We do not have freedom in our choices "relative" to God; that is, we are not free "relative" to active and direct sovereignty over all things. This needs to be said, since the question about free-will is ultimately aimed at God, and if not then the question is intellectually inferior, by bypassing the elephant in the room. Going further in this, Romans 8:7 (see also, Ez.14:9) tells us we are NOT FREE to submit to God, yet also tells us we are still held accountable for not submitting to God; that is, we are held accountable for something we are not free to do. This shows us that freedom is unnecessary for responsibility; in fact, it is the opposite, responsibility assumes a sovereign over you, not freedom. On the other hand, my choices are free "relative" to a tree in my front yard or my choices are free relative to choosing from my desires, but sense God "directly" move our desires apart from asking us, then choices are not free relative to God (Prov. 21:1). Now, "relative" to how we "feel" free in our experience of our choices regarding our desires, Jonathon Edwards says this: "Objectors may say, God cannot always prevent men’s sins, unless he acts contrary to the free nature of the subject, or without destroying men’s liberty. But will they deny, that an omnipotent and infinitely wise God could not possibly invent, and set before men, such strong motives to obedience, and have kept these motives before them in SUCH a manner, that it would have influenced all mankind to continue in their obedience, as the elect angels have done, without destroying their liberty? God will order it so, that the saints and angels in heaven never will sin: and does it therefore follow, that their liberty is destroyed, and that they are not free, but forced in their actions? Does it follow, that they are turned into blocks, as the Arminians say the Calvinist doctrine turn men." As quoted from my book: The Divine Decrees, pg 90.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 01:46:17 +0000
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