Do human beings have free will?

When we talk about free will, we are usually concerned with the matter of salvation. https://www.gotquestions.org/is-God-sovereign.html

Sovereignty of God – Romans 8:29-39, Ephesians 1:4, 2:8-9

Free Will – John 3:16 https://www.gotquestions.org/arminianism.html https://www.gotquestions.org/calvinism.html https://www.gotquestions.org/semi-Pelagianism.html

Perhaps the more important question for the Followers-of-Jesus is this: what is the extent and limit of our free will?

Obvious Limits - Our free will is limited by our genes, our time and our space environment, as well as the actions of others.

Unavoidable consequences - We may have the free will to act, but once the free will action is taken, the resulting consequences are outside of our control.

A good heart and an empty head are no excuse to unavoidable consequences.

Will an erroneous intent or the lack of knowledge excuse the unavoidable consequences of our free will choices? No, unavoidable consequences are just that, unavoidable. A child who plays with matches may have neither the intent nor the knowledge, yet he will get burnt just the same. All of which to say, once we take an action, there are no excuses, defenses, or exemptions that will protect us from the unavoidable consequences of such an action.

Simply being human has unavoidable consequences.

We are men and women under the curse of Adam. We are not free to live forever. As Followers-of-Jesus, we are not free from the Judgment Seat of Christ. And, we are not free to change the plans of God the Father.

Consequences are no respecter of person.

Imitating Christ in Our Ministry

The question is what was our Lord's approach to his earthly ministry? See Corinthians 11:1

What are Not Acceptable Ministry Practices? Let us at ways and methods our Lord specifically rejected when it came to ministry. See Luke 4:1-13

1. Bribes - Jesus rejected the first temptation, to turn stones into bread. On a ministry level, Jesus rejected the temptation to give people "stuff," that is to bribe them into following him. Bribes include: bread, rice, money, and so on. This means that Jesus rejected ministries such as the Prosperity Gospel, Name It and Claim It ministries, positive confessions, faith contracts, visualization, and the like.

2. Worldly Power - Jesus rejected the second temptation, to bow to Satan and to use the resources of the world to further his Kingdom. On a ministry level, Jesus rejected the temptation in ministry to compromise with the world (Satan) and to use worldly ways and the governments of this world for "godly purposes."

This means that Jesus rejected any ministry that uses political power to further its mission, whether that be the Roman Catholic Church, or Protestant churches grounded in Dominion or Reconstruction type Theology. Jesus rejected: the creation of a Christian political power, Christian leaders delivering Ohio and Florida to the Republican Party in the 2000 Election, and political endorsements from the pulpit, to name a few.

3. Miracles and Entertainment - Jesus rejected the third temptation, to use the miracle of jumping off the pinnacle of the Temple and being rescued by angles in front of all the people in order to be declared the Messiah by the High Priests and those in attendance. Jesus rejected the use of miracles as a way to get people to follow him. This means Jesus rejected any ministry that is "focused" on Signs and Wonders, that is charismatic gifts. It also means that Jesus rejected any ministry that is "focused" on entertaining people. For example, Hollywood-type, mega-church worship productions may fall into this category if their worship service goes from glorifying God to mostly entertaining the people in attendance.

What are Acceptable Ministry Practices? See Luke 10

Jesus sent out 72 disciples, two by two, without a purse or bag or sandals. They were not to worry about how they would live. Instead, God took care of them through the hospitality of the local people they stayed with. The 72 were not to try to improve their situation on the mission field, but to minister faithfully wherever God led them. The job of the 72 was simply to preach the Word, to heal, to cast out demons, and in faith, to rely on the Lord for everything else. These are the acceptable ministry practices.

The Emotional Problem of Evil – How to comfort those going through intense suffering? Sympathy, not explanation, is the key. It is not necessarily a questioning of God. This page further explores the Emotional Problem of Evil.

Is there a purpose for suffering?

For Followers-of-Jesus, the New Testament teaches the following four-fold reason or purpose for suffering:

There is an internal purpose for suffering. All suffering and trials of any kind strengthen and mature the Christian’s faith. From the Book of James we know that if a Christian responds to the suffering brought on by the various trials and tribulations of this life with an open heart to God that the Lord Jesus will give him a crown-of-life for his perseverance when he stands before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

There is an eternal purpose for suffering. When a Christian perseveres in suffering through various trials and tribulations, he is a witness to the unsaved. For some unsaved people this witness is positive, and the suffering of Christians will lead them to salvation. For other unsaved people this witness is negative as they are not moved by the suffering of Christians, and as such are left with no excuse on the Day of Judgment.

A third purpose of suffering is identification. When a Christian suffers unjustly for Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit rests upon this person in a special way. We are told that Jesus Christ personally knows who is suffering unjustly for him and blesses this person. By way of example we read in the Book of Acts that when Stephen, the first martyr, was being stoned to death, he could see Jesus standing at the right hand of God the Father waiting to take him into Heaven.

The fourth purpose for suffering is fellowship. A person who suffers unjustly for Christ Jesus understands in some way how Christ suffered unjustly on the cross for him. The person who suffers because he is a Christian has a special bond of fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Somehow this person literally participates in Christ’s suffering, not for purposes of salvation but for fellowship with Christ. While this may seem strange at first, we can all identify with the concept. When we are suffering a particular loss or trial in life, only a person who has suffered through a similar loss or trial can really understand and sympathize with what we are going through.

No one wants suffering, yet suffering in this life is not optional. The difference between a follower-of-Jesus and an unsaved person is that the follower-of-Jesus suffers for a reason, and the unsaved person suffers for nothing.

Based upon: Phil 3:10-11; 2 Tim 1:8; James 1:2-4, 12; 1 Pet 1:6-7, 2:18-21, 3:1-2, 8-9, 13-17, 4:1-2, 12-19

How can the All-Powerful, Loving, and Just God allow evil and human suffering?  

The conclusion in the modern mind is that God either does not exist or if he does, he is neither all-powerful nor all-good. This results in a Theodicy, an effort to defend the existence of God (and his power and goodness) in the face of evil in the world. 

The Intellectual Problem of Evil – How do you make a rational argument for the coexistence of an all-good, all-powerful God with evil and human suffering? (This is the subject of the apologists.)  

The Intellectual Problem of Evil has vexed philosophers and theologians for centuries. It presented the main intellectual attack against Christianity. By and large this was a problem for the academics, until World War I, The Great War. So terrible and horrible was the suffering on a world-wide basis, that Western Culture was stunned that God allowed it to happen. And so began the slide of churches, universities, and indeed most institutions in Western Civilization away from Christianity in earnest. No educated or thinking person could believe that God existed after the horrors of WWI. 

However, in 1967, Dr. Alvin Plantinga published the Free Will Defense Argument. Using the classic logical arguments of secular philosophers, Plantinga convincingly proved that an all-good, all-powerful God had morally sufficient reasons for allowing evil and human suffering to exist, such as giving man  

Free Will, which necessitates the existence of evil and its resulting human suffering. (You can easily search the internet for a more thorough explanation of Plantinga’s Free Will Defense.) 

Today the Intellectual Problem of Evil is an interesting study, but thanks to Plantinga, it is no longer the main attack by academia against Christianity. All but the most ardent and narrow minded atheists have acknowledged Plantinga’s significant work. As proof of the universal, although begrudging, acceptance of the Free Will Defense and its many subsequent forms, the main attack by academia against Christianity and the existence of God is now focused on evolution vs intelligent design. Those academics on the forefront of the fight against Christianity are no longer philosophers but biologists and others in the hard sciences. 

How can the All-Powerful, Loving, and Just God allow evil and human suffering?  

The conclusion in the modern mind is that God either does not exist or if he does, he is neither all-powerful nor all-good. This results in a Theodicy, an effort to defend the existence of God (and his power and goodness) in the face of evil in the world. 

The Intellectual Problem of Evil – How do you make a rational argument for the coexistence of an all-good, all-powerful God with evil and human suffering? (This is the subject of the apologists.)  

The Intellectual Problem of Evil has vexed philosophers and theologians for centuries. It presented the main intellectual attack against Christianity. By and large this was a problem for the academics, until World War I, The Great War. So terrible and horrible was the suffering on a world-wide basis, that Western Culture was stunned that God allowed it to happen. And so began the slide of churches, universities, and indeed most institutions in Western Civilization away from Christianity in earnest. No educated or thinking person could believe that God existed after the horrors of WWI. 

However, in 1967, Dr. Alvin Plantinga published the Free Will Defense Argument. Using the classic logical arguments of secular philosophers, Plantinga convincingly proved that an all-good, all-powerful God had morally sufficient reasons for allowing evil and human suffering to exist, such as giving man  

Free Will, which necessitates the existence of evil and its resulting human suffering. (You can easily search the internet for a more thorough explanation of Plantinga’s Free Will Defense.) 

Today the Intellectual Problem of Evil is an interesting study, but thanks to Plantinga, it is no longer the main attack by academia against Christianity. All but the most ardent and narrow minded atheists have acknowledged Plantinga’s significant work. As proof of the universal, although begrudging, acceptance of the Free Will Defense and its many subsequent forms, the main attack by academia against Christianity and the existence of God is now focused on evolution vs intelligent design. Those academics on the forefront of the fight against Christianity are no longer philosophers but biologists and others in the hard sciences. 

