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On the other hand, there is a will that can be broken: “the preceptive will of God.” It can be disobeyed. Indeed, it is broken and disobeyed every day by each one of us. The preceptive will of God is found in His law.
With respect to His preceptive will, we know that we are active and therefore responsible and accountable.
Here the law is broken as a matter of convenience and physical appetite.
We are not free to do what is right in our own eyes. We are called to do what is right in His eyes.
He wills the obedience of His creatures. He wills the well-being of His creatures.
If this will be possible in heaven after redemption, why could it not have been possible before the fall?
Original sin refers not to the first sin but to God’s punishment of that first transgression.
if left to himself, man will never choose righteousness, precisely because he does not desire it.
Edwards said that we still have natural freedom but have lost moral freedom.
The essence of freedom is self-determination.
Given the small number of options, you still choose according to the strongest inclination at the moment.
freedom as did the church fathers, such as Augustine: “the ability to choose what we want.”
not only are we applying the means of grace by our own effort, but that God Himself is working within us to bring about the necessary changes to conform us to the image of His Son
However, if God is utterly sovereign to do as He pleases, no creature can be autonomous.
I have freedom to do things as I please, but if my freedom conflicts with the decretive will of God, there is no question as to the out-come—God’s decree will prevail over my choice.
Biblically speaking, man is free, but his freedom can never violate or overrule God’s sovereignty.
make a contribution to the kingdom of God, to fulfill a divine mandate, to embark on a holy calling as a servant of the living God. Such a Christian is keenly interested to discover how best to serve God through his labor.
sober analysis of ourselves, not thinking too highly of ourselves (Rom. 12:3).
bring our motivation into conformity with our call and our call into conformity with our motivation.
It means settling for nothing less than excellence. God help us to live up to His high call for each of us.
The marriage commitment is the most serious one that two human beings can make to each other.
the couple should enhance each other’s effectiveness as Christians.
