Back to the cross, the root, the word @
The Radical Pilgrim

~ Pro Bible ~ Pro Apologetics ~ Pro Kingdom ~

All scripture quotations from the Authorized Version, without apologies.  Placed accents mine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Obedience, Freewill, and the Sovereignty of God

that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man
Hebrews 2:9

Crying out for some sort of deliverance, or calling out to someone for help in a time of anguish or great need, is both a natural response and evidence that choice is to be exercised to some degree or another.  Even an animal would call out when it is aware (whether its intelligence or instinct is being activated) to know the possibility of help could be at hand.  However, there is a doctrine entrenched in the Body today, which would refute this claim and replace it with a doctrine of branding our Maker the creator of sin and railroading our walk in Him, where it would be considered evil to even attempt to make our own individual choices.  In this treatise I will label this brand of teaching the doctrine of Special Selection/Pre Election for identity purposes.

In a nutshell ...  the doctrine of Special Selection/Pre Election sainthood in Christ, is contrary to the full counsel of God in rightly dividing the word of truth from Genesis to Revelation, and is therefore categorized as the spirit of error.

By 'Special Select Pre Elect' I am referring to the doctrine many call 'Calvinism' (whether a mild form or 'Ultra-Calvnism or Hyper-Calvinism - give us a break!)' or 'Predestination Only' in that God the Creator had a pre-Creation plan for a very special elitist few.    This "few" being a very small group of people in mind before He went about creating man and the rest of Creation (not to be confused with the scriptural remnant right through the Bible), whereas the rest of mankind (still in blueprint) would never get a chance of redemption nor taste the forgiveness of God after the latter "pre-planned" fall of man.  Which would mean in actual fact, the majority of people of all time and ages are doomed not only in the womb but even before conception, in that the purpose of their birth was to be born in rebellion, ever remain in rebellion this side of hell, with no hope of a second birth and being saved from their sin or eternal damnation.  This is justified by using the scriptures that say nothing good dwells within man, making him totally depraved and wicked to the point there is not an inkling of anything in anyone which could respond, or call out for help, within the confines of a doomed and hopeless state of (unbeknown) eventual endless agony.  These statements of course are a generalization to what these people portray, although I am aware there are many angles to this doctrine from moderate forms to plain crazy reasoning.

Although I do not have all the answers nor posses all the truth as any single individual on planet earth (as I have previously stated and also admit this subject is very hard to get a grip on and come to a balance on), as well as admit there is nothing good in any us which deserves the gift of salvation; I am convinced however, there is ample proof from the verses conveyed in this following treatise to individual choice in obedience to the will of God.  Here you will hopefully discover that the teaching pervading the Body today, in that God has not created the individual with freewill (a scriptural term as I will prove beyond a doubt) with space to make his or her own individual choices in life (or in the new life after being born again), has been conjured up in the mind of man.  Even a devil would call out for help if it meant a hand in lifting it from a state of agony to relief, would it not?  Not only would common sense tell us this but the scriptures again would confirm this (Amos 3:4, Mark 5:2)!

Just because an individual calls out for deliverance from a dilemma, it does not mean they will be heard or adhered to (1 Samuel 8:18, Job 19:7).   In an eternal sense, a devil's cry would be in vain as they cannot experience redemption.  A "Special Select Pre Elect" adherent would say only a select few can, as they can only rightfully receive (by Divine pre-selection and providence) the benefits of the Spirit of God.  This notion would also contradict the Holy Ghost being poured out on all flesh (both Jew and Gentile) in the last days, granting divine grace to the wretched sinner in order for the sinner to find space to repent.  If the Lord granted space to the wretched apostate witch, and false prophetess Jezebel to repent, then surely there is hope for others being in this degenerate state?

Also,  you will see how a clear balanced view of scripture will prove that Jesus tasted death for every man; literally meaning every man.  Hence, salvation is universal (depending on the individual receiving Christ themselves, Jn. 1:12) in that Christ died for the sins of the whole world.  Here's undeniable proof, which could not be spelt out any clearer, that Christ died for the sins of the whole world:

1 Jn. 2:2. "And he is the propitiation for our sins (the Christians): and not for ours only (the Christians), but also for the sins of the whole world (everyone outside of being a Christian)."

How can anyone argue with such crystal clear wording as in the above verse?  Unless one changed it of course?  You will find that the verse below supports this truth also:

2 Pet. 1:9.  "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins."

Sounds like Jezebel, or any backslidden apostate to me!  This person was once purged from his sins and somewhere along the line has allowed Satan to snatch the seed from his life and has now become blind to his redeemed status by being taken away at some point in his new life.  Now let's look at the next verse:

2 Pet. 2:1.  "Some false teachers deny the Lord that bought them."

By reading the verse above we now have a different scenario unfolding depending on your theology:

1.  (point A) If you believe in Once Saved Always Saved (we will look further into this doctrine later) then the false teachers above were not saved in the first place.  However (Point B), salvation is still available for them if they call out, as this verse clearly shows the Lord died to redeem them also.  Because ...  they "deny the Lord that bought them"!

2.  If you do not believe in the OSAS doctrine (Once Saved Always Saved) then you would be forced to still acknowledge Point B anyway ...  the Lord died to redeem them also (He "bought them" - 2 Pet. 2:1).  Meaning, Jesus tasted death for every man, even those who would choose to go outside of grace later, throwing away the pearl of great price (the gift of salvation)!  However, salvation is still for those who cry out (the whosoevers) ...  and for the desperate sinner before God, who calls out in the right name.  That name being Jesus, the Saviour!  Here's the wonderful promise again from Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13:

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Therefore, "the whosoever" doctrine still means "the whosoever"!  That ...  "whosoever liveth and believeth in me (Jesus) shall never die. Believest thou this?"

May I reiterate ...  "Believest thou this?"

The doctrine of reconciliation

3 John 1:8.  "We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth."

Fellow helpers to the truth!!??

Recapping on the fact that every Bible believer is not only brought to the cross for redemption's sake but is called to be a witness in this world for Christ; where the Bible believer has been administered with the charge of reconciling the lost to their Maker through the gospel.  This is not an additional option but the responsibility of every Christian.  It also means it is not a just matter for the individual being saved and ready for heaven, because with spiritual privilege comes spiritual responsibility.  This is why scripture refers to the redeemed as "labourers together with God" and "workers together with him".  We have been entrusted with this great ministry of reconciliation to God as we co-operate with the Holy Ghost in being "fellowhelpers to the truth".

Confirmation found in 2 Corinthians Five verses ...

14  For the love of Christ constraineth us (the love of Christ constraineths us, motivates us - duty, guilt or obligation does not constrain us); because we thus judge (so judgement is ours in this case), that if one died for all, then were all dead (that's those outside of their Maker - everyone fallen):
15  And that he died for all (everyone fallen), that they which live (everyone redeemed) should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17  Therefore if (that's the condition) any man (everyone fallen) be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world (everyone fallen) unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them (everyone fallen); and hath committed unto us (those who have received His redemption) the word of reconciliation.

