Martin
Luther & Free Will
The Bondage
of the Will – Systematic Theology – Common Grace – Special Grace
Martin
Luther
·
I have
read “THE
BONDAGE OF THE WILL” by Martin Luther who takes the position that the definition of FREE WILL is works and man making a Free Will decision to follow Jesus Christ falls into the category of WORKS. –
Free Will is the dreams of men that are mad; it is a poison poured forth into
the world by a wonderful malice of the Devil himself,
the prince of demons. – Free Will under
its own power can’t do anything but fail, nor avail unto anything but to sin. –
By its nature it can only go downward, fall back and grow worse and
worse. - Free Will is nothing but the servant of sin, of death and of Satan.
·
Man’s
fallen nature renders him utterly incapable of doing any
spiritual good. Every imagination of
man’s heart is on evil continually. The doctrine of Free Will was not sent down from heaven, but sprung from the earth
below. – What can the smoke of man do
against the thunder and lightning of God? - Free Will can only be truly applied
to God.
·
Martin
Luther says, it is impossible to know what Free Will is
unless you know what the “human will” does and what God does or foreknows. Luther contends that the mercy of God alone
does all things and that our own will does nothing.
·
C, H.
Spurgeon said “The first link between my soul and Christ is not
my goodness, but my badness, not my merit, but my misery, not my riches, but my
need”.
·
Billy
Graham said “No matter how generous or how honest or how
compassionate we are, it is never enough.
God is Holy and His standard is PERFECTION. If we think we are good enough, that thought
simply proves our pride”. – The Book is clear; Salvation is found in no one
else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
·
The
Apostle Paul says that those who live according to the flesh set
their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the
spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit. - That which is born of the flesh is flesh,
and cannot please God. They must be born
again; born
of the SPIRIT to receive the ability to understand the things of
the Spirit. Any man that does not have the spirit of
Christ is none of His, so if any man is not of Christ, what else is he
but of Satan.
- Whatever is not of Faith is Sin.
·
The question is whether our own will does
anything in those things which pertain unto eternal salvation, or whether it is
wholly passive under the work of grace. - Without the mercy of God “the Will” is
ineffective, so how far does the mercy of God extend and how far does our own
will extend? The hinge; the very
heart of the subject matter is what can “Free Will” do as it
stands in reference to the grace of God? – It is important that we understand
the power and working of God and that of our own works.
·
The
Apostle Paul had studied God’s Word so much that Festus
shouted that too much knowledge had driven Paul CRAZY. As I read “THE BONDAGE OF THE WILL”, it’s like Luther is
having a battle with his own mind who he has named “Erasmus”. - His book has
so paralyzed me that I have not written a word study in a month just trying
to wrap my mind around the thought that “deciding”
to accept Jesus Christ with my Free Will is considered “WORKS”.
·
The Book says that before the Laws of
Moses existed, Abraham BELIEVED God and God counted him RIGHTEOUS
because of HIS
FAITH, so I must pose this; was Abraham’s decision to believe
and have faith considered to be works. – “SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY” argues
Luther’s point well, but doesn’t tie the decision “to believe” as being an act
of “Works”.
Genesis 6:5 – The natural man’s mind is
consistently evil
5 The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that EVERYTHING THEY THOUGHT OR IMAGINED WAS CONSISTENTLY AND TOTALLY EVIL. (NLT)
5 The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that EVERYTHING THEY THOUGHT OR IMAGINED WAS CONSISTENTLY AND TOTALLY EVIL. (NLT)
John 3:6 – That which is born of the flesh is
flesh
6 That which is born of the FLESH IS FLESH, and that which is born of the SPIRIT IS SPIRIT. (NKJV)
6 That which is born of the FLESH IS FLESH, and that which is born of the SPIRIT IS SPIRIT. (NKJV)
Romans 8:5 – The flesh sets it mind on the things
of the flesh
5 For those who LIVE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH set their MINDS ON THE THINGS OF THE FLESH, but those who
5 For those who LIVE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH set their MINDS ON THE THINGS OF THE FLESH, but those who
LIVE ACCORDING
TO THE SPIRIT set their
MINDS ON THE
THINGS OF THE SPIRIT. (ESV)
Romans 4:16 – We are saved by our Faith
16 So the promise is RECEIVED BY FAITH. It is given as a FREE gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the Law of Moses, if we have
16 So the promise is RECEIVED BY FAITH. It is given as a FREE gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the Law of Moses, if we have
FAITH LIKE
ABRAHAM’S. For
