Is it proper to conclude that we are not born with free will?
(Deut. 5:22-29; 3:1-10; Psalm 51:1-14; Heb. 11:13-16) Blog Nov. 21-27, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God gave the Ten Commandments as his covenant of love for his people. This covenant begins with a brief history of how he delivered them from bondage and proceeds to outline the good results that come to those who participate in it. This binding agreement of mutual love was soon broken by God’s people. It was then that God gave them a sanctuary that provided forgiveness of sins. Only through God’s grace and mercy could his people remain in covenant union with him. In that union God promised to care for them and to deliver them from every foe.
Free to choose (See Present Truth Vol 9 #3 <https://liferesearchinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/9-3-low.pdf>
1. Were Adam and Eve created with free will to choose good or evil? Adam & Eve were created with free will to choose life or death for their natures were holy & there were two outstanding trees in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9, 16-17; 3:22-24).
2. How was human nature affected by the sin of our first parents? When Adam sinned the nature of all his posterity was corrupted with sin & all humanity were placed under condemnation to eternal death (Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-19; Eph. 2:1-5).
3. How was our free will affected by the fall of Adam? When Adam fell humanity lost the freedom to choose righteousness for every desire of their heart was only evil continually. Human beings still retained the freedom to choose what kind of evil (that of the mind or that of the flesh) they would participate in (Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Eph. 2:3).
4. If no one is born with the freedom to choose life and righteousness, how can anyone be saved? The only way anyone can be saved is if they are given light from heaven. Apart from hearing the good news of salvation they have no ability to choose life. The power of God is in the good news that he offers to all (Psa. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:17-21; 2:14-15; John 1:9).
6. Is it proper then to conclude that we are not born with free will? We are born with a will that is captive to our corrupt natures, so we are free only to choose according to our corrupt desires. Freedom to choose righteousness & life comes only through hearing the truth (Psa. 58:3; Rom. 10:6-18; Eph. 1:13).
Free from Sin
7. When a person believes the Gospel and is justified, do they then lose their corrupt nature? No, our corrupt natures are not removed at conversion. They remain in Christians until they die or are glorified (Rom. 3:10-18; 8:17; 1 Cor. 15:53; Gal. 5:17).
8. Do true Christians have free will? Yes, true Christians have free will for they are no longer under condemnation, they have passed from death unto life, & they are indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1, 9, 17-21; Phil. 2:12-13; Heb. 13:20-21).
9. Is it possible for true Christians to choose righteousness & life or evil & death? Yes, Christians have freedom to choose life or death & should daily choose life (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Isa. 56:4; Matt. 6:11).
10. If true Christians willingly choose death (separation from God) is it possible for them to later choose life again? No, if true Christians divorce themselves from God there only awaits “a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-30.
9. Why does Moses tell the children of Israel to turn again to God if it is not possible to be re-justified after a person loses their justification? Moses is speaking to God’s people as a nation who until Calvary had opportunity to return. Believing people in that nation & today who have backslidden but have not entirely divorced themselves from God may still return to God (Deut. 30:10 Rom. 11:17-22).
11. How many true Christians have backslidden? Because of our sinful natures we have all backslidden & daily need to return to God (to daily repent of our sins) (Matt. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-14; James 3:2).
12. What does Isaiah mean when he says that our sins separate us from God? Isaiah must be speaking of backsliding for he would never disagree with Paul who says that entire separation from God is irreversible (Psa. 51:12; Isa. 59:1-3; Heb. 6:4-6).
13. Why can Paul write that true Christians are free from sin? Paul writes that Christians are “free from sin” because although sin still remains in them, it no longer reigns in them (Rom. 6:6-14; 1 Cor. 15:53-54).
14. While there is a repentant turning of unbelievers to faith, what other form of repentance should believers experience? Believers sin daily & should repentantly ask God daily to forgive their sins (Matt. 6:12; 1 John 1:9).
15. What should believers do if they neglect daily prayer and repentance? Believers who neglect daily prayer & repentance should, like David, return to God asking & seeking him to forgive their sins & renew the joy of their salvation (Deut. 4:29-31; Psa. 51:1-12).
16. What warning does Paul give for those who continue to neglect daily repentant confession of sins? Paul warns that leaving sins unconfessed may result in hardening of the heart to the point that a person is forever separated from Christ (Heb. 3:12-13).
Free to Return
17. While backsliders have an opportunity to return to fellowship with God, what must they do in order to return? Backsliders must diligently seek God for he is not fooled by false humility or feigned repentance (Deut. 4:29-31; 30:1-10).
18. Who is Moses addressing in Deuteronomy 30 when he speaks about returning to God? In Deuteronomy 30 Moses is addressing the nation as a whole, so we should not conclude that an individual who entirely separates himself from God has an opportunity to return (Deut. 30:1-10).
19. What did Jesus say had to be added to repentance if a person is to enter the kingdom of God? Jesus said that belief in the Gospel was necessary in order to enter his kingdom — that repentance was not enough (Mark 1:15).
20. If a person truly repents will there be evidence in the life? True repentance always bears “fruits worthy of repentance” (Psa. 51:13-15; Matt. 3:1-8; Luke 3:8).
21. What do those who embrace God’s promises not consider as an option? Those who embrace God’s promises do not consider it an option to return to their former earthly home & lifestyle (like Lot’s wife did) for “they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly (Heb. 11:13-16).