FOREVER BONDED IN A RELATIONSHIP OF LOVE

“…that they might KNOW…..the only true God and Jesus Christ…” (John 17:3).

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Relationships are our most important endeavors and are the only vehicle we have to connect with another person (or thing) on any level whether deeply intimate or highly shallow.

The bible speaks about relationships all through the bible, For, instance, God said it wasn’t good for man to be alone or he tells children to honor their parents (Genesis 2:18, Exodus 20:2 and Deuteronomy 5:16). These commands are about relationships.

According to the bible, the first relationship began back in the Garden of Eden when God, the Holy Spirit and Adam were joined together - soul and Spirit - in a holy, covenant, and loving relationship with one another.

Nothing hindered this deeply intimate “oneness” since sin – that separates soul and Spirit - had not yet entered the picture. Adam could easily keep this command:"…..Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind..." (Luke 10:27).

In other words, Adam, at one time, loved God with all his mind, all his heart, all his soul, and all his strength. This had to be the most exquisite, holy, riche, and mind-blowing relationship ever experienced by another human being upon this earth.

Before the fall, Adam was in a relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, most people have never known or will ever know again. It was nothing for God, the Holy Spirit, to come looking for Adam in the cool of the day “...they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day...” (Genesis 3:8). 

Bad relationships are so common among most people, that the supernatural relationship between Adam and God can’t even penetrate the imagination without the limitation of human finite thinking or experiences.

Bad relationships with other humans often entail some or all of the following issues and concerns:

1.     distrust,

2.     imbalanced demands

3.     requiring the other to live up to some ideology of human perfection

4.     lack of emotional safety

5.     involves high levels of low esteem,

6.     jealousy and envy

7.     common disrespect and un-kindnesses

8.     lack of gentleness

9.     pride

10. selfishness; withholds love

11. one or both wants all the control

12. one or both manipulates to get their way,

13. one of both keeps a record of the other’s wrong,

14. one or both shuts the other person out or is un-forgiving,

15.  one or both blames other for their behavior or emotional issues.

16. One or both have negative behaviors that hurt the whether it is intentional or unintentional

17. One or both can be extremely sensitive, yet generously critical of the other

18. One or both may be easily angered

19. shows little or no grace or mercy,

20. Is unwilling to suffer through anything or make sacrifices for another, and

21. Is quick to judge and think evil of another person’s character.

22. Or often wants what it doesn’t reciprocate. 

Adam had none of those concerns or negative experiences. For a while, Adam enjoyed a covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, uninterrupted by the many failures of the human nature that plague most relationships today.

God’s HOLY “…Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).   

Adam was HIGHLY BLESSED and FAVORED in the relationship with God, the Holy Spirit. Adam was freely given dominion over God’s creation. Adam didn’t do anything to earn it, deserve it, or to be worthy of such a generous opportunity; he simply received and responded to God’s love.

What a GREAT love! God gave Adam the world in a sense. In the beginning, there were no sinful nature to interfere with the UNION between God, the Holy Spirit, and Adam. The indwelling Holy Spirit kept Adam pleasing and upright with God “...God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you...” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 ASV).

“…It is God [the Holy Sprit] ... who works in you…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, … work[s] in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] you with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [God] grant[s]… [true believers]… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

However, what lay virginally dormant in Adam was a “human will” which gave him the “freedom to make choices.” Adam could choose to response to his experiences on his own volition. God knew that the “freedom to choose” could eventually lead to a separation in the loving, covenant relationship he shared with Adam, yet he gave him a human will nonetheless.

God made a loving appeal to Adam as a way to maintain their oneness, “….of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).

At this moment in time, Adam didn’t have to choose between disobedience and obedience, because he ONLY had ONE choice and that was to choose to obey. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

When God made his loving appeal to Adam, Eve was still “one” with him in a relational “oneness” created by God, but bestowed upon man to experience too.  Adam said Eve was “….bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23a KJV).

When God made man in his image, the bible says he created them “male and female.” When he spoke, he spoke to “them,” even through Eve had not yet been bodily manifested, because, in God’s eyes, the TWO were already ONE (Genesis 1:27-28 KJV).  “... God created man (mankind) in his own image, in the image of God created he him (ONE); male and female created he them...” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).