Abraham is the father of all who believe. (NLT)
Genesis 15:6 – Abraham
believed and it was counted as righteous
6 And Abram BELIEVED the LORD, and the LORD counted him as RIGHTEOUS because of HIS FAITH. (NLT)
6 And Abram BELIEVED the LORD, and the LORD counted him as RIGHTEOUS because of HIS FAITH. (NLT)
Romans 4:3 Abraham believed and it was counted as
righteous
3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham BELIEVED God, and God counted him as RIGHTEOUS because of HIS FAITH.” (NLT)
3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham BELIEVED God, and God counted him as RIGHTEOUS because of HIS FAITH.” (NLT)
Galatians 3:6 Abraham believed and it was counted
as righteous
6 In the same way, “Abraham BELIEVED God, and God counted him as RIGHTEOUS because of HIS FAITH.” (NLT)
6 In the same way, “Abraham BELIEVED God, and God counted him as RIGHTEOUS because of HIS FAITH.” (NLT)
James 2:23 Abraham believed and it was counted as
righteous
23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham BELIEVED God, and God counted him as RIGHTEOUS because of HIS FAITH.” He was even called the friend of God. (NLT)
23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham BELIEVED God, and God counted him as RIGHTEOUS because of HIS FAITH.” He was even called the friend of God. (NLT)
Galatians 2:16 – Salvation is by Faith in Jesus
the Son of God
16 Yet we know that A PERSON IS MADE RIGHT WITH GOD
16 Yet we know that A PERSON IS MADE RIGHT WITH GOD
BY FAITH IN
JESUS CHRIST,
not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we
might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ,
NOT BECAUSE WE
HAVE OBEYED THE LAW.
For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” (NLT)
Acts 4:12 – Salvation come by no other name but
Jesus Christ
12 THERE IS SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE! God has given
12 THERE IS SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE! God has given
NO OTHER
NAME under
heaven by which we must BE SAVED.” (NLT)
1 Corinthians 12:6 – God works in different ways
in all of us
6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who
6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who
does the work in all of us. (NLT)
Acts 26:24 – Paul your much learning has driven
you insane
24 Suddenly, Festus shouted, “PAUL, YOU ARE INSANE. Too much study has made you CRAZY!” (NLT)
24 Suddenly, Festus shouted, “PAUL, YOU ARE INSANE. Too much study has made you CRAZY!” (NLT)
Limited
Free Will
·
Our family is a family of
dogs
including our grown children. Whenever
the gang of puppies visit us they have Free Will to roam
our house, however it is limited free will as they cannot go out the
front door into the streets. - Like the Holy Spirit, I have enlightened the puppies as
to a Doggie Door where they can decide to go into the fenced back yard
if they choose. All the puppies by free will have decided to go in and out the doggie door except
for one. Even though he has been shown,
encouraged, demonstrated and coaxed, you cannot even push
him through it; he has by FREE WILL chose to NOT use it.
·
I would argue that Free
Will
is actually Limited
Free Will which works in
accordance to a much larger plan by a sovereign God which plan is not totally
revealed to us. With as much Free Will as Satan has, it is LIMITED by God. (Job 1:12 – Satan your free
will cannot harm Job’s life)
·
God foresees, purposes and
does
all things according to His immutable, eternal, and infallible Will, which is
just and merciful; His character does not change. He cannot be deceived nor His Will hindered. What He promises, He is able and willing to
perform and anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that He is, and
is a rewarder of those who place their hopes in Him. – Hebrews 11:6 - NYOBS 37.29 – FREE WILL – It’s in the Book –
Holy
Spirit
·
Fallen
Man is the walking DEAD and is in such of a
condition that left to his own Free Will decisions,
is INCAPABLE of desiring divine spiritual things. - If he
was treading water, he would not be capable of reaching for a life preserver
floating alongside to SAVE himself.
·
Martin Luther says our will does what
it does; be it good or evil, not out of compulsion, but out of our mere willingness
or desire, as
IF we were totally free. Our own depraved corrupt will CANNOT of itself
do good. - As a student of the Word, I would agree that we are depraved and
corrupt, but isn’t that why God sent the comforter, the Paraclete,
the Holy
Spirit to make it “possible”
for us to do good?
·
The Holy Spirit overcomes the holding
power of sin and ENABLES the believer to become obedient and answer to the
higher spiritual purposes of God. He causes the sinner to see the truth so that
he comes under conviction and becomes conscious of his sin; this knowledge of
sin precedes the faith that yields to Jesus Christ. - The Holy Spirit guides,
maintains, strengthens, endows and develops the talents of those who have received
the Gospel and leads them to their destiny; doing what is right and outwardly
good for others.
