Will

[seekfirst]

Time after time I was searching for peace in some void
I was trying to blame all my ills on this world I was in
Surface relationships used me till I was done in
But all the while someone was begging to free me from sin

Chorus
He was there all the time
He was there all the time
Waiting patiently in line
He was there all the time

Never again will I search for a fake rainbows end
Now that I've found the answer my life is just starting to rhyme
Sharing each new day with Him is a breath of fresh life
Oh what I've missed He's been waiting right here all the time

Chorus
He was there all the time
He was there all the time
Waiting patiently in line
He was there all the time

Thoughtful; heartfelt, straightforward, Scriptural.  I'm placing this in my HIM Folder which is  quickly filling up with many old-time hymns... Thanks for providing a HIM-centered hymn in more up-to-date language.  I'm assuming it's written by eaglesway.

[sheila]

yes He is..and yes He does :iagree:

  ...there might be a little dust on the bible[there might be a little dust on the Ark]

[eaglesway]

No, this one was written by Gary Paxton

[scarletwren]

Wills, we all have one, were born with one.  Freedom to completely live the way our wills desire, doesn't happen.

Choices, yeah, we have lots of them.  But what does that have to do with our wills?  It wasn't my will to wake up having to go to the bathroom.  So great, I have a choice to either lie in bed and suffer, pee in my bed, or get up and go to the bathroom.  Experience over a period of time taught me that the best and most pleasant outcome is to get up and go into the bathroom, lol. 

It is NOT my choice to go out to drive somewhere in my car and have a flat tire.  If I really had free wil, I would NEVER have to make a choice as to how exactly to remedy that particular problem.  But I choose the easiest path available to me.  I choose what to eat when I get hungry based on what's in my fridge, and what is in my fridge is based on my income, whether someone else got the groceries inside or I did, and many other factors.  But I didn't CHOOSE to be hungry and even when I'm trying to lose weight, sometimes I just can't keep from getting something to eat when I'm hungry. 

I choose to stop at red lights BECAUSE the opposite choice is most likely NOT going to turn out well. Now, if I have a nature that likes to break laws, was it me that produced that nature?  I am not by nature a rebel, or lawbreaker.  But I claim no credit for it.  I'm sure there were a few times that I decided to rebel against my parents wishes but one time was all it took for me.  Yet I've seen some children time and time after time defy their parents no matter how severe the consequences.  WHO IS RESPONSIBLE for that nature?  I didn't create myself to not like fish.  I've tried to eat it but my whole being spits it out in revulsion, much to my chagrin.  These are just a few simple illustrations of how little we really have ANY control over our lives.  We are born with most of our personailty in tact and it is very rare that our own decisions can change us.  Genetics, environment and experiences shape us every step along the way and we have very little say in what choices we get to make.  Oh, often we can decide which of 2 or more alternatives we will choose, but did we really want to be in the circumstance in which we had to choose?

Have you ever tried to write a book?  Good writers know the end from the beginning, they think of their characters and give them personalities and choose all their paths.  I believe God is the greatest author of all.  We have a will and the majority of us can learn and see why some choices were good and some were bad but God knew what choices we would make each time.  I have always said we are not robots, but mice in a maze,  We can only go through the passages that God allows us to and with each turn, we learn something. IF, God gave us the type of mind that can learn. 

This is totally a departure from the way I once thought.  I like this better.

It certainly exercises our brain to contemplate on these things.

[lomarah]

Ahahahahahaha scarletwren I thoroughly enjoyed that post.   :thumbsup:

[ded2daworld]

me too :thumbsup:

[CHB]

Wills, we all have one, were born with one.  Freedom to completely live the way our wills desire, doesn't happen.

Choices, yeah, we have lots of them.  But what does that have to do with our wills?  It wasn't my will to wake up having to go to the bathroom.  So great, I have a choice to either lie in bed and suffer, pee in my bed, or get up and go to the bathroom.  Experience over a period of time taught me that the best and most pleasant outcome is to get up and go into the bathroom, lol. 

It is NOT my choice to go out to drive somewhere in my car and have a flat tire.  If I really had free wil, I would NEVER have to make a choice as to how exactly to remedy that particular problem.  But I choose the easiest path available to me.  I choose what to eat when I get hungry based on what's in my fridge, and what is in my fridge is based on my income, whether someone else got the groceries inside or I did, and many other factors.  But I didn't CHOOSE to be hungry and even when I'm trying to lose weight, sometimes I just can't keep from getting something to eat when I'm hungry. 