When God made his loving appeal to Adam about “the tree of knowledge of good and evil” he “...said [the words] ... unto them…” (Genesis 1:28). When Eve was finally manifested and taken from Adam; we know now she was considered “…the weaker vessel …” (1 Peter 3:7d).

This doesn’t support any foolishness that women are weaker emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually, but are in fact, co-heirs of God’s amazing Grace. The bible says, the woman is the weaker “vessel,” which points undeniably to physical strength.

However, it does not make women less valuable or a less of a co-heir of God’s Grace. It does, however, open up an opportunity to explore another view of why Satan went to Eve and not Adam to destroy the relationship between “them” and God, the Holy Spirit.

There are many speculations for the “weaker vessel” and we all know several traditional views of this Genesis story. However, today we will look at a non-traditional view as it relates to the destruction of the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit and Adam (Eve).

For example, the actions of the “weaker vessel”- according to the philosophy of the biblical times in Genesis – was “thought” to be connected with the creation order and not just gender.

Eve (alone) was created for Adam. Adam (male & female) was created for God. Some scholars feel this implies that Eve’s relationship with God was more distant than Adam’s as a result of the creation order.

What this refers to is a philosophical term prevalent during the Old Testament era, called “emanations,” which means “emerges from.”  This term also suggests that created things are subject (servant) to and weaker than the thing from which it was originated.

Adam was created by God, thus subject (submissive) to God and weaker than God. Eve was created by God also, but from Adam and thus was subject (submissive) to Adam (his helper) and weaker than Adam. "…The head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God" (1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV).  

This potential explanation makes Adam closer to God in the Genesis creation order and therefore, was not a good “direct” target for Satan’s tactics.

There was an old prophetic saying about each generation will grow “WEAKER, but WISER” and it is true in a way. The bible says the CARNAL will grow wiser in the ways of carnality, but the RIGHTEOUS will be the ones getting WEAKER in the ways of righteousness. “... The lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light...” (Luke 16:8).

Many of God’s “OWN” people are FAR from him, not because of creation order, because they are “NEW CREATIONS,” but because their hearts are FAR from him. “...Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE spirit… [with him and God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6 KJV).  “…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God…” (Acts 8:21 KJV).

This view (emanations) offers a rich and fresh explanation of why Eve was chosen to be tempted and not Adam. Satan probably knew he would not have as much influence on Adam, as he would Eve, who was created second.

Again, gender is not the issue here. What is outstanding is Adam’s “intimacy” with God, the Holy Spirit, and how that protected him from the direct “wiles” of the devil. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).

Satan may form his many devices, which impact your choices and response to life, but abiding intimacy with God, the Holy Spirit will help you. “God is [your] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV). “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).  “… I can of mine own self do nothing…” John 5:30 KJV).  “…[God]… [will grant them]… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit IN the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). God says “…only believe [or keep on depending upon him]…” that, “…[HE]… will supply all your NEED…” (John 12:32 & Philippians 4:19 KJV).

The one Satan deems further away from God is ALWAYS a better target. “...their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6 KJV).  The serpent knew Eve’s knowledge or understanding of God’s Word was not as strong either. “…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6 NIV).

Eve said God said not to “touch” the tree and she called it the “tree in the midst of the garden.” The scripture says, Eve replied in this manner “…but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, 'Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:3 KJV).

What God actually said was, “….of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

 It is good to “know about” something through others, but it is better to “know” something, personally and by experience, for yourself. “…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6 NIV).

When you don’t nourish and develop your own relationship with God through a revelatory and personal understanding of his Word, you too, can become a puppet for Satan to use “… to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” your OWN life and the life of others (John 10:10 KJV).

Satan will use your distance relationship with God to further broaden that distance and will also use you to impact others in your “sphere of influence” to distant their relationship with God as well. “… One sinner destroy[ed]… much good..” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). .“…The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV).

Adam and Eve didn’t just fall into sin, but they fell away from the relationship with God, which I imagine was the “fall” heard around the world and in all of heaven.

