Hi Mike,
Just a quick recent experience to share with you.

A close friend commented to me about “God’s beautiful gift of free will“. I asked him if he wanted to know what the Bible actually says about ‘free will’, and he said sure. I shared with him a few scriptures (Phil, Romans and the story of Joseph, which he knew) and did my best to explain the difference between our choices/ will as voluntary(being drawn away of our own lusts and enticed) vs. free (from God’s influence). He did not like my definition of ‘free’ to mean ‘free from God’s influence’. He said free will is not free from God’s influence, just our own choices (he did not realize it, but was beginning to make my point). He said God tries to influence us through preachers, friends, circumstances, His Word, etc…. BUT ultimately God ‘leaves our choices completely up to us’. “It would not be love if He forced Himself on us” he said. I initially responded by stating I did not define it as ‘forced’ but voluntary choice and we don’t always recognize the spiritual forces at work that bring us to that choice (good or bad).
Of course I recognized my own blindness (in times past) in his belief so it was not too difficult to be merciful to him, and I asked him directly and as gently as I could “So you are saying God tries?? Think about what you are really saying. So, you are saying that IF God wanted to change my mind, heart or my direction, my finances, change anything (including Himself) He would be unable to because He is somehow bound to his ‘beautiful gift of free will? In other words, the Omnipresent, all- knowing God who created and holds the entire universe in place simply by the strength of His Will and His Word needs to try harder to direct each life, to get people to do what He wants them to do?”
Needless to say this question put him in a difficult position…

If he said yes, he was actually saying our will is Stronger than God’s will (or intentions), and if he said no he would have to rethink his comment and belief about ‘the beautiful gift of free will’. So, he chose not to answer and asked me “is this the reason you left the fellowship of the church?” I said, not just for this false doctrine but for many others which I described a few of them. I told him I know what I am about to say sounds cocky and that I think I am special, and I finished the conversation with “I know everyone’s eyes are opened in their appointed time, so IF you ever want to study these things ‘line upon line’ I would be more than happy to do that with you or if you want to continue the discussion, just let me know.
I saw he was getting uncomfortable with my Biblical reasoning and could not yet come to see the truth (which I understand as it is surely strong meat and has taken me much meditation and study to rest in God’s total and complete sovereignty even though at times and certain circumstances it is still difficult to understand). He tried to explain himself the best he could, then we dropped it for now.
I guess my point in sharing this is twofold:
1) how twisted, split and delusional the serpent’s tongue is and how easily it and sin (spiritual fornication) can beset us…
2) it seems the opportunity to be a witness these past few months are few (perhaps God is stilling burning a timid spirit out of me), and it’s not always easy to determine when to remain silent.

Thanks for listening to this testimony.
Blessings,
M____

Hi M____,

It is always good to hear from you. God has given you eyes to see and ears that hear, and you realize that is exactly what He has to do before anyone else will see or hear His Truth.
I was just now talking with a woman about this same subject of witnessing to a friend who seemed to want to be engaged, and yet seemed totally unable to accept the Biblical answers to the questions posed in the conversation.  I will tell you the same thing I told this her. It took me two whole years to accept the meaning of the word ‘aion.’ Years later it took another two whole years to accept the total sovereignty of God.
In 2002, the Concordant Publishing Concern fellowship in Richmond, Virginia, invited me to come and speak to them about the doctrines which they knew I believed which were contrary to their own doctrines. Out of 80 people in attendance, only one ever responded to the two talks I gave there in Richmond, the first concerning the Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit, and the second concerning The Israel of God. But that one person responded to those two talks only after two whole years had passed. Just like me, it took two whole years to debunk all the junk that had been flourishing in his heart and mind for many years.
So be patient with people like your friend. In God’s appointed time you will reap a hundredfold in this life.

Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30 But many [ that are] first shall be last; and the last [ shall be] first.
Mar 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Mar 10:31 But many [ that are] first shall be last; and the last first.

I am sure you realize that “houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands,” are all spiritual types of spiritual blessings.
The point is that your planting of seed will, in God’s time, bear fruit. It may very well take a couple of years to do so, but it will do so, even “in this time.”

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [ in the thing] whereto I sent it.

Your brother in Christ.
Mike