I choose to stop at red lights BECAUSE the opposite choice is most likely NOT going to turn out well. Now, if I have a nature that likes to break laws, was it me that produced that nature?  I am not by nature a rebel, or lawbreaker.  But I claim no credit for it.  I'm sure there were a few times that I decided to rebel against my parents wishes but one time was all it took for me.  Yet I've seen some children time and time after time defy their parents no matter how severe the consequences.  WHO IS RESPONSIBLE for that nature?  I didn't create myself to not like fish.  I've tried to eat it but my whole being spits it out in revulsion, much to my chagrin.  These are just a few simple illustrations of how little we really have ANY control over our lives.  We are born with most of our personailty in tact and it is very rare that our own decisions can change us.  Genetics, environment and experiences shape us every step along the way and we have very little say in what choices we get to make.  Oh, often we can decide which of 2 or more alternatives we will choose, but did we really want to be in the circumstance in which we had to choose?

Have you ever tried to write a book?  Good writers know the end from the beginning, they think of their characters and give them personalities and choose all their paths.  I believe God is the greatest author of all.  We have a will and the majority of us can learn and see why some choices were good and some were bad but God knew what choices we would make each time.  I have always said we are not robots, but mice in a maze,  We can only go through the passages that God allows us to and with each turn, we learn something. IF, God gave us the type of mind that can learn. 

This is totally a departure from the way I once thought.  I like this better.

It certainly exercises our brain to contemplate on these things.

And I agree completely.  :banana:

CHB

[sheila]

 :iagree:

[eaglesway]

Wills, we all have one, were born with one.  Freedom to completely live the way our wills desire, doesn't happen.



It is NOT my choice to go out to drive somewhere in my car and have a flat tire.  If I really had free wil, I would NEVER have to make a choice as to how exactly to remedy that particular problem.  But I choose the easiest path available to me.  I choose what to eat when I get hungry based on what's in my fridge, and what is in my fridge is based on my income, whether someone else got the groceries inside or I did, and many other factors.  But I didn't CHOOSE to be hungry and even when I'm trying to lose weight, sometimes I just can't keep from getting something to eat when I'm hungry. 


It certainly exercises our brain to contemplate on these things.

I do agree that no one has a "totally free" will. However, IMO we have much more autonomy than "mice in a maze". Autonomy of will is not about whether we can or can't choose all the circumstances that happen to us- if it were we would all live forever in perfect peace :o) It is about how we react to having a flat tire. Do we curse and get angry and anxious? Do we call on the name of the Lord? Our will is being shaped by the circumstance (which God controls), and we are learning to abide in the victory of Christ, "Behold, in the volume of the book it is written of me, 'I come to do thy will, O God'."

[scarletwren]

I do agree that no one has a "totally free" will. However, IMO we have much more autonomy than "mice in a maze". Autonomy of will is not about whether we can or can't choose all the circumstances that happen to us- if it were we would all live forever in perfect peace :o) It is about how we react to having a flat tire. Do we curse and get angry and anxious? Do we call on the name of the Lord? Our will is being shaped by the circumstance (which God controls), and we are learning to abide in the victory of Christ, "Behold, in the volume of the book it is written of me, 'I come to do thy will, O God'."
[/quote]

Learn...there's the key word.  We must learn to not just react to our circumstances but to think and to trust that there is a solution or else accept when the solution is not to our liking.  And we learn by going through the trials.  Yet, only SOME learn in this age, those to whom God has preordained.  Others rail and fight continually nad there are some who don't really seem to encounter very many obstacles or problems to obtaining what they think they want. I just can't comprehend that He lets us create ourselves.  We are HIS workmanship.  Few find many real answers in this lifetime, but if we believe in God's purpose to finish us all in due season, then we know that all will come to a knowledge of Him in time. God is working it all out in His perfect wisdom, even tho it can be quite frustrating for us mere mortals.

I am a fatalist and yet not, I find it quite interesting to see how God works things out around me and NEVER have I laid in bed and waited for God to make me move.

To me, if God isn't controlling everything, then something, somewhere could ruin his plans or He might have to do a lot of damage control.  I believe that every little thing that happens leads up to the big things and we aren't even aware of it.  But, we are aware of the things that go on around us and we can make judgments, think on it (chew the cud so to speak). 

But, if you don't believe in God's total sovereignty in our lives, well, then I guess He planned it that way.   :dunno2:

God is great and greatly to be praised.  Let us lift His name on high. 

