We are saved one time.....
Not two.
 
brightfame52 said:
An salvation spiritual imperative is given to them that have life, not to the dead in sin. Now man has no cooperation in being made alive from the dead, its an resurrection from the dead Eph 2:5

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)

Prior to this quickening from the dead, our nature is one of disobedience Eph 2:2-3

2;Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 ;Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Click to expand...
PS
The other verses have nothing to do with free will.

Unless you could explain how.
 
brightfame52 said:
An salvation spiritual imperative is given to them that have life, not to the dead in sin. Now man has no cooperation in being made alive from the dead, its an resurrection from the dead Eph 2:5
Click to expand...
Deader than a do-do? I don't think so.

Not want to come across as over technical would you agree with human volition in the Scriptures?
Matthew 11:28
Verse: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Greek: Δεῦτε πρός με πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς.

Key Greek Verbs:

Δεῦτε (Deute) - Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural, "come" (command).

ἀναπαύσω (anapausō) - Future Active Indicative, 1st Person Singular, "I will give rest."

Meaning: This invitation to "come" demonstrates human volition to respond to Jesus' call for rest.

2. John 7:17
Verse: "If anyone wills to do his will, he will know whether the teaching is from God..."

Greek: Ἐάν τις θέλῃ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιεῖν, γνώσεται περὶ τῆς διδαχῆς...

Key Greek Verbs:

θέλῃ (thelē) - Present Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular, "wills" or "desires."

ποιεῖν (poiein) - Present Infinitive Active, "to do."

γνώσεται (gnōsetai) - Future Middle Indicative, 3rd Person Singular, "will know."

Meaning: Jesus emphasizes that the willingness to do God’s will leads to discerning truth, indicating a volitional choice.

3. John 5:40
Verse: "Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."

Greek: καὶ οὐ θέλετε ἐλθεῖν πρός με ἵνα ζωήν ἔχητε.

Key Greek Verbs:

θέλετε (thelete) - Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural, "you are willing" or "you wish."

ἐλθεῖν (elthein) - Aorist Infinitive Active, "to come."

Meaning: Jesus clearly states that the unwillingness to come is a human choice, not divine coercion.

4. Revelation 22:17
Verse: "And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."

Greek: Καὶ ὁ διψῶν ἐρχέσθω, καὶ ὁ θέλων λαβέτω ὕδωρ ζωῆς δωρεάν.

Key Greek Verbs:

ἐρχέσθω (erchesthō) - Present Imperative Middle/Passive, 3rd Person Singular, "let him come."

θέλων (thelōn) - Present Participle Active, Nominative Singular, "wishing" or "desiring."

λαβέτω (labetō) - Aorist Imperative Active, 3rd Person Singular, "let him take."

Meaning: The invitation to "come" and "take" is directed to anyone who desires, highlighting personal volition.

5. Deuteronomy 30:19 (Quoted in Christian teachings)
Verse: "I have set before you life and death... therefore choose life."

Greek (LXX): ἐκλέξῃ τὴν ζωήν

Key Greek Verb:

ἐκλέξῃ (eklexē) - Future Middle Indicative, 2nd Person Singular, "you will choose."

Meaning: Though from the Tanakh, this verse establishes the principle of choosing that is consistent with New Testament teachings on human volition.

6. Joshua 24:15 (Quoted as an example of choice)
Verse: "Choose this day whom you will serve..."

Greek (LXX): ἐκλέξασθε σήμερον τίνι λατρεύσετε

Key Greek Verb:

ἐκλέξασθε (eklexasthe) - Aorist Middle Imperative, 2nd Person Plural, "choose."

Meaning: Demonstrates the active volitional response required of believers to follow God.

7. Matthew 23:37
Verse: "O Jerusalem... how often would I have gathered your children together... and you were not willing!"

Greek: ...καὶ οὐκ ἠθελήσατε.

Key Greek Verb:

ἠθελήσατε (ēthelēsate) - Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural, "you were not willing."

Meaning: Jesus laments their rejection, indicating the choice to resist divine invitation.

8. Acts 17:27
Verse: "...that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him."

Greek: ζητεῖν τὸν θεὸν, εἰ ἄρα γε ψηλαφήσειαν αὐτὸν καὶ εὕροιεν.

Key Greek Verbs:

ζητεῖν (zētein) - Present Infinitive Active, "to seek."

ψηλαφήσειαν (psēlaphēseian) - Aorist Optative Active, 3rd Person Plural, "might feel."

εὕροιεν (heurōien) - Aorist Optative Active, 3rd Person Plural, "might find."

Meaning: Indicates human initiative and effort in seeking God.

9. John 1:12
Verse: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

Greek: ὅσοι δὲ ἔλαβον αὐτόν, ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν τέκνα θεοῦ γενέσθαι.

Key Greek Verbs:

ἔλαβον (elabon) - Aorist Active Indicative, 3rd Person Plural, "received."

πιστεύουσιν (pisteuousin) - Present Participle Active, Dative Plural, "believing."

Meaning: The receiving and believing indicate personal decision to accept Christ.


The New Testament consistently affirms human volition in choosing to follow Christ. The verbs used (θέλω - "to will," ἐλθέ - "to come," λαμβάνω - "to receive") indicate an active response rather than passive reception.

Scripture emphasizes that while God initiates and invites, the human response remains crucial and volitional.

Leave out the "technical parts"--are we in agreement thus far @brightfame52? I mean, it's right in front of your eyes-correct?

How many Imperatives did you notice?

J.
 

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