·
We are like a light BULB
in huge electric sign; the HOLY SPIRIT has
repaired our filament giving us the ability to light up; the Word of God has screwed us in and made our connection tight,
and the Power
of God has been made available to
us, and now with Free Will all we have to
do is “decide” to flip the switch and instead of darkness there will be
light, but Marin Luther considers “deciding” to flip the switch to be Works.
John 14:26 – The Holy Spirit will teach you
26 But when THE FATHER SENDS THE ADVOCATE (the Paraclete, helper, comforter, counselor) as my representative—that is,
26 But when THE FATHER SENDS THE ADVOCATE (the Paraclete, helper, comforter, counselor) as my representative—that is,
The Holy Spirit—HE WILL TEACH
YOU everything and will remind
you of everything I have told you.
(NLT)
Romans 1:21-22 – Without the Holy Spirit minds are
dark
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. (NLT)
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. (NLT)
Man’s Will
·
Salvation is apart from
our own strength
– If Satan rules our spirit, then our will is directed by and through him, but
if God rules our spirit then our will is directed through the Holy Spirit. Man is captive, a slave or a servant to “THE WILL” of one or the other.
·
The Book says Salvation
is extended to us only by the Grace of God and not by any work man
has done, is doing or might do.
·
Martin Luther says that all things stand or
fall by the will and authority of God.
He has promised His grace to the “humbled”; that is when a person finally
comes to know that his salvation is utterly beyond his own power and works
and it utterly depends on the will and pleasure of God alone. NYOBS 12.35 – NOW AND NOT YET
– GOD’S WILL; MAN’S WILL
God’s Will
·
The model prayer of Jesus was that “God’s
will” would be done on earth like it is in heaven. That was the whole point, GOD’S WILL ON EARTH IS NOT BEING DONE. – God’s will is that not
even one person should perish; but God’s will is being resisted; people
are perishing.
·
If Christ died on the
cross
to save everyone from the Lake of Fire and separation from God then He was a FAILURE,
because some have not chosen Him, but if He died for ALL those who would
believe in Him then he was 100% successful. – The blood of Jesus was shed for
sinners who would come to Him of their own FREE WILL as
well as those who were PREDESTINED to come.
·
The Book
says God
is not a respecter of persons that the Word is to be preached to every
person in the whole world, not to just those who were predestined to hear.
– Free Will and Predestination are both taught in scripture;
I learned a term from my grandson which I looked up in Wikipedia, it’s called “Compatibilist”
meaning you don’t have to pick or choose between the two doctrines; they are
compatible with each other.
·
The Word of God and the Traditions of Men
are opposed to each other. - Satan’s comes to steal our liberty, entangle and bind
our consciences, but God’s will cannot be resisted, changed or hindered. – His will for us is to have Free Will; to be obedient to Him out of CHOICE and not out of Obligation or to use the Book’s term; out of “Necessity”;
being obedient because we are COMPELLED to do so. – It’s in
the Book –
Matthew 6:9-10 – May God’s will be done on Earth
9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon. May YOUR WILL BE DONE on earth, as it is in heaven. (NLT)
9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon. May YOUR WILL BE DONE on earth, as it is in heaven. (NLT)
Matthew 18:14 – The Fathers will is that none
would perish
14 In the same way, it is not my HEAVENLY FATHER’S WILL that EVEN ONE of these little ones SHOULD PERISH. (NLT)
14 In the same way, it is not my HEAVENLY FATHER’S WILL that EVEN ONE of these little ones SHOULD PERISH. (NLT)
Mark 16:15 – Go Preach to EVERYONE in the WHOLE
WORLD
15 And then he told them, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD and
15 And then he told them, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD and
preach the Good News TO EVERYONE.
(NLT)
Romans 9:16-24 - Some people are predestined to be
saved
16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
17 For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.”
18 So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.
19 Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”
20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”
21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?
22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who were made for destruction. (Free Willie)
23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. (The Elect; Predestined)
24 And we are among THOSE WHOM HE SELECTED, both from the JEWS and from the GENTILES.
16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.
17 For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.”
18 So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.
19 Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”
20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”
21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?