[eaglesway]

Well, maybe its the scriptures, "For freedom Christ has set you free...." or "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free...." or "the whole creation shall be delivered from futility into the glorious freedom of the children of God...." and finally, "the wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it but you don't know from whence it comes or wither it goes- so it is with evryone who is born of the spirit" -cause me to cringe at the word "control" especially relating to "every little thing".

I see God teaching us to agree with the wind, to be free from all control but love- the ultimate freedom. "For where love is, there is no need for law"

The last adversary to be destroyed is death and with it "all rule, power and authority" as God becomes "all in all".

Certainly it is a matter of perspective, for God protects us from the worst of our desires, sometimes, and guides us against our will, often, but He also says,

"Be not like the horse or the mule, which must have a bit and a bridle or it will not come near you"
and
"Where else must you be stricken as you continue in your rebellion"
and
"he learned obedience thru the things he suffered"
and
"take my yoke upon you, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you will find rest"

So many appeals to us, to yield our wills- that I still believe this is the core lesson. Yield, follow, agree and find freedom in the love of God.

[reFORMer]

Back when I was a boy in Kansas, at a certain time there was a new development: other boys on the block got baseballs and mitts and were playing catch.  I thought about why I don't like playing checkers.  It didn't matter if I learned more so I could oftener win the game since there was no difference between winning or losing.  You got the same thing either way:  nothing!  For a little more than two weeks I considered becoming a professional baseball player, the only reason I could see to start playing at all; but, I just didn't see myself fulfilled that way.

I realized that the justification given for many games played in school was they were good for your health.  It seemed to me that lifting weights would be much more direct a route to a more comprehensive physical perfection.  So, I went on to reject games altogether, disliking them for many years.  What I failed to consider making that decision was the social aspect to games.  While women find it easier to relate directly to one another, men tend to need something else to do together, allowing them to relate more indirectly.

While I've learned to like some games, my past may affect how I respond to Solitaire.  I don't know how you regard it; but, I can hardly endure it.  It is simply intolerable.  I can't see how that kind of thing could possibly entertain God.  While the scripture convinced me, from one approach to the universe and all that is in it, nothing else exists but God, this analogy between Solitaire and all creation indicates the importance for God to make a creature with a certain independent and self originating nature.

That all things were created for His pleasure makes it impossible that He must sustain unending evils, as some have been taught.  "God is not tried by evils, yet He is trying no one.  Now each one is undergoing trial when he is drawn away and lured by his own desire." (Ja 1^13-14, Conc. Lit.)  This shows us that if God is drawn and lured by His own desires it must only be good, never evil, as also it is written, "...neither shall evil dwell with thee," (Ps 5⁴) which means within Himself evil doesn't even stop by on it's way somewhere else.

Absolute liberty is the goal to which we are headed as indicated where He defines for us, "...the consummation, whenever He may be giving up the kingdom to His God and Father, whenever He should be nullifying all sovereignty and all authority and power." (1 Co 1524, Conc. Lit.)  Yet it is consistent with God getting His own way in the end.  This is very appropriate, considering His wisdom and goodness of character.  Knowing by experience, "God is love," also makes this eventuality to be welcomed with joyful approval.

[micah7:9]

I do agree that no one has a "totally free" will. However, IMO we have much more autonomy than "mice in a maze". Autonomy of will is not about whether we can or can't choose all the circumstances that happen to us- if it were we would all live forever in perfect peace :o) It is about how we react to having a flat tire. Do we curse and get angry and anxious? Do we call on the name of the Lord? Our will is being shaped by the circumstance (which God controls), and we are learning to abide in the victory of Christ, "Behold, in the volume of the book it is written of me, 'I come to do thy will, O God'."

Learn...there's the key word.  We must learn to not just react to our circumstances but to think and to trust that there is a solution or else accept when the solution is not to our liking.  And we learn by going through the trials.  Yet, only SOME learn in this age, those to whom God has preordained.  Others rail and fight continually nad there are some who don't really seem to encounter very many obstacles or problems to obtaining what they think they want. I just can't comprehend that He lets us create ourselves.  We are HIS workmanship.  Few find many real answers in this lifetime, but if we believe in God's purpose to finish us all in due season, then we know that all will come to a knowledge of Him in time. God is working it all out in His perfect wisdom, even tho it can be quite frustrating for us mere mortals.

I am a fatalist and yet not, I find it quite interesting to see how God works things out around me and NEVER have I laid in bed and waited for God to make me move.

