Do you think through the exercise of our free will we are either becoming God's

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   connorjposted 9 years ago

   Do you think through the exercise of our free will we are either becoming God's friend or enemy?
   
   Through the exercise of our free will in the little choices we make, we are either helping God and growing in spiritual maturity, or we are inhibiting that trajectory and stunting our spiritual growth. As Jesus put it:
   The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. (Luke 16:10)
   It seems that small battles prepare us for larger battles; or does it? Giving example, do you think this is a true "train of thought"?
   
   

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   mothersofnationsposted 9 years ago

   Free will was given to us so that we may choose to do the right thing or not -- but the purpose behind it is in choosing the right things.
   If you consider why the enemy was thrown out of heaven, it was because he was envious and egotistical and became disobedient to the Lord. The Lord will not have war in heaven - those kinds of emotions are not built in love and God is love. I believe because of that, our God created us and gave us free will - so that we would know the better choice and be grateful for all the Lord is.
   He wants us to learn to love Him purely, seek Him, trust in Him, and be grateful for all He is and does. The most important of these is love because all else follows. Our entire purpose is to learn to love one another & the Lord, as He intended for us to. When you know that kind of love, you hold on to it with everything and in gratitude.* 
   If you chose to do wrong, you're not giving the enemy any power - not in the least. But what you are giving up is your very life, your soul. Every time you make a "bad" choice and choose not to change, you are indeed inhibiting your spiritual growth - and you're inhibiting the growth of others around you as well, as everything we say and do will affect someone else. You're not hindering the Lord - your hindering your spirit and those around you.
   Free will was not given to be abused, as the enemy would have too many believe. It was given to us so that we would be aware of the greatness of goodness of our one and only true living and loving God.
   God bless you.

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      connorjposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Well said, Mothersofnations! I have contemplated that sometimes, as our Free Will becomes less tarnished in His eyes He could elect to use us on occasion, thus stripping us temporarily of our free will to actually directly use us for His purpose...

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   newjerusalemposted 9 years ago

   Free will is basically given unto us by God and He expects us to exercise it to please him, not to please our self. Jesus also expressed his personal will in the Garden saying. "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Mathew 26:39.
   God doesn't want us to do his will  like robots, but by willful obedience.We must exercise our free will to accomplish his will. We'll be safe if our free will is under the subjection of God's will. Or else we will fail miserably like Adam and Eve. If our decisions are bound by his will, we can experience the obsolute security of God.

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      connorjposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Another brilliant and most thoughtful answer! Thank you for teaching me this so effectively.

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      newjerusalemposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your nice appreciation. God bless you.

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      Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      If our decisions are not bound by His will, we will experience a separation from Him. This will lead us away. By doing His will we come closer and that is truly the absolute security of God. This is an excellent answer that you gave. thank you.

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