Free- will

[BaastetNoir]

I often wonder why so many Christians believe Once Saved always saved when that obvioulsy negates FREE WILL... one the best gifts God gave.

So what makes them ignore Jesus own words and follow up with that nonsens with the name of God ?

Isnt that adding to the Bible ? soemthing christiasn were warned NOT TO DO ?

[JVD]

Yes...the Sovereignty of God versus the Free will of man.

I believe in both and you cannot argue for either side without negating the other. It just cannot be done. But both are taught in Gods word and both logically follow from the attributes of God.

So, at some point we need to step back and say...OK God's thoughts are higher than mine. I will just accept and go on.

[prophecystudent]

Yes...the Sovereignty of God versus the Free will of man.

I believe in both and you cannot argue for either side without negating the other. It just cannot be done. But both are taught in Gods word and both logically follow from the attributes of God.

So, at some point we need to step back and say...OK God's thoughts are higher than mine. I will just accept and go on.
I recall, from some years ago, an explanation that might shed some light on this.

It went like this. Nobody can truly be saved and then change his/her mind. When saved the Holy Spirit comes into the heart of the person saved. If the person asking to be saved does not truly mean it from the depth of their heart they are not saved and the Holy Spirit does not enter them.

Thus anyone who professes to be a Christian and then renounces that was not truly a Christian in the first place.

Once saved, always saved, is only for those who truly accept Christ into their hearts.

I see no paradox or confusion here.

Fred

[ronmathison]

I often wonder why so many Christians believe Once Saved always saved when that obvioulsy negates FREE WILL... one the best gifts God gave.

So what makes them ignore Jesus own words and follow up with that nonsens with the name of God ?

Isnt that adding to the Bible ? soemthing christiasn were warned NOT TO DO ?

Doesn't God RENEW our minds?

Aren't we a 'NEW CREATION' in Christ?

Isn't THE OLD GONE, and THE NEW HAS COME?

Could it be that by using our FREE-WILL, to ACCEPT CHRIST,

we, as Christians, have ASKED GOD TO CHANGE OUR WILL, so that we will hold onto Him FOREVER?

Also, whatever your view point,

Please tell me what the following prayer (done using one's FREE-WILL), would do?

"Dear God, please CHANGE my FREE-WILL, so that I have a WILL, that will hold on to you FOREVER."

?

[JVD]

Someone gave me this little illustration...that I like to picture in my mind.

From the outside, heaven is a great walled city with wide open gates. A huge sign over the gate welcomes all. It says "Whoever will, may come".

After you enter the city and look back at the gate you see the sign from the inside, it says "Chosen in Him, before the foundation of the world"

That helps me to get a little perspective.

Now is the gate shut for you once you walk in?? I think so.

[Stan53]

Perhaps BaastetNoir, if you were to study the word and rightly divide the truth you would see that free will and "once saved always saved" go hand in hand with God's love.
I strongly suggest that you, and all like you who also have failed to rightly divide the word of truth, study God's promises. Perhaps if you do you will see the error of your ways and thinking.
I have a friend who talks about the head being on back to front. Yours is?