Potter
Are we like clay in the hands of the master potter? Does that mean we don’t have free will or can the clay be stubborn and unworkable?
And whenever the clay would not take the shape he wanted, he would change his mind and form it into some other shape. (Jeremiah 18:4 CEV)
What did the clay say to the potter?
But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.” (Jeremiah 18:12 NLT)
From the beginning, did God give Adam and Eve the freedom to choose whether or not to obey Him?
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die [or dying you shall die].” (Genesis 2:16-17 ESV)
Some say that free will is not even in the Bible. What does the Bible actually say?
So the Israelites brought a freewill offering to the Lord… (Exodus 35:29 HCSB)
Was free will involved in a burnt offering?
… he shall offer it of his own free will … (Leviticus 1:3 NKJV)
Does God even demand that they offer of their own will?
… ye shall offer it at your own will. (Leviticus 19:5 KJV)
Did God place a choice before ancient Israel?
See, I am placing before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen … (Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NASB)
Was that choice not just to hear but also to obey?
… All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God… (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15 NIV)
Choose
Was it God’s clear preference that they choose blessings rather than curses?
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life … (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NKJV)
Was serving God irresistible or were they encouraged to make a choice?
So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve … (Joshua 24:14-15 NLT)
Does everything, even our ability to choose come from God?
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and we have given you of your own. (1 Chronicles 29:14 WEB)
Can people resist or even ignore God’s call?
I will offer you to the sword. You will all bow down for slaughter, because I called and you didn’t answer; I spoke and you wouldn’t hear. You did what I considered evil, and chose what I didn’t want. (Isaiah 65:12 CEB)
Would God want people to stop something they cannot stop?
I will judge each of you for what you've done. So stop sinning, or else you will certainly be punished. Give up your evil ways and start thinking pure thoughts. And be faithful to me! Do you really want to be put to death for your sins? I, the Lord God, don't want to see that happen to anyone. So stop sinning and live! (Ezekiel 18:30-32 CEV)
Are people free to choose the fear of the Lord? Is evil in the world basically the fruit of humanity’s own way?
Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. (Proverbs 1:29-31 ESV)
Did Jerusalem have free will to accept or reject Jesus?
Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you. How often I wanted to gather your people together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. (Matthew 23:37 CEB)
Is being a follower of Jesus a free choice?
Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. (Mark 8:34 HCSB)
Did some choose to receive Christ?
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13 KJV)
Do some choose to believe in Jesus?
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NASB)
Does God draw men to Christ?
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. (John 6:44 NIV)
Who is drawn to Christ, only the elect or all?
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. (John 12:32 NKJV)
Must someone want to do God’s will?
Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. (John 7:17 NLT)
Is the forensic evidence for God’s existence ubiquitous and obvious, but men choose to suppress this truth?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. (Romans 1:18-19 WEB)
In choosing to ignore the obvious, are people deluded that they are wise?
Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through the things God has made. So humans are without excuse. Although they knew God, they didn’t honor God as God or thank him. Instead, their reasoning became pointless, and their foolish hearts were darkened. While they were claiming to be wise, they made fools of themselves. (Romans 1:20-22 CEB)
What has been the result? Read the rest of Romans 1 and make your own mind up.
Predestination
Did God know in advance those who would choose to follow him and those who would choose not to follow him?
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son … (Romans 8:29-30 ESV)
Is our choice dependent upon God’s mercy?
Everything then depends on God's mercy and not on what people want or do. (Romans 9:16 CEV)
Like the potter who predestined the clay for a fine work, did God purpose us for adoption?
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption … (Ephesians 1:4-5, 11 NIV)
Does God want everyone to be saved?
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved … (1 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV)
What is God’s desire?
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
So what does God do about His desire for everyone to come to repentance? If He knocks, must we choose to open?
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20 NLT)
God’s sovereignty is greater than turning us into robots who cannot resist His grace. He gave us ubiquitous evidence of His eternal power and divine nature and a choice between atheistic self-delusion and knowing Him. He commands us to choose. What is your choice? You decide!