So it is obvious from the above passage of scripture that there is everyone fallen (facing a condition for redemption) contrary to everyone redeemed (who have faced the condition for redemption). Because the above verses are referring to the world (all peoples) who need reconciliation with their Maker, it is scriptural to say that outside of Christ all are dead in sin ('all' that is, v 14), and therefore all are in need of salvation.  Because of Christ's unfathomable love and abundant mercy, who died for all (v 15) "the whosoever" can call unto the name of the Lord for mercy to be saved. It is for this divine task that His followers are His instruments (or chosen vehicles) also, in ministering this word of reconciliation (v 19), through this ministry of reconciliation (v18), to the world outside of Christ (v 19).

ALL ... those (the world, ALL lost peoples) outside of Christ (more on this latter).  Yes, all is ALL!!

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION ...  has been given to those in Christ to reconcile (win, convert, bring to) "the world unto himself".  Being fishermen of men in other words.  This is when the net is cast out into the world (for all) where some will be caught and brought into the kingdom of God.

I am fully aware here that there is a mystery in Christ that all here means all peoples.  However, the individual can't come to Christ unless he has been given the Holy Spirit to bring him to repentance.  In salvation, nothing is required from man.  All his righteousness is as filthy rags.  Nothing man does will earn anything from God.  Repentance is a gift.  Salvation is a gift.  Faith is a gift.  As a love for the truth is a gift.  Without the Holy Ghost working on us and aiding us, we can do nothing.  The flesh can not profit us anything.  That's why we bring nothing to the altar with us when we come to Christ, just our dirty hearts that need the miracle of being washed and made new through the spilt blood.

Rom. 11:33.  "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

Admittedly, one person would never have the sole right in knowing the depths of God in these points made (as his ways are past finding out), and revelation is unfolding as the individual seeks the Lord for the truth, found in His word, as only the Holy Ghost can reveal these things.  However, balance can be found as one rightly divides the word of truth, and does not try and exploit the truth for his or her gain, an ulterior agenda, or to preserve a party spirit or self-imposed doctrine.  It is not a matter of what this or that church's catechism says, or this or that theologian states.  It is a matter of simple, childlike faith in what God says!. That "ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left ('making choices' being exercised again)."  The way indeed is narrow, and few are those who find it.  Please read on!

Two extremes in the doctrine of reconciliation

Jacob Arminius was a man who lived at the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.  His teachings were a backlash against a man called John Calvin who used the Bible as a covering for tyranny and a justification for setting up in political opposition to Papal Rome.  Both teachings were in opposition and were a reaction against the other (one taking the soft approach, while the other the hard-line), using scripture taken to extreme to reinforce their doctrines.  Hence, these two wings are from the same bird which carried the Reformation into what is also known as the Protestant Movement.  When it comes to sound doctrine the Bible always teaches "a just balance" and "rightly dividing the word of truth."   Not a false balance of two opposing theologies (no wonder this bird didn't go anywhere apart from returning to it's Mother's nest in Rome). Hence ...

Arminianism as a doctrine (from the JA wing), leads to the notion Jesus is just there for 'the taking or leaving' (due to the doctrine of preservation being left 'open ended').  Therefore, one can choose to accept or refuse to accept Jesus before or after conversion.  This means if one chooses to say no to Jesus prior to conversion, then that's fine with God for the present, as the individual can come later when he feels he is ready.  If one chooses to say "no" to Jesus after conversion, this is even better, as Jesus will never ever leave that person irrespective of that person walking with God daily, or whether he goes his own way living a life in total rebellion and contrary to everything the Bible teaches.

However, contrary to this teaching the word teaches that we have been predestinated to receive Him.  Therefore, if we don't draw near to Him, He will not draw near to us.  If we reject Him, He will reject us.  Where finally, judgement and eternal hell await any Christ rejecter, including those who were once of the faith (please check these verses out ...  1 Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:8,15,24,25; 6:10,21; 2 Tim. 2:18; Heb. 6:6; 10:26-39?) before departing from the faith.

Arminianism as a doctrine, is a gospel of convenience, placing man in the centre and God on the outside, where Jesus becomes an errand boy figurehead.

Calvinism as a doctrine (from the JC wing), teaches us that God is the author of sin.  It also teaches us that only a select elitist few have been pre-chosen by the Creator Himself, before creation itself, and that salvation is totally and absolutely unconditional with out any co-working together with God.  Therefore, with this teaching, most people can't or will never be able to respond toward God and are already doomed even before they are born (as already pointed out).  Which means redemption is always pointless and impossible for the lost to have hope or be granted one iota of a chance for them to be saved, as Jesus only died for a small selective chosen creation, and not for the whole world contrary to 1 John 2:2.  This would also rule out God granting the witch and false prophetess Jezebel "space to repent" (or someone in a similar situation), even before she was handed over to delusion.  It would also rule out of scripture King David's words (Psalms 144:4):

"Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away."

As it would also rule out the words of King Solomon (Ecc. 12:8):

"Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity."

Not so for the supposed few elitist chosen, who would be born by divine providence for obtaining salvation outside of exercising their willingness to surrender to God, with nothing being able to affect them coming to Christ.  However, we do know from scripture that the Lord does grant the most foulest of sinners space (grace, mercy, a measure of His Spirit) to respond towards Him in repentance so that He would come and set up His abode in the repentant sinners life (live and abide in their hearts) after it has been washed clean by the blood of Jesus.

The doctrine of Calvinism portrays a god who is not a loving father but an unreasonable god who exercises His power in a harsh, cruel manner, and will not change His mind despite the desperate, broken, intercessors plea (Ps. 34:18; Jer. 33:3), and denies scriptures like Heb. 2:19 ...  that Jesus tasted death for every man.

The fact of the matter is ...  God cannot change His word (His precepts which are settled, declared and recorded forever) but He can change His mind (Amos 7:6).  Which is also the reason we are encouraged to pray to Him.  Like, f'instance the verse which supports this ...  "yet ye have not, because ye ask not"!

The following are both non-Arminianism and non-Calvinism in doctrine

John 17:2.  "As thou hast given him power over all flesh (both Jew and Gentile od ALL peoples),, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him."

The Holy Ghost is poured out on all flesh like a net over a shoal of fish.  The fish represent all nations and are not just one nation as under the Old Covenant.  Many are hauled in by the fishermen leaving many of the multitude of fish still in the sea where some will be fished out by others later.  However, only a few are chosen in the end as many are thrown back into the deep.

Due to the fact that many actually hear the call of God and respond to a degree, but only a few take full heed and embrace the Son fully, because some seed fall on good ground ... on an honest and good heart (Luke 8:15).  Therefore, whosoever calls out to the name of the Lord is actually calling out and acknowledging everything the name pertains to ...  to the Son of God, the lamb slain for our sin, our atoner, our intercessor (one who pleads our case) and our mediator for salvation (the one and only avenue to God).   In other words, it's what the individual does with the Son (the word, the good seed) which determines their salvation.

1 Pe. 1:23.  "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."

This is to do with those who receive (embrace, take into heart) the Son!

