Do We Have Free Will to Choose Christ?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 307
Transcript: www.desiringgo...

[@johnseminiano3596]

Our will is enslaved to sinful desire, it is bondage to sin. Only God can set us free, on by His Grace Alone.

[@gocowboys4082]

Yes sir!!! John 8:34-36!

[@TheOtherCaleb]

Grace is not the formal cause of faith (making faith only a sign of grace and not the cause of salvation itself).

[@TheCreepypro]

thank you for choosing us Lord

[@pacifistidentitarian549]

Amen

[@anthonylowder6687]

And we chose Him…..by the free will that He gave us.

[@youngsterjoey9038]

@@anthonylowder6687 Free Will Is Unbiblical

[@cathy7382]

Faith is a gift from God so that believe otherwise no one would come to Christ It's humbling and cause for great joy

[@alee0426]

who else was mesmerized by the animation

[@nataneley]

Me

[@davidfraser3447]

This whole thing about mans'free will(to freely choose Christ and receive salvation) and the other side of it where, like Jesus said to peter I think it was., "You didn't choose me, I chose you. " has plagued my heart, soul and mind for about 15 years. It's so frustrating to me that it overwhelms me with confusion (which I no comes from Satan) but the fact that both sides make such compelling arguments it's like my whole being is in a tug of war which leaves me without any peace. I want to want Jesus, I grew up in the church and I kind of wish I didn't, and ended up finding the Truth later on in life. I continually pray that God grants me repentance and the grace to see Him for who He truly is and it has a lifelong/life altering impact on me. I'm so tired of this. God bless you guys. I hope those who are struggling in similar ways find peace with Christ as well.

[@Tagavka]

25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

[@kimberleerivera7062]

David Wayne - I have the same problem! May GOD have mercy on us!

[@kimberleerivera7062]

I also like John MacArthur, Paul Washer, Tim Conway, R.C. Sproul, and Steve Lawson, Voddie Baucham, and I have recently been listening to an ex - calvinist whose name is Leighton Flowers.

[@davidfraser3447]

Kimberlee Rivera Psalm 103:13,14 "As a Father pities his children,so the Lord pities those who fear Him,For He knows our frame and remembers that.we are dust." Praise Jesus.

[@davidfraser3447]

Kimberlee Rivera Watch this video,it's called Words of encouragement, Charles Lawson (my favorite preacher) it's a great 12 minutes.

[@mg9955]

Wow this sheds light in my unbelief 😥👍 due to our sinful nature we are hopeless - incapable of believing until grace is granted

[@yitzharos]

Dont give up or give in. Choose God, choose life. Find Jesus. Walk the narrow way. Know that you are evil and repent, that Jesus will save you and walk with you away from Sin.

[@yitzharos]

This pastor is confused.

[@yitzharos]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHTRhYGIfZdrmJI

[@barryclevenger7456]

@@yitzharos No, that would be you.

[@mariohleb1980]

Incredibly short wellspoken and meaningful anwser

[@kgpar1960]

I grew up in a home in which we went to church occasionally... I knew that we were Christian, but, as a child, my family wasn't actively Christian. As I grew up, I went through a lot of religious doubt. Many things happened to me during my life, but I finally realized that Christianity is the ONLY religion that acknowledges that NONE of us deserve to live forever in Heaven with the Creator of all things. I'm sad, however, for those who grew up in devout Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu households... I had enough exposure to Christ's Grace to KNOW that my Lord is the Truth... but people who grow up devout in their alternate religions, I pity terribly. I don't know how to rationalize their refusal to accept Christ when they've known only one religion all of their lives.

[@tomm6167]

I believe this can be rationalized by the possibility of conversions after death. Christ did say that God will search for the one lost sheep UNTIL he finds him. The biblical evidence against post-death conversions is surprisingly weak. The verse that's cited most often -- "it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27) -- says that people will be judged after they die, but doesn't rule out conversions following judgment. This link contains a 15 minute video that explains how the (symbolic) lake of fire will SAVE people: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap2riKlqr7Jqn6M In addition, Romans 2:10,14-16 hints at the possibiliby of salvation for the Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. who never heard about Christ in this life. It may be that we will be judged based on the light we were given.

[@JasonSchmidt-1979]

May God grant us true repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise Him!

[@CheesyChez421]

Jesus was a false prophet

[@Lee-Van-Cle]

What a gift! God gave us a free will that would definitely not choose him. Thank god!

[@josephp9747]

We have a will but not a Good will. We are a salve to sin... Must be born again! Christ Alone 😊☝️

[@alliswell8361]

Joseph Post yes..simple as that 🙌🏻

[@sylvieturcot1246]

Joseph Post Born again...with the right reason, ?it is the explications of the Answer here.

[@CheesyChez421]

Because God made you that way. So how do you have free will again?

[@zandrezandberg6330]

My choice to follow Christ started long before I discovered His grace for me. My choice started when I realized I needed more. Then I started to seek God and I found God. I knocked and He opened. Yes His love and grace was definitely the factor in keeping me from running away from His face when I sinned and helped me to stay close to him. But my choice to keep on looking for his face and discovering the depth of His heart for me was definitely mine.

[@firstname713]

Its only by the grace of God a man would seek more of Him. Its still grace and He caused it

[@DylanGalvinMusic]

The Bible says it wasn’t. Experientially it seemed like that, but I assure you it was not.

[@zandrezandberg6330]

It's very perspective dependent. The way you read the Bible and interpret scripture comes from what foundation you had. If you don't know the difference between Armenians and Calvinists then it might be a good time to study what your foundation of scripture is about. You have a calvinistic doctrinal view point, where as I don't. I read the same scriptures as you and it's very easy for me to interpret it differently than you. I believe I am right in my believe, and so do you. Let's not argue about it. Peace brothers.

[@josuezunigafl]

Regeneration results faith

[@bethelshiloh]

Self determination is not what I think of when I accepted Him. He is the initiator, but I responded.

[@Providence572]

Pastor John thank you very much for this answer may God bless you

[@CheesyChez421]

If God told you to kill your kid, would you do it? None of this "hE wUlDnT" dodging, yes or no?

[@lansan3430]

The decisive reason for our choice is.... we love God back because God loved us first, by giving His Son as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, and that is very clearly taught in the Gospel, upon hearing it! The grace of salvation is made available already for all if we use our abilities to repent and believe in Christ. Sadly, many also rejects Christ despite of that.

[@36742650885]

Please pray for me that I come to the fullness of the Gospel of Christ Jesus I need your intercession thank you 🙏

[@r.crompton2286]

Lan San Divine, saving grace is not dispensed to everyone. That should be very clear in the matter of the Flood. Who, at that time, found grace in the sight of the Lord? One man alone, Noah -- and by extension seven other family members whom God spared for the purpose of replenishing the Earth. Was Noah and his family sinless? Of course, not! Rom. 3:10, 23; Gal. 3:22 conclude all who have ever walked this Earth (apart from the Saviour) were/are sinners. There were at least 20,000,000 sinners who were wiped out by the rising waters. Q: How many of them received merciful grace? A: None. They all perished as per God's decree. It is nonsense to posit that all mankind have had equal access to God and have been treated equally by The Almighty. God graciously chose Israel as His covenant people. Q: what did He do with the rest of the nations? A: He allowed them to continue along the broad road that leads to destruction -- with the exception of specific Gentile heathens like Rahab and Ruth to whom He extended mercy. It was this way from the beginning and it has continued this way, albeit under the better covenant (Heb. 8:6), the blessings of eternal life have been greatly expanded to allow the Gentiles to receive the gospel wholesale. Yet even with these better promises, there is no hope for sinners unless God draws them by His Spirit to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. cf. John 6:37,44,65 ; 2 Tim. 2:24,25 ; Eph. 1:4,11 ; 2 Tim. 1:9. Those who do not hear His voice (see John 10:26,27) identify themselves with the mass of humanity that God has decided to harden rather than to redeem. They are not His sheep. That reality is so clearly revealed in Romans 9:13-18, 22,23 ; Tit. 3:5

[@jonathanestrada1859]

R. Crompton but it was made clear that the reason why God chose Noah was because he was the only one who walked with God and all others rejected his commands. Even when the ark was being built Noah was warning many that a flood was coming and they ultimately perished due to their lack of unbelief although being given a chance to come into the ark.

