The "Expensive" side of "Free Will"

It's another of those topics that bring debate, and it's a term that really doesn't
show up, per se, in Scripture; yet, it is an understood aspect of what God has
given to His creatures.. we have the ability to make our own decisions and  follow
our own paths. An existence with No free will would be akin to being on marionette
strings, completely controlled by God in our actions and decisions. It can be argued that God, Himself, would not find enjoyment in such a scenario.

Man's natural tendencies, however, do not point toward necessary success when it
comes to making decisions, particularly eternal ones. We have a natural inclination to
run away from God, to want no part of giving up 'control' of our lives, and, of course,
we are born into sin. Those two characteristics would make a prediction of choosing
wisely a bit of a stretch. That creates an issue when we are talking about choosing to
accept God and give our lives to Christ, the one and only path to sanctification, redemption
and eternity in the New Earth and the New Heaven.

We know that God woos. He, through His love and compassion for His creatures, 
reaches out to us. He is the initiator, He begins the process of drawing us in, of
writing His law and His existence into our hearts. From there, in some measure, we
have to accept and that is a MAJOR decision. Does He only woo those who He
already knows will accept or who He has accepted or does He simply intervene in
the "choice" process to ensure the result He has determined since the dawn of
creation, names written in the Book of Life, written on the hand of His beloved?

Know this, it is possible for we humans to reject God, in fact, if you have tried to share
things about the gospel message with those around you, you have discovered
that people build impenetrable walls of resistance, even refuse to accept the
most amazing 'free' gift ever given, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
as a substitute for the wrath that we deserve. Could anyone turn down the only
feasible way to being saved, the only way to avoid an eternity away from the Father
who created them? Oh Yes, unfortunately, oh yes.

It may be 'free" will, but it is dangerously expensive!

Praise God!

Secrets we do NOT need to know!

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29: 29


It seems that the more we learn and know about God and His miraculous nature and
creation, the more we long to know even more. Maybe it's a human nature thing; we are
inquisitive and seek to broaden our knowledge. Yet, it seems to me that many of God's
secrets ought to remain His, alone. It is possible that we aren't capable or able
to comprehend a lot of those things we seek answers to. Somewhere along the way we
need to accept the fact that all questions will be or may not need to be answered when
we fall asleep and our souls are in Heaven.

So, what are some of the unanswered questions that you would like to know when you
arrive? I have some.....

How come God chose folks that weren't exactly perfect to be major players in His plan?
You know, King David, Moses, Abraham...  Well, that answer is almost self-evident. No one,
not even these great Biblical characters is/was perfect, except, of course, the Son of God.

What about election and predestination? Why are some chosen and others apparently not?
Since God alone can bring salvation, how did He make these decisions?

What about time, as it applies to God? is time just a human dimension? If God can see
all of time laid out before Him, can he go back and make changes?

Could Jesus have sinned? We knew that he was tempted in the same way humans are
tempted and we know that He lived a perfect, Holy life, but could He have?

Why did God give humans the possibility of redemption and not the angels? 

What will the new earth and the new heaven be like? What about those new, perfect
resurrected bodies? 

Will we see loved ones in Heaven? Will we recognize them and have similar relationships
with them?

Well, I could certainly go on. While it is fun to ponder some of these issues, there is
plenty that has been revealed to us in God's word and creation. Obviously, we haven't
been given all the details... maybe they are to come and maybe we just won't
really care.

I am looking forward to the future. Come, Jesus! We are certainly ready to take
to our knees and exalt You!!

Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life?

And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. 
Rev 20: 15    

I will start by writing that I hope it is! There is a book that the Bible suggests was in
existence before the beginning of creation, and in that book, belonging to the Lamb of
God, is a listing of names. First of all, the name that was given to you by your birth or
adopted parents will not be there. Your name will be the one assigned by, and known only to,
God Himself, your real name, and it will be read out loud and immediately recognized
by you as your name of salvation. A glorious name that belongs only to you, one given
by the Almighty God.

It would not be relevant to get into a discussion, here, on election or predestination, but
as the Bible is the word of God, some names are apparently in the book and some names are not. That's a daunting scenario, isn't it? 

So I will repeat the title's question...Is your name in that book? 

I am going to suggest that your desiring that your name be there is a sign that the name
most probably is in the book. Those who reject that idea of Christ Jesus as their
absolutely necessary savior probably do not care if such a name exists. Secondly, God
is the one that calls souls to Himself. While we cannot initiate this transaction, the desire
to be a part of the flock of Jesus most probably means that God has initiated an interest
and love of Jesus within a person.

Let's look at the worst possible scenario. What if your name isn't among those linked
forever to Jesus? Now I, being just a simple-minded blogger, have no ability to
put God's possible actions and reactions in some sort of box! So, let's try a possibility.
Since the Bible also suggests that God desires not to lose even one soul, what would
be a reason why a name could not be added if that soul took to its knees, opened its
heart and fervently asked forgiveness for sins, repented and sought with all its
being, a relationship with God and with Jesus  Christ? There are simply no
limitations to God's ability to do His will. 

Well, there it is. I am going to state that I know without question that my name
is in that book, and I wish anyone reading this to have that same sort of faith OR
to begin the life-changing possible course of action that will bring his soul into
the care and love of the Sovereign Lord of the Universe. Do not wait another moment!

Praise our God!!!!

Predestinally soul searching

Romans 8:29 — “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestine to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Read 2 Peter 3 ESV

The whole issue of predestination is a complex one. It's one of those things that is debated
and not fully understood or agreed upon. One thing that is for sure...the Bible states that
God predestined. He foreknew that certain souls would be saved.. would not perish as lost.
R. C. Sproul is very emphatic about the issue; he simply states that the Bible teaches
predestination. 

There are also Bible verses that would seem to indicate that God does not want to lose
one single soul to eternal destruction. 

Thus, we have a situation and there are a lot of "maybe's" that can be thrown out there
concerning these issues. Is God limited, somehow, in numbers when it comes to reaching
out, majestically, and drawing a soul inward? Could it be that the whole "free will" issue
comes into play, allowing unfortunate souls the right to reject the gospel? (Scary) Can folks
who have been lost find salvation in their lives at the latest minutes?

Well, my personal experience is that someone like me, who spent many unfortunate
years ignorant of the bases for salvation, can come to know and love Jesus after
having been separated for many years. This is Grace at its finest. It is God reaching out
and claiming one for His kingdom when that soul was completely undeserving of being
made righteous. 

Evangelism would suggest that there is great work to do on many levels to teach
the gospel to people, one soul at a time. Whether we come to work on someone
through the guidance of the Holy Spirit or whether we reach out to someone we
love in the hopes that they might find salvation, it's a monumentally important
aspect of a Christian's life and walk.

I know one thing; I am never going to allow those I love to slip by without prayer
and effort. I owe them that; I owe God... everything!!!