22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who were made for destruction. (Free Willie)
23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. (The Elect; Predestined)
24 And we are among THOSE WHOM HE SELECTED, both from the JEWS and from the GENTILES.
(NLT)
Matthew 22:14 – Many are
called to come by Free Will
14 For many are called (to come by free will),
14 For many are called (to come by free will),
but few are chosen (predestined to
come).” (NLT)
Philemon 1:14 – Obedience by FREE WILL not from obligation
14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of OBLIGATION, but of
14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of OBLIGATION, but of
your own FREE WILL. (HCSB)
2 Timothy 2:9 – God’s word cannot be hindered or
chained up
9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But
9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But
THE WORD OF
GOD CANNOT BE CHAINED. (NLT)
Removing the
Veil
·
There are some things in scripture that are NOT
quite plain, there are passages that are obscure and abstruse and
from our ignorance of certain terms, Satan has discouraged us from reading the
Bible so that his poison of philosophy can prevail in the church.
·
There are
also some things in scripture that are NOT of obscurity or ambiguity,
like the humanity of Jesus and the Trinity of the God head, these are clear,
but Satan works that we might not see it, for no man can understand one iota of
scripture unless the Holy Spirit resides
in him. It is the fool that has said in
his heart there is no God.
·
God has many
things veiled or hidden which we don’t know and
no one doubts especially the day of the return of Christ; He said “Of that day
no man knows but the father”.
·
Reading the Book removes the veil over our understanding
mind, breaks the seals and rolls away the
stone from the door of the tomb and reveals that God is not only Trinity,
but also Unity. Christ has opened the door to our
understanding – The scriptures are inspired and written for our instruction and
good and IF His words REMAIN obscure it’s because of our own blindness and lack
of desire to understand. – If the Gospel is hid, it is hidden to those that are
lost, whom Satan has blinded. – It’s in the Book –
·
Through the Laws of Moses the knowledge of the sin
we were born in, live in, move in, and exist in, was revealed to man of which
before we were ignorant. – It is God’s grace that
made us righteous WITHOUT THE LAW of works which avails
nothing. – Works cannot save. -
Matthew 24:36 – Some things Jesus and Angels do
not know
36 However, NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR HOUR when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. ONLY THE FATHER KNOWS. (NLT)
36 However, NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR HOUR when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. ONLY THE FATHER KNOWS. (NLT)
Acts 1:7– Some things we are not to know; only the
Father
7 He replied, “THE FATHER ALONE has the authority to set those dates and times, and THEY ARE NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW.
7 He replied, “THE FATHER ALONE has the authority to set those dates and times, and THEY ARE NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW.
(NLT)
2 Timothy 2:19– The Father alone knows
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” (NLT)
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” (NLT)
Isaiah 40:13 – No one can advise God
13 WHO IS ABLE TO ADVISE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
13 WHO IS ABLE TO ADVISE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
(NLT)
Hebrews 11:6 – Must Believe to be able to come to
God
6 And IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH. Anyone who wants to come to him MUST BELIEVE that God exists and that HE REWARDS those who sincerely seek him. (NLT)
6 And IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH. Anyone who wants to come to him MUST BELIEVE that God exists and that HE REWARDS those who sincerely seek him. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 4:4 – Satan blinds the mind of the
unbeliever
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has BLINDED THE MINDS of those WHO DON’T BELIEVE. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has BLINDED THE MINDS of those WHO DON’T BELIEVE. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
(NLT)
Luke 24:45 – HOLY SPIRIT opens our mind to
understanding
45 Then HE OPENED THEIR MINDS
45 Then HE OPENED THEIR MINDS
TO
UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES. (NLT)
Mark 16:15 – Go into ALL the world and preach the
Gospel
15 And then he told them, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD
15 And then he told them, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD
and PREACH THE GOOD NEWS to everyone.
(NLT)
Romans 3:20 – The Law just shows us how sinful we
are
20 For NO ONE CAN EVER BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD
20 For NO ONE CAN EVER BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD
by DOING what the law commands.
THE LAW
SIMPLY SHOWS US HOW SINFUL WE ARE.
(NLT)
Colossians 1:23 – Continue believe the Truth of
the Good News
23 But you must CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THIS TRUTH and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. THE GOOD NEWS has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it. (NLT)
23 But you must CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THIS TRUTH and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. THE GOOD NEWS has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it. (NLT)
Psalm 14:1 – Only an unbelieving FOOL says there
is no God
1 Only fools say in their hearts, “THERE IS NO GOD.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! (NLT)
1 Only fools say in their hearts, “THERE IS NO GOD.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! (NLT)
Common &
Special Grace
·
As I try to understand
“Systematic Theology”, I find that GRACE is actually an attribute of our
sovereign God, it is His free un-deserved favor or love toward man which
resulted directly from the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, and it
was not only foreseen by God, but was designed by Him as a blessing for ALL people.