[@Joshtheigbo]

@@r.crompton2286 John 12:32

[@r.crompton2286]

Josh the Cowboy Read John 6:37, 44,65 ; 17:20,21 From these verses, it should be clear that those who are drawn by God are those whom God has given to Jesus Christ -- sinners who have been predestinated to receive eternal life as God has seen fit viz. the beloved of God cf. John 13:1 ; Eph. 2:4 ; Rom. 9:15,16, 23. If we take the position that John 12:32 means every last person who has ever lived, we can conclude that God failed in His bid to save those whom He supposedly loved. God doesn't send people into the eternal fires of damnation if He truly loves them because they are both loved from before the foundation of the world and predestined to eternal life (see 2 Tim. 1:9) . Therefore "all men" in John 12:32 can only mean all predestinated men from every kindred, tongue and tribe who are redeemed (as per Rev. 5:9) and who stand in contrast to those who have been foreordained by God to perish as "the vessels fitted to destruction" as per Rom. 9:22.

[@lauraelizabeth4363]

I saw a meme with picture of Joel Osteen and of you, Brother Piper. Joel had the text 'The Hold spirit is a gentleman, he wouldn't force you to do anything.' and the picture of you texted:' NO.' and I cried because I laughed too hard. I heard your voice booming 'NO!' lol

[@thevoiceofonecallingout]

God does not force love from us.

[@intothekey]

I don't believe He forces us to love Him. He simply decimates our rebellion with His overwhelming love by allowing dead men to see His Glory and grace.

[@bean7496]

Thats not funny

[@libertarianonwheels1172]

The sovereignty of God and the volition of man blend together to create a beautiful mystery.

[@tomm6167]

Every Knee Will Bow and Every Tongue Will Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord Hallelujah God Bless ✌

[@guinn2415]

I believe the question should be - is every soul given an opportunity to repent and accept God' salvation ? Whether it be by our free will or His prompting

[@dillongiocondi4037]

No.

[@jaymorris9952]

Yes. John 12:32: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

[@BiG_SorD]

We are without excuse to deny the existence of Christ, he makes himself known through everything.

[@goseeaboutagirl]

Yes, according to Romans 1 the human race is without excuse

[@alohatreeserviceinc.6811]

@@jaymorris9952 Not just the Jews ! do you forget the Promise to Abraham ? All the nations of the earth.. that is always the context of these verses that pertain to universal humanity... Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations... you've got to get this..otherwiswise yo'll be spinning your tires in the endless humanistic gospel's mire

[@giridhark9889]

Decisive factor in receiving the Grace of God is our repentant and penitent heart. With out a repentance there is no remission of sins. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart- These, O God, You will not despise-Psalm 51:17. A human or a God with out heart is not a human and not a God at all..!! 🙏💐🙌

[@douglaidlaw740]

The Prodiga's elder brother chose not to go into his brother's homecoming party, representing Heaven, and his choice was respected. His father pleaded with him to change his mind, but there was no forcing. Without checking, I always understood that Jesus' words "I chose you" meant that he chose the 12, just as any leader would. I studied 17th century French literature when Jansenism was current. Blaise Pascal and the playwright Racine were both adherents. They believed that the "chosen" went to Heaven, regardless of their lives. Racine's play about Phaedra who fell in love with her stepson, is considered a case of a woman who tried to be good, but was unable to do this. Writers say that she was "a just person who lacked Grace," i.e. she was not one of the "chosen", and there was nothing she could do about it. The Pope condemned Jansenism as a heresy.

[@dmeek20]

Many people are criticizing, saying this is too deep, or confusing, or whatever. You have to realize that this is a 7 minute teaching, on a specific question, that assumes you have a certain level of familiarity with the subject. This man does not say, "Well, I think..." and then go into philosophy that determines his theology. He opens the Bible and gives reasoned answers to his interpretation. Opening the Bible is always the best, and should be the first, practice.

[@ronl514]

I think I remember reading John Gill, who sed that not even God possesses the "libertarian freedom or free-will" that the Arminians propose, for God is not free to sin, nor to act contrary to His nature & yet He is the most free being!! Also, we will never be more free, than when we are in heaven and on the new earth and yet we will not be free to sin & rebel, only free to obey!!

[@tomm6167]

"But it is said, that if man be not wholly free, his goodness is but a mechanical thing. If so, I reply, better ten thousand fold mechanical goodness that keeps one at the side of God for ever, than a wholly unrestrained freedom which leads to the devil. But the assertion is in fact as hollow as it is plausible. [Man's not having absolute free will doesn't make him a machine.] Freedom enough is granted to resist God for ages; freedom to suffer, and to struggle; to reap what has been sown, till, taught by experience, the will of the creature is bent to the will of the Creator. If all this does not involve a freedom that is real, though limited, then human words are vain as a vehicle for human thought." -- Thomas Allin, _Christ Triumphant,_ 1905, Annotated by Robin Parry edition, chapter 2

[@barunthoudam4920]

Faith and work are two different things

[@lelandro42]

Listening to this could easily leave a person more confused than prior to the asking of the question.

[@sylvieturcot1246]

lelandro42 for me the Answer is clear and right.

[@yitzharos]

Agreed this sermon treads on dangerous territory.

[@yitzharos]

Try this explaination of free will, using simple bible verses, no other philosophy or complications or heeps of explaination. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHTRhYGIfZdrmJI

[@dmeek20]

@@yitzharos it's not a sermon. It is a 7 minute teaching, on a very specific question, that presupposes you have a level of understanding around the issue.

[@hexadanus4185]

Yes, that's how Calvinists justify their unbibiblical reasoning. They leave you more confused

[@codystanfield6243]

Wow that was complex. Yes absolutely you CAN choose Christ... everyone can choose Christ and God wills / wishes all would believe in his son so that they be saved.

[@DylanGalvinMusic]

You cannot choose Christ. Everyone who chooses Christ it’s because God already said his grace upon them, and drew them to himself. No one can choose God God, explicitly, says in his word: “ you did not choose me, but I chose you”.

[@Lena.9]

@@DylanGalvinMusic Amen. I didn’t want God so I couldn’t chose Christ. Until Jesus voice through the Gospel made me alive. My hate became love, my resistance became willingness, my rejection became acceptance. Now I wanted Christ, now I wanted to be ruled by the King of Glory. Now I could choose and submit myself to God and be saved.

[@soldiersofchrist4767]

Very good explanation. Thank . God bless🙏🏼

[@sylvieturcot1246]

Soldiers of Christ you are so right...bless you.

[@zandrezandberg6330]

John 3:19-20. Pastor John preached on this verse. It states clearly that we do not turn to the light because we love the darkness and so that our evil deeds are not exposed in the light. This is me choosing to rather stay in darkness and thinking its safer, than repentance and exposing my sin so that I may be set free. It's a choice. God does not make me repent. The choice is put infront of us all.

[@sorrowinchrist3387]

That explains it soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo well thank you John Piper!

[@CheesyChez421]

No it doesn't at all.

[@sorrowinchrist3387]

@@CheesyChez421 Are you a Christian???

[@CheesyChez421]

@@sorrowinchrist3387 noooo, why would I be? I'm a thinking, functioning human adult

[@rocketsurgeon1746]

@@CheesyChez421 this isn't christianity. It's calvanism. They are different :)

[@CheesyChez421]

@@rocketsurgeon1746 It's still Christianity clown 🤡

[@johnhathaway7142]

This requires a degree of mental gymnastics that I just can't manage.

[@yitzharos]

God is not the author of confusion. I think this treads on dangerous territory.

[@yitzharos]

This guy should help clear up some of those clouds plast by John here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHTRhYGIfZdrmJI

[@wan4891]

It is "faith by grace".

[@yekkub9425]

@Jonathan Billings This doesnt make any sense. Sure, maybe God doesnt have the moral obligation to save everyone, but that's not enough. Doesn't the Bible say that God is omnibenevolent too? If so, it woukdnt make sense for Him to refuse to predestine ANYONE to salvation.

[@jeskahaley9616]

It feels so simple to me.... others not so much. Makes me almost wish I could see it from their point of view

[@77ronboy]

There is a drive arising out of our flesh that fights for having free will. We argue for free will primarily because we want it so desperately. Consequently, we delve into the Scriptures that, on the surface, seem to support our desire of free will. To affirm "free" will, one must ignore huge Scriptural passages that teach just the opposite.

[@yitzharos]

We have free will, in that we can desire things of the flesh, and follow after it. Or we can desire things of the Spirit of God and follow after those. Jesus makes this clear distinction in John 6: When those who just wanted bread for their bellies called Jesus "master" until He refused to fill their bellies, before He could fill their spirit they walked away from Him. Just as we do God, just as the griping israelites in the Desert tired of simple mana. They died when they lusted for flesh, ate, and were filled. God satisfied them unto their own demise. Those that obeyed God lived, and were fulfilled in Spirit.