The “fall” away from God SEVERELY separated humanity from the YADA (oneness) relationship with the Holy Spirit.  “…what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ (the Word of TRUTH) with Belial (the DEVIL or Father of LIES)? Or what part hath he that believeth (depends upon God) with an infidel (one who doesn’t depend upon God)?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

This separation from God is evident by every human being born into the world with ONLY a sin nature and has impacted hundreds of generations to this present day“…Your INIQUITIES (sin) have separated between you and your God (holy) …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God (who is HOLY)…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).The bible says: “... the word of God...piercing ....to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit....” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB).

The greatest tragedy of the whole Genesis account is not simply “original sin”, but it is the cutting asunder of the greatest relationship between God and humanity ever experienced UNTIL Jesus Christ. “... the word of God...piercing ....to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit....” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB). “… [Only]…one … can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

Humanity was not been able to bridge or restore the deep chasm of separation from God, the Holy Spirit since Genesis. “... And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).

Without Jesus, mankind would still be eating from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” “….Apart from [the man Christ Jesus], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “… [Only]…one … can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

“…The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to [the sin nature]. …I don’t really understand myself, for I want to [be holy] …but I don’t [allow myself to depend upon God’s indwelling Spirit]... Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is [the sinful nature]… living in me that does it.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to [be holy) … [which]… is right, BUT I CAN’T…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [the sin nature]?” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

 “…, my righteous servant (Jesus) ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). “… [God, the Holy Spirit, sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

“…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (RESTORES AND UNITES YOU WITH GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm (enduring) and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).

 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed…” (John 8:36 KJV). “….Apart from [the indwelling spirit],.. [you]… can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).  

Adam and Eve’s fall away from God, the Holy Spirit, may have been similar to that of Satan’s (the serpent) which Jesus speaks of in Luke 10:18, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven (where God dwells).”

Wherever God dwells is heaven and God, the Holy Spirit, ONCE dwelled with Adam (Eve). “... O Thou (God, the Holy Spirit) dwellest in the heavens...” (Psalms 123:1 KJV).

Heaven is NOT a physical reality, but a spiritual one, where the FULLNESS of God’s GLORY or the presence of His goodness exists perpetually and uninterrupted.

“IF” HEAVEN is where God, the Holy Spirit, DWELLS or LIVES; “THEN” wherever God, the Holy Spirit LIVES or DWELLS “IS” heaven. “ …We have this treasure  (the indwelling Holy Spirit) “in” earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).  “….ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy [Spirit]…” (Acts 2:38 KJV).“ …God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [y]OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).

Therefore, when we hear Satan’s fall spoken about in Isaiah 14:12 - “How art thou fallen from heaven… how art thou cut down to the ground….” - we know, he too, fell away from God, the Holy Spirit.

Adam and Eve probably experienced the same immediate type of fall once their eyes were opened. “.... At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  At that moment, “…[their] ...INIQUITIES … separated … [them from] ... God (the Holy Spirit)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). AND “…It’s YOUR SINS that … [will] ...cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

At first glance Eve’s desires seem harmless, until she acts upon them. “…The woman [became] ... convinced [to eat from the tree]... She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

“….She [choose to take] ... some of the fruit and [eat] ... IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

Acting upon “human desires” that don’t line up with God’s Word can become the beginning of departing from the HOLY, covenant relationship and the start of a PRACTICING a lifestyle of sin APART from God, the “Holy” Spirit. “…what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

When you fall away from God’s bountiful presence, - which includes his majestic indwelling Holy Spirit and loving goodness – you have decided to go your own way. . “…They …serve ….their OWN belly…” (Romans 16:18 KJV).“But the people (those who choose to fall away) replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

Humanity needs the goodness of God’s Holy presence every day of their lives, whether they are aware of it or not. Unfortunately, mankind looks for goodness in the limited supply of human nature and not God’s Holy nature. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness (respect, honor), goodness, faith, Meekness (humility) temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives ... [GOODNESS] …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Without the Holy Spirit“…there is NONE GOOD but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18 KJV). “… [The sinful nature is]…..unclean and [all its so-called deeds of] righteousnesses (goodness is) …as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).  “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV).

