Does man have free will?

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.

God commanded Adam, telling him that he may eat of all the trees of the garden except one. If he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and of evil he would surely die in the day he ate of it.

This command by God for Adam to obey, was later disobeyed with the deception of Eve by Satan (3:1-6). Their disobedience led to both a physical death (3:19) but also a spiritual death and separation from God (3:23-24). Further were the specific curses to both the woman (3:16) and man (3:17-18).

The Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.

God asked Cain why he was angry with his face fallen and explained that if he did well he would be accepted (by God). However, if he did not do good sin would be ready to take advantage since its seeking control; he must rule over it.

The creation account and introduction of Adam and Eve’s offspring after their disobedience and the curse of sin.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Go out and make followers of all the people, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teach them to abide by all that I [Jesus] have commanded. Behold, I will remain with you to the end of this age.

The very close of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life on earth. This address was made to the eleven apostles (vs 16) and similar accounts are given at the end of the accounts from Mark (16:15-16) and Luke (24:45-47).

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.

When they heard the preaching of Peter and the rest of the apostles, they were convicted by them and asked what they should do [to be saved]. Peter told them that they each should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that they could receive the remission of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This “gift” was the promise made for all Jews, but also all Gentiles — everyone whom God calls to himself.

Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost where he recalled several prophetic statements from Joel and David (vss 16-36). By divine inspiration, Peter interpreted these statements to apply their fulfillment to Jesus and the ushering in of the “last days”.

He also specifically refers to the “promise of the Holy Spirit” earlier – given by the Father to the Son (vs 33). More were continuing to be saved, and they began meeting together as the Lord’s church (vss 41-47).

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

This is good and pleasing to God our Savior, who wishes that all people be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

Paul’s letter to a young preacher, Timothy. This chapter begins with specific instructions on various matters beginning with praying for all.

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.

The Spirit and Bride (Christ's church) invite Jesus to return, and anyone who hears is also invited to ask Jesus to return. Anyone who is thirsty or desirous is invited to take the free water of life.

The closing verses of John’s apocalyptic vision providing several warnings and promises. Jesus speaks several times throughout (vss 7, 12, 16, 20).

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.

The Ethiopian can’t change the color of his skin nor can the leopard change his spots. Likewise, you can’t do good when you are accustomed to doing evil.

God is instructing the prophet Jeremiah what to preach to the people of Judah. His message was largely ignored by the people of Judah, as God had foretold it would be.

Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

As a result, God sends a strong delusion in order that they will believe what is false and so be condemned from not believing truth but instead determined to sin.

Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica where he is warning them about coming destructive forces to the faithful. He encourages them to not listen to the false teaching that Christ has already come (vss 1-3). Rather, they must endure through lawlessness that is “already at work” (vs 7) and the “lawless one” that Satan empowers (vs 9) and Jesus “will kill by the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming” (vs 8).

See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.

See that I (Moses) have set before you life and doing good, or death and doing evil. If you obey the Lord's commandments by loving the Lord your God and walking in His ways and keeping His laws then you shall live and flourish, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you don’t listen, but are pulled away to worship other gods, you will surely die and will not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.

Moses is re-telling the law of God to the people before entering the Promised Land.

For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

You know that just as a father would with his children, we urged, motivated, even commanded you to live according to God’s desire, who continues to invite and beckon you into His kingdom and glory.

In Paul’s extended introduction to the “church of the Thessalonians” (1:1), he is recalling the events around their first hearing Paul bring them the gospel (Acts 17 during his second missionary journey).

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Ask and you’ll receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened for you. Everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to the one that knocks it will be opened.

Jesus sermon on the mount after giving instructions about how to pray to God in heaven (6:1-14) and trusting in God to provide in this life (6:19-34).

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

It’s impossible to restore to repentance those that have fallen away after coming to understand and experience salvation – having shared in the Holy Spirit and the goodness of God’s word and the power to come – since they crucify all over the Son of God, putting him to public shame to their own harm.

The Hebrews writer is arguing the “better” things in Christ, contrasting with things from the Old Law these Hebrew Christians had turned from, but apparently were at risk to turn back. He is chastising them for having become “dull of hearing” (5:11) and requiring someone to still need to teach them these “basic principles” (5:12).

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

False messiahs and prophets will come with great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

This chapter, along with the next (chapter 25), constitutes a discussion between Jesus and his disciples sometimes referred to as the “Olivet Discourse.” Matthew is the only gospel writer to record the second half (chapter 25), while shorter versions of the first half can be found in Mark 13:1-37 and Luke 17:20-27 & 21:5-36. Upon leaving the temple, Jesus comments on its destruction (vs 2). Subsequently, they wanted to know about three things from Jesus: 1) the timing of the temple’s destruction, 2) the sign of His coming, and 3) the end of the age (vs 3). Jesus begins His answer, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray.” (vs 4-5)Taking this backdrop and chapters 24 & 25 together it is clear Jesus is addressing God’s judgment on both the nation of Israel and His final judgment on all mankind. We can further contextualize this discussion by looking at other instances when God, through a prophet, would pronounce judgment on a nation. When we read Amos or Hosea regarding Israel’s judgment, Isaiah or Jeremiah regarding Judah’s judgment, or Obadiah regarding Edom’s judgment, we read about not only God’s judgment on that nation (a near-term “day of the Lord”) but also His eventual judgment on all mankind (a longer-term final “day of the Lord”). In fact, often the prophet (e.g. God) will go back and forth between near-term judgment events and long-term judgment events. This is the same with Jesus and how He speaks about God’s judgment in chapter 24. Remember, the disciples had asked about both the timing of the destruction of the temple and His return (vs 3). Jesus shares events (vss 15-28) that will take place in their generation (vs 34) regarding the destruction of the temple (in fact, taking place about forty years later in 70AD). He then speaks primarily about what will happen “immediately after the tribulation of those days” (vs 29), namely His return (vss 29-44), before concluding with three parables and describing what the final “day of the Lord” will look like. Detail of the sequencing of Jesus’ prophecy re: a near-term “day of the Lord” and the final “day of the Lord”:

• 24:4-14 – A broad review of events during the ‘end times’ (both near-term and long-term) when “lawlessness is increased”.
• 24:15-28 – A near-term description of events that they would experience relating to the destruction of Jerusalem. Something that in fact, would happen about forty years later (70AD).
• 24:29-31 – A long-term description of the events of the second coming, the final judgment.
• vss 32-34 – The near-term timing that He relates and explains with a parable about the fig tree for how they would identify the occurrence of “these things” (vs 33) and says, “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (vs 34).
• 24:35-44 – The long-term timing, transitioned by contrasting things that will and won’t pass away (vs 34-35) and with “But…” (vs 36). This timing “no one knows” – not even Himself (vs 36).
• 24:45-25:30 – Three parables about being ready for His coming because we don’t know when it will be:
  • 24:45-51 – The “faithful and wise servant”
  • 25:1-13 – The “ten virgins”
  • 25:14-30 – The “talents”
• 25:31-46 – Description of how it will be on that final “day of the Lord”. A good portion of this is repeated by Jesus in a different setting in Luke 17:20-27.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Therefore brethren, as you have been even now – obey! Not only because I was with you, but even more now that I’m away. Each of you, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Paul is transitioning into a long closing in an otherwise short letter to the church in Philippi. He has expressed his deep fondness for them (1:6-7) and encourages them throughout to have the “mind of Christ.” His encouragement here is to remain strong in their “partnership in the gospel” (1:5) so they continue to “shine as light in the world” (vs 15).

He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.

He (the boy) will eat curds and honey when he knows to distinguish between good and evil, and before that time/age, the land of the two kings you fear will be deserted.

There was a crisis in the land of Judah because “Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it.” (vs 1)

But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

But when I (God) speak with you (Ezekiel), I will open your mouth in order for you to say to them, “Thus says the Lord God!” Let whoever will hear do so, and whoever refuses refuse, for these people are a rebellious house.

God’s commission and instruction to Ezekiel the prophet. After seeing a vision of the Lord himself, he is told (actually shown) what he must do for God.

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

God said to come and reason together with Him. Though your sins are like scarlet and crimson, they can be as white as snow and wool. If they [Judah] were willing and obedient, they could enjoy the fruit of the land. If they refused and rebelled, they would be devoured by the sword, for so is the judgment of God.

God, through the prophet Isaiah, is addressing the people of Judah around the time 700BC. Israel, the northern tribes, had just been fully taken away/captive by the Assyrians – the pre-eminent nation of that period, but the Babylonians would soon rise to take all of Judah captive.

Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Therefore, fear God and serve Him in sincerity and faithfulness. Put away the other gods your ancestors served beyond the River (Euphrates) and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if you think it’s evil to serve God, choose whom you will serve: the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in this land. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua’s final words to the people following the detailed accounting of the distribution to the land to each of the twelve tribes. After affirming God’s promises, he warns the people that they must not “transgress the covenant of the Lord your God.” (23:16)

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Oh, Jerusalem! The city that kill and stone those sent by God to preach to them! How often I (Jesus) would have gathered your children together for safety but you resisted. Look! Your house is now abandoned and you will not see me until you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”.

In the midst of Jesus’ public ministry, teaching parables and being challenged by the Pharisees – considered the religious elite of the day. The quote from Jesus at the end, “Blessed is he who comes…” is from Psalms 118:26. Matthew also records this lament for Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37-39.

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

They would be better off remaining in their sins and worldliness, if, after turning from them because of the knowledge they have about Jesus their Savior, they turn back and again are ensnared. In other words, they would be better off never knowing the way of Christ and His holy commandments if they will only reject them later.

Peter is concluding a lengthy instruction/warning about false teachers (2:1) rising up among them and embarks on a treatise about the danger of coming to a “swift destruction” (vs 1) and how “the way of truth will be blasphemed” (vs 2). He provides examples including some illuminating information re: angels (vs 4) and several more from the Old Testament including Noah (vs 5), Sodom and Gomorrah (vs 6), and Balaam (vs 15). This section closely parallels Jude 1 and Peter relates this process of one’s descent to spiritual destruction with Proverbs 26:11, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

Paul endures everything for the elect so that they may obtain salvation in Christ with eternal glory. If we have died with Him, we will live with Him; if we endure, we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

In the midst of both warning Timothy about false teaching that was present and instructing him on how to confront (and having him instruct others to do the same), Paul states a foundational reality addressed to the “elect” (vs 9). Regardless of whatever false doctrines or other distractions may occur for the Christian, God knows his own (speaking to His sovereignty) and Christians must continue to walk in righteousness (speaking to their free will).