·
The Book
says the
LAW
came through Moses, but Grace came through Jesus Christ. – For by Grace we
have been saved through faith, and that not of something we do. It is the Gift of God, our salvation is not dependent
upon anything we do so as to give credit to ourselves.
·
Grace means beauty or
gracefulness,
but in general it means FAVOR OR GOOD-WILL. In the NT it signifies the unmerited
operation of God in the heart of man. It
illuminates the mind and acts directly on the will as either “OPERATING”
or “CO-OPERATING”
grace.
·
The Grace of God prolongs and maintains
the natural life of man giving him time and opportunity to repent thereby
removing all his excuses and justifying God’s upcoming wrath. The unregenerate man may do good, natural,
civil and outwardly religious works, but they do not spring from the right
motives or purpose; they cannot please God. – God never blesses the reprobate
although they may receive blessing because of a Godly person placed around them;
the Egyptians were blessed because Joseph was of the Abrahamic Covenant.
·
There are two kinds of
grace
that is dispensed by God. - NYOBS 82.02 - GRACE AND
TRUTH
1. Common Grace is “communal”; given by
the Holy
Spirit to ALL men, sufficient to ENABLE THEM to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus
Christ, however this common grace is resistible and usually,
IT IS more or less resisted. - This is because “Common
Grace” leaves the heart unchanged. – It works only on the natural and not on
the spiritual - Common Grace operates only in the moral and rational ways of
man, making them RECEPTIVE to the truth.
Common Grace never removes the guilt and pollution of sin, nor does it
renew the human nature, nor does it affect the salvation of the sinner; BUT if the
human heart COOPERATES with the Holy Spirit they
can be saved. - (I call this Free Will)
2. Special Grace is given by the Holy Spirit to SOME; to the Elect and it cannot be resisted; although they are
not compelled, it makes the desire so great that they want God. It is a renewing of the whole nature of man,
not only ENABLING
THEM to repent of their sins, but
causes them to be WILLING. - It is the operation of God to remove the guilt, penalty,
condemnation and punishment of Sin, and gradually cleanses him of the pollution
of sin and ultimately provides the person Salvation through the operation of
the Holy
Spirit. - (I call this Pre-destination.)
·
The Book seems to bear out that eleven
of the Disciples had Special Grace. (Believers) and Judas had Common Grace (a Make Believer). - Is there a difference between someone who is
called a “Christian”
and someone who is called “a FOLLOWER of Jesus Christ”? - SELAH
Isaiah 48:9 – God is giving mankind TIME to
repent; no excuses
9 Yet for my own sake and for the honor of my name,
9 Yet for my own sake and for the honor of my name,
I WILL HOLD BACK
MY ANGER and
NOT WIPE YOU
OUT. (NLT)
Jeremiah 7:23-25 – Free Will; stubborn desires
from evil hearts
23 This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’
24 But MY PEOPLE WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.
25 From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now,
23 This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’
24 But MY PEOPLE WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.
25 From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now,
I HAVE
CONTINUED TO SEND MY SERVANTS,
THE PROPHETS—day in and day out. (NLT)
Genesis 39:5 – Potiphar blessed because of Joseph
5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless POTIPHAR’S HOUSEHOLD FOR JOSEPH’S SAKE. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished (NLT).
5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless POTIPHAR’S HOUSEHOLD FOR JOSEPH’S SAKE. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished (NLT).
Ephesians 2:8-9 – We are saved by His grace when
we believe
8 GOD SAVED YOU BY HIS GRACE WHEN YOU BELIEVED. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (NLT)
8 GOD SAVED YOU BY HIS GRACE WHEN YOU BELIEVED. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (NLT)
Romans 3:20-28 – Made right by PLACING our faith
in Jesus
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.
22 We are made right with God by PLACING our faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God WHEN THEY BELIEVE that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight WHEN THEY BELIEVE in Jesus.
27 CAN WE BOAST, THEN, THAT WE HAVE DONE ANYTHING to be accepted by God? NO, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on FAITH.
28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. (NLT)
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.
22 We are made right with God by PLACING our faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God WHEN THEY BELIEVE that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight WHEN THEY BELIEVE in Jesus.
27 CAN WE BOAST, THEN, THAT WE HAVE DONE ANYTHING to be accepted by God? NO, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on FAITH.
28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. (NLT)
Side Bar
·
Calvinism – God’s grace and
calling is irresistible and limited to only some; the
Elect. – The irresistible grace does not compel a man to come
to Christ, but just makes him willing. This is the doctrine of Predestination
and the divine election of saints.
·
Arminianism –
God’s grace is resistible and usually is. - It is conditioned on the faith of
the believer. - This is the doctrine of Free Will; of man co-operating with
the grace of the Holy Spirit.