To me, if God isn't controlling everything, then something, somewhere could ruin his plans or He might have to do a lot of damage control.  I believe that every little thing that happens leads up to the big things and we aren't even aware of it.  But, we are aware of the things that go on around us and we can make judgments, think on it (chew the cud so to speak). 

But, if you don't believe in God's total sovereignty in our lives, well, then I guess He planned it that way.   :dunno2:

God is great and greatly to be praised.  Let us lift His name on high.
[/quote]

EXcellent! :dsunny: :HeartThrob: :dsunny:

[dajomaco]

I love being distracted by what's going on,
and then coming to a conclusion that God is completely in control.
He is the author of every thing that has come to past.
I never doubt God's sovereignty when looking at what has come to past.
When I look to the future I always see Gods' sovereignty.
That is why I pray.
The important thing is how I see now, right now.
Am I important to this God of sovereignty?
Would he change any thing in the future to accommodate my prayers? 
I am the only being in the universe with this mind.
Is that important to God?
I believe the more sure I am of him.
The more I can trust my pitiful yearnings, are authored by God.
The story of Love and the sign of the Cross.
Coupled with the sacrifice of Jesus as his son,
convincing me (my spirit)   that this plan was brought together
at the start of the story .So that the end is glorious.   

[sheila]

indeed..the scriptures must be fulfilled..the Word of God will not return unto Him void.   these things MUST happen

[Lazarus Short]

Have you ever tried to write a book?  Good writers know the end from the beginning, they think of their characters and give them personalities and choose all their paths. 

I recall that in writing my short story (more like an allegory) "Impasse and Exit," which can be found on this forum, I did not know the end when I began it.  Some of the material in the story came to me long after I had already racked up several drafts (it's now at draft 21).  I'm currently writing a book about the Bride of Christ, and I really cannot tell you how it is going to turn out.  I have an idea who the Bride is, but not 100% certain - the Bible gives us some hints, but no positive ID.  Anticipation... 

[ded2daworld]

Scarletwren is talking about a fiction novel Laz, with personalities characters and what happens next which must be thought ahead of time.
Yours is a different kind of book - hopefully it's non-fiction :Chinscratch: :Peace2:

[CHB]

Learn...there's the key word.  We must learn to not just react to our circumstances but to think and to trust that there is a solution or else accept when the solution is not to our liking.  And we learn by going through the trials.  Yet, only SOME learn in this age, those to whom God has preordained.  Others rail and fight continually nad there are some who don't really seem to encounter very many obstacles or problems to obtaining what they think they want. I just can't comprehend that He lets us create ourselves.  We are HIS workmanship.  Few find many real answers in this lifetime, but if we believe in God's purpose to finish us all in due season, then we know that all will come to a knowledge of Him in time. God is working it all out in His perfect wisdom, even tho it can be quite frustrating for us mere mortals.

I am a fatalist and yet not, I find it quite interesting to see how God works things out around me and NEVER have I laid in bed and waited for God to make me move.

To me, if God isn't controlling everything, then something, somewhere could ruin his plans or He might have to do a lot of damage control.  I believe that every little thing that happens leads up to the big things and we aren't even aware of it.  But, we are aware of the things that go on around us and we can make judgments, think on it (chew the cud so to speak). 

But, if you don't believe in God's total sovereignty in our lives, well, then I guess He planned it that way.   :dunno2:

God is great and greatly to be praised.  Let us lift His name on high.

Amen!! If God didn't have full control of things I would be worried.

CHB

[eaglesway]

I do agree that no one has a "totally free" will. However, IMO we have much more autonomy than "mice in a maze". Autonomy of will is not about whether we can or can't choose all the circumstances that happen to us- if it were we would all live forever in perfect peace :o) It is about how we react to having a flat tire. Do we curse and get angry and anxious? Do we call on the name of the Lord? Our will is being shaped by the circumstance (which God controls), and we are learning to abide in the victory of Christ, "Behold, in the volume of the book it is written of me, 'I come to do thy will, O God'."

Learn...there's the key word.  We must learn to not just react to our circumstances but to think and to trust that there is a solution or else accept when the solution is not to our liking.  And we learn by going through the trials.  Yet, only SOME learn in this age, those to whom God has preordained.  Others rail and fight continually nad there are some who don't really seem to encounter very many obstacles or problems to obtaining what they think they want. I just can't comprehend that He lets us create ourselves.  We are HIS workmanship.  Few find many real answers in this lifetime, but if we believe in God's purpose to finish us all in due season, then we know that all will come to a knowledge of Him in time. God is working it all out in His perfect wisdom, even tho it can be quite frustrating for us mere mortals.

