On FREE will

 

Psalm 37:23-24

King James Version

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: 

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, 

he shall not be utterly cast down: 

for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

What is free will?

Do we really have free will?

A born again understands well.

For we live by the Bible.

We know GOD's laws.

We know the consequences of sin.

We know the promises of CHRIST.

We know who to follow.

We know what to do.

All through the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.

These compassionate verses from the Bible give us the power and freedom to choose:

Genesis 2:16-17

King James Version

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, 

saying,

Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, 

thou shalt not eat of it: 

for in the day that thou eatest thereof 

thou shalt surely die.

Deuteronomy 30:19

King James Version

19 I call heaven and earth 

to record this day against you, 

that I have set before you life and death, 

blessing and cursing: 

therefore choose life, 

that both thou and thy seed may live:

Psalm 119:45

King James Version

45 And I will walk at liberty: 

for I seek thy precepts.

Proverbs 16:9

King James Version

9 A man's heart deviseth his way: 

but the Lord directeth his steps.

Mark 8:34

King James Version

34 And when he had called the people unto him 

with his disciples also, 

he said unto them, 

Whosoever will come after me, 

let him deny himself,

 and take up his cross, 

and follow me.

John 1:12

King James Version

12 But as many as received him, 

to them gave he power to become the sons of God, 

even to them that believe on his name:

John 6:47

King James Version

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, 

He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 7:16-17

King James Version

16 Jesus answered them, 

and said, 

My doctrine is not mine, 

but his that sent me.

17 If any man will do his will, 

he shall know of the doctrine, 

whether it be of God, 

or whether I speak of myself.

1 Corinthians 10:13

King James Version

13 There hath no temptation taken you 

but such as is common to man: 

but God is faithful, 

who will not suffer you to be tempted 

above that ye are able; 

but will with the temptation 

also make a way to escape, 

that ye may be able to bear it.

2 Corinthians 3:17

King James Version

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: 

and where the Spirit of the Lord is, 

there is liberty.

Galatians 5:16-18

King James Version

16 This I say then, 

Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, 

and the Spirit against the flesh: 

and these are contrary the one to the other: 

so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, 

ye are not under the law.

1 Timothy 2:4

King James Version

4 Who will have all men to be saved, 

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:5

King James Version

5 For there is one God, 

and one mediator between God and men, 

the man Christ Jesus;

2 Timothy 2:23

King James Version

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, 

knowing that they do gender strifes.

2 Timothy 2:24-26

King James Version

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; 

but be gentle unto all men, 

apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing 

those that oppose themselves; 

if God peradventure will give them repentance 

to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves 

out of the snare of the devil, 

who are taken captive by him at his will.

James 1:5

King James Version

5 If any of you lack wisdom, 

let him ask of God, 

that giveth to all men liberally, 

and upbraideth not; 

and it shall be given him.

Related material:

JESUS the MEDIATOR

BORN AGAIN articles

GRACE from GOD

SPIRIT of GOD

Sin AWARENESS

What Is Free Will?: Chosen By God with R.C. Sproul

100 Bible Verses about Direction

Bible Verses about 'Walk'

Image: Pixabay

The people of ISRAEL sin against GOD

 

Numbers 14:26-27

King James Version

26 And the Lord spake unto Moses 

and unto Aaron, saying,

27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, 

which murmur against me? 

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, 

which they murmur against me.

The Bible is replete with stories of GOD's love for His people.

Then Israel, GOD's people, sin against Him.

Whether Jew, or Gentile, we are all a forgetful lot.

Not to mention an ungrateful lot.

One story stands out.

Even as there are too many stories of ingratitude.

But this story pertains to a prophet, his sons, and GOD's people.

Even a prophet's sons become foolish.

Samuel had two sons:

1 Samuel 8:1-2

King James Version

8 And it came to pass, 

when Samuel was old, 

that he made his sons judges over Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; 

and the name of his second, Abiah: 

they were judges in Beersheba.

Only thing?

They were so unlike him.

1 Samuel 8:3

King James Version

3 And his sons walked not in his ways, 

but turned aside after lucre, 

and took bribes, 

and perverted judgment.

Seeing Samuel's sons were not sterling examples (as if they were), God's people demand for a king:

1 Samuel 8:4-5

King James Version

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, 

and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, 

Behold, thou art old, 

and thy sons walk not in thy ways: 

now make us a king 

to judge us like all the nations.

How did Samuel react?

What was his response?

1 Samuel 8:6

King James Version

6 But the thing displeased Samuel, 

when they said, 

Give us a king to judge us. 

And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.

How about GOD?

How did the LORD respond to the people's demand?

1 Samuel 8:7

King James Version

7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, 

Hearken unto the voice of the people 

in all that they say unto thee: 

for they have not rejected thee, 

but they have rejected me, 

that I should not reign over them.

Further, God warned Samuel:

1 Samuel 8:8

King James Version

8 According to all the works which they have done 

since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt 

even unto this day, 

wherewith they have forsaken me, 

and served other gods, 

so do they also unto thee.

Knowing the foolishness in man, the LORD tells Samuel what to do:

1 Samuel 8:9

King James Version

9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: 

howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, 

and shew them the manner of the king 

that shall reign over them.

GOD commanded Samuel to warn His foolish people:

1 Samuel 8:11-18

King James Version

11 And he said, 

This will be the manner of the king 

that shall reign over you: 

He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, 

for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; 

and some shall run before his chariots.

12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, 

and captains over fifties; 

and will set them to ear his ground, 

and to reap his harvest, 

and to make his instruments of war, 

and instruments of his chariots.

13 And he will take your daughters 

to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, 

and your oliveyards, even the best of them, 

and give them to his servants.

15 And he will take the tenth of your seed,

 and of your vineyards, 

and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16 And he will take your menservants, 

and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, 

and your asses, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: 

and ye shall be his servants.

18 And ye shall cry out in that day 

because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; 

and the Lord will not hear you in that day.

Do you think that worked?

Did the people heed GOD's warning, through Samuel?

Let's find out:

1 Samuel 8:19-20

King James Version

19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey 

the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; 

but we will have a king over us;

20 That we also may be like all the nations; 

and that our king may judge us,

 and go out before us, 

and fight our battles.

Foolish, foolish man.

We really have no vision at all.

And hardly any gratitude in the bones of our body.

As always, GOD will have the last say.

And man will have to bear the consequences.

1 Samuel 8:21-22

King James Version

21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, 

and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord.

22 And the Lord said to Samuel, 

Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. 

And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, 

Go ye every man unto his city.

Was that the end of the story?

The next post gives more detail.

Including the post after that.

Related material:

AWARENESS of sin

Image: Free Bible Images

Updated 20 October 2023