·
The Book -
Both are taught in scripture; both are compatible, you do not have to choose. –
Those who embrace both doctrines are called Compatibilist. - Both acknowledge
spiritual bankruptcy and have a hunger and thirst for spiritual things and they
endeavor to obtain it.
The Heart
·
Our hearts are desperately
wicked
and deceitful and cannot approach God, so He must give us a new one. Once we believe and accept Jesus Christ, our
debt becomes paid; our sincere hearts and guilty consciences become sprinkled
with His Blood that clears our conscience, and all our senses of guilt is
removed; we have a new heart and Jesus as our High Priest confronts Satan’s
accusations. – It’s in the Book –
·
The activity of choosing
Jesus Christ
is always preceded by the previous activity of God through the Holy Spirit; no
man comes to the Father unless He draws them. – It is the internal calling that man becomes conscious that God
is working a conversion in him, it happens through a work of God’s strength,
NOT the works of the Believer’s own strength. Where ever there is true faith there will be real repentance; a
turning away from sin in the direction of God. Strictly speaking, saving Faith is an act of
God rather than an act of man.
Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is desperately Wicked
9 THE HUMAN HEART is the most DECEITFUL of all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED. Who really knows how bad it is? (NLT)
9 THE HUMAN HEART is the most DECEITFUL of all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED. Who really knows how bad it is? (NLT)
Ezekiel 36:26 – God will give us a new heart
26 And I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (NLT)
26 And I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (NLT)
Hebrews 9:12 – We have a High Priest that
confronts Satan
12 WITH HIS OWN BLOOD—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered THE MOST HOLY PLACE once for all time and
12 WITH HIS OWN BLOOD—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered THE MOST HOLY PLACE once for all time and
SECURED OUR
REDEMPTION FOREVER.
(NLT)
Hebrews 10:2 – His blood made our feelings of
guilt disappear
2 If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their FEELINGS OF GUILT would have disappeared.
2 If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their FEELINGS OF GUILT would have disappeared.
Hebrews 10:19-22 – We can enter God’s presence by
the blood
19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s MOST HOLY PLACE because of the blood of Jesus.
22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our GUILTY CONSCIENCES have been
19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s MOST HOLY PLACE because of the blood of Jesus.
22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our GUILTY CONSCIENCES have been
SPRINKLED
WITH CHRIST’S BLOOD to make us clean, and our
bodies have been washed with pure water. (NLT)
Hebrews 9:14 – The perfect sacrifice purified our
consciences
14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will PURIFY OUR CONSCIENCES from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a PERFECT SACRIFICE for our sins. (NLT)
14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will PURIFY OUR CONSCIENCES from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a PERFECT SACRIFICE for our sins. (NLT)
Revelation 12:10 - Satan can no longer accuse us
10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For THE ACCUSER of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth —
10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For THE ACCUSER of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth —
the one who ACCUSES THEM before our God day and night.
Romans 4:8 – Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord
does not see
8 BLESSED is the MAN against whom
8 BLESSED is the MAN against whom
THE LORD
WILL NOT COUNT HIS SIN.” (ESV)
The Blood
·
The Blood of Christ is used in connection
with atonement for our sins. It cleanses
us from every type of sin, BIG
and BLACK, small as well as 50 shades of grey and those
which seem unforgivable. - The Blood of Christ totally and wholly satisfies
God. – Blood is precious to God because God says so. - It operates in
three ways; 1) toward Man, 2) toward God, and 3) toward Satan.
·
Jesus was a substitute for
us on
the cross giving His life’s blood for our sins.
