I absolutely love the way God works....
So I had this big ol' blog post planned for today. Ideas written down, notes ready to go. But then I saw a notice from @meno where he asked me if I had checked out the new version of @snapie for iOS.
I immediately downloaded it, started poking around and then....Came across his blog that he just wrote today.
I'm so glad I did....
Because he brought up a topic that is of serious discussion within Christianity. The question is simple...Do we have a choice?
This thing called 'freewill' is always up for debate, even within secular circles. So please note, while Meno's post was addressing both religious beliefs and non-religious beliefs, all I can ever talk about it my experience...
Freewill.
This goes against a popular doctrine within Christianity called 'predestination'. Now if you open up your Strong's Concordance and find the word, you will see it appears 4 to 6 times...And always by the apostle Paul.
Now while I admit, there is other places in scripture that seem to bring up this idea that God has predestined the elect only, it's always something that never sat well with me.
Before people get the pitchforks...I do not consider this doctrine salvational. Meaning you can believe it, or not...Christ is still what matters for salvation.
But I digress...
The reason I have a massive issue with this doctrine comes simply for the general theme of the bible...
Choose this day whom you will serve.
From Genesis to Revelation the entire narrative is God's fallen race, choosing to worship Him instead of anything (or anyone) else.
This is...1 John 4:8...God is love.
You cannot get love if there is no choice.
Think about this logically...God is love, so does He want automatons worshipping Him? How is that love? Now someone will argue, we don't get to define love, God does...
AMEN! God....IS...Love.
Love is not mindless forced worship. It simply cannot be.
As for the word predestined, remember who wrote that word in the NT...And for that, 2 Peter 3:15-16....You might wanna look that up ;)
Again, when push comes to shive I truly believe this is not a salvational issue. However it does speak about the character of God. And the reason there are so many non-believers out there is perhaps because, God's character has been under attack since the garden of Eden.
Random thoughts from hanging out in the new Snapie app, and sitting in my hotel room. I hope it stirs some conversation and thought :)
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I suppose it depends on how you use "love". Love is a feeling, but it's also something you actively do.
When we are instructed to love our enemies, it doesn't mean that we should have the warm and fuzzies for them. Rather, we should treat them in a loving way. I've heard some people put it as hating the sin, but loving the sinner.
If you love God, that love will be expressed in good works, obedience to His will, and spiritual fruit. This is similar to loving your children. If you love your children, you'll wake up for those 2 AM feedings and diaper changes, provide for them, and give them comfort. That love allows you to do things you don't want to do.
Love as a feeling can be changeable. But love as an action or way of being is something we choose to do.
In our relationship with God, we can choose to be closer to Him, or to fall away.
The most applicable analogy is in a relationship. If we choose to strengthen the relationship, we will be kind and considerate of our partner. We will do those things that express our interest and love. On the other hand, if we can be selfish and withhold our best from our spouse, it destroys that bond and eventually ends up in divorce.
In a similar way, we can choose to withhold our good works, thereby alienating us from God. He has given us a path to restore that relationship. But it's entirely our decision to recognize our folly and return to the path.
In God's relationship with the people of Israel, there have been multiple covenants, which they failed to live up to. Yet He keeps coming back to give them another chance, Jesus being the ultimate covenant.
In a relationship, if one party is doing their best and the other isn't trying, then there is no bond. You need both parties to want to be in that relationship.
You're right. It isn't mechanical. There has to be a conscious desire and willingness to maintain that relationship. We know God is 100% committed. It's up to us to demonstrate that we're committed as well, by changing our hearts and our actions.
I agree with absolutely everything you said man. It's bang on. I truly believe fruits of that love, end up being how you live as a human being.
The only thing I would challenge, or at least point out, is that 'love' is 1 john 4:8 is agape in Greek. Which is much more than just a feeling. I truly believe God is...That 'much more'. If that makes sense.
Right. It's more than a feeling. It's an act too.
Amen, I know that's not the popular protestant feeling...But I do believe fruits are what comes a relationship with Jesus.
Or is it free will....deep thoughts.
ahhhh i see what you did there lol
I think the concept of free will plays such a important role in our relationships.
100% agree
Makes sense to me Jon. Living in the secular world vs a Christ centered world, which is more satisfying?
Yeah, I have spent so much time on this, prayerfully. And it just makes sense that the God of Scripture values our worship. He will never force it on us.
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." Mat 24:12
Having a free will in terms of religious belief is something that we can take and decide
I think having the Freewill helps us to decide where we want to believe
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