If you ask anyone this question, you will most likely get a resounding YES. While the question of free will applies to both the temporal and spiritual realms, I will be addressing the spiritual realm. Many in the church believe that you decide, or accept Jesus as your Savior, but not necessarily as your Lord, that becomes optional. It should be noted that all references in the Bible refer to Lord first and Savior second. Furthermore, I have often heard that salvation is the easy part and then the hard part of sanctification begins once you are supposedly “saved”. Many in the church will freely admit they are a sinner and acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and rose again. Many people exhibit a kind of faith that they willed into existence by believing a few facts from the Bible, which is nothing more than demon faith ( James 2:19). If you believe such nonsense and lies, you are on a slippery slope to everlasting damnation. Deuteronomy 32:35, “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them”.
You had no say in your first birth and you certainly have no say in being born again, as the Lord told Nicodemus (John 3:3-4). Most in the church will acknowledge (and give lip service) that God is in control of everything; however, they really believe that they can tell God when to save them. For example, Billy Graham and his son, Franklin, promote salvation by personal decision at anytime you please. If you think you can choose anytime you want to be saved, then you prove that you have bought into Satan's lie and give clear evidence that you are of your father the devil. John 8:43-44, “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies”. To further prove this point let's turn to Romans 9:16ff. “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and hardens whom He desires. You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?' On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder,'Why did you make me like this,' will it?” If you think God is beholden to you because you mouthed a few words and think that your faith has now moved from your “head” to your “heart”, then you are in grave danger of spending eternity in hell.
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