Now when we sin, God overlooks the sin because He sees “the Blood”
of His beloved Son; so although the Blood was for MAN, it was primarily for GOD and
now SATAN
can NO longer accuse us because Jesus is our High Priest sitting at the right hand of the Father
advocating for us and if God is for us, who can possibly be against us? – NO
ONE ! – Romans 8:31
·
It is the finished work of
Jesus Christ
that is the basis of our ability to approach the presence of God. We can never approach God on our own personal
attainment, we are brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ, God looks on His
blood and is satisfied. – Every time we approach God it is on the very same
basis of the blood of His son, not on something of our own works we have
obtained. – It’s in the Book –
1 Peter 1:18-19 – The Blood of Christ is precious
to God
18 … God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. The ransom paid was not mere gold or silver
19 It was the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (NLT)
18 … God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. The ransom paid was not mere gold or silver
19 It was the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (NLT)
Ephesians 2:13 – We are brought near through the
blood
13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him THROUGH THE BLOOD of Christ. (NLT)
13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him THROUGH THE BLOOD of Christ. (NLT)
Hebrews 9:11-12 – Jesus our High Priest secured
our redemption
11 SO CHRIST has now become the HIGH PRIEST over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands …
11 SO CHRIST has now become the HIGH PRIEST over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands …
12 With his own blood — not the
blood of goats and calves —
He
entered the MOST HOLY PLACE ONCE FOR ALL TIME and SECURED OUR REDEMPTION FOREVER. (NLT)
1 John 1:7 – Christ’s blood cleanses us from ALL TYPES
of sin
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, & THE BLOOD OF JESUS, HIS SON, CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN. (NLT)
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, & THE BLOOD OF JESUS, HIS SON, CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN. (NLT)
Romans 8:33-34 – Who dares to accuse us; we have
been chosen
33 WHO DARES ACCUSE US whom God has chosen for his own? NO ONE—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.
34 WHO THEN WILL CONDEMN US? NO ONE—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the PLACE OF HONOR at God’s right hand, PLEADING FOR US (NLT)
33 WHO DARES ACCUSE US whom God has chosen for his own? NO ONE—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.
34 WHO THEN WILL CONDEMN US? NO ONE—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the PLACE OF HONOR at God’s right hand, PLEADING FOR US (NLT)
Matthew 10:32-33 –
Acknowledge Christ & He acknowledges you
32 EVERYONE WHO ACKNOWLEDGES ME
PUBLICLY here on earth, I WILL ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE BEFORE MY FATHER in heaven.
33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. (NLT)
33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. (NLT)
The Take Away
·
Martin Luther uses Troupes; figurative
and metaphorical language to describe the Gospel’s effect on man heart. – I think
it is quite good and worth writing down.
·
Luther - As under the same SUN, mud
is hardened
and wax is melted;
as by the same SHOWER,
the cultivated earth brings forth fruit, and the uncultivated earth thorns;
so by the same long suffering of God, some are hardened and some converted.
·
Troupe - As under the same GOSPEL, a
HEART is hardened
and another HEART is melted; by the same GOSPEL, the cultivated HEART brings
forth fruit,
and the uncultivated HEART thorns; so by the same long suffering of God,
some HEARTS are hardened;
some converted.
·
The work of redemption was accomplished through
Jesus Christ and there remains nothing else to do, it is a finished work. – He
accomplished the work through the Holy Spirit and the co-operation of the subjects of redemption. – The work of
Christ merited us salvation and the Holy Spirit applies and carries that
creative work to completion as he guides us into all truth. - No one can come to Son of God unless the father who sent the
Son draws them through the Holy Spirit. –
Faith is often regarded as an activity of the intellect, but True Faith will
manifest itself in Good Works; Faith without works is a non-existent dead faith.
·
In the regenerated man the Holy Spirit gives gifts of great illuminating wisdom,
abilities and intellectual insight and expertise in all kinds of crafts and
because of the regenerated man’s presence, the favor spills over, and those
around him get in on the blessings as well.
·
We give the Holy Spirit such little thought, but
if the Holy Spirit were to be removed, we would all die. - The
origin of life, its maintenance and development depend on the operation of God the Holy
Spirit; the third person of the Trinity. – What the
Holy Spirit has written on our hearts is more certain and firm than life
itself. - NYOBS 09.02 - TRINITY
·
Every soul born of woman is destined to receive
the wrath of God and endure the lake of fire forever. It was God’s Special Grace that predestined some to be elected to become part of His
plan of salvation. But it was His Common Grace that made it POSSIBLE for everyone else to have
the ABILITY to make a FREE WILL decision
to escape His wrath.
·
The Book
says we
are saved by Faith and not by our works, it is the gift of God. – So is Martin Luther right; is FREE WILL or making the choice to believe in Christ’s finished work on the cross considered
WORKS? I guess it depends on your denomination’s
viewpoint. When I was just ten years of
age, I was taught to recite John 3:16; For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in
Him will be saved.
·
God gives us an entire
lifetime
to find Him; to make a FREE WILL decision to come to Him, so we are without
excuse. – When the Believers are all gathered in heaven and in the presence of the
Angels, God and the Lamb, we will not care how we got there; whether it was by Free Will or we were Predestined.
·
Your
words are the index of your heart. - Jesus said whoever confesses Me before
men, I will confess before the Father. – To all that would CHOSE to believe, He gave the right to become a
child of God; forsaking the sinful life and pursuing a Godly life. – Becoming a
Believer does not mean that that the struggle between
your old life and your new life is at once ended; NO, the
struggle will continue as long as you live, but His grace is sufficient. – The change
that takes place CANNOT BE REPEATED; there may be ups and downs or seasons of
estrangement from God, but the “Believer” will surely return.
·
Today we have been given THE CHOICE between life and death,
between blessings and curses. - Heaven and earth will WITNESS THE CHOICE you make. - Oh, that you would choose life, so
that you and your descendants might have eternal life. – It’s in
the Book –
John 6:44 – The Holy
Spirit draws men unto God
44 For NO ONE CAN COME TO ME unless
44 For NO ONE CAN COME TO ME unless
THE FATHER who sent me DRAWS
THEM to me,
and
at the last day I will raise them up. (NLT)
John 16:13-15 – We are
guided by the Spirit of Truth
13 When the SPIRIT OF TRUTH comes, HE WILL GUIDE YOU into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory
14 by telling you whatever he receives from me.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ (NLT)
13 When the SPIRIT OF TRUTH comes, HE WILL GUIDE YOU into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory
14 by telling you whatever he receives from me.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ (NLT)
Job 32:8 – The Holy Spirit gives us understanding
8 But THERE IS A SPIRIT WITHIN PEOPLE, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. (NLT)
8 But THERE IS A SPIRIT WITHIN PEOPLE, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. (NLT)
Exodus 28:3 – The Holy
Spirit gives Great Wisdom
3 Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with
3 Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with
THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM. Have them make garments
for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service. (NLT)
Exodus 31:3 - The Holy
Spirit gives Ability and Expertise
3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ABILITY, AND EXPERTISE in all kinds of crafts. (NLT)
3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ABILITY, AND EXPERTISE in all kinds of crafts. (NLT)
Exodus 35:31 - Holy Spirit
gives Wisdom in all kind of crafts
31 The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise
31 The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise
IN ALL KINDS OF CRAFTS. (NLT)
Ephesians 2:9 – Salvation does not come from works
9 Salvation is NOT A REWARD for the
9 Salvation is NOT A REWARD for the
GOOD THINGS
WE HAVE DONE,
so none of us can boast about it. (NLT)
John 3:16 – Everyone who believes will have
eternal life
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES in him will not perish
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES in him will not perish
but HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
(NLT)
Deuteronomy 30:19 – We
have a FREE WILL Choice
19 Today I have given you THE CHOICE between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to WITNESS THE CHOICE you make. Oh, that you would CHOOSE life, so that you and your descendants might live! (NLT)
19 Today I have given you THE CHOICE between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to WITNESS THE CHOICE you make. Oh, that you would CHOOSE life, so that you and your descendants might live! (NLT)
Matthew 22:14 – Many are called to come by Free
Will
14 For many are called (to come by free will),
14 For many are called (to come by free will),
but few are chosen (predestined to
come).” (NLT)
John 1:12-13 – Believe and
become a child of God
12 But to all WHO BELIEVED HIM and ACCEPTED HIM,
12 But to all WHO BELIEVED HIM and ACCEPTED HIM,
HE
GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD.
13 THEY ARE REBORN—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but A BIRTH THAT COMES FROM GOD. (NLT)
13 THEY ARE REBORN—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but A BIRTH THAT COMES FROM GOD. (NLT)
In the
multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I am grateful to those that went before me
providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their
shoulders
and
see further that I otherwise ever could have.
Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias
Apocrypha – Goodspeed
Baker Commentary on the
Bible – Elwell
Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White
Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer
Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row
Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s
Bondage of the Will; The –
Martin
Luther
Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Expositor’s Bible
Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein
Forgotten Books of Eden; The – World
Gospels Interwoven; The – Karmit Zarley
Hope for each day – Billy
Graham
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary; The – Tyndale
Interlinear Greek-English
New Testament – Baker
Invisible War; The – Donald Grey Barnhouse
King James Version Bible –
KJV
Lost Books of the Bible; The - World
Lost Books of the Bible; The - Bell
Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan
Missing Books of the Bible; The – Halo Press
Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest
Nag Hammadi Library; The – James M. Robinson
Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan
New International
Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas -
Tenney
New International Version
Bible (2011) – NIV
Normal Christian Life; The – Watchman Nee
Now that’s a Good Question – R.C. Sproul
New Living Translation Bible - NLT
Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Hugh J. Schonfield
Systematic Theology – Berkhof / Erdmans
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee
Vincent’s Word Studies of
the New Testament – Mac Donald
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wycliffe Bible Commentary;
The – Pfeiffer & Harrison
Wikipedia –
Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney
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