The Free Will Error

This month, I'll be tackling some errors believed by established churches. These denominations aren't cults but they do follow errors which can easily be debunked with Holy Scripture.

Some churches believe that we have the exclusive ability to choose between following or rebelling against God. Consequently, they avoid any verses mentioning predestination. To their way of thinking, God would be a monster if he forced salvation on unwilling people.

Since God made everything, he owns it all and can do with his creation as he pleases. Therefore, people are chosen by him to accomplish his will. Deuteronomy 10:15 (KJV) is one of many verses which shows God's sovereignty. "Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day."

The biblical truth is that we can't save ourselves. Psalms 14:3 (KJV) states, "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

God likewise said in Ezekiel 18:4 (KJV) that, "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."

So how can we be rescued from eternal death in hell? Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) provides the answer. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

But seeking God alone doesn't save us. He has the power to give anybody faith who asks him for spiritual life. Ephesians 2:1 KJV), regarding believers, explains,  "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:"

Through the preaching of the gospel, God calls sinners to repentance. That means he calls people to give up their wicked and rebellious ways and follow the commands of Christ. Peter explained this in Acts 2:39 KJV) when he said of salvation, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

Because I want people to know the liberating truth of salvation, I'm working on my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many people think they're safe from hell when they aren't. I want nobody to miss out on an eternity of bliss so that's why I'm writing my book.

How Do People Blaspheme the Holy Spirit?

Worse than grieving and quenching the Spirit is blaspheming him. But what does that mean?

Jesus said that there would be no forgiveness for anybody who blasphemes the Holy Spirit. In Mark 3:28-29 (KJV) he declared, "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:"

Hank Hanegraaff explained that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is ascribing to him satanic works. Mark 3:22 KJV) says, "And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, 'He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.'"

Jesus let them know in no uncertain terms that the Kingdom of Heaven had come in their midst because Christ cast out demons. He said so because the scribes and Pharisees refused to acknowledge the power of God in Christ publicly.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is the one who calls people to repentance. He does so through believers on Christ's behalf. As Peter explained to the crowd at Pentecost, and is recorded in Acts 2:39 (KJV), "For the promise is unto you, and to your children,  and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall  call."

This is because it's the Spirit who regenerates spiritually-dead sinners. Ephesians 2:1 (KJV) says, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:" Paul explained in the previous chapter how sinners are saved. It isn't by anything we can do, being dead, but what the Holy Spirit does to raise us up from spiritual deadness toward God.

I'm certainly looking forward to writing my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? I'll have room to explain in depth about such wondrous processes such as salvation and spiritual quickening. Watch this space.