Ps. 2:12.  "Kiss the Son (embrace, cleave to), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."

The New Testament equivalent:

John 3:16.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The issue is Jesus!  The Son of God!  The only begotten of the Father!  What we do with Him!  That's the pearl of great price!  Most will reject Him, but some will fall down and cling to His ankles and wash His feet with their tears and hair.  Kissing Him dearly!

But "Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified."

What shall we do with Jesus which is called Christ?  This is the issue!  Let Him be crucified (over and over again), or call out to one whom we pierced?  Most don't and will reject Him, but a few do and will accept Him.

The Holy Ghost was definitely not sent to glorify a nation (tough on patriots).  Or a church or a movement (tough on religionists).  Or even Himself (tough on Charismatics)!  Nor give the Father the pre-eminence (tough on the "Church Restoration" movement).  No!  Pre-eminence was to be given to the Son!  That's the Lord Jesus Christ!  It is only those who are called according to His purpose who receive, as the Holy Ghost works in the good ground, unto salvation.  Therefore, salvation is only for those who receive (embrace) Jesus.  MOreover, some still have the audacity to teach that salvation is unconditional!

Jn. 1: 11-12.  "He came unto his own (the Jews), and his own received him not.  But as many (any of all the peoples) as received him (that's the free gift - Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name".

This is completely on His terms and is fair and just and reasonable outside the wisdom of man.  If they accept Him as the lamb of God and His blood sacrifice as all sufficient for their redemption and eternal salvation, then they are accepted beloved of the Father and He hands them back to His Son for safe keeping.  Not one of them is lost in this security (unless they opt out and leave - "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith").   What a great salvation ...  when someone is carried and hidden secure in the bosom of the great shepherd of the sheep!

John 6: 39-40.  "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me (the Father giving to the Son) I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."

Therefore, our walk is a constant walk in the Son.  If you are in the Son, then He is in you.  This is making JESUS our salvation, as both our surety and assurance.  On a continued, eternal, basis. The all and all, the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the author and finisher of our faith!  "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."

A gift at the end of the day

Remembering:

Repentance is a gift.
Salvation is a gift.
Faith is a gift.
Wisdom is a  gift.
And a love for the truth is a gift (stuff like this really kills the flesh - doesn't it?).

All these things come down from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, as good gifts, and cannot be executed unless responded to and accepted by the recipient ... the desperate sinner or the broken saint abiding in Him.  Read on and I will supply you with all the scriptural references allowing you to decide (if you believe in choice that is) whether what I write is scriptural or not?

"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy (Romans 9:16)."  His Son being His mercy!

Freely ye have received, freely give.  Which means we freely receive Him (God's free gift - our freewill exercised).  Then others can receive (accept) from us.  Again, this means receiving (or accepting) Jesus is scriptural after all!

John 6:21.  "Then they willingly received him into the ship".

If you can willingly receive or accept the person of Jesus (both God and man) physically into your house (Luke 10:38) or boat (John 6:21), then spiritually you can willingly receive Jesus into your life.  Does this make sense?  This is the same as saying you can receive Him into your heart where He resides or abides, and your body becomes the temple of God.  Or ...  "Christ in you, the hope of glory"!

1 Pet. 4:10.  "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards (one who managers someone's property and affairs) of the manifold grace of God."

A principle in scripture is always first the natural, then the spiritual (1 Cor. 15:46).  If one works, or is a possibility, then so is the spiritual latter.

Luke 8:40. "And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him."

So it is one thing to receive Jesus of Nazareth into your midst (company of friends or home) but it is another thing to go further and receive Him into your heart.  Likewise, we can also receive the word, or the Holy Ghost, or the anointing, or the promise.  Scripture says plainly they "received the knowledge of the truth" or "they received not the love of the truth".

Whattabout receiving "your ministry"?  Just don't ever say, "I received Christ into my heart (or life)"!!!  Ministry is okay!  It's very important or makes one feel important ... doesn't it?  But whattabout Jesus?  Oh, it's okay to say "I received healing", "I received prayer", "I received counsel", "I received the gift of this or that"!  Or, "I received a word, instruction, wisdom, the word, a rhema (oh, don't you just go all gooey over the Greek?) and this or that"!  But never say "I received Jesus"!!! This is becoming a big "no no" in many more circles of late!  Yeah, right!!!  What does scripture say?

Receiving Christ

John 1:11-12.  "He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God (the Father), even to them that believe on his name".

The above verse is clear that it was God's very own chosen nation who refused to receive Jesus.  Out of the nations of the world it was now the whosoever (anyone who received Christ) who could be saved, still including the Jews by the way (who were cut off from the vine), only on the condition of being grafted back in through Christ and His finished work (tough on the "Hebrew Roots" Movement).  Yes, the way is still (very) narrow, even for Jews as well as Gentiles, of intellectuals as well as the unlearnt.  He is the way and the truth.  No one can get there unless they come through the door.  No one can make it unless they call out to the one whom they pierced and embrace and kiss the Son.

Matt. 21:22.  "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Seeking, asking, believing, receiving, are all scriptural terms for those who would call out.

1 John 3:22.  "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

Yes, seeking, believing, calling out, receiving, are all scriptural terms for those who would ask.

James 4:2  "...  yet ye have not, because ye ask not."

God will not respond to us if we do not respond to Him (more on this later).

Col. 2:6.  "As ye have therefore received (passive) Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk (active) ye in him".

Therefore, it is not just enough to ask Him into your life (or heart - in the passive tense).  There must be a continuance in these things (in the active tense).  We must continue in His word, and walk in the Spirit according to scripture and "continue in faith and charity and holiness".

John 16:23. "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
 
John 20:22.  "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost".
 
1 John 5:14.  "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us".

Oh, it's getting mundane, isn't it?  It's not really my intention to plaster scripture all over these posts just for the sake of handing out knowledge like lolly scrambles, as most of us possess Bibles of our own.  Yes, indeed it is 'information overload', and information is not revelation!  However, I feel all these verses are relevant at this time and need a fresh visit in context with what is being conveyed:

Matt. 7:8.  "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Matt. 10:4.  "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him (the Father) that sent me."

Matt. 10:41.  "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."
 
Matt. 13:20.  "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it".

John 4:10.  "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."

Thank you Lord for your living water, which you give freely, and which we can receive freely!  Thank you it has been written and recorded plainly and clearly for those who seek and receive and place your word above their intellect. Thank you Lord that you say in regards to your word, "exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her"!

Establishing fact or fable

Although some of the following content may be new and thought provoking to some, others may wonder why it is too mundane and simplistic in places, with such detail and explanation.  Once I would have felt the same way, but having made personal contact with some Christians in the last few years, which, against all logic and sound reasoning, insist that I, nor anyone else, has a freewill, nor is having a freewill Biblical in any sense of the word.  However, I believe, there is no doubt, whatsoever, with sustained scriptural backing, freewill (as one word in this case) is Biblical.

Now lets get down to tin tacks!