[@charlesvandenburgh5295]

Thank you God for NOT choosing me. It makes my life so much easier by not having to constantly calculate whether or not my actions are in some way offensive to God, or whether or not they are in agreement with God's undisclosed plan for my life.

[@simtaur714]

God has to be in control of all of His creation, because no one and nothing else is worthy or qualified enough to be in control of His creation but Him and Him alone. God is the way, the truth, and the life. God has absolute authority and control over all of His creation. Life on this planet can be likened unto a refinery. Everyone on this planet is being spiritually refined by God through the trials and flames of tribulation of living life in the flesh. In the end, all will be processed and distilled down into a fine spiritual wine, forged by God and God alone. God is the one who forges and refines our will, we do not forge or refine our will ourselves. Phillipians 2:13 "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Ephesians 1:11 "In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been PREDESTINED according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of HIS WILL." Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, AND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Isaiah 45:7 "I form light AND darkness, I MAKE well-being AND CREATE calamity; I am the LORD, WHO DOES ALL THESE THINGS" Isaiah 45:23 "BY MYSELF I HAVE SWORN; from MY mouth has gone out in RIGHTEOUSNESS a word THAT SHALL NOT RETURN; 'To ME, EVERY knee shall bow, EVERY tongue shall swear allegiance.'" John 3:15 "That whosoever believes [which, from God's own words WILL be everyone, whom, by Himself, He has sworn to give this will to us by His own grace] in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

[@kathleenwhite7446]

The very last minute of the video, John said, "WE freely CHOOSE Christ" We choose to surrender our life as we know it - the life void of the spirit - we know the spirit of the Lord is taking over... this is the journey of sanctification. Once that is done, the war of surrender of our own will and fleshly desires begin. For all of us that accept Christ Salvation - it is a lifelong journey to allow Christ to slay the flesh and use us for His good work.

[@davidarias5648]

How is it that we choose God and some don’t though what is the choice or how is the choice made to accept God

[@rld1278]

@@davidarias5648 he calls to you, instilling a desire to know all we can about him. The quickening of our spirit is caused by him.

[@Warrior.king300]

@@rld1278 thank you robin.

[@bovezinhd8052]

A lot of people in this comment section are understandably expressing confusion. It is because this topic is so deep; it takes an incredible amount of bible knowledge and patience to even begin to put the pieces together. The angels themselves long to peer into these matters, creatures we know to be greater in wisdom and might than us. There are no quick answers here, because the heart and soul of man are very deep.

[@clevelandstreetpreachers]

"Choose this day whom you will serve." Does God give us commands knowing we cannot do them on our own free will and then punish us for not doing it? You call this love? Sovereign? Just? I call it heresy from Calvinism.

[@r.crompton2286]

Cleveland Street Preachers God covenanted with the nation of Israel because he loved them -- not because they were any special people. Out of that love, He gave them the knowledge of His character and will through a series of commands. God never gave commands to the other heathen nations but to Israel alone. He warned Israel to "choose this day" (make up your mind where your loyalty lies). The commands were to be a schoolmaster to ISRAEL (not to the whole world), to lead them to Christ as per Gal. 3:21-25. In their inability to keep those commands, God gave Israel a sacrificial system whereby their transgressions could be forgiven out of the substitutionary deaths of perfect animals, patterning the blood expiation that would follow under the New Testament through Jesus Christ. God punishes sinners for their sin and extends mercy to those whom He has purposed to save as per Rom. 9:12-18 ,22,23. The commands to love under the NT are directed to His sheep, the Church -- not to the whole world.

[@loavesandfish]

R. Crompton why command something of someone who cannot but fulfill it? Israel is not the same as the church.

[@r.crompton2286]

Sean Williams Not sure what point you are trying to make. The command was to Israel (see Josh. 24:15) -- not the Church.

[@loavesandfish]

@@r.crompton2286 If it helps, you can just focus on my question instead of the comment.

[@Android-ds9ie]

@@r.crompton2286 you are going to hell if you don't born in Israel right

[@ReboneMora]

The most wholesome answer 😫... I was so scared. So fearful that I somehow found a flaw in the gospel. It makes sense that only when God wills in me to choose Him, I will.

[@kylerichardson1242]

Why were you scared? If you find a flaw in the Gospel, it's likely because there are flaws in the Gospels. This fear Christians have of the truth bewilders me.

[@madelynhernandez7453]

Well some people never choose him so therefore he predestines people to hell.

[@madelynhernandez7453]

@@kylerichardson1242 It also bewilders me. Furthermore that they choose to ignore or bypass all the contradictions in the bible or absurdities or the evil things God condoned. Their excuse is God works in mysterious ways or that we should not care because it is how God made it and period. This is insane to me.

[@madelynhernandez7453]

There are many flaws. So you only believe in God based on a book that was written by men?

[@kylerichardson1242]

@@madelynhernandez7453 Exactly. How can I choose God if he has already determined I will go to hell?

[@diego4493115]

The more I read and study the Word of God and the more I pray, the more I do feel condemned. I'm surely convinced that on the Judgment Day I will cast out from the presence of our Father and I will be destroy as I should deserve. How can I live with this on my mind every day? I won't stop readying or studying the Bible nor I won't stop praying for all the sinners in the world and doing the best I can. I need help with this ''verdict'' whispering my hears since the first moment I wake up, throughout the day, until I rest my head on my pillow at night. Can I live at peace somehow?

[@benboyum5939]

Morela Vought Pray that God will give you the strength to be convinced of your salvation. Satan will lie to us. He knows where to hurt us, and there is nothing he would rather do than tell us that we're not saved. No human being deserves to be saved, salvation comes by the grace of God alone through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If we believe in him, no matter what we've done we don't need to feel guilty any more. God bless you!

[@unclanrhino]

Morela, I will pray for you. I understand the fear of condemnation. I'm glad to hear you won't quit reading the word. I've been tormented a similar way, its from satan. God eventually removed the torment. I believe he'll do the same for you. Keep praying. Maybe seek some wisdom from a good pastor. I'm praying for you now.

[@jesusislord9758]

God bless you.

[@36742650885]

Joseph Prince’s book Destined to Reign, buy it and read it asking The Lord to help you

[@36742650885]

Morela Vought gtm.org message number 2644 in audio sermons section

[@deborahcolclough3110]

Adam and Eve were the only people who have ever had free will, but when faced with the choice of loving and honouring God or gratifying selfish desires they chose the latter. Ever since then we have all been slaves to sin (self) and none of us would ever choose to willingly submit to God's rule over our lives. But because of God's great love for us He sends His Holy Spirit to soften hard hearts so that we seek Him and open blind eyes so that we see the beauty of Jesus and turn to Him with saving faith. Our decision is genuinely ours but only because of God's work of grace in us! This is easy to understand but the implications are less so... for although the gospel of grace is to be proclaimed to all, it seems that not all receive the same light of the Spirit. Romans makes it clear that any who don't seek God have only themselves to blame because of the evidences of creation and the conscience, but Ephesians makes it equally clear that salvation is by grace alone. A helpful analogy is that of a human judge having compassion on a criminal and acquitting him... we would not then condemn the judge for rightly sentencing all the other guilty criminals! Similarly all have sinned and deserve death but in His mercy God has chosen to save some through Christ. This is not unfair because God promises that all who seek Him will find Him. It's just that in our natural state none of us want to seek Him as we're quite happy being our own boss. For those of us who are saved we should be deeply humbled by God's mercy as He could have just condemned the lot of us! We should also be eager to stir up a desire for God in others and be earnest in prayer for them because James tells us that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (the righteousness we have, being that of Christ).

[@bisdakpinoy3428]

Romans 3:11 There is none who understands; There is *none* *who* *seeks* *after* *God* .

[@zandrezandberg6330]

That scripture is taken out of context. It does not mean every person... It was referring back to the people in the old testament and a specific situation. A specific people, gentiles.

[@dog7881]

@@zandrezandberg6330No. It’s a quote from Psalms referring to both Jews and Gentiles and clearly saying that no one desires God due to our sin nature

[@musicinspire1745]

The idea of "reconciling" God's foreknowledge and omniscience with man's freedom to choose is more of a straw man than it is a legitimate question. I have never heard a Calvinist even attempt to explain how God sovereignly choosing to give to mankind the freedom to make a choice between belief and nonbelief. How can that possibly violate His sovereignty? It makes no sense to pretend as if it does. There's nothing to reconcile. The fact remains that God PUNISHES disbelief (for eternity), which would make no sense were God to have created most of mankind to be cast into the flames of Hell as punishment for an unbelief over which they had no choice. Somewhere along the line, the perfect justice of God demands that each individual made a conscious choice somewhere along the timeline of his/her life. Sovereignty and perfect justice, as revealed throughout scripture, shows time after time where the Lord continuously called upon peoples to CHOOSE life as opposed to death. The Lord is not one to trifle with inspirations that have no real meaning for the choice He has given to each man in this life.