I am a fatalist and yet not, I find it quite interesting to see how God works things out around me and NEVER have I laid in bed and waited for God to make me move.

To me, if God isn't controlling everything, then something, somewhere could ruin his plans or He might have to do a lot of damage control.  I believe that every little thing that happens leads up to the big things and we aren't even aware of it.  But, we are aware of the things that go on around us and we can make judgments, think on it (chew the cud so to speak). 

But, if you don't believe in God's total sovereignty in our lives, well, then I guess He planned it that way.   :dunno2:

God is great and greatly to be praised.  Let us lift His name on high.

EXcellent! :dsunny: :HeartThrob: :dsunny:
[/quote]

The idea that God must control every aspect of our lives, thoughts and actions in order to 'teach" us or "preserve His plan" is(IMO) flawed logic. A good Father gradually releases his sons as they prove faithful to more and more autonomy over his estate ( I give you the keys to the kingdom, he that overcomes will receive the key of David)

God is looking for fellowship, agreement, FRIENDSHIP(the testimony that God has given of Abraham- that He was the friend of God, of David, that he was a man after God's own heart).

Jesus said to the Pharisees, "is it not written in your own scriptures, you are all gods and sons of the most high?"

He was quoting from Psalm 82.

1 God (elohyim) standeth in the congregation of the mighty(el); he judgeth(holds counsel)among the gods(elohyim).

2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy

4 Deliver the poor and needy: ridthem out of the hand  of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundationsH4146 of the earth are out of course.

6 I have said, Ye are gods;(elohyim) and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men......

God works in counsel with the graduates of the school of discipleship...." Let us make man in our image".......
He is multipying Himself in those who are to be "many sons unto glory". Sons who walk as Jesus defined it, like the wind(john3:8)

This is about flowing with the spirit of God because the obstructions have been removed(sanctification by the Spirit)- not being controled by God- a subtle distinction to some, but In My Opininon an important one in understanding His purpose.

Stewardship is autonomy expressed within the parameters of the landowner, and it is judged, held accountable, and increased as faithfulness is demonstrated in the steward. To miss this out of the teachings of the Master is a big "ELEMENT OF THE TRUTH" lost to the understanding- not the WHOLE STORY, but and IMPORTANT ELEMENT.

This is the only reason I continue to discuss it :o)

God POSSESSES TOTAL SOVEREIGNTY. My assertion is that He does not exercise it.

[CHB]

All of these scriptures that seem to imply us using our own wills to accomplish things, then there are scriptures that turn right around and prove we don't.

Take for instance where God says "choose this day whom you will serve". But then Jesus says "no man can come to me except it be given to him". No man can come to me except the Father draw/drag him. Now if we are dragged to him how can we choose one way or the other? Also, for it is God who works in you BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO of his good pleasure. If it is God that is working in us to will and to do of his good pleasure, what is left for us to do? Nothing.

Most of the verses that imply a will that is in control are in the OT but the Israelites was under the Law and agreed to do all of them but God showed them that they could not. God tells Israel to open their eyes, or do this or that or I will bring you into captivity and he does but he always brings them out of the captivity. God then says "I have blinded Israel", so how could they have done these things that was required of them when God blinded their eyes and closed their ears? 

CHB

[eaglesway]

Actually the scriptures do not contradict themselves, ever. We are speaking here about "elements" of the "whole". We are disagreeing about "measures and degrees". We "accomplish" nothing of ourselves. Our will is only about "deciding" whether to apply the resources God has given us according to His leading or not, and it is God who is in you do will and to do of His good pleasure. Yet, while it is still called "Today", we are exhorted to love and good works and to "hear His voice and not harden our hearts as they did in the wilderness". Want out of the wilderness? Let the one who has ears to hear HEAR what the Spirit is saying. There is a balance. It is not all theoretical. This is called "stewardship" and it is all over the word in both testaments. "I can of my own flesh do nothing". I can also decide to do nothing even with the grace of God at my beck and call. By "taking His yoke upon me" I can become a disciple, and am taught to do so.

Paul says, "Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh". Why?

He does not say, "God will walk in the spirit in you"- he gives a positive imperative to engage your will in co-operation with God. He also encourages us TO GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY for the victory. It is a two sided coin my friends, and you cannot cut either side of it out of the word, even if the paradox of that frustrates your intellect.

If there is no merit to what I propose here and no scriptural authority for it, would someone please describe stewardship in such a way that it makes sense from a scriptural perspective?

[micah7:9]

All of these scriptures that seem to imply us using our own wills to accomplish things, then there are scriptures that turn right around and prove we don't.

Take for instance where God says "choose this day whom you will serve". But then Jesus says "no man can come to me except it be given to him". No man can come to me except the Father draw/drag him. Now if we are dragged to him how can we choose one way or the other? Also, for it is God who works in you BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO of his good pleasure. If it is God that is working in us to will and to do of his good pleasure, what is left for us to do? Nothing.

Most of the verses that imply a will that is in control are in the OT but the Israelites was under the Law and agreed to do all of them but God showed them that they could not. God tells Israel to open their eyes, or do this or that or I will bring you into captivity and he does but he always brings them out of the captivity. God then says "I have blinded Israel", so how could they have done these things that was required of them when God blinded their eyes and closed their ears? 

CHB

:HeartThrob: :dsunny:

[micah7:9]

Wills, we all have one, were born with one.  Freedom to completely live the way our wills desire, doesn't happen.

Choices, yeah, we have lots of them.  But what does that have to do with our wills?  It wasn't my will to wake up having to go to the bathroom.  So great, I have a choice to either lie in bed and suffer, pee in my bed, or get up and go to the bathroom.  Experience over a period of time taught me that the best and most pleasant outcome is to get up and go into the bathroom, lol. 

It is NOT my choice to go out to drive somewhere in my car and have a flat tire.  If I really had free wil, I would NEVER have to make a choice as to how exactly to remedy that particular problem.  But I choose the easiest path available to me.  I choose what to eat when I get hungry based on what's in my fridge, and what is in my fridge is based on my income, whether someone else got the groceries inside or I did, and many other factors.  But I didn't CHOOSE to be hungry and even when I'm trying to lose weight, sometimes I just can't keep from getting something to eat when I'm hungry. 

I choose to stop at red lights BECAUSE the opposite choice is most likely NOT going to turn out well. Now, if I have a nature that likes to break laws, was it me that produced that nature?  I am not by nature a rebel, or lawbreaker.  But I claim no credit for it.  I'm sure there were a few times that I decided to rebel against my parents wishes but one time was all it took for me.  Yet I've seen some children time and time after time defy their parents no matter how severe the consequences.  WHO IS RESPONSIBLE for that nature?  I didn't create myself to not like fish.  I've tried to eat it but my whole being spits it out in revulsion, much to my chagrin.  These are just a few simple illustrations of how little we really have ANY control over our lives.  We are born with most of our personailty in tact and it is very rare that our own decisions can change us.  Genetics, environment and experiences shape us every step along the way and we have very little say in what choices we get to make.  Oh, often we can decide which of 2 or more alternatives we will choose, but did we really want to be in the circumstance in which we had to choose?

Have you ever tried to write a book?  Good writers know the end from the beginning, they think of their characters and give them personalities and choose all their paths.  I believe God is the greatest author of all.  We have a will and the majority of us can learn and see why some choices were good and some were bad but God knew what choices we would make each time.  I have always said we are not robots, but mice in a maze,  We can only go through the passages that God allows us to and with each turn, we learn something. IF, God gave us the type of mind that can learn. 

This is totally a departure from the way I once thought.  I like this better.

It certainly exercises our brain to contemplate on these things.

Praise the Lord! :HeartThrob: Some will hear! Glory :dsunny:

[dajomaco]

IMO
God does not require all of us to be on the same level of understanding.
Each one of us was given a special gift by the Holy Spirit.
Some may fathom great mysteries of God.

I do believe that God has given me a special measure of faith in the finished work
of Jesus on the cross.
God and I will forever be in relationship.
A relationship that is so beautiful and glorious.
I have of my free will blinded my self and only see darkness in my flesh.
I see no hope of me doing any thing right before the Lord .
I trust in the eternal works of Jesus .

I see posts here some times telling me (us) I have a free will and that there is a right and wrong way to use this free will .
I am afraid of the idea of God allowing me to decide the nature of our relationship.
I know there is no good in me .
May-be the gift of faith is for the weakest among us. 

[eaglesway]

I would not say God has allowed you to determine the nature of your relationship either. His love for you and His mercy towards you has no limit. What He has allowed you to decide is between you and Him and it is a learning process that is known only to the disciple and the Master.

"If any man would be  disciple, let him take up his cross, say no to himself and come, follow me."

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls"