Not to mention that not everyone actually believes there is a hell. There is no more reason that than to believe in Valhalla or that Mormons will get their own planet in their afterlife. Choice. That's the only reason to believe in things like that.
Just because a person refuses to believe in heaven or hell doesn't mean they will be able to avoid their judgment when their mortal coil dies.
And one more thing, the word "fair" is a human construct and isn't found in God's Word so this poll is disingenuous to begin with.
So if someone chooses not to sin then they are exercising their free will to be saved? This refutes the doctrine of predestination.
Predestination only goes so far as predetermining the outcome - God determining what is going to be the outcome ahead of time, because He knows the end from the beginning.
Hell has enlarged itself, but Heaven is clearly written in dimensions.
Romans 10:9-10 reflects that we still have a choice - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
So if someone chooses not to sin then they are exercising their free will to be saved? This refutes the doctrine of predestination.
Those who believe one can choose not to sin by free will don't understand the biblical ontology regarding human nature. I always challenge them to will not to sin from this day forward. NEVER to sin again. Period. No excuses. If they believe they can will it... they should demonstrate it. I've yet to see one succeed. Human nature is fallen. Every aspect and process of our being is corrupted: body (biology), soul (psychology), and spirit (spirituality).
Now, that doesn't mean that when we are born again that we do not partake in the divine nature in our spirits. Now, for those "born again", the spirit (the inner man) is a new creature with a new nature. It is fused, one with, filled with, baptized in, living by, the very Spirit of God. Yet the soul (the mind) needs renewed daily. It doesn't think right without study and prayer. And the flesh... the flesh is hardwired for sinful delights and it will continue to be until glorification.
One either believes that God predestines His plans and the future of the universe based on what He saw us doing in the future (divine fortune teller theory) or He is sovereignly in control of all things. Every atom. Every gust of wind. The very reigns of the human heart. Now, we do have free will... but that's where God's will and the human will meet. The righteous surrender their will to the will of their Father (sometimes even after a period of resistance, ask Paul). However, God's will shall always triumph.
God hasn't tailored His will around man's will. No sir. God's will is thrust upon man's will. Creator vs. creation. A man either surrenders His will or faces chastening or judgment. The elect will be saved. They will either surrender peacefully or be broken to bring themselves to the end of themselves. Either way... God isn't on the edge of His seat, biting His nails, hoping we make it. Nor is God staring into a crystal ball recording the names of those who choose wisely. He has it all already recorded in the annals of Heaven in accordance to His sovereign will and plan; a plan designed to bring Him... glory and honor as both Creator and GOD.
Right, that argument can be made as well. So if we don't have a choice then we're just preprogrammed bio-bots. I don't see how God gets any glory from that. And of course that's the view of God that has caused many to reject Christianity.
In demonstrating his love and desire to have a relationship with his creation God actually subordinated his sovereignty to allow us a choice. Otherwise he would not have put the tree in the garden of Eden. Seems like all the potential choices were condensed in that one original choice.
Here are some Scriptures to consider as it relates to this subject. Read them slowly and actually think about what they are saying:
Ephesians 1:4 - According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2 Thessalonians 2:13 - But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2 Timothy 1:9 - Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
John 6:37 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
1 Peter 1:2 - Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Acts 13:48 - And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Ephesians 1:4-6 - According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1 Peter 1:20 - Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Titus 1:1 - Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 Timothy 2:10 - Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Romans 11:7 - What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Luke 18:7 - And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
James 1:18 - Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
2 Timothy 2:25 - In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
Romans 9:15-18 - For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Psalms 65:4 - Blessed [is the man whom] thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee, that] he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, [even] of thy holy temple.
Romans 11:5 - Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Romans 9:21 - Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Romans 9:18 - Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
We can through the blood of Jesus be all of these things.
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:8
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Those who believe one can choose not to sin by free will don't understand the biblical ontology regarding human nature. I always challenge them to will not to sin from this day forward. NEVER to sin again. Period. No excuses. If they believe they can will it... they should demonstrate it. I've yet to see one succeed. Human nature is fallen. Every aspect and process of our being is corrupted: body (biology), soul (psychology), and spirit (spirituality).
Now, that doesn't mean that when we are born again that we do not partake in the divine nature in our spirits. Now, for those "born again", the spirit (the inner man) is a new creature with a new nature. It is fused, one with, filled with, baptized in, living by, the very Spirit of God. Yet the soul (the mind) needs renewed daily. It doesn't think right without study and prayer. And the flesh... the flesh is hardwired for sinful delights and it will continue to be until glorification.
One either believes that God predestines His plans and the future of the universe based on what He saw us doing in the future (divine fortune teller theory) or He is sovereignly in control of all things. Every atom. Every gust of wind. The very reigns of the human heart. Now, we do have free will... but that's where God's will and the human will meet. The righteous surrender their will to the will of their Father (sometimes even after a period of resistance, ask Paul). However, God's will shall always triumph.
God hasn't tailored His will around man's will. No sir. God's will is thrust upon man's will. Creator vs. creation. A man either surrenders His will or faces chastening or judgment. The elect will be saved. They will either surrender peacefully or be broken to bring themselves to the end of themselves. Either way... God isn't on the edge of His seat, biting His nails, hoping we make it. Nor is God staring into a crystal ball recording the names of those who choose wisely. He has it all already recorded in the annals of Heaven in accordance to His sovereign will and plan; a plan designed to bring Him... glory and honor as both Creator and GOD.
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