Therefore, don’t trust in your “own” goodness or your own heart, which, will deceive you. Further, the heart is more wicked than anything else you possess “…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

“Good” people who trust in their “own” goodness and not God’s are often the ones whom others believe are going to bust hell wide open. “…Apart from [Jesus], you can do nothing (nothing truly good)…” (John 15:5 NIV). “… he (God, the holy spirit) doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). ONLY“…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives ... [GOODNESS] …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Without God, all of “your” goodness or good deeds is as “filthy rags” in God’s sight “… [Your sinful nature is]…..unclean and [all its so-called] righteousnesses (goodness or good deeds are) …as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).

There is no goodness apart from God. “…Apart from [Jesus], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Goodness is God’s established standard and not man’s. God is GOOD or GOODNESS. “…The lord is GOOD…” (Psalm 100:5 KJV). “…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS… (Psalm 31:19 KJV). “…He is GOOD…” (Psalm 107:1 KJV). “..The lord is GOOD…” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). “…GOOD and upright is the Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV). “…For thou, Lord, is GOOD…” (Psalm 86:5 KJV). “…O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD… ” (Psalms 106:1 KJV).  “…O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD; for his mercy endureth for ever” (1 Chronicles…” 16:34 KJV).

“…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives ... [GOODNESS] …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

God is the ONLY one who can give you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you in order for you to bear the fruit of goodness at all “...Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me…” (Psalms 51:10-19 KJV). “…Renew my life with your goodness…” (Psalms 119:40 NASB). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives ... [GOODNESS] …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Only God’s Spirit produces the fruit of goodness. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

God requires you to be Holy, as he is Holy, which means to be separated and set apart for his good purposes. “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  And, “…Be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV).

Real goodness, therefore, comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit and is evident by its fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives ... [GOODNESS] …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).

Eve’s creative distance (emanation) from God and slight modification of his Word may seem small compared to the devastating results, but PROVES intimacy and revelation of God, the Holy Spirit is ESSENTIAL for sustaining a robust spiritual life.  “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “…through one man SIN entered into the world—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). 

Satan will use anything, big or small, to move a person further and further away from God. In our relationships with others one incident, one wrong word, or one misunderstanding can cause the relationship to end in a devastating way. .  “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

Eve’s ways were empowered to be pure and Holy, that’s all she’d ever known. Satan had the knowledge of good and evil and knew he could deceive Eve in a guise of so-called goodness.

 In addition, Satan knew she would be blinded in regard to what she was actually doing to her relationship with God, the Holy Spirit and her husband.  Satan’s intentions were to “…to destroy and to kill…” both Adam and Eve’s relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, and to remove them from the safeguard of God’s care.

God’s intentions were to protect Adam and Eve from “….the knowledge of good and evil…” through his loving, divine instructions to them. Satan knew Adam and Eve’s consciences were pure and holy since they had no knowledge of good and evil.

Misery loves company right? So Satan made his move. Most people get angry with God, because he could have stopped it.

However, God is a FREE Spirit and is not limited by anything or anyone. God created mankind in “his likeness” and thus with a measure of freedom as well. God didn’t want robots.

Mankind’s “freedom to choose and respond” to life was originally a divine gift of liberty to Adam and Eve and ultimately to all of humanity. That “gift of liberty” has                                                                                                                                                                   now turned into a human weakness that leads to bondage and slavery to sin.  

Without God’s Holy Spirit there is no true freedom or liberty for any human being. “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).

“SOVEREIGN WILL” or “FREEDOM FROM SIN” is another unique trait of God’s divine nature, whose Spirit is a true expression of HOLINESS (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…. He (God) does as he pleases (sovereign will) with… the PEOPLES (or resources) of the earth…” (Daniel 4 NLT). “...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).

I will not pretend to understand all the versions, established doctrines, and theories of “free will” so I’m using the term “ability to choose and respond”. For you and others, “free will” may be the term you prefer to use; you decide.

However, I do have a problem with the word FREE in front of WILL. I am not promoting or demoting any established doctrine for or against free will, I am just offering a different perspective.  