[@glennjohn3919]

I agree 100%. It's frustrating that Calvinists think that just because God has a foreknowledge we are thus void of responding on our part. I have witnessed to people, I've seen conviction in their eyes where they know the gospel message is the truth, but because they would rather worship a lie rather than the truth, they set aside their conviction for their own personal desires.

[@samopoku6660]

​@@glennjohn3919 I agree. Though the 'how' is hard to grasp it's clear through scripture that God is both sovereign and still allows us to choose, choices that he justly judges one way or the other. C.S Lewis said that God doesn't see time as we see it, he sees the whole of human history in His "unbounded now". This is interesting because it's not impossible that God could choose those he foreknew would choose Him. It doesn't diminish our sovereignty nor does it diminish our free will. I pray God draws us all closer to Him.

[@glennjohn3919]

@@samopoku6660 Amen Sam.

[@dillongiocondi4037]

Does the potter have no right over the clay, out of the same ball of clay to make 1 for honor and 1 for dishonor. Reads Roman's.

[@samopoku6660]

@@dillongiocondi4037 Are you saying this means God makes some people for evil/hell and others for good/heaven?

[@BiG_SorD]

Your heart should be, why would Jesus save any of us? We don’t deserve this stay humble

[@CheesyChez421]

Jesus was a false messiah

[@desertscream6328]

We can't choose God for our own salvation by our own free will. It is by the grace of God given to whom He chose or predestined to be saved.

[@TheRomanianWolf]

Actually you can choose, that's why you have free will. There is no "predestination", that's just a stupid heresy for people who don't want to take responsibility for their actions.

[@desertscream6328]

Predestination or election are mentioned in the Bible many times. Do you think that GOD who is omniscient, omnipresent and almighty do not know, before times, where you are going to? Although we may not know that specifically, but the Bible guarantees that if we believe in the Lord Yashua. and all that Hes done for you. then you are saved. Be grateful that GOD choses you to be His child. That is grace.

[@TheRomanianWolf]

@@desertscream6328 Of course he doesn't know before time, it's impossible, even for him. Genesis 18:21 -> “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous, I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me." So, he HAS TO GO AND SEE if it's true... and it was something in the present, NOT FUTURE, and he DOESN'T KNOW, he NEEDS TO GO AND SEE if it's true!!!

[@joelyons8238]

If we didn't have freewill, then why would Jesus Christ, say go into all the world, & Preach the Gospel to all nations/people.

[@shirleywalker3982]

You hit the nail on the head. Why did ceaser say to Paul thou almost persuaded me to become Christian. I disagree with Mr piper on this. What is preaching to every nation good for then.

[@kennethtambo-on823]

I am expecting a YES or NO answer followed by some explanation but all I got is theological acrobatics, maybe I am dumb and ignorant but the pastor's answer brought me more questions than answer. I am totally lost halfway

[@Oscar-py5df]

The answer is no. We don’t have free choice to choose for Christ. It’s all God’s grace. If you listen carefully you can hear this in Piper’s answer.

[@yitzharos]

Try this out. Very simple, totally dumps out this man Johns puffed up doctorine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHTRhYGIfZdrmJI

[@yitzharos]

Oscar, if you read the bible, you'll find you are fully accountable for your repentance onto christ. The gift is there, take it. God doesnt have to forgive you, but He does.

[@CheesyChez421]

@@Oscar-py5df Why would you want to live in a world where everything you're going to do is predestined? Maybe you get the make the choice in the moment, but it's already been determined by God that you will always make this choice in that time. That means God created most of the worst people in the world and in history to be those very worst people and created them to do evil, dastardly things. Ergo, God is evil.

[@CheesyChez421]

@@yitzharos Not if I just pray for get out of hell free card. Also there's no measurable metric for that, so you're full of shit.

[@davida6146]

@desiringGod I don’t understand why/how anyone can boast about making a decision to follow or not follow Christ...? Either way God receives glory because with out his forgiveness we wouldn’t and couldn’t be saved. I don’t think people who believe in self-determination are boasting about this, so I don’t understand where’s the sin to believe it (if I give God the glory for my salvation)????

[@kaboom9081]

Well said David. When I tell people God chooses His people like Jesus chose the disciples they think i'm being arrogant as if i'm "special". On the contrary, knowing full well God chose me, it woke up a reverence in me that makes me fearfully humble and grateful to Him for the rest of my life. WHO am i? i'm nothing!! Without divine intervention I could still be out there among the living dead. I have nothing to offer Jesus but a broken heart as a result of my sin. That's why we pray non-stop for the lost (2 Timothy 2:25)

[@lizab4208]

Its not about God. It's all about humans, we like to project insecurities onto others. God is forgiving we are not. ..🤔😞

[@lizab4208]

@@kaboom9081 Bible has various interpretation. So quoting scripture I could interpret it different then you. Could you actually say what your feelings are what's on your mind

[@thevoiceofonecallingout]

It has nothing to do with boasting. Amen Amen Amen

[@texantony2410]

God is sovereign. We do not have freewill. Choice is not freewill.

[@rredhawk]

Bible says that there is none that seek God (Romans 3:11b). And yet there are actually many who have sought and actually found God. Obviously something happened to the latter group. They got "help" without which they never would've been saved. When God saves someone he uses means. When he saved me he used my mom, my pastor, other people and situations. He even used ME, by moving me to choose him. It felt like "free will" but I have to give all credit where credit is due. To Him.

[@gocowboys4082]

I agree with you brother! But, if you acknowledge didn’t do it of your own accord, it wasn’t free will!! John 8:34-36 will give you some clarity. We don’t have “free will” in the sense that we are slaves and until Christ sets us free, we are not saved or free.

[@daviddowden8350]

Will is free to every man, christ says we are in bondage to sin by our own will, that's why christ came, by his will, to do the will of God, to provide us a will to overcome, an comfort us in perilous times, by making God's will, our will,,,as christ did his will to make all things better for all men, people needs guidance to go forward happily,, making God's will, Yr will, is proper guidance to eternal life and happiness,,,,

[@bengiey2k]

I agree 100 percent. Most people can not accept this or understand this. God is the author of everything. We can not do anything without God. We think we have free will but God knows your free will before the foundation of the world. In other words before you were born. We can not understand God. He knows everything and I mean everything before it happens. He initiates everything in you life without you knowing or understanding. He is Sovereign. He does this without you being his Robot. He is awesome.

[@rocketsurgeon1746]

Omniscience doesn't equal determinism. He knows but doesn't choose for us

[@bengiey2k]

What is the difference between God does not choose for us but God knows what we choose before we were created? None. We are free but God knows our free will before we were created. There is nothing impossible for God.

[@rocketsurgeon1746]

@@bengiey2k simple. God knowing what our choice was/will be is far different than him making the choice for us. Don't you see the difference? again, him knowing is totally different than him determining each choice that we will make. We are the ones making the choices not him which is why we are held accountable

[@bengiey2k]

Rocket by God knowing, he planned it and determined it and yet we are not robots. Why? God is awesome and is everything and infinite. We are created by God and we think we know but we know nothing. Do not underestimate the Sovereign of God.

[@rocketsurgeon1746]

@@bengiey2k I don't think you're understanding the difference between omniscience and knowing somethings going to happen versus making something happen. The first is robots

[@joelyons8238]

John 3:16 "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON JESUS CHRIST, THAT 👉WHOSOEVER BELIEVES👈 ON HIM/JESUS CHRIST SHALL NOT PERISH." Amen. 👇 Romans 10:13 "FOR 👉WHOSOEVER CALLS👈 UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHALL BE SAVED." Amen. If that's not freewill, then what is.

[@mv2360]

Whosoever believes is saved, but the question is how do we come to said believe/faith

[@patiduran2438]

Acts 13:48. ...those who were ORDAINED TO ETERNAL LIFE Believed

[@goh_team_goh]

Only calvinists restrict the sovereignty of God by believing a sovereign God couldn't possibly allow us to respond to his call. If he is truly sovereign, he can do as he pleases, including to allow us to respond with acceptance or rejection. Jesus is my savior, not Calvin, not Spurgeon, not Piper, not Paul, not Romans 9.

[@clevelandstreetpreachers]

Well said!

