(Rom
6:17 NKJ) But God be thanked
that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of
doctrine to which you were delivered.
Providence vs free will
Absolute sovereignty vs moral responsibility
This
verse affirms both the moral responsibility of man (to obey the Gospel from the
heart) and the absolute sovereignty of God (who has delivered each into
teaching specifically and justly designed for that individual).
As man
is made in the image of God, man's free will may be viewed as made in the image
of the absolute freedom of God's will. His will is only bound by His
attributes, who and what He is.
Man's
free will is upheld by the absolute sovereignty of God. Providence ensures that
each is justly and mercifully treated according to the freely expressed heart
felt will of each.
The
apparent conflict between free will and determinism is a general philosophic
problem, not just Christian theological problem.
Samuel
Johnson had a very fine general answer. "[Free will] - all experience is
for it, all theory is against it."
This is
a common observation. The invisible things of the Creator have been made known
to the creature (Rom 1 19-20).
Both
God's absolute sovereignty and man's moral responsibility are firmly taught in
Scripture.
Both are
to be firmly believed.
And the
faith, trust, and love toward God in the heart of the begotten again enable
this firm belief.
And, as
a result, the characteristics of the Kingdom of God: Righteousness, Peace, and
Joy in a holy spirit (Rom 14.17); are experienced and enhanced within.
Justifying
faith is an inner lasting belief in impossibilities. That one is a child of God
despite our defects (Rom 8.16). That a Man rose from the dead (Rom 10.9-10).
Belief
in both absolute sovereