Total Depravity

 Free will series.  

To be clear on definitions, theologians who use this term (most notably in Reformed theology or Calvinism) don't mean that humans are as absolutely evil as they could be in every action. Instead, they mean that every part of human nature, the mind, the will, the emotions, and the flesh, has been corrupted by sin. The core idea is that apart from God, a person is spiritually dead and entirely incapable of choosing or pleasing God on their own. So, how can free will exist then? This is what we are discussing today. Let us pray. 

Heavenly Father, we come before you today, gathered in your name, to learn your Truths and revelations. As we dive into your Word, we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit to receive your wisdom and knowledge for what you want us to understand. Show us, Father, how even though we are totally depraved, you still love us, guide us, and allow us to be washed clean by the blood of your Son. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!

What does it mean that we are “totally depraved?” 

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Ephesians 2:1-3

This is often considered the definitive passage on the state of humanity without divine intervention. Paul describes the natural human condition before being made alive by Christ. The keyword here is "dead." A physically dead person cannot reach out, call for help, or choose to breathe. Therefore, a spiritually dead person has zero capacity to seek or choose God until God acts first to make them alive.

“What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." Romans 3:10–12

In this passage, Paul strings together several Old Testament quotes (primarily from the Psalms) to create an absolute, all-inclusive declaration about human nature apart from grace. This explicitly denies that humans possess a natural spark of goodness that seeks out the divine. Left to our own devices, the text argues, human orientation is universally away from God.

In the world, we are often told, by some people who truly mean well, that we should just follow our hearts. That is one of the worst things you could ever do. Why? The Old Testament frequently addresses the internal condition of human desires and motivation, most famously in this verse from Jeremiah.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "The LORD searches the heart and tests the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." Jeremiah 17-9-10

Human brokenness isn't just a matter of bad external behavior; it is an internal sickness of the heart itself. Because the "generator" of human desires is corrupted, a person cannot naturally produce holy or God-pleasing choices.

Look at Romans 8:5-8 

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” 

Also, here in 1 Corinthians 2:14

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

These focus on the human intellect and will, arguing that without the Holy Spirit, the human mind is fundamentally incapable of aligning with God.

Note the words "it cannot" and "he is not able." This goes beyond a person choosing not to follow God; it claims a fundamental, systemic inability to do so. I can hear a friend of mine yelling out, “SEE. No free will. What you are teaching does not exist.”

He believes in Total Depravity based on these verses, and he will argue that because humans are spiritually "dead" and "cannot please God," free will is useless. God must choose them and activate them, or they will stay dead.

Others and I, who emphasize human responsibility, argue that while humanity is indeed deeply broken and crippled by sin, God's "prevenient Grace" reaches out to everyone, temporarily overriding that spiritual death just enough to give them the ability to freely choose or reject Him.

This perspective agrees that humanity is genuinely crippled by sin, spiritually dead, and unable to seek God by its own natural power. However, God does not leave humanity entirely in that helpless state.

Through prevenient grace, or a divine grace that goes before and prepares the heart, God partially restores human free will and lifts the deadening effects of sin just enough for a person to respond. The command to "choose life" is a genuine invitation made possible because God has already initiated contact, shining light into the darkness and enabling a real, accountable choice. In short, the inability is real by nature, but overcome by grace, making the choice genuinely possible for anyone.

When Paul uses phrases like "none seeks for God" in Romans 3, quoting the Psalms, he is constructing a legal argument to show that neither Jew nor Gentile can claim righteousness based on their own merit or law-keeping. From this perspective, the "deadness" and "not seeking" describe the universal human condition apart from a covenant relationship with God. The commands to choose life are the ongoing, relational expressions of God's desire for His people. A standard that highlights human accountability regardless of our moral weakness.

The reason I believe in free will is simple. Two main reasons. If we did not have free will, then what would be the point of any of it? Adam and Eve could never have sinned. Jesus would not have had to come and die for us. Passages like this, 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.“ John 3 16-18

All the whoevers, any, ifs, and the like are pointless. If we cannot choose, then why would we have a choice? If we do not have a choice, the Ten Commandments are mute. We would never break them. If we do not have a choice, we would not be called, but commanded to do whatever God says. God is not a liar. If He tells us to choose, yet we have no choice, then He is lying. 

The next reason is sad to even imagine. If God does choose some from the dawn of time to be saved, then for whatever reason, He chooses not to choose millions of others, then would that not mean that God created millions of people to just simply live here, and then suffer forever? With no chance of salvation? No matter what? 

Now I understand that our little finite minds cannot possibly grasp the concept of God and His ways; however, I feel we learn enough in His Word to say, " This does not sound like the God of the Bible.” 

 We have all fallen from grace. We have all sinned against God. Why? Because we do have free will, and we do love the things of the flesh. This alone proves we have free will. But let's get into this more deeply next time. 

Thankfully, no matter what, God’s mercy and grace are there for us, so we may indeed choose Him when we hear the truth. Through His grace and mercy, we can hear, accept, and allow the truth to set us free. 

Remember, you can always find this, and so much more, in the archives, over at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the Lord our God go before you as your way maker, as well as behind you as your rear guard, and may He be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

1 Peter 4

 Chapter 4

Stewards of God's Grace  

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this, they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
What will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19 Therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Falling from Grace

 Falling from Grace.

The phrase "falling from grace" is widely used in everyday language to describe someone losing status, getting caught in a scandal, or losing favor with a boss or the public. However, in a biblical and theological context, it has a very specific meaning. This is what we will be talking about today. Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, we gather today with hearts full of thanksgiving and praise. We are grateful for everything we have been given, both in the past and what is to come. We love you and, above all, we thank you for your grace. As we explore your Word today, we will be studying the phrase "Fall or Falling from Grace." We pray, Father, that you grant us eyes to see, ears to hear, and the ability to understand and embrace your truth and revelations. In Jesus' name, Amen!

In the Bible, "falling from grace" does not mean sinning so terribly that God stops loving you. Instead, it refers to a specific shift in how a person tries to be right with God, moving away from trust in God's unearned favor (grace) and turning instead to legalism, human effort, and strict ritual performance. 

The actual phrase appears explicitly only once in the entire Bible, in the New Testament book of Galatians.

“You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” Galatians 5:4 

The Apostle Paul writes to a group of early Christian churches in Galatia, modern-day Turkey, who were being told they needed to follow ancient religious laws and rituals, specifically circumcision, to truly be saved. Paul responds with sharp, direct language."You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." 

In this context, "falling from grace" refers to the act of rejecting a gift in favor of paying for it instead. The term "grace," or "charis" in Greek, signifies unearned or unmerited favor. If someone presents you with a priceless gift and you insist on writing them a check for it, you are effectively rejecting the very nature of that gift.

The Word declares in Ephesians 2:8-9 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

There is nothing you can do to earn your way to heaven. Nothing. Simply put. 

“And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31

 And here

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12

Now, if salvation requires me to do something, even if that "something" is just the mental or spiritual act of choosing to believe, then haven't I technically performed a task to earn it? If I have faith and someone else doesn't, is my faith a "work" that made the difference?

I have been asked this before. First, faith is a gift, not a work. The most common resolution is that faith itself isn't something humans manufactured or dug up on their own. Instead, it’s viewed as a gift. In this view, God provides both salvation and the faculty of faith to accept it. Because you didn't create the faith yourself, having it can't be considered a credit to your own effort or merit.

Second,  Theologians often distinguish between the meritorious cause of salvation, what actually pays for it, and the instrumental cause, or the tool used to receive it. Think of it like a starving beggar being offered a free, massive feast. Someone hands you the food completely free, and you simply open your hands to take it. Does the act of opening your hands count as "work"? Technically, it's a physical action. But it didn't earn or create the feast; it's simply the passive instrument used to accept a total gift.

In the same way, faith is seen not as a work that earns salvation, but as the empty hand reaching out to receive it. In the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul, faith and works are explicitly set up as opposites, not variations of the same thing. “I cannot achieve this, so I trust someone else did." 

“Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift, but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Romans 4:4–5

Therefore, true biblical faith isn't viewed as a supreme mental work; it is actually the complete cessation of trying to work your way to God. It's an admission of bankruptcy. So, while from a strict, hyper-literal standpoint "having faith" is an action a person takes, theologically it is framed as the exact opposite of a work. It is shifting the burden of performance entirely off of yourself and placing it onto Jesus.

Getting a little off target here, but turning your back on the system of faith in Christ’s finished work and returning to a system of self-reliance, trying to earn God's approval through flawless performance of religious rules. While the phrase itself is rare, the concept of turning away from reliance on God’s grace and choosing an alternate, self-reliant path shows up in several major Biblical narratives. 

As mentioned above, this is the prime historical example. These believers didn't "fall" because they fell into gross immorality; they "fell" because they became rigid legalists. They stopped trusting that Jesus' death was enough and started believing that their own ritual compliance was necessary to secure God's favor.

King Saul’s downfall is a vivid illustration of shifting from reliance on God to reliance on self. Early on, Saul was humble and relied on God's chosen path. But over time, he began taking matters into his own hands. Before a major battle, rather than waiting for the prophet Samuel to offer the proper sacrifice as commanded, Saul grew impatient and performed the ritual himself out of fear and political pressure,  1 Samuel 13. He substituted a rigid external ritual for genuine, trusting obedience. Samuel famously told him, "To obey is better than sacrifice." Saul fell from a position of divine favor because he trusted his own strategic calculations over God's instructions.

Then you have the parable of the Prodigal Son. While the younger "prodigal" son blows his inheritance on wild living, the older brother in Jesus' famous parable in Luke 15 actually embodies the heart of "falling from grace."When the rebellious younger brother returns home and is instantly forgiven and celebrated by the father, which is a pure act of grace, the older brother becomes furious. He refuses to join the party, telling his father, "Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders." He viewed his relationship with his father as a contract based on slavery and wages, completely missing the father's heart of free, relational love. 

He alienated himself from the joy of the household because he resented grace. What the Bible says is a major moral failure or sin. Trying to earn salvation through rules and rituals.The Mindset "I am too broken/bad for God to love me."  “I am good enough to secure my own standing with God." Ruined reputation or loss of human status. Alienation from the freedom and peace of Christ's sacrifice. In short, a biblical "fall from grace" is not a fall into sin that cuts off God’s mercy; it is a "fall" into pride and legalism that refuses to accept mercy in the first place.

Let me share a personal story here. I was serving in a church, and I was doing everything. Hospitality, overseeing the Ushering, the Security, and I became the Facility Director. I did it all. Every event, cooking, setup, and breakdown, all of it. You know what happened? I got tired. 

The Pastor sat me down and said, "You know what? You are Martha.” What? What in the world does the world mean? What is wrong with this guy? I said something to the effect of “I do everything around here. I do the best I can at all times.” He said, “I know. We all appreciate all you do. I’m not saying that you are doing anything, uh, wrong. You are doing a lot. I will be honest, some have raised concerns.” 

Needless to say, I got angry. I have not worked on that as much as I should. “What?!? What are they saying!?” He said, “I know it’s not going to seem fair, but I cannot say. If I do, others will be hurt, and it will be like a mess.” I was getting furious at this point. “So people accuse me or are ‘concerned’ about something, and yet, you will not say what?”  I threw the key to the church on the desk and got up to leave. 

“Sit down, please. Please hear us out.”  An Elder was there, too. “You are Martha.” 

“Now, as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." 

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

Martha’s hospitality was genuine and valued in Jewish culture. However, her service was marked by distraction, anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed. Her heart was not at rest, and her service became a burden rather than a joyful act of love.

Mary’s posture, sitting at Jesus’ feet, symbolized discipleship. It was a posture of listening, learning, and fellowship. By prioritizing Jesus’ presence over all other tasks, Mary ensured her service would be guided by His Word and Spirit. This posture prevented her work from becoming spiritually empty or self-righteous. This is what the Pastor was trying to teach me. 

There was nothing wrong with my service, but my service turned into something it should never have been. Going through the motions, and if I cared to admit it or not, becoming disgruntled toward others. I was allowing sin to come in when I did not stop long enough to listen and/or get filled back up by the Lord.  

Did I officially fall from grace? Not at that time. But I did eventually, because I could not let it go. Slowly, I stepped away. Missed this or that event. Missed various Sundays. Forget Bible Study Wednesdays. My love was slowly turning to hate. Eventually, I left altogether. 

You see, it does not have to be overt sin. It does not have to be outright, undeniable, clear-cut sin. I fell from grace while I thought I was serving the Lord in the House of the Lord. However, I forgot one thing. Service or “works” without love and faith becomes a stumbling block for anyone. You must never neglect one for the other. 

What is the greatest Commandment? 

“And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 

Notice it does not say, “You shall work yourself to death, and you should serve the church." No, it says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”  

I was serving; however, I forgot to “Seek first the Kingdom of God.” I was serving the church, the pastor, and the congregation, but what about God Himself? Be careful, child of God. The devil can come at you in so many ways that you would never think of. He will divide if he has the chance. He will drag you down if he has the chance. He will use your fall from grace to bring others down as well.  

This is where the Mercy of God comes in. Well, this is one example. This is what we will be talking about next time. 

Remember, you can always check out the vast archive here at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

1 Peter 3

 Chapter 3

Wives and Husbands

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

“Whoever desires to love life

    and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

    and his lips from speaking deceit;

11 let him turn away from evil and do good;

    let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

    and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Free Will

 Do humans have free will?

This is a "next level" question. While the Adam and Eve scenario deals with the origin of sin for the whole human race, this question here focuses on the individual.

If God is omniscient (all-knowing), He knows the final destination of every person before they are even born. This creates a difficult tension: Why bring a specific person into existence if the "result" is their rejection of Him?

The "Intermediate Good" Argument. This view suggests that an individual’s life has value and impact beyond their final belief system.  An atheist may still love others, create art, advance science, or be the parent or friend of someone who does find faith.

So, in a complex, interconnected web of history, God might create a person because of the "good" they do for the world or the role they play in the lives of others, even if that person never acknowledges Him.

Is there any Biblical evidence to back this? Actually, yes. The most vivid example of this in scripture is King Cyrus the Great. God explicitly states that He is using Cyrus for a grand purpose, even though Cyrus does not know Him.

“For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me,” Isaiah 45:4–5

Cyrus was a pagan king, but God used him to conquer Babylon, decree the release of the Jewish exiles, and fund the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This is a direct biblical example of God creating, equipping, and positioning a person who never personally acknowledged Him, specifically because of the vital, positive role he would play in the lives of others.

“From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.” Genesis 39:5

When Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, he was purchased by a high-ranking official named Potiphar. Potiphar was an Egyptian pagan, yet God blessed him and his entire estate purely because of his connection to Joseph. While Potiphar didn't worship the God of Abraham, his existence, position, and household prosperity were directly utilized by God to preserve Joseph, who would eventually save the region from a catastrophic famine. 

However, if God only created people He knew would love Him, is that actually "freedom"? If a "filter" is applied at the moment of creation so that only "believers" are ever born, then the choice to believe isn't a choice at all—it’s a rigged deck.

For human freedom to be authentic, the "option" to be an atheist must be a biological possibility. To delete all future atheists from the "creation queue" would be a form of coercion that undermines the value of those who do choose to believe.

This perspective challenges the idea of a "fixed" outcome from a human time-perspective. While God may see the "end," the person experiences their life as a series of genuine choices. God provides every person with "sufficient grace" to believe. If He didn't create them, He would be depriving them of the opportunity to exist and the chance to change their mind, however small that chance might seem to us.

I’m sorry, but my main problem with “Election” and “Predestination without free will " is this. If God is truly all-powerful and all-loving, He wouldn't create someone for eternal separation. The friction point here is usually the concept of Hell or Eternal Punishment. If you believe in a God who creates someone knowing they will end up in eternal suffering, it is very hard to reconcile that with "Omnibenevolence" (all-goodness).

If you believe that God elects some people to be saved, no matter what, then logic dictates that the opposite is true. God creates people to burn in hell, no matter what. 

I would argue that humans possess genuine free will, real responsibility, and the power to choose their own destiny; let me show you a distinct thread of scripture. These passages frame God not as a puppet master, but as a Creator who presents real options and holds people accountable for what they decide.

Here are the primary biblical passages used to defend human responsibility and choice:

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live,” Deuteronomy  30:19

This is perhaps the most famous "free will" passage in the Old Testament. God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, laying out the law, and then puts the decision squarely in their hands. The command to "choose" becomes a logical absurdity if the people didn't actually have the capacity to make that choice. If their choice was pre-determined, the appeal to "choose life" would be empty rhetoric.

“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Ezekiel 18:20

In the ancient world, there was a heavy focus on generational guilt (the idea that children are punished for their parents' sins). In Ezekiel 18, God completely flips this, emphasizing strict individual accountability based on personal choice. This passage establishes that God judges people based on their own actions and alignment. Responsibility cannot be passed up or down the family tree; it stops with the individual's will.

Then Jesus came, there are a lot more examples, but for time sake we skip ahead to when Jesus came. In the New Testament, I want you to read the following in the view that there is no free will, and tell me if you think this makes any sense whatsoever. First, one of the most famous.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Stop. Whosoever? Whosoever what? Believes. What? Should not perish but has everlasting life. Why? Because they, who? Whosoever believes. 

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John:3-16-18

Whoever believes, again, then whoever does not believe is condemned already. So? If there is no free will, then whosoever is saved or destroyed at God’s discretion, alone, then what is the point of any of what we just read? 

One of the toughest hurdles for the "no free will" argument is explaining instances where humans seem to actively thwart what God wanted for them. Luke provides a vivid example of this regarding the Pharisees:

“When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” Luke 7:23-30

This text explicitly says humans are capable of rejecting God's purpose or counsel (boulē) for their lives. If God’s will were always irresistible, a human rejecting His purpose would be impossible.

How about this? 2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

 Not wishing who? Any. Any should perish. But who? All. All should what? Reach repentance. 

Again, if there is no free will, then any who perish, and, well, there would be no chance at all of repenting if it is at God’s discretion, alone, then what is the point of any of what we just read? 

Let’s look at Revelations. 

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. Revelation 22:16-18

The very last chapter of the Bible ends with a universal invitation that places the responsibility on the one who hears it. The phrase "let the one who desires" (or "whosoever will" in some translations) implies that the deciding factor is human desire and volition. The water is free and available, but the individual must choose to drink.

The entire biblical concept of judgment is built on these verses. For God to judge, reward, or punish a human being fairly, that human must have been free to do otherwise. If a person is forced to do good, the good isn't praiseworthy. If a person is forced or destined to do evil (or remain an atheist), punishing them for it would conflict with the biblical definition of a just and loving God.

Those who emphasize Human Responsibility (the verses we looked at just a moment ago) generally counter this by arguing that while humanity is indeed deeply broken and crippled by sin, God's "Prevenient Grace" reaches out to everyone, temporarily overriding that spiritual death just enough to give them the ability to freely choose or reject Him.  I do not believe that the scriptures teach Election only. Rather the contrary, we have now, and always have had, always will have free will. This is why, although we possess total depravity, we can still be saved through the grace of God. More on that next time. 

Remember, you can always check out the vast archive here at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

1 Peter 2

 Chapter 2

A Living Stone and a Holy People

2 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

    a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

    has become the cornerstone,”

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,

    and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submission to Authority

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Blessing others.

 Blessing others. 

I say it all the time. Be blessed, be a blessing. But what does that actually mean? Last time we talked about being blessed by God, today we will discuss blessing someone else. Let us pray. 

Father, LORD God, thank you for all you have given us, from Life to Life everlasting, and all the stops in between. We come before you today with thanksgiving and praise, and we ask to receive eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit to understand your Word. We seek the knowledge of how to bless others. Please help us understand what that means. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen!

The Bible presents blessing others not just as a nice sentiment or a polite greeting, but as a dynamic act that involves speaking well of someone, seeking their tangible well-being, and acting as a conduit for God’s favor.