[@TMTministries]

Yep

[@levibaer18]

I don’t feel like this is a good explanation nor a good representation of what free will is. If God is all knowing and our names were written into the Book of Life before our being, then I would submit that we have no free will/choice in the matter. If we don’t have a choice to change what God already knew (eating a banana at 10AM), then we really can’t say that we have free will.

[@CheesyChez421]

Finally someone fucking gets it right. If our choices are already known by God, the prime creator of everything, even before we were born, then our choices have no meaning and we would be little meat puppets on God's dangly little fingers.

[@levibaer18]

@@CheesyChez421 No need for the language.

[@zandrezandberg6330]

Romans 8:6-7. Yes we are corrupt. But God is everywhere, in and through everything, you will comw in contact with Him, He will show Himself to you in some way, and you will have to choose to follow that light and dive into that light or not. That's why we need to serve God in spirit and in truth. Because our flesh will drive us away from God if we do it in another way.

[@brightelskerfoundation]

I found peace in Romans 9. 🙏🏻

[@Excalibur2112]

I found PEACE from Romans 3:22-25 and Romans 4:4-8, KJV

[@Sngbrd1001]

I think, in some ways, even though I WAS definitely worldly, I have always had questions about human existence and what prompted our arrival on this planet. Even when I was a kid, I was astonished and a bit afraid of WHAT *I* was. Where did *I* come from. All those questions came to me in grade school. Of course, I didn't get any answers as my folks weren't interested in religion...AT ALL, so, neither was I? Then, I went on to graduate from a Catholic HS (for the academics, not the religion), which taught both evolution and creation, so that was no help. I became a JW for a time, to save my marriage, which fell apart anyway because I simply did not understand the message BECAUSE THE BIBLE SIMPLY WAS NOT REAL TO ME. THEY told ME that there was a big bang and the earth was evolved over millions and millions of years, not "CREATED" in literal DAYS. It took me 57 years to "get it" when the stumbling block of evolution was obliterated by Answers in Genesis and Young Earth Creation and their life saving message to those of us who once were, and the many who still are, stuck in that old serpent's fairy tale of evolutionary nonsense. Noah's Flood was a real event, dinosaurs lived WITH man and the universe is only about 6,000 years old. ASTONISHING! And all of it is completely provable with an honest assessment and the PROPER world view. It rather amazes me how the different world views work. It's like those pictures that you have to focus on and strain your eyes to be able to view another completely different 3-dimensional picture behind it. Once that second picture is seen, it cannot be unseen and gets easier to focus on every time you look at it. Again, simply astonishing.

[@danielpienaar6596]

Yes we do.We may choose anything .However that is not the final step to salvation .God has the final mandate to accept that choice and to grant His mercy and faith .🙏

[@donhaddix3770]

we have freewill to want Jesus but we need God to complete the journey to Jesus. Romans 8 makes that very clear. Calvinism rejects that.

[@tamitha20]

so true! if God didn't choose anyone, we would all go to hell because we are so wicked and depraved that we don't have the ability to come to Christ on our own. we were all born spiritually dead and dead people cannot choose anything.

[@kaboom9081]

Absolutely! but it takes spiritual maturity to understand this. At first I thought I repented out of the goodness of my heart. Years later i'm realizing what Piper and you just said is true. This opened a whole new world of reverence and gratitude in my heart. We did not deserve this yet here we are, praising Him for opening our eyes out of the darkness. We need to pray for the lost.

[@Goldtaker23]

Im wondering if I had a false conversion and I maybe in the parable of the sower so much confusion a d doubt :(

[@savedbythegraceofchristmin8488]

@@Goldtaker23 do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and God raised Him from the dead? If you do, you're saved!

[@Android-ds9ie]

@@kaboom9081 no you are still blind God saved us because he had to that he is his duty we did not ask God to create us

[@Android-ds9ie]

@@kaboom9081 you are app lucky Bhaster

[@pauljohn1979]

Adam had true free will before the fall. After the fall, Adam and every other human did not have free will but our will is in bondage due to our fallen human nature.

[@rld1278]

God knew both of them would eat of the tree before they even thought of it. Predestined...by him.

[@pauljohn1979]

@@rld1278 yes I know that.

[@ninjason57]

There is no verse to support that idea.

[@defendingthefaith.7889]

So if it’s a free gift. Can we choose to not accept it?

[@anelisejensen5943]

No ... If HE CHOSE you, you Will accept. HE wrote our END before our beginning. The Lord KNOWS who is HIS. To those HE has NOT Chosen HE will say ... I Never KNEW You ... ...

[@TMTministries]

Yes you can choose not to accept it

[@chosenskeptic5319]

No, it is done

[@defendingthefaith.7889]

One has to believe.

[@arajo5773]

Depends.. It comes with consequences. If u choose wrongly, u will be punished.. Now, why does that sound like a threat instead?

[@zandrezandberg6330]

2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV If you read the whole text up until verse 26 then you will see that it says that this individual should recover themselves out of the snare of the devil. It seems to contradict verse 24 where it states that repentance is granted as a gift. Because suddenly you are able to free yourself from this evil (which is not possible) Rather if you look at it as if to say that God is able to open this person's heart so that they may see the truth, through the way the servant of the Lord deals with people/this individual that appose him. The way we as servants treat the unbeliever will either turn their hearts and allow the right seed to be planted or allow them to reject the seed you are trying to plant.

[@smeatonlighthouse4384]

We do not have a free will. God deals with our conscience in conviction of our need and condition of being lost before Him.

[@edijares1543]

Absolutely!

[@philhand5830]

Though all powerful, God still did not force compliance to His command to not eat of the forbidden fruit. ....

[@robertgomez7409]

He doesn't force anyone to do anything. He merely Opens the eyes of the elect and by grace the elect freely choose him.

[@cathieatkinson5033]

Prof. John Murray said, "It is an impossibiity to refuse to come"

[@musicinspire1745]

I agree with the faceless voice in that we make the choice as to desiring and seeking God's grace, for it is written time after time throughout scripture where men of great renown spoke of having "found" grace. If they were not of their own will seeking God's grace, when scripture is made utterly foolish for the inspirations written therein. God is not foolish, for He says through men's hands what He intended to be written, which renders Calvinism irrational when it claims such things as total depravity and irresistible grace. If it's irresistible, and at the same time something to be sought after, the foolishness of Calvinism becomes impossible to defend given the NUMEROUS times men and nations are called upon to make a choice between two exclusive choices.

[@gocowboys4082]

You need to read Romans 3:10-12 which says verbatim that no one seeks God. They did not find God, God found them. People need to grasp that it doesn’t depend on human will or running, but God alone who has mercy (Romans 9:16).

[@johnellis7614]

"For he who knows the future has predestined a few to conform to the exact likeness of his Son." Romans 8:29. And so, the select few on earth and everyone in the heavenly realms has a good nature that desires to do only good. All the rest of us are most ingrate and selfish.

[@gregjay9933]

Of course God chooses who He will save - He chooses to save the humble. Everyone has the freedom of will to humble themselves before the Lord. Humble means to recognise that you cannot save yourself. Even a thief on a cross was able to humble himself. The prodigal son was able to humble himself. The tax collector humbled himself. I would love to know if John Piper humbled himself before the Lord or whether he just believes that God chose him and now he is saved.

[@tamitha20]

people humble themselves because they are chosen. them humbling themselves is a work of the Holy Spirit in them. the Holy Spirit humbles them. people are humbled because they are saved

[@gregjay9933]

Tamitha, How can you possibly say people humble themselves because they are chosen. Being chosen for something makes one feel good. Being chosen to receive eternal life must make people feel real good, particularly as most people are not chosen and are therefore destined to hell. How can you possibly say the Holy Spirit humbles them. Where is that recorded in the Bible? The Bible says the Holy Spirit CONVICTS of sin, righteousness and judgement. Ezekiel records God as saying, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked TURN FROM HIS WAY AND LIVE. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! “ The Scriptures consistently appeal to the sinner to repent and believe.

[@glennjohn3919]

Thank you for this comment, it's what I've been looking for. In the long stretch of arguments about free will with Calvinists, this rings true. Humility. It is our choice in humility. The law is our schoolmaster as Paul writes, but it's up to us to be either stiff necked, or humble. Once we are humble the Holy Spirit can convict us, and that alone is by his sovereignty, his sovereign design by love.

[@edijares1543]

There can be only one: that God is sovereign OR that man has free will. For those claiming free will then you deny that God is not sovereign. You cannot persuade Him to change His mind. Remember Romans 9:15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” Man has NO right to tell God, “It’s unfair.” Now going back to your free will....