I believe we have a will, but I don’t believe it’s necessarily FREE until you have the indwelling Holy Spirit. When God’s indwelling Spirit of holiness dwells in you only then can true “free will” be realized. “...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).

You are God’s creation. Only God’s sovereign will is truly free and at liberty to choose without hindrance, not yours.  In reality, “free (human) will” is a gift from God not a human right.

God created you to experience freely choosing and responding to life, but because of Adam’s misuse of freedom, mankind lost the ability to freely choose to response to righteousness. They can only experience true freedom “in” Christ.

Human will, outside of Christ, is marred, limited, and dominated by the sin nature.  I will be using the term “ability to choose and respond” more than “free will” to emphasize the reality of human will without the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Mankind did not lose his/her ability to respond to natural life, but to supernatural life. Again, I don’t plan to debate the term “free will”.

I do want to give a different perspective about human will or their ability to choose and respond to something, or someone, or God.

In addition, the main reason I am using “ability to choose or respond” over “free will” is because to choose is to make a DECISION and  a response is a REACTION to something or someone or God.

Free will without the indwelling Holy Spirit, like it or not, is limited by the sin nature and is not free at all. In addition, “free will” often trips people up because they can’t find it specifically in scripture.

It wouldn’t be in scripture, because man can’t experience “free will” without the enablement of the Holy Spirit.  

Man can’t experience “free will” until the indwelling Holy Spirit of Liberty indwells or empowers them. You might as well call “free will” an oxymoron because it’s like saying “free bondage.”

It is safe to say man has a “will” but it is NOT truly free until Christ sets “IT” free. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…if the Son…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).

For instance, Lydia’s “ability to choose and respond”  freely was enabled by the Lord,  “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 16:14 NASB).

God’s indwelling Holy Spirit liberates and thus true freedom is God’s work and not man’s at all. All through scripture God frees and opens “… [the] eyes…[the] understanding…the scriptures…” (Luke 24:31, 32, &45, Mark 7:34-35).

When God opens and frees, like he did Lydia, we are enabled to truly respond to truth like never before. To freely respond to God originates with God, the enabler, and the liberator, but NOT mankind at all. “…if the Son…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).

Freedom or liberty of any kind was meant to be a gift from God beginning in Genesis. But Adam and Eve gave their precious gift up to the crafty enemy of deception.

When they used their “freedom to choose and respond” to the LIES of Satan, their original freedoms became enslaved to sin. Why? The Spirit of Freedom, which is the Holy Spirit, separated from them and they became servants to the one they choose to follow. “…Know ye not, that to whom ye (YOU) yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye (YOU) are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV).

One important thing about freedom must be made clear, EVERYONE is born enslaved to sin; therefore, their “freedom(s)” are enslaved too.

 If everyone born is born enslaved to sin, then the human will is no longer free to do anything, but make choices from the sinful nature. What this means is, apart from God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit; man (woman) no longer has the ability to freely choose and respond to God or his Holy, righteous ways. “…through one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…ALL HAVE SINNED (all have been born with ONLY a sin nature) and fallen short of the glory of God (and have been born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23). “…the wages of sin is death (the payment for having a sin nature is spiritual death)…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).  Therefore, “…there is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “…There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV).

People born with ONLY a sin nature do not have a will free enough to choose righteousness. God, the Holy Spirit, had to open Lydia’s heart so she could choose to respond to Paul’s preaching of the truth.  “... A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord (the Holy Spirit) opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 14:16 NASB).

Man’s “freedom” of the will is corrupted and limited to sin choices and responses only. “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal (limited to a sin nature), sold under sin.  I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV).

In other words, you don’t have the freedom of will to choose and respond to the right or Holy thing, and so you can’t because you are dominated or ruled by the sin nature. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin (that separates me from God, the Holy Spirit)? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

I had a brain injury in October of 2014 which impacted my taste buds. I could no longer eat anything I wanted and had to become a vegan. I wanted to become a vegan, but I was enslaved to my old eating lifestyle.

Presently, I can only eat things on the vegan diet. I can’t eat everything from the old eating lifestyle such as processed sugar, meat, and dairy, because the taste buds remain makes all those things taste horrible!!!

 I never appreciated my so-called freedom to choose and respond to all foods as I pleased until it was no longer available to me. What showed me is that the freedom of the will to choose and respond to life is limited to human effort alone.  “ ... For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Once sinful habits dominate, human effort leads you to do what you don’t want to do and freedom of the will, to do right, is obviously not an option. “ ... I can will what is right, but I cannot do it...” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

In most cases, where sin dominates, true freedom of the will to choose and respond to what is best, righteous, or holy is a liberty given by God alone. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

 Even if it’s something you want; your freedom to choose or not choose is often limited to your finite efforts through an enslaved human will. “ ... For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. ... when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand...” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Freedom was originally a Holy gift of true liberty of the human will. It was a truly free human will; provided and empowerec by the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…if the Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit)…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV). “…Apart from Me (Jesus), you can do nothing (you CANNOT be freed from sin)…” (John 15:5 NIV).   Only “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).  I AM “FREE” from SIN!

Sin destroyed that freedom of human will and it is now in bondage or enslaved to the sinful nature. Your ability to choose and respond freely to certain aspects of life is useless, limited, and weakened by the sin nature. “ ... For I know that nothing good dwells within me (within my sin nature), that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. ... when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand...” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Having my so-called “freedom” to choose and respond to “any” food I desired was challenged and I clearly saw the limitation and weakness of my own human will. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

 My so-called freedom of human will was not true freedom at all. I couldn’t stop eating from the old eating lifestyle, on my own, even though I wanted to. “ ... I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. .....” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV).

I didn’t have the true freedom of human will to stop eating the old way on my own. In reality, I didn’t have freedom at all, except for the wrong things. “ .. ... when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand...” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV).

God’s intervention helped me to truly choose and respond freely to a healthier eating lifestyle and I have actually become a vegan. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin (that separates me from God, the Holy Spirit)? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

^“…It is God who works IN YOU to will and TO ACT…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…[You]… can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth [you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….Apart from [Jesus]…YOU CAN DO NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV). ^“ … God…EQUIP[S]... YOU with everything good for doing his will, and ...he WORK[S]... IN US what is pleasing to him, THROUGH Jesus Christ,,,” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

Without God’s help I couldn’t freely do the things which were healthy for me to do. Like Lydia, God opened a way for me to respond to a healthier eating lifestyle.  “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 14:16 NASB).

“Jesus saith…I am THE WAY…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way …” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT). “…"This is the way; walk in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV). “…THE WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE…” (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB).

Your inability to choose and respond freely may not be with food, but something altogether different. I just used food as an example.

God loves each of us and desires to restore ALL our original “freedoms,” God gave mankind freedom of human will, from the beginning, even though he knew it could potentially lead them away from him, which is what happened with Adam and Eve. “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “Jesus saith…I am ...the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).

Adam and Eve didn’t simply choose between sin and righteousness per se, because there was NO sin nature. However, they freely choose to respond to Satan’s lies. Think about it, God allowed Adam and Eve to “freely choose and respond” to his truth about the tree of life or Satan’s lies. God is in control, but God is not controlling. “…[you Choose] this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

 Godly love is not controlling. God’s love is liberating. God’s love frees the human will. God’s love opens up new pathways. God is true love. “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God is [FIRST]… LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…There is no greater love …” (John 15:13 NLT).

Never get used to hearing about God’s love and never assume you’ve heard everything you need to hear about God’s love, because you haven’t. If God’s love has become common to you; you need to study it again.

Someone or something only becomes common when you stop placing or seeing the VALUE of it or them. “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…There is no greater love …” (John 15:13 NLT).

 God’s love is your most valuable possession and without it. “... God’s]…love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [God’s]…love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, [God’s]…love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).

Without the indwelling Spirit of God’s love, everything you do or express – even faith, prophecy, knowledge etc. - is meaningless without God, who is LOVE. “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ASV).

Nothing you possess or anybody else possesses IS more valuable than THE LOVE OF GOD!!! You will never exhaust the study or revelation knowledge of God’s love in your lifetime. “…There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT). “… [Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). He has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV).