Define "free will", GM.
Mine: the ability to choose according to one's greatest inclinations at the moment one so chooses.
Yours?
AMR
Raises hand. I would like to answer this after GM does. Let me know since i do not wish to disrupt the conversation you are both having.
Have you answered it yet?
Free will - The ability to respond to God in both the affirmative or in rejection in addition the ability to grieve His Spirit in this life. This however i believe is first prompted by God, but that He calls all men to this decision at some point in their lives.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Deuteronomy 4:29 "But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Psalm 32:6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You
in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.
Jeremiah 24:7 '
I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.
Amos 5:4
For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel,
"Seek Me that you may live."
Luke 13:34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often
I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and
you were not willing.
John 6:44 "
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
John 12:32 And I,
when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Ephesians 4:30 And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you,
not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
If it were not possible to reject Gods calling, all men would be saved since Gods desire for US is that we receive and love the truth.
2 Timothy 4:4
So
they will
turn their ears away from the truth and
turn aside to myths.
We have a choice
in this life to receive or reject Him in this life, but that we cannot make that decision untill He prompts it with His Spirit (opens our eyes in order that we can respond)
Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.