LIBERATED
Now we come to the free will argument. Here we need to take a step back and recognize that the same foundational truths discussed in the previous posts still apply. God is all powerful, all knowing and all present. Please see the previous posts discussing this.
Today we will talk about what God’s Word says to mankind. God wants all men to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:3-6 “For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For [there is] one God and one Mediator between God and men, [the] Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” God died for all mankind, and is resurrected for all mankind, John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Does God take joy in the judgment of the wicked? Ezekiel 18:23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.”
What does this mean to you and I? It means that Paul is talking in the perspective of God in His role inside of time. In our previous discussion we reviewed how God knows all things that will happen and thus, He knows who will accept Him. This is Him acting outside of time. We, as beings inside of time, can only evaluate God’s actions inside of time, while examining His words of how He acts outside of time. This is why John 3:16-17 is followed by verse 18. John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” God acts inside of time knowing already, however the door is open for all. Clearly, the argument of free will is found in the Bible. However, does that make us followers of Arminianism? Certainly not. Some might argue we have made it over simplified like we did with Calvinism, but I believe it can be reduced to the same basic level. Like Calvinist, both sides have taken polar extremes to a simple argument that should never have been such a debated topic. We have made rocket science out of counting a piggy bank. The study of Salvation is deeper than the depths of the ocean and is need of unlimited hours of study. But rather this is the simple topic of recognizing God’s ability to act in time while He is also outside of time. We the potters clay attempt to understand what the maker is doing. This is simple and clearly taken into a realm orchestrated in debate and chaos.
Furthermore, I believe chaos is strung together by a formula of lack of understanding God and us and the relationship we have and trying to paint God in our own understanding. I must admit, my tone during this post might sound needlessly upsetting and I must confess that I believe the Church is being hijacked by nonbelievers who focus and cause this to be an area of tension. Repent oh believer and recognize that our Lord is bigger than your ways and my ways and has a plan for our life beyond the mere existence we have now. Eternity awaits us, this is why we must be focused on His word and see what He has given us to do. Next week we will discuss the pitfalls of both groups and the true example of what we have been called to do and God’s answer to this puzzle we have been going over. Next week we see the liberation of the argument on salvation and our call to action in what we clearly should be doing.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming
JL