In the biblical tradition, a blessing is often a formal "declaration of good" over someone. It is the belief that words have the power to shape reality.

You can bless someone with a Priestly Blessing. “But wait, I’m not a Priest.” Well, actually, 

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. “ 1 Peter 2:9 

Yes, you are. So you could offer someone a Priestly Blessing such as this. 

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD makes his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lifts his countenance upon you and gives you peace.” Numbers 6:24-25

God instructs the priests on exactly how to speak over the people: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you..." This shows that blessing is often an appeal for God’s presence and protection to rest on another person.

Are you blessing your children? In Genesis, we see patriarchs like Isaac and Jacob passing on blessings. This act was considered both prophetic and legal, as it determined the future success and identity of the recipient.

What about radical reciprocity (Blessing enemies)? One of the most distinct shifts in the New Testament is the command to bless those who do not "deserve" it. This moves blessing from a social courtesy to a spiritual discipline.

The Command of Jesus: In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44), Jesus instructs followers to "Bless those who curse you." 

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:27-36

This is also how we are called to overcome evil.  Paul echoes this in Romans 12:14, saying,

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

Here, blessing is described as a proactive way to "heap burning coals" of kindness on an enemy's head, potentially leading to their transformation.

“Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21

So other than saying a prayer, how else does the Bible talk about blessing others? The Bible frequently connects the word of blessing with the deed of provision. To bless someone is to take an active interest in their flourishing.

The "Blessed to be a Blessing" Principle: In Genesis 12:2, God tells Abraham, "I will bless you... and you will be a blessing." The implication is that any favor or resources a person receives are intended to be shared with the wider world. 

Have you ever heard that an empty pitcher pours nothing?? You cannot serve others if you are empty yourself. You must fill up before you can give out. This is where reading the Word, praying, and going to church come in. 

Sometimes, it will take more than words. In James 2:15–16, James warns against "blessing" people with words alone:

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have work? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that”?  James 2:14-16

In the biblical sense, to "bless" someone is to actively desire and work toward their wholeness, physically, socially, and spiritually, while acknowledging that true favor comes from God. 

Now I encourage you to start slow and work from there. In other words, standing in line, and you see someone buying a coffee? Buy it. If you are at a restaurant and you see, oh, I don’t know, an elderly couple dining. By their dinner. I do this all the time, and you should see how it not only affects the couple, but the waitress or waiter as well. Sometimes, other people in the restaurant affect me. You would be surprised, this alone can open a door to share the Gospel. 

Remember this. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

Always try to be nice, but NEVER fail to be kind. If you do not feel you can do this one-on-one, then at least Tithe. Why? 

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Malachi 3:10

Let the church do it. However, the food, clothing, and medical needs, the Church's and the Pastor's needs are not free. Bless the church so that it may bless the society.  I encourage you to be a part of it, though. See how your kindness affects others. 

And to the rich or the well-off? The Word says this. 

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

It is never about stuff. Remember, folks, especially those who have money, it is never about the money. Those who do not have money, it is not about the money. Remember, money truly means nothing. It is simply a tool. One that you cannot take with you. 

“And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21

Jesus told us that the rich man who built bigger barns was a fool because he was going to die that very day. Then whose stuff will it be that the rich man leaves behind? So if you got it now, why not start blessing some now? 

Remember, as a child of God, we should be trusting more in God than our jobs or even ourselves. 

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Whenever you get the chance, big or small, bless someone. Buy lunch, coffee, or whatnot. When asked why? Say something like: “Because Jesus loves you.” Or “God has blessed me with eternal life, so I wanted to bless you.” Give God the credit, and watch how God could open a door for the Gospel. 

I have said this many, many times. It is seldom about you. As a child of God, God can and often does use you to bless others. To share the Gospel with others. To care for others. Again, it does not have to be huge, like a new car or something. I mean, if you can, that would be so cool. But it could be as little as letting someone cut in line, or holding the door open for them. A coffee, a soda, whatever, just do it. 

Remember, you can always find this, and so much more, in the archives, over at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the Lord our God go before you as your way maker, as well as behind you as your rear guard, and may He be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!