[@htebazileeilsel2293]

The Bible teaches that it is BOTH, Gods sovereignty is expressed through our free will. In fact, the fact that God can work His purposes through billions of peoples free will choices SHOWS His sovereignty. The Bible says that God WORKS all things for the good of those who *love Him* and are called according to His purpose. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility is not a work, it is a position and you can choose to either humble yourself(in which God will grant repentance) or be prideful and harden your heart. If God desires that all be saved and yet we have no free will then why doesnt He just activate everyone? How can that be? God is OUTSIDE of time so He already knows everything that everyone will do. Its a dichotomy that's hard to wrap your head around. Its not love if we're just "activated" and programmed to love, love is a choice. You are using that Scripture from Romans totally out of context and are not understanding what hes actually saying, you have to understand it in light of the REST of the Scriptures. Go and read the part that Paul is referencing in Exodus, it gives you the context. Consider the FULL council of Gods word, not just a few cherry picked Scriptures.

[@chuckhough]

This guy believes in free will but thinks he doesn't. Of course God's grace is the ultimate factor of EVERY good action in the world, including the actions of faith and its fruit. But this does not negate free will. It does not negate the fact that every day WE as people decide to stay in faith or walk away. We are made in God's image, we are not automatons. He has confused the issue, or this is a very convoluted semantics argument.

[@jessemaldonado7971]

Indeed true ❤️

[@shinjitarosoul]

I think we can all agree that we have our own Will. We can make choices. But Free Will, I think, In the definition used means that we decide our future only we are in control of it. Which I don't think is right. We can all agree that God is sovereign, and nothing that happens is outside his knowing. He either makes it happen or allows it to. Now it seems to me that God allows us to do certain things. Maybe in his infinite knowledge he knows that a good will come. Like when Joseph was sold into slavery by his Brothers. God sees the whole story. We are only living it, on a part of it. It also seems to me that since God knows everything, that he knew that Abraham was going to sacrifice his Son. It seems more like he was proving it to Abraham. It's like God already has a certain place for us to reach, but he uses trials in order to build us up to there. Just my thoughts though. Feel "free" to comment yours XD

[@alexmanzewitsch714]

This is a difficult topic. I heard a very helpful analogy from Jeff Durbin [paraphrased]: if you bring a hyena in a room with a festering animal carcass and leave the hyena alone, will the hyena freely choose to eat the carcass or avoid it? If you did the same thing, but with a sane human instead of a hyena, which will they freely choose? In the same way we can say with certainty how the hyena or human will freely choose to eat or avoid the carcass based on what they are, we can say with certainty that a sinner will freely choose sin over God (unless God supernaturally transforms them or by common grace restrains their evil desires) based on the nature of being a sinner. So while you are free to choose whatever you want, what you want will be determined by what you are.

[@thevoiceofonecallingout]

I think you would have trouble with that scripturally.

[@alexmanzewitsch714]

@@thevoiceofonecallingout Hello Gregg. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this. Where in Scripture do you think this is inaccurate?

[@thevoiceofonecallingout]

@@alexmanzewitsch714 I would start with Cornelius, but there are others. There is no question that God calls but IMHO we read into scripture in two places. First, Israel, the nation was elect; we are told so yet not all Israel will enter into God's kingdom. This means we must be careful as to who the elect are at least if we use scripture. The reason that this is important is the OT leads much more heavily to a corporate election with individual participation. Second, I think there is a discrepancy, based on the Greek between seeking God and God calling someone. There are people throughout the OT and NT which have sought God. Whether they can enter a saving relationship with Him is in fact a different issue. It seems to me that the idea that no one can seek God is just wrong. In fact Proverbs even tells us that if we train a child the right way (which would be God's way) they will not depart from it. That is a general rule. Similar passages are echoed in Deuteronomy and Ephesians. The idea that one must have the call of God to enter into a salvific relationship however seems biblical. Yet the idea that God only calls some is largely read into scripture. God is clear in multiple passages that when people don't come to God it is often because THEY were not willing. So i think the Bible teaches, quite clearly, there is a synergism there, not a monergism. However anyone who says that i would be taking credit for my salvation is wrong for no matter what i do, i cannot save myself thus i must depend on God. In a like vein, it would be just as wrong for a man to take all the credit for a child born of woman. Both were involved. We could get into pitched arguments as to who is more important to procreation but we simply don't need to define who is more important for it does more harm than good Let me know if you want the passages. I don't know if this helps, but if there are other questions, i would be happy to share and would like to also hear what you believe scripture teaches. in Him

[@tessalogan586]

People refuse Christ all the time, others are chosen, simple 😁

[@Demonoicgamer666]

You can not choose to believe something I can’t choose to believe in something I am not convinced of.

[@hughbramlett7689]

The Bible says nobody can come to Him except they are drawn by the Spirit and predestination is mentioned several times. This doesn't sound like free will to me.

[@FollowerOfTheLight2782]

No not for salvation

[@tomm6167]

An excerpt from Hope Beyond Hell by Gerry Beauchemin about the purpose of election: We, the members of Christ’s body, are His “elect.” We are called to “be” a blessing, and not merely to be “blessed.” “He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2Ti. 1:9). “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first -fruits among His creatures” (Ja. 1:18 NAS). We as a “kind of first-fruits” among His creatures share this distinction with Christ who is the “firstborn over all creation” (Col. 1:15). We labor with Him to implore all people to be reconciled with God (2Co 5:20). We are preparing now to rule and reign with Him in the coming ages (2Ti. 2:12; Re. 20:6), to govern five or ten cities (Lu. 19:17, 19), to sit on thrones governing the tribes of Israel (Mt. 19:28; Lu. 22:30), even to rule over all He has (Lu. 12:43-4). Our Lord is preparing leaders for that time, and it all depends on our faithfulness now (2Ti. 2:12-13). The phrase “first-fruits,” naturally implies there are “second” fruits. Who are they? They are those whom God will reach in “due time,” who are not part of the first-fruits. Christ will draw [drag] all to Himself (Jn. 12:32).

[@deemisquadis9437]

Yeppers, that's the thing that you must do. It is all your choices. No one can choose anything for you, without your choice first. Your life your choice. Even God can't take that away from you. So choose well. ❤❤

[@Sarboi7]

But if we don't have freewill how can we love Christ. Isn't love by definition a choice? If he forces us to love him is it really love?

[@terrycrosslin7866]

Sarbol what we really have is a ULTIMATUM!

[@dennisokada9287]

Man left to himself will never choose Christ. Why? Dead in sin! He has no free will simply because he is in a state of spiritual death - totally and completely 🙏🏼☺️

[@whatisthetruth6901]

As much as I love the teachings of Ptr. John Piper, he is not Biblically sound here. When Paul quoted the terms "predestination/foreknowledge/election" he is looking at the perspective of God so that the believers may see the grace even more. In the perspective of men, we must make a choice. You go to hell because you "freely chose" to reject God's salvation and not because God predestined you to hell. Genesis 3:22, John 3:16 and Joshua 24:14-15 and so many more verses about free will. BTW I am not an Arminian, I am just a follower of Jesus. Let God be God and live for the glory of God...

[@Rocku01]

I agree with you. I’m not Armenian or calvanist. I am humble toward what god chooses to reveal to me. Isaiah 55:8-9

[@whatisthetruth6901]

@@Rocku01 amen...

[@Theranchhouse1]

Yes Amen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@robertmcnamara129]

The decisive reasons for my choice to believe in Jesus Christ is creation and the predictive nature of the Bible (it has reliably and repeatedly predicted the future). Thus, based on the evidence and the witness statements of the Apostles, my intellectual nature compels me to determine that Jesus is real, that he rose from the dead, and that he is who he says he is. However, after a careful examination of the Bible I have also determined that this is not enough to be saved by the Cross. Jesus did not die for everyone but rather he died for his elect. Belief in Jesus is not enough, but rather obedience to him following belief is what really saves a person from Hell. This is where I believe God comes in and a person's free will ends. If one is an elect one will be compelled by God the Father to follow God the Son through the power of God the Spirit. However if a person is not chosen by God the Father that one will continue to be a slave to sin irrespective of their acknowledgement of the truth. Admittedly, this is a bitter pill to swallow for anyone who sees they are not making the cut based on the lack of change in their life, and the condition of their heart. An example of this would be one who generally dislikes most people, and who repeatedly returns to their vomit (ie alcohol, drugs, pornography, adultory, anger, hatred, lying, gossiping, pridefullness, uncaring, unloving, no empathy whatsoever ect). No Pastor can save these sheep no matter how hard they try, because they ar not sheep. They are goats. From man's sinful perspective this does not seem fair at all. Many will struggle with the question of how God can pick winners and losers like that when we're all guilty of damning sin, and all deserving of hell. However it begins to make sense when one comes to the realization that God does not owe us anything, and is free to save whoever he choses. Think of it as one who goes to the pound to rescue a dog. They are not going to pick out every single dog to bring home but rather the one they feel would best fit into their own family. One must keep in mind that humanity is in no position to question his choices, or much more understand his thinking.

[@tomm6167]

Our free will is limited in many ways. None of us chose our our parents, their religion or lack thereof, our nationality, our physical and mental health, M or F, etc. etc. etc., all of which affect our decisions including the most important one. Joseph didn't choose the events that led to his becoming second in command in Egypt. Jonah's travel plans were altered. And so on. With God's it's different: "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish _all_ my purpose" (Isaiah 46:10). God wants everyone to be saved and go to heaven, BTW (Luke 19:10, John 17:2, 1 Timothy 2:3-6). God is all-wise. Like a chess master who plays against a novice, He doesn’t force any of the novice's moves, but He always wins. It will usually take longer than a lifetime, but God will search for the hundredth (lost) sheep UNTIL he finds it. --------------- Also see John 12:32, Rom. 5:18-19, 8:19-21, 11:32,36, 14:11, 1 Cor. 15:22,28, Eph. 1:10, Phil. 2:10-11, 3:21, Col. 1:20, 1 Tim. 4:10, Titus 2:11, 1 Pet. 4:6, 1 John 2:2, 4:14, Rev. 5:13, 15:4, 21:5,24-25, 22:2, combination of (Rev. 22:1,14-15,17a,17c), Psalm 22:27,29, 65:2-3, 145:10a, Isa. 25:6-8, 45:22-25, 57:16, Lam. 3:22,31, Ezek. 16:53,55, Mal. 3:2-3, The Total Victory of Christ videos.

[@tomm6167]

Here's the beautiful truth that both Calvinists and Arminians are missing: "We [elect] are preparing now to rule and reign with Him in the coming ages (Eph. 2:7, 2 Tim. 2:12, Rev. 20:6), to govern five or ten cities (Luke 19:17,19), to sit on thrones governing the tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30), even to rule over all He has (Luke 12:43-44). Our Lord is preparing leaders for that time ... we [elect] are the firstfruits [2 Thess. 2:13, Jam. 1:18, Rev. 14:4-5] -- the priests and kings who will judge the world and intercede for the ungodly (lost) in this age and the ages to come. ... God does not merely settle for the firstfruits. They are but a pledge for the whole." -- Gerry Beauchemin, _Hope Beyond Hell,_ chapter 5, *"Purpose of Election"* section

[@Nance-ld7yc]

Man, to be honest, I just have to stop looking into this whole predestination thing. I am not flexible and I know if I started doing heavy gymnastics I would just really hurt myself Well, this is mental gymnastics and if I keep on doing it, I am going to hurt my faith here I called my friend inn a tizzy about this a while ago and she said oh Nance don’t even go there. I know I am saved by Grace. I know I am a sinner and I need a savior. I believe God sacrificed his only begotten son for me who died on a cross, and took on the sins of the world and was raised three days later. I confess that Jesus ismy Lord and savior, and I repent and turn from my way and turn towards his ways. Anyway, I have to go pray and read my Bible. But I’m not gonna even be able to find my Bible until I get out of these weeds. And I think I’m going to delete KZbin.

[@timothyvenable3336]

You’re my hero!

[@Nance-ld7yc]

🤣🤣🤣🤣👍❤️😁

[@htebazileeilsel2293]

In Luke 7:30 it says of the lawyers "But they *rejected the will of God for themselves*

[@justarandomguy6877]

We dont have free will we are predetermined according to science, but predetermination is also mentioned in the Bible. Therefore, it is both scientific and Biblical.

[@angloaust1575]

Made willing in the day of his power

[@johnfal1849]

Matthew 23:37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" Sounds like there's more than just one will taking place! Calvanism is false doctrine, without a doubt.

[@tomm6167]

What is the Calvinist interpretation of: "And I [Jesus], when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32)

[@FollowerOfTheLight2782]

"People " is not part of the greek text....

[@josephwolfe8717]

The calvinists problem, is that they believe accepting a FREE GIFT is a work. Of course the decisive reason we believe is God's grace😂.God's grace in providing the Lamb.He didn't have to. The word play in calvinism is astounding ! It's not needed in christianity.

[@dlu8666]

Still baffled! I understand the grace part but it's only the chosen that receives it?

[@gwilliams1001]

Being born again is the same as being born in the first place. It is not by choice. All died in Adam and all made alive in Christ. Scripture after scripture after scripture after scripture makes this very clear yet masses of people read and perceive it in error because the one thing we lack is that unwillingness to relinquish the one thing most valuable to us. And that's our right to our free will. Not my will but your will. It's not about predestination but about the will of God and capability of the undeserved Grace that Jesus Himself paid dearly to impute to ALL. To reject undeserved Grace for ALL (which is Christ Himself) but rather embrace Grace for me because of MY choice is rejection of Christ and promotion of one's carnal self.

[@terrycrosslin7866]

G Willams It's not free will it's called a ULTIMATUM!

[@gwilliams1001]

@@terrycrosslin7866 The same Ultimatum Jesus gave the rich young ruler even though the rich young ruler had done everything right there was one thing he lacked. For him he was to sell everything and follow Jesus. He valued his possessions far too much. However this was not an example of greed but was rather Jesus teaching that the one thing any man lacks is that which he values the most and has no desire to relinquish his possession of. It is a story of our free will that we value to the point of never giving it up even to the One who gave it in the first place. We will ALWAYS walk in the dark until we are willing to give up that one thing we worship that one thing that we never learned a lesson on that was the ultimate reason for our sin to begin with. Our free will was the reason for our disobedience and nothing else. The ultimatum does not begin with choosing Christ for He already choose us. We are His and He is ours. We are foster children in a lost world that does not recognize that we are adopted because 'religious' teachings convinces us that 'we' have to choose. And that is an imperfect concept and not at all a new covenent of a contract between God and His Son where we, his children are heirs. The old contract between God and man was not successful because we could not. It only make clear that we needed God to do it for us in full. The ultimatum is a complete surrender of that one thing we lack which is our right to our own free will. Until then, we wander in this world in the shadow of our own effort, in our own belief (which is never enough). Free will was given, but it MUST also be relinquished back unto the one who gave it.

[@terrycrosslin7866]

@@gwilliams1001 The ULTIMATUM that God threatens us with is Hell if we dont accept him back and that's not Love!

[@gwilliams1001]

@@terrycrosslin7866 Love is Grace (undeserved mercy) since we cannot do it on our own merits. He did so for us. Until we 'believe' that salvation and reconciliations power is in the cross and that His sacrifice is suffice absolutely. The only other choice is to rely on ourselves and misplace the power of God on the shoulders of our own choice/belief. We MUST know that salvation came before our belief in it. And to stop being our own god and misunderstanding that our salvation comes 'after' our belief. We men want so much to take credit for what we caused that we in our shame refuse to let God's sacrifice of His Son play out in our lives. All because we want to boast in the misplaced fact they it was something 'we' did to gain that reconciliation back. I would much rather rely on His faithfulness, than my own faith. I would much rather rely on His sacrifice, than I would my own belief in my belief. We already have proven both in the garden and in the old covenent that we could NOT do it. And now He has done it for us (New Covenent) and yet we reject it because we refuse to give up our right to ourselves. There is a hell, and it's reserved for those who 'believe' in it. Hell is rendered irrelevant, null and void, defeated, non-existant when we step aside and give God ALL the credit and stop putting so much value in our own belief. If belief is more powerful than the Truth of God's own being and what He with His Son has already accomplished then that same belief has the power to send us to hell for believing that He didn't conquer it absolutely.

[@CheesyChez421]

1: Did God create everything? 2: Does God know everything? 3: Can God change anything in the universe with his power at any time? If you answered yes to all 3, then there can't be free will. Simple as that.

[@stevenknapp2850]

Pretty much

[@CheesyChez421]

@@stevenknapp2850 ok. So you don't have free will.

[@stevenknapp2850]

@@CheesyChez421 I believe we have free will but it’s not what our finite minds perceive as free will. God ordains all nothing happens without Him letting it or having a part in it. He is just and righteous. We sin he is not the reason for it nor is he to blame we are inherently evil. He allows it for reasons beyond our comprehension. When we do evil it’s the sin in us and we are usually pulled by our own wickedness or the devil himself. If we had absolute free will as we think the world would be a lot more evil than it is.

