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Category: Free Will

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

Some people, even preachers, say that everything that happens in the world – good, bad, or otherwise – is the will of God. Is it?

“I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they suffer no pain; their bodies are healthy and sleek. They are free of the burdens of life; they are not afflicted like others” (Psalm 73:3-5 NAB). The realities of this life often just don’t seem to make any sense, even as they didn’t to Bible writer Asaph 3,000 years ago. The opposite of what common sense would tell us is what often happens. Why? read more

Are Humans Predestined, or Do They Have Free Will?

Are Humans Predestined, or Do They Have Free Will?

Free Will
Do humans really have free will?

God definitely chooses who will serve him. (John 15:16; Acts 15:14; Romans 8:33; Romans 11:5; 1 Corinthians 1:27-28; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 17:14) But is human will is also at work? Does God allow each human to make or decide their own decisions or choices? Do humans really have free will? Bible examples and principles such as the following make the answers to these questions clear:

God warned Adam of the consequences of eating from a certain tree. (Genesis 2:16-17)

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door.” (Genesis 4:7 NIV) God warned Cain. His language indicates Cain had a choice, or free will.

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV) God made clear there is a choice to make.

“Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NJB, emphasis added) Notice how the NLT renders the key phrase: “broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” Jesus clearly articulates the choice that humans have.

“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God, or I speak on my own.” (John 7:17 NIV) Anyone and everyone has a choice to make.

“Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 NIV) Being an enemy of God is also a choice each person has.

So although God chooses who will serve him, human will is also at work. God allows each human to make their own choices. Humans have free will to make choices in life, which can either be contrary to God’s will, or in harmony with His purpose.

However, belief in predestination, meaning that has long ago decided which humans will get eternal life and which ones will get eternal damnation, is also quite popular. Due to this belief, or dogma, the Greek words “proginsko” and “proginzo” are translated as “predestined” in many Bible translations at Romans 8:29,30Ephesians 1:5,11 (NIV; NKJV). However, these scriptures are more accurately translated as follows:

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. and having given=&0=&

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. this is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure”—Ephesians 1:5 NLT read more

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