Does the Bible require a saved, born-again Christian to give 10% of their gross income to the local church?  No.

In the Old Testament, a "tithe" is usually thought of as giving 10%, of the produce of your land: crops, fruits, herds and flocks, but not your actual land

The Old Testament:

1. Levitical Tithe - 1/10 - Annually - to the Levites, who in turn gave 1/10 to the Priests   Lev 27:30-33, Num 18:21-29  
2. Festival Tithe - 1/10 - Annually – Deuteronomy 14:22-27
3. Poor Tithe - 1/10 - Every Three Year - to the poor - Dt. 14:28-29, 26:12-13  

All of which adds up to as much as 23 1/3% per year over a three-year period-of-time. 

The New Testament:  

Christians are not under the Law of Moses, so no biblical requirement to tithe.

Acts 15 – The Jerusalem Council

Romans 7:4 – Christians have died to the Law of Moses and the requirement to tithe.

Colossians 2:14 – The Law of Moses and its consequences were nailed to the cross.

What the New Testament teaches about giving.

2 Cor. 9:7, Every man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  

Reasonable Solution

If it did not cost you anything to give, then you did not give anything.  Luke 21:1-4

Give just until it hurts a little.

God does not want what you do not what to give.  Give not under legalism but out of joy from a grateful heart.

Give Weak Christians grace when they demand you give a 10% tithe out of your gross annual income.  Romans 14  (But do not show them your IRS Form 1040.) 

Key Words:  Hypocrisy, False Teaching, Doing the Will of God

Matthew 5:2-11, Luke 6:20-26 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake and on account of their testimony about Jesus. 

Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 

Matthew 11:6 - And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.

Matthew 18:7, Luke 17:1 - Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

Matthew 23:1-36,  Luke 11:37-52 - Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  

Woe to those preachers and teachers who teach falsely.                                     Woe to those who swear oaths before God.                                                        Woe to those who neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness.                                   Woe to those preachers and teachers who are hypocrites and lawless.           Woe to those preachers and teachers full of greed and self-indulgence.      Woe to you lawyers(Pharisees)! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.  

Matthew 24:46, Luke 12:37-38, Luke 12:43 - Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing his will when he comes.

Matthew 25:34 – Blessed are those who inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Luke 11:28 - Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!

Luke 13:35 -  Blessed is the one who says blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

John 13:17 - If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 20:29 - Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Discussion Questions:

Who are the blessed?

Who are those who are cursed with woes?

Key Words:  Doing/Keeping God’s Word 

Matthew 4:4 - Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 

Matthew 7:26-27, Luke 6:46-49 - And everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a man who builds his house on a solid foundation. 

Matthew 11:25-30 - 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light 

Matthew 12:48-50, Luke 8:21 - For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. 

Luke 11:28 - Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it! 

Luke 16:1-13 – Use the assets given to you faithfully.  Cannot serve God and money. 

John 8:31-32 – If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 

John 12:25-26 - If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 

John 13:15-17 - For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  

John 13:20 -  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. 

John 14:15-24 - If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  

John 15:1-17 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  

Discussion Questions: 

Summarize the Jesus commands on obedience. 

Are you obeying the commands of Jesus?  

And if not, what help do you need in order to start obeying his commands? 

Key Words:  Worship, Love, Do not Test, Give it All

Matthew 4:7 - You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.

Matthew 4:10 - You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.

Matthew 5:33-37 – You shall not swear falsely.  Do not take an oath.  Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.

Matthew 12:32 - Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Matthew 22:34-38, Mark 12:28-30 - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.

Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-23 – Take the bread and the wine in remembrance of me.

John 2:16 - Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.

John 4:24 - God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.

John 12:44-45 - Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.

Discussion Questions:

How do we put God to the test?

Do worship things like cars or a football team? 

Why is does it mean to speak against the Holy Spirit? 

What does it look like to worship in spirit and in truth?

Key Words:  Beware, Careless Speech, Hypocrisy, Coveting, Dissipation

Matthew 7:15-16 - Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. 

Matthew 12:36 - On the day of judgment, you will give account for every careless word you speak.

Matthew 15:10-11, Mark 7:14-23 - It is what comes out of the mouth; this is what defiles a person.  For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 

Mark 8:15, 12:38-40, Luke 12:1, 20:45-47 - Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, the Scribes and the Herodians which is hypocrisy. 

Luke 12:15 - Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Luke 21:34-36 - Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.  But stay awake at all times; pray that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.

 Discussion Questions:

What should we beware of?

How can you guard yourself against these behaviors and actions?