Psalms 54:6.  "I will freely sacrifice unto thee".

Own freewill ...

Scriptural?  Yes!!

Own ...  self ownership (under the Lordship of Christ)!  Freewill ...  the freedom under the Lordship of Christ to self exercise the will!

Ezra 7:13.  "I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee."

There it is!  Notice ...  "own freewill"!  Freewill in written form!  From the holy script!  Belonging to and of the individual!

Freewill is mentioned seventeen times in scripture.  Only once (as the verse above) is it mentioned in conjunction with what geographical direction the individual's will chooses (and Jerusalem was the place to worship).  The other sixteen times is it mentioned in scripture as in doing with offering/s.

An offering is always to do with what the individual proposes or initiates from within him or herself.  It is to do with executing a gift or a consideration.  Simply, such as ...  "Please accept my gift?" Moreover, as stated earlier ...  salvation is a gift (more on this later).  On the other hand, in receiving a gift, the freewill is also exercised in responding to or being received by the recipient.  In other words, an offering is made by choice as it is also received by choice where two parties are concerned.

1 Pet. 4: 9-10.  "Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another".

The gift must be exercised by the recipient which is to do with the exercising the will of of the recipient, as none else can do this for him.

Moving on, lets spell it out again ...  offering means (according to the dictionary):

To put forward for consideration; propose: offer an opinion.
To present in order to meet a need or satisfy a requirement:
To present as an act of worship: offer up prayers.
To exhibit readiness or desire

Reiterating ...  freewill is to do with what man initiates from within himself, towards God or his fellow man.  How he responds to God or his fellow man by an act of his (wait for it) ... will!  And being given the ability to exercise it!  That's the 'will' folks!:

2 Cor. 8:12.  "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."

The will is free by divine decree and design when conveyed in the right context.  Hence, the biblical term 'freewill'!  Which means the will is free to do with what the individual can choose to do. However, like in all things, there are limitations ...  the will is not free when it comes to choosing according to which we hath not, cannot have, or cannot do.  F'instance, I cannot choose to buy the Moon, or how about the planet Mars or the Crown Jewels for that matter, as this of course is way outside my boundaries; isn't it?  Oh well, so much for the hyper faith "blab it and grab it" doctrine!!

Are you still with me?

Capping off this point in 1 Corinthians 7:37, Paul mentions a man who chooses not to give his daughter away "but hath power over his own will"!  He does so because, as the head of the home (as someone vested with this responsibility) he still "hath power over his own will".  E-nuff said?

Also, 'freewill' and 'choice' are two different things in one sense.  F'instance, I may choose which colour I want to paint my house because I own it and there are no laws forbidding me not to do so.  However, in the same sense, I do not have a choice when it comes to a 'stop sign' while driving on a public road.  Because the will of the authority behind the sign (which I am subject to) commands me to, "Stop!"  If I exercised my freewill and ignored the sign, and just drove straight through, I would be abusing freewill by my rebellion against the authority I am subject to.  This would be called self-will!  In like manner, when God makes a command we do not have choice either (what God says ...  goes!), although we can abuse freewill (which is self-will) and rebel and suffer the consequences.  Like freewill being one word, self-will is also one word in the scriptures as Genesis 49:6, Titus 1:7 and 2 Peter 2:10.

"For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled".

Adam and Eve were created with freewill ...  to obey the Lord or obey something contrary.  However, in the Garden they were given a command that "every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it".  In other words ...  Adam and Eve were free to eat from any tree, with a restriction of not eating from one particular tree.  They had a free choice with most trees except one.  Like ...  "I am free to eat pip fruit, stone fruit, and nuts, and also from the tree of life, but I cannot eat from the outer-bounds tree!"  This tree they were commanded not to partake from.

So here we find in scripture where man is free to make choices.  However, these are restricted choices.  Legalism means the bondage and straight-jacket of not being able to exercise the will. Meaning, someone else is doing your thinking for you (does this ring a bell?)!  Liberalism means the freedom to go into excess in exercising the will without bounds, which becomes selfwill.  This is doing only what feels good or is self-gratifying without being responsible towards consequences (placing experience above the word in other words)!  Both legalism and liberalism are wrong doctrines and are two opposite extremes leading away from the truth.

Then there is the region where we can play on words.  For example, in the theological, psychological or philosophical world (being very rampant in religious circles) this is the region where the spirit (the inner man) is cleverly bypassed.  Moreover, it is when we can then easily misinterpret both an intended meaning from someone because of its phraseology or the context it is in, sometimes innocently or just to prove our own "doctrinal" point.  So it is very important we do not twist or use words for our own gain, or eliminate what someone else is saying in another context, because their wording is meaning something different to how we see or use the wording.  F'instance, one person my take liberty in using the word 'radical' (because the word radical has dual meanings) to make a point of "getting back to the basics of something" (had to throw in this one).  Where another person, through either genuine misunderstanding or pretence, can label the person an 'extremist' because he misunderstood the application of the word, or misconstrued it deliberately (taking advantage of the other meaning in the English language), to wrongfully brand or bag the person.

In a nutshell, everything that has just been conveyed in the opening paragraphs is to do with how our Redeemer puts responsibility on how we make decisions as a believer.  Non Christians are lost and outside of grace anyhow, and are therefore outside the spiritual realm.  So God's word does not apply outside the call to repentance, despite what the Institutional Church teaches.  Therefore (irrespective of the decisions they make outside of the cross), it does not change the fact they are still in rebellion against their Maker and in need of Him as Saviour in the first place.  Where time moves on in the world's kingdom, irrespective of mans plans and endeavours.  However, only for a season.

Forget about all the "Calvinism" verses "Arminianism" nonsense (and vice versa) and various doctrinal forms of strawman building, to defend a groups position or keep someone on their pedestal.  Just the same, forget about the historical "Reformers" verses the "Liberals" of an era, and vice versa.  All this stuff only divides, and causes enmity between the brethren because of the many slants and interpretations that can be used.  Please bear with me.  In this whole treatise I promise I will not be quoting this name or that name, this personality or that personality, but only pure, unadulterated, scripture.  Please jump on me if I bend them, brake them, misquote or take them out of context?  That's the scriptures I am referring to!  But before you shoot me down, just remember I have got nothing to lose or nothing to gain by this article, and do not rely on "church" circles or fraternities for finance or platform.  Which means you may have a hard job placing conditions on what I might or might not say.  In the end, it is up to you whether you want to become a religious bully or a hierarchical heavy.  However, by the grace of God I will merely stick to His word.

Freewill

Freewill!  Or "I will!"  Meaning  ...  "I will use (exercise) my will"!  Meaning from the dictionary ...  Something done of one's own accord; voluntary.

If you think I'm trying to prove a point, let's allow the Lord's word to confirm it.  If it is not the Lord automating me to do so, because I happen to be doing it through an act of my own will (and hopefully with the unction and inspiration of the Holy Ghost) then maybe it could worth considering and weighing up with scripture.  Obviously the Psalmist could exercise, voluntarily (initiate, execute, exhibit, work, do, demonstrate, determine) his will (freewill).  Try and prove me wrong or allow me to confirm it:

Psalms 2:7.  I will declare the decree
Psalms 3:6.  I will not be afraid
Psalms 5:3  ...   in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalms 5:7.  But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship
Psalms 7:17.  I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
Psalms 9:1.  I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
Psalms 9:2.  I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
Psalms 9:14.  That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
Psalms 13:6.  I will sing unto the LORD
Psalms 16:7.  I will bless the LORD
Psalms 17:15.  As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness
Psalms 18:1 ...  I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
Psalms 18:2.  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust
Psalms 18:3.  I will call upon the LORD
Psalms 18:49.  Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD
Psalms 20:5.  We will (that can be me or you) rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners:
Psalms 20:7 ...  we will  (notice how "I" has now changed to "we") remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psalms 21:13 ...  so will we sing and praise thy power.
Psalms 22:22.   I will (back to the individual's will) declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Psalms 22:25.  I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
Psalms 23:4. I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalms 23:6 ...  I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalms 54:6.  I will freely (I better emphasis this word) sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD
Psalms 79:13 ...  we will (again, that can be me or you) shew forth thy praise to all generations.
Psalms 80:18 ...  we will call upon thy name.
Psalms 115:18 ...  we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
Psalms 118:24.  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 132:7.  We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

Lot's of "I's" here (not to be confused with "eyes" - aye aye!) plus a few "we's" (as if the onus really is on the believer to respond - oui oui!).  Simply because, if God makes commands for us to act on (and He does), then surely doesn't one have the ability to obey or disobey, unless we are programmed with mere instinct like the beasts?  Paul had a freewill would you believe?  Or at least he encouraged it being exercised:

Eph. 6:6.  "Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart".
 
Eph. 6:7.  "With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men".

1 Cor. 9:17.  "For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me."

The remnant (that's Jesus' little flock - the true church) can exercise their wills also:

1 Tim. 6:18 - 20.  "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called".

No passivity in this department ... but lots of activity!  Activated from the heart ...  willingly!

Heb. 13:18.  "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly."

And whattabout this one?:

Matt. 10:8.  "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

Surely, this is freewill being demonstrated!  Joseph, Jesus' step dad, exercised his freewill also:

Matt. 1:19.  "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily."

Obedience or disobedience!  Is it a choice?  You choose what you decide (whoops, did I say that)?

Is. 1:19.  "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land (sounds conditional to me)".

Whose willing?  Answer ...  those who have a will they are free to exercise one way or the other!  E-nuff said?

Getting the balance (or rightly dividing the word of truth)

I remember a brother a few years ago preaching how any truth taken to extreme becomes error.  As time went by I realized how true his statement was.  Especially by experiencing being caught up in the "Luv Gospel" myself and not having the scripture as my final authority (or at least not being aware) at the time.

<>The Beatles sang "All you need is love", which became the hallmark of the "Flower Children" era and the boardwalk of the Counter Culture and New Age .  It soon was adopted by the Institutional Church to appease the crowds and swell the ranks.

The Bible is plain that love is not all we need (although the Beatles did sing "money can't buy me love", which I place a tick on and the televangelists would not adopt).  Although love is always important, love must always be balanced with truth.  In other words ...  truth is just as important as love, and love is just as important as truth.  Take love away and there would be no compassion in the gospel for those lost, only condemnation through legalism ...  the cold dead letter of the word.  Take truth away and anything goes, as long as it can be justified by good feelings, as license prevails ...

"It can't be wrong when it feeels sooo right ;" as the song from Debbie Boone (representing the evangelical world) went in the late 70's.

John 1:14.  "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Love and truth ...  grace and truth ...  mercy and truth.  The two must always go together.  They are always married ...  according to Psalms 85:10 and the rest of scripture.

Yes, "God is love"!  Which is all I heard many times back in the Charismatic Movement during the 70's, from gooey teachings to songs and bumper stickers.  However (looking from the other side of the spectrum), what was and is omitted in the Institutional Church, or played right down, is also the fact that "God is true" (Jn. 3:33).   Or how about "God is holy" (Ps. 99:9)!  Which places new light on the word, doesn't it?  How about the Book of Job ...  "God is mighty"?  Or "God is great" (thatz Jehovah, not Allah)?  Or how about "God is terrible majesty" (will the War on Terror brand God Almighty a terrorist too)?

Here are some more to consider ...  Deut. 4:24; "God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God" (do I really want to hear this)?  Or ... Psalms 7:11;  "God is angry with the wicked every day" (thatz not when someone misses church only on Good Friday)?  However, most don't want to know this, or look outside the religious square of their "spiritual" comfort zone.  This doctrine just does not fit in with their PC snazzy doctrine.  They only want to hear that "God is love", without even knowing what it really means.  How shallow and naive eh!

Here's a couple from the New Testament, proving God's immutability: John 1:5 ...  "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." Or, Heb. 12:29 ...  "God is a consuming fire (yes, in the New Test)."  I guess, we don't want to hear or read this either!?  Well, at least the religionist in the flesh would not.  While the spirit (quickened by the Holy Ghost) is willing.  We also have a few in the New Testament which says what God is not.  Here is just one which sums it all up:  1 Cor. 14:33 ...  "For God is not the author of confusion"!

In referring to love:  Love is always based on trust and granting a beloved space.  If space (liberty, freedom, the freedom to make choices) is not granted then there is no freedom, only bondage.  My bible tells me that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."  David knew what liberty was.  He said  in Psalms 119:45:

"I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."

David chose to follow the word when the chips were down.  That's why Jesus said to 'continue' in His word.  He did not, and does not compel us, programme us, or use us like a puppet on a string to serve Him, or to serve Him through stupid ceremonies and grand pomp!  However, when an individual substitutes the scriptures for tradition, dogma, or a cult's teaching, it always end in some type of bondage.  Whether it be to the man or his teachings, or to his system.  Because only continuing in the truth sets us free.  Which is living and practising the inspired scriptures ...  the written word!

More choice (Acts 17:11) "...  in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

The Lord gives us liberty to serve Him.  He does not straightjacket us or railroad us into a format in how we serve Him, but has actually called us to liberty:

Gal. 5:13.  "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love (not through restrain or compulsion) serve one another."

In the manner of Acts 27:3 portrays:

"Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself."

Just the same way the Lord gives us an amount of individual autonomy for His own pleasure and purpose.

Jesus' good news, which He has entrusted to us, is to "to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound".  James calls it "the perfect law of liberty".  Galatians tells us that we have "been called unto liberty" and to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free."  As long as we do not abuse our liberty, or use it to be a cloak of maliciousness, or to allow it to be a stumbling block to others; we are free to choose our friends, our careers, even the place where we live.  If you have not had a specific instruction from the LORD direct, or an audible voice from heaven, that is!  Which rarely, almost, doesn't ever happen.  If it did, we would not be living by faith, but walking around with our heads in the clouds, looking into space for guidance.  If God thundered out of Heaven every time we were going to make a next step or turn, "This is the way walk ye in it", then our walk would not be really by faith, would it?  Is God really freaky, spooky and eccentric like this?  Did Jesus walk around with wide spacey eyes, with a quivering and wavering in His speech every time He spoke?  We know from scripture the devils acted oddly, especially in Jesus' presence when they knew their time of comfort was coming to an end.  We may be a peculiar people in the world's eyes, because we preach a gospel which is foolishness to them which perish, but we have not been called to the abnormal but to the normal.  A 'feet on the ground' normal person, who happens to be saved by grace.  Beware of spooky believers!  Show caution with those who are ever acting out a conversation with God in their head!  Give no room for the airy fairy!  If you really love someone you don't have to act 'something' or try to be 'anyone', or "spiritualize" anything.  There is no substitute for being open, straight and honest.  True love unfeigned, is natural, normal, affectionate, and trustworthy and compassionate:

Charity "is kind (looks out for the well being of others first)", "envieth not (does not compete or compare with others)", "vaunteth not itself (does not brag, seek attention or show off)", "is not puffed up (does not hide behind written qualifications or being a "know all" )".  "Doth not behave itself unseemly (is not 'over the top', strange and freaky), seeketh not her own (not out to prove one-self or win at the cost of others), is not easily provoked (can handle correction, opposition and the truth), thinketh no evil (is not suspicious and thinks the best first)".  "Rejoiceth not in iniquity (what is harmful, malicious and unjust), but rejoiceth in the truth (what is real, genuine, honest, straight and true)"!

Ephesians 5:24-33 speaks of a great mystery concerning Christ and the church.  By reading this passage it is clear Paul is comparing the love affair between Christ and His Bride and a husband and his wife:

Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church.  How can a husband be loving his wife if he is not giving her choices (space).  I have met many dictatorial husbands who brutally treat their wives through abusing their God given right as head of their household.  These religious tyrants, snug and smug, and at home in fundamentalist circles, do not give their wives choices but keep them subjected through legalistic bondage.  They run them the way they want to run them, all in their favour, with nothing or very little in their wife's favour.  This is certainly not how Christ loves His people (His Church, His Bride), who He has called to liberty, giving us space and the liberty in making choices.

Pr. 31:11.  "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her".

Scripture says that perfect love casts out all fear.  Therefore, as Christ loved the Church and gave His life for His Church, so husbands are to love their wives with this same perfect love.  Not manipulating them through quoting a verse (1 Corinthians 7:4:A?).  Nor ruling them and keeping them in line with fear tactics and intimidation, or emotional blackmail.

Pr. 3:31.  "Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways."

Looks like choice again!  I just couldn't resist!

Decisions is making choices

Adam could have obeyed his Maker and avoided death (Gen. 2:17; 4:7).
Abraham had to make choices to walk with God (Gen. 12:1-4; 17:1; 22:16-18).

God is love!  That's scriptural, as already acknowledged.  Moreover, because God loves us, He give us choices ...  what toothpaste or shampoo we prefer!  What meat I want to purchase and can eat (you can eat as much pork as you like, just leave me alone if I choose not to) etc.  Which Brother I can call in on and have a cuppa tea with and which friends I choose to associate myself with (try 1 Cor. 5 & 15:33, & 2 Tim. 2:22).

Because we love our wives we just naturally accept they have choices like their husbands ...  Is she free to go and have a latte with her girlfriends?  What dress she would like to buy, how she wants to wear her hair (the Butch look is out of course), and how she presents her home to her own taste (here's da scriptures ...  "her household", "guide the house", "keepers at home")! etc.  Or do you work out her grocery list and menu for dinner?  And stack the cupboards the way you want them stacked, after your own fashion?  Or ...  "look out if she gets details wrong!"   That's the opposite to love, and is binding her, and being a control freak!  Here's those scriptures again ...  "her household", "guide the house", "keepers at home"!!!

Mundane?  Common sense?  Yes, to some.  But to others what I am saying is apparently unscriptural, and even error.  Some would even get irate!  Some may unsubscribe from my list.  Usually every time I send out a Beyond Snippets Plus email people unsubscribe, no matter what the topic is.  I would say I would have just as many people unsubscribing as I do joining my list.  That's life!  It could be an indication I am up the Khyber (who's infallible anyhow?).  Or it could be an indication I am speaking the truth.  You choose (whoops!!! ...  only if you believe you can)?

My boys are well and truly young adults now, and working and paying their keep.  They have their own cars and within reason can choose if they want to drive down to the shop and buy an ice-cream or go and visit a mate or a girlfriend.  That's freedom, is it not?  We also gave them the choice of what sports they wanted to play, and whether they wanted to learn to play a musical instrument or not, etc., as they were growing up (what!! ...  you didn't make them??).  We even gave them the choice to "go to church" or not, and which one to attend (they had been enlightened by their parents, of course).  After volunteering they opted out after the second or third Sunday visit (phew!?).  Therefore, is it a coincidence they have much more discernment than your average, everyday religionist?

I don't think I am a dictator ("the strict cruel tyrant" has been hopefully humbled over the years) and allow space for my family because I love them.  If I made all their decisions and ran their lives, I would be hating them, wouldn't I?  Don't get me wrong ...   there is a lot of things we made them do and gave them no choices, when it came down to common everyday chores and behaviour. We gave them spankings for far less than what "loving" Christian parents (Pr. 13:24) let their brats off with today ("Oh, don't do that Dear ...  O- n - e ...  t -  w  - o ...  t - h - r - e - e ... "  "One more warning ...  O - n - e ...  t - w - o ...  t - h - r - e - e ... "   "I really mean it this time ...  your last chance ...  O - n - e ...  t - w - o ...  t - h - r - e - e ..."  "Just do as I say ... O - n - e ...  t - w - o ...  t - h - r - e - e ... "  Grrrrr!!).  However, if I ruled with an iron fist all the time, I would be a dictator.

I have already mentioned on another occasion, about a Christian KJV man I know who ran his wife so much, because he was an utter control freak, that she took her life when she got hold of a firearm (after they had moved away to another district).  I was so deeply saddened by this event, because I felt so powerless in helping her when she use to try and pour out her heart to me (even with the occasional black eye or something) when I use to pass her house walking the dog.  I was also angered when I found out some time later this "Christian" husband had the audacity to conduct her funeral service single-handedly.  He chose to of course!

Then there is a similar religious deception where people think God does all their thinking for them, just as some men want to do all their wives thinking for them.  Or in reverse ...  want a Jezebel to do all their thinking for them.  Or further ...  want a religious professional to do all their thinking for them (well, that's what they are hired to do, isn't it?).  I remember going into the religious bookstore in our town a few years ago and bumping into a "Predestinationist Only" brother who was roaming the shelves in deep thought.

"Gidday Bro," I said.  "What's ya up to?"

"It's my wife's birthday Tom, and I am asking the Lord to show me what to buy her for a present.  However, He hasn't told me what to buy up till now."

"Don't worry about it Bro, as the Lord has given us a choice," I responded.  "Just choose one yourself, and thank the Lord for His provision!"