[@CheesyChez421]

@@stevenknapp2850 Then why the fuck do you call him God even? You don't even know the definition of free will. So all that murder, rape, pedophilia, nonconsensual abortion and slavery is good? God has a literal 200% lead of killing than the Devil does in the Bible. So who's actually evil? Your blood cult God. I never said anything about us actually having free will because I'm skeptical of that even in a godless universe. I'm saying in your model it is impossible. There can't be possibilities for both predestination and free will. You mean the sin that God put in us and knew we would do, yet set us out on the world to make those choices. That's taking away free will dipshit. You people are the most obtuse people to ever have a conversation with. You don't want answers, you want people to capitulate to your sophistry and pointed narratives.

[@stevenknapp2850]

@@CheesyChez421 Well sorry you feel that way. I don’t understand why you spew all this hate towards a people that follow a supernatural being you don’t even believe in. Do you get this upset when people believe in Santa? If it makes us better and makes us better people and we do nothing to hurt you why does it matter what we believe. I used to be a dirt bag but God saved me so that’s why I believe. You don’t have to agree. We would love for you to accept Jesus but if you don’t we don’t care either. I’m just saying I know I don’t get that mad if someone believes in something I don’t I don’t understand why atheists do.

[@just_bee9482]

This is moot debate. We are free to choose

[@jakelivingstone5747]

Piper often mischaracterizes those who believe in some sort of free will. Throughout the entire Bible, we see God's initiation and humanity's response. A covenant, after all, is defined as an agreement between TWO parties. Luke 14:24, Parable of the Great Supper, Jesus says, "For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste supper." Notice how some were INVITED, but made excuses as to why they wouldn't join the supper. Luke 13:34, Jesus says, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I WANTED to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but YOU were not WILLING." There is an obvious choice implied by Jesus about accepting His message or not. Calvinistic determination mischaracterizes God's sovereignty, and they often mischaracterize Arminians by saying we don't respect the sovereignty of God. This simply isn't true. Arminians believe God exercises His sovereignty differently by allowing humanity to accept His invitation or decline it, which is what we see throughout all of Scripture.

[@TheApologeticDog]

The problem is that Scripture tells us that the natural man cannot do what is pleasing to God (Roman 8:8). That would include "accepting" Jesus. Rather, John 1:12-13 tells us that those who do receive Jesus was not a result of human will but they in fact were born from God. Regeneration or being born again must be initiated by God for an individual to respond to the gospel (John 3:6-8, Titus 3:5). Verses like Luke 13:34 and Acts 7:51 demonstrate that natural man's choices are always in opposition to God like Romans 3 says "There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God..." Anything good we experience (like faith in Christ) is always from God....not our selves (James 1:17, Romans 12:3, Phil 1:6, 29, Eph 2:8, Heb 12:2, Acts 13:48, Eph 1:11, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 9:6-23, John 6, John 10)

[@guinn2415]

Great reply sir

[@owretchedguy07]

a) notice one thing, "servant" not disciple. many here in Mpls MN do not rightly divide the Word of God and stay in the 'under Law' era. It seems to me that pastor John starts out as Arminian then switches over to Calvinism here in this video only.

[@tyamada21]

the Law myoho-renge-kyo represents the identity of what some scientists refer to as the ‘unified field of all consciousnesses’. In other words, it’s a sound vibration that is the essence of all of existence and non-existence, the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the true creator of everything that is, ever was and ever will be, right down to the minutest particles of dust, each being an individual ripple or wave. The big difference between chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middle man’ to connect us to our state of enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves by tapping directly into it by way of self-produced sound vibration. On the subject of ‘Who or What Is God?’, when we compare the concept of ‘God’, as a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to Nichiren’s teachings, the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people call ‘God’ is our enlightenment, which exists nowhere else but within us. When the disciples asked Jesus where the Kingdom of God is, didn’t he tell them that it was within them? Some say that ‘God’ is an entity that can never be seen. I think that the vast amount of information that is constantly being conveyed via electromagnetic waves gives us proof of how an invisible state of ‘God’ could actually exist. It’s widely known that certain data being relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects, including instant global awareness of something or mass emotional reaction. As well as many other things, it’s also common knowledge that these waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to even enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars. However, none of this is possible without a receiver to decode the information that is being transmitted. Without the receiver, the information would remain impotent. In a very similar way, it’s important for us to have our ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our life, all other life and what we and all else that exists truly is. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach into the core of our enlightenment and switch it on. That’s because the sound vibration of ‘myoho-renge-kyo’ represents the combination of the three major laws that underlie all existence. ‘Myoho’ represents the Law of latency and manifestation (Nature), and consists of two alternating states. One state of ‘myo’ is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists. This includes our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them, our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re not being expressed, our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma, and more importantly, our enlightenment. The other state, ‘ho’, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes obvious to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory, whenever we experience or express our emotions, or whenever a good or bad effect manifests from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it simply means that it has come out of the state of ‘myo’ (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ‘ho’ (manifestation). It’s simply the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing something. The second law, ‘renge’, governs and controls the functions of ‘myoho’, ‘ren’ meaning cause and ‘ge’ meaning effect. The two laws of ‘myoho’ and ‘renge’, both functions together simultaneously, as well as underlies all spiritual and physical existence. The final and third part of the tri-combination, ‘kyo’, is what allows the law ‘myoho’ to be able to integrate with the law ‘renge’. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects together all Life and matter, as well as the past, present and future. It is often termed the Universal Law of Communication. Perhaps it could even be compared to the ‘string theory’ that some scientists now suspect exists. Just as our body cells, thoughts, feelings and all else are constantly fluctuating within us, everything in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux, in accordance with these three laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of ‘myo’ and ‘ho’ in a single moment than it would ever be possible for us to calculate or describe. And it doesn't matter how big or small, important or trivial that anything may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now, or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of 'myoho-renge-kyo'. These three laws are also the basis of the four fundamental forces and if they didn't function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. Simply put, all forms of existence, including the seasons, day and night, birth, death and so on, are all moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation, rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two universal states of ‘myo’ and ‘ho’ in absolute accordance with ‘renge’ and by way of ‘kyo’. Even stars are dying and being reborn in accordance with the workings of what the combination ‘myoho-renge-kyo’ represents. ‘Nam’, or 'Namu', on the other hand, is a password or a key; it allows us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘myoho-renge-kyo’. On a more personal basis, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives from moment to moment, as well in our environment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is turning, and rhythmically chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for a minimum of ten minutes daily, anyone can experience actual proof of its positive effects in their life. In so doing, we can pierce through even the thickest layers of our karma and activate our Buddha Nature (enlightened state). We’re then able to bring forth the wisdom needed to challenge, overcome and change our negative circumstances into positive ones. It brings forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that is preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we truly are, regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexual preference. We are also able to see and understand our circumstances and environment more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. Actual proof soon becomes apparent to anyone who chants the words Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on a regular daily basis. Everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect, so the strength of the result from chanting depends on dedication, sincerity and determination. To explain it more simply, the difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, or producing a song and so on. NB: There are frightening, disturbing sounds and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It's the emotional result from any sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo each day you are producing a sound vibration that is the password to your true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things, such as your fears and desires etc. The important way to get the best result when chanting is not to see things in a conventional way (it's not easy to achieve this), rather than reaching out to an external source, you need to reach into your own life and bring your needs and desires to fruition from within, including any help that you may need. Think of it like a seed within you that you are bringing sunshine and water to in order for it to grow and blossom. It’s so important to understand that everything that we need in life, all the answers and potential to achieve our dreams, already exist within us. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZe1lIimpLWfbdk TINA TURNER kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXPKf2tqbsShhdU Tina Turner - Lotus Sutra / Purity of Mind (2H Meditation ... www.youtube.com tinaturnerblog.com beyondsinging.com Links & more details in description. Get 'Beyond' Featuring Tina Turner chanting the mantra chanting 'Nam-... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHS9YYuApryFqJY OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN sings Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

[@SupernaturalRevelations]

Rubbish!!! Christ only reins the supernatural world

[@77ronboy]

I asked my best friend, who is a Christian, if Jesus's mission on earth was to save everyone, and we know that not everyone will be saved, wouldn't that mean that Jesus failed in His mission? My friend had no reply - do you?

[@garmarrod]

Ron Bruner for the elect

[@77ronboy]

Taylor, I reread my message, and don't see any rudeness or sarcasm in what I wrote. What I do see is your need for a strong taste of Jesus!

[@mr.d.572]

He didn't come to save everyone. That's pretty clear from the New Testament.