Freewill (part 3)

December 5, 2008, 7:59 am by dc-agape.

I wanted to finish the posts on what the Word says about freewill today.  I have discovered at least 14 verses that I would like to expand upon, so I might be having at least one more post.  In fact, looking more closely, I see that three more posts will be useful.  These verses on freewill, from the Word of YHWH, will be divided up into three sections.  The first post will be how YHWH continues to deny freewill to people.  The second post will be how Jesus, himself, influences freewill.  The third post will be a few verses that most TrueChirstians^TM want to ignore or minimize.

In reading through Genesis, I have seen how YHWH treats his chosen individuals differently than others.  I have pointed out where he has taken away the freewill of those who are not his chosen (in the Tower of Babel and Abimelech).  In the book of Psalms two verses are closely related to how YHWH treats freewill in the Old Testament.  Psalms 33:12 is a good example. 

^{Psalms 33:12} Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Even though this verse starts with the concept of a nation choosing YHWH, the way the verse is worded indicates that YHWH had chosen this nation, not the people choosing YHWH.  Another example is Psalms 47:4:

^{Psalms 47:4} He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.  Selah

Both verses mention the inheritance that YHWH chose for his chosen people.  The people did not choose the inheritance, YHWH did that.  No freewill was involved.  All the other nations in the world did not receive the inheritance, only the Israelites.  All the other nations did not have a choice, they had no freewill, and they did not receive the inheritance.  YHWH chose to separate every living human being during all those centuries from his existence for all of eternity!  Because of YHWH’s choice, nations of people are separated from him right now and forever.  Can you feel the love?

In the New Testament YHWH continues to remove freewill from his creation.  In Romans 11:7-8 he does it to his chosen people!

^{Romans 11:7-8} What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did.  The others were hardened, as it is written:

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,

eyes so that they could not see

and ears so that they could not hear,

to this very day.”

This is a great verse to show that we have no freewill!  Not only does Paul say it, but he quotes an unknown verse.  Paul continues in Romans verse 9 and 10 by using Psalms 69:22.  First, Paul mentions the Elect.  The whole concept of the Elect is contrary to freewill.  Second, if a person cannot see nor hear and their spirit is made to stupor, well that pretty much eliminates freewill.  Since YHWH is the one responsible for this condition it is he that has removed freewill.

I will finish with 2^nd Thessalonians 2:13.  Prior to this verse, Paul warns of false prophets and the signs of the end of times.  A really good read, I suggest the entire chapter to anyone who is worried about the Second Coming.  But let me focus on this:

^{2nd Thess 2:13} But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

Notice the part about “God chose you” and “the sanctifying work of the Spirit”.  Belief is not enough!  YHWH must chose you and the Spirit must sanctify you.  Belief is only a small part.  Damn, now that’s another post.  Look for 3 more posts on freewill.  Well in the next post I will investigate the effect of the Holy Spirit of YHWH.

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