I could tell by his reaction he did not like what I said, as it was totally against what he had been taught by his "Christian" guru.  Besides, if he got the wrong present ...  guess who got the blame?  Then again, how can God get the blame when He has told "me" what to buy or what to say?  Which is the big 'put on' many use to manipulate others by taking them aside and quietly saying,  "The LORD has told me to tell YOU ...  blaa blaa blaa!"  In other words ...  "You'd better receive what I am saying as being from GOD or else you could be in trouble!"  You've got it ...  in other words, "Do as I say!"

Three days later, at a house-warming weekend barbecue, I got bailed up in a corner of the garden (almost pinned to the wall in fact) by his leader, himself, and the rest of "the Mob", who came straight at me doing the 'heavy thing', reprimanding me severely for making such an outlandish statement, that we can make choices from exercising our will.  Now, of course, they did choose to tackle me for what I said (no one dragged them over to me involuntary wise ...  I think?), and it could have been through just plain immaturity and ignorance on their part.  Or it could have been because they had chosen to give themselves over to error.  Or then again, was it because they were being driven by some invisible heavies they had unbeknownly let into their lives by religious deception?  Still, it was hard getting around the fact ...  they had chosen to, if this was the case!

Job 34:33.  "Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

Exercising our will is not easy by the way.  Especially early, on a very cold and dark frosty morning, when I have to get out of bed to go and earn a living.  The Lord has never physically thrown me out of bed yet (although my wife has tried to).

A few years ago a friend of mine, who had just come to the Lord and been delivered of heroin (plus teenage years of financing his habit through crime), was asked by someone how he managed to give up smoking cigarettes.  There were other brothers around at the time, who had been confessing Christians, acting spiritual, but were still regular cigarette smokers (you know ...  the LORD had not directly and audibly told them to, 'Give up' ...  yet, using a heavenly megaphone type of thing!).  My friends simple reply was something like this:

"If you are not prepared to give up smoking you have got no excuse.  You wilfully go and get your car keys off the shelf, then go and get into your car and start up the engine.  Next, you drive down to the nearest dairy yourself (drugstore for my US readers). Then you get out of your car and physically go into the shop on your own accord, and grab a packet of cigarettes off the shelf and pay for them yourself over the counter.  Then you take the packet outside and physically open them yourself, and place a ciggy in your mouth and light up to begin to inhale.  Next you are inhaling. Nobody else has done this for you.  You are the one performing this exercise on your own.  You can't blame God, the Devil, but only yourself!"

The scriptures say ...  "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments."

Many are forced to give up smoking now not because they have yielded their bodies to God as His temple and dwelling place, but because society has coerced them to through social engineering techniques.  However, the believer does so because he chooses to through the conviction power of the Holy Ghost, to live according to the word.  His body has now became the temple of God, and not the church "sanctuary" a couple of blocks away.

Isaiah 7:15.  "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good."

Can't getaway from that word "choose" can we?  Especially if you choose to read your Bible quite regularly!

Obedience

It's true!  We can do nothing except it be HIM and of HIM!  The LORD that is!.  He is our Maker and the believers Redeemer as scripture says: "For in him we live, and move, and have our being".

However, within the sphere He has called us, or planted us, we do have God given autonomy over our own lives (because God is sovereign and gives gifts unto men for His own purpose).  We teach our own children that with gifts and privileges come responsibility.  The most paramount responsibility we have is that we have been commissioned to go and make disciples of the nations (the peoples of the world).  In every facet of New Testament life and faith, the onus is put on the individual believer.  This is an undeniable and irrefutable fact, as already proven in these posts.

To make disciples is to make converts first.  The ball is in the believers court and the Lord has called the shot.  However, the believer cannot act alone as Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be given as our Comforter and as the Psalmist declared ...  "Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul."

Yes, the onus is on the believer, to do the will of the Lord, and not serve his own agenda; with the Lord's help of course.  When Jesus met up with a certain lame man at the pool named Bethesda Jesus asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?"  Paraphrased as, "Would you like to be healed?"

The lame man's response was how he couldn't, unless someone picked him up and transported him into the pool.  Yes, he wanted to be healed all right and he also thought his healing would be found in that pool.  When Jesus told him to "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk", it was the man who responded to Jesus by his own actions, and was not transported supernaturally to that place of walking upright and free from hindrance, as he found that he could stand and walk on his own two feet.  This happened as the miraculous process was activated by God, as he responded to Jesus by trusting in His words.  Therefore, no pool was necessary, just his obedience to Jesus by acting on His word.

At another incidence, when Peter was in the boat with the rest of the disciples, and Jesus came to them walking on the water, Jesus did not command Peter to come to Him (this command had already been given to Peter when they first met) but Peter appealed to Jesus:

"Lord, if it be thou (not a spirit or a spook, nor a mirage or an illusion), bid me come unto thee on the water."

What happens to a muscle when it is being exercised?  It gets strengthened, does it not?  What happens to a Christian when faith is being exercised?  His faith is strengthened!   If it is not being exercised it grows weak and limp.  Therefore, though we are weak, we are strong in Him, by walking and trusting in Him, as His power is manifested in our weakness.  This is a biblical principle.
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.  That our boasting may be in Him and not ourselves."

Peter got out of the boat by an act of his own freewill in response to Jesus' admission.  Jesus did not command or compel, or manipulate, or automate Peter the individual disciple.  But Peter responded by choice.  Walking on water was done by Peter.  He was in charge of his own faculties.  His limbs responded to the impulses of his brain, which he was supposed to be in control of.  The water holding up Peter was God's part.  Peter had Divine help as he stepped out in faith.  Peter walking was his part.  The water miraculously not giving way to Peter was the Lord's part.  The fact Peter responded in this contrary situation was to do with faith.  Faith is a gift from God.  But faith, now (present tense), is a substance according to Hebrew 11:1.  The substance of things hoped for.  Without this substance being exercised, faith is dead.  Thus faith needs to be exercised to prove it is the evidence of things not seen and this is the disciples part.  Because without faith (a living substance) being exercised and applied, it is impossible to please God.   This is the difference between being a doer of the word than just a mere hearer!  Yes, Peter responding and walking, and using his faculties and limbs, was indeed his part.  Holding Peter up and not allowing him to sink into the liquid called water was God's part.  The miraculous part.

Amos 3:3:

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

God does His part and the disciple obeys.  God commands the disciple and the command places the onus on the disciple.  The disciple is in charge of his own limbs, his own faculties, his own speech, his own responses.  This includes his own spirit (Proverbs 25:28).  He has a choice in responding to God.  If he draws near to God, then God will draw near to him.  If he abides in Christ, then Christ will abide in Him.  If he dies with Christ, then He will surely reign with Christ.  The onus is on the disciple.  He can either choose life or death, blessing or cursing, walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh. The blessings of God are hinged on the disciples obedience.  As the verse previously mentioned says, "the Lord is with them that uphold (his) soul."  The disciple merely reaps what he sows in the Lord.  Remembering; God is still God, who will never violate His own principles.

To be haughty and use the privilege of a free gift and to say it is of your own doing is error, because everything comes back to God anyhow.  Even our obedience and the choices we make.  Pride can hinder God in our life (especially religious pride) as God may choose to harden or soften our heart, or take grace away and hand us over to depravity.  The sins of Sodom, by the way, were not homosexuality; but pride, idleness, and fullness of bread.  Going after strange flesh was not a choice in the end (and nothing to do with aliens or monsters or fallen angels), but a handing over to it from the Lord. 

This revelation should change our whole idea and attitude to sin and perversion, as well as both personal and collective "moral" crusades we may be instigating.  It would also fill us with the fear of God.  Knowing, even repentance is a gift.  Simply because without it, we are lost and helpless.  That is why we need to be desperate for God and walk circumspectly before Him, continually.

Obedience is nothing to do with religion or works.  Religion and works are an alternative or counterfeit to obedience.  Adam and Eve were disobedient.  As an alternative they covered up their inadequacy with rigging fig leaves as a cover.  This was the first religious act recorded in the Bible, and was still disobedience (deception actually), as they tried to disguise their disobedience.  The next religious act was Cain bringing his produce to God as an offering.  Trying to buy his way in other words, thinking God would be pleased with his effort.  In contrast, Abel sacrificed a lamb (it cost him and meant an innocent life, with the shedding of blood) and God was pleased.  Abel was not automated by God to fulfil God's need, but came as an act of his own accord with a freewill offering.  That is why scripture said it was his (Abel's) offering which counted him as righteous.  This is why there was an offering in the Old Testament called the free offering (or freewill offering) as already explained (and proven), as in type ...  looking forward to the cross, "that speaketh better things than that of Abel".

Ex. 36:3. "And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning."
 
Amos 4:5.  "And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD."

In regards to our services to others, for the Lord's work, let's look at the next two verses:

Ezra 2:68 ...  "when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place".

Ezra 7:15.  "And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem".

Yes, God responds to us when we respond to Him, in humility and knowing His way is higher than mans, and without Him, we can do nothing.  Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Being a doer of what is written and not just a forgetful hearer, or going beyond the commandment of the Lord with our own form of service, is indeed better!   As Ephesians 6:6 says "...  doing the will of God from the heart".

When we don't have a choice

A cult is any religious group where a man teaches that he can overrule the Bible and impose his own teachings.  It is where scripture is used to justify a cause other than God's.  Many preach a watered down lovey-dovey gospel, where truth has been removed out of the equation.  It is where the notion is paraded that God has given us a choice when it comes to salvation and where Jesus pleads with the sinner constantly to come to Him and make some sort of commitment to go in His direction, like we were doing the Lord a favour.  This is making salvation comfortable for the sinner ("Jesus is giving me a choice now, which means I can come later when I feel I might be ready") where true biblical repentance is no longer needed in order for someone to be converted.  However, repentance is a command not a choice:

Acts 17:30.  "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent".

This is the gospel with truth in the equation.  However, this truth is not just hard, cold facts, and clinical in application; but is coupled with compassion and feeling for the lost and dying:

2 Peter 3:9.  "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Many tend to forget that repentance is a gift.  Saying, "I will go and enjoy the world now, and later, when I'm ready,  I will come back to God."  No doubt a great lie from down below.  A lie which has fuelled the apostasy of our day, and keeps it rolling like a runaway steamroller.

Does all mean all?

Revisiting the word ALL again in scripture, lets look at 2 Cor. 5: 14-15 again:

"For the love of Christ constraineth us (the love of Christ constrains us, motivates us - whereas duty, guilt or obligation does not constrain us); because we thus judge (so judgement is ours in this case), that if one died for all, then were all dead (all those outside of Christ): And that he died for all (all those outside of Christ), that they which live (everyone redeemed) should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

If all in scripture was only referring to the "us-ward" (as 2 Pet. 3:9 above), then why did the elect need to repent when they already should have, which was the condition for them to become a child of God in the first place (born again into the election)?  Paul constantly makes reference to all men throughout his epistles.  Some argue that when Paul was saying all men he was only referring to redeemed men, and never to the unregenerated.  Though this can easily be construed as true in some cases, from many of the references it can be safely said that when Paul mentioned all he was generalizing (meaning redeemed and unredeemed together), although some times narrowing it to the elect.  The above passage (2 Cor. 5: 14-15) is very clear that all is applying to the whole world whereas they is applying to those in Christ, the Household of faith.

F'instance, is Paul only referring to the Household of faith here?  Scripture proves he certainly was not:

2 Tim. 2:24.  "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient".

If all men was only referring to the elect then Paul wouldn't have mentioned in other verses about our conduct in regards to not only those within (the redeemed) but also those without (the unregenerate lost) ...  Titus 3: 1-2 & Hebrews 12:14.

Following is more indisputable proof from scripture that the gospel is to the whosoever and ALL usually does mean ALL:

1 Timothy 2:4.  "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

Could this verse just be referring to the elect?  No way!  Before verse 4 comes, verses 1 and 2 are keeping everything in context:

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

No doubt Paul was referring to the civil system of men outside the kingdom.

1 Thes. 5:15.  "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves (the brethren), and to all men (those outside Christ)."

Try reading through the above verse again and again until you see quite clearly Paul is referring to two distinct groups of people here ...  one being those who were part of the Body.  And two ...  those who were still in the world ...  all men outside of Christ!  There simply cannot be any other way to look at it unless you delectably change words or lines to fit in with your doctrine, or someone's doctrine.

1 Tim. 4:10.  "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."

The above verse says God is the saviour of ALL men.  Which means ALL, because out of the ALL, the scripture is also pointing out a segment of 'the all' to those that believe.  To ...  "ALL men (the whosoever)", "specially of those that believe (the remnant)."

Therefore, it is safe to conclude in the following verse that ALL means to ALL men, being reminded that Jesus was the light that shone in darkness:

Titus 2:11.  "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men"

From Titus 3: 1-2 we can see that Paul was referring to all men from them being in the kingdom as well as those being outside.

Then there are others who justify being indifferent when it comes to fulfilling "the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men".

"All", not meaning "all" in an individual head-count of course.  What I am saying here is when scripture says "all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan" went out to meet John the Baptist, it obviously did not mean all the bedridden and insane, and all those who held positions of vital responsibility (in some cases).  What scripture means with "all" here is in a blanket generalization ...   in all types of people in all categories.  But to (all) "them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people (Rev. 14:6)".

However, some would say the word "all" does not necessarily mean "all" in this sense either (contradicting Rev, 14:6 and other equal opposites such as Jer. 2:29, Rom. 3:23,  Rom. 5:12, & 1 Cor. 8:1 ), but only purveys to those who qualify, or have been pre qualified, through pre election.  If this was true, then how can the verse "let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith", be of relevance?  If "all" did not mean "all", then Paul would not have added ... "especially unto them who are of the household of faith."  Confirmed by other verses, should I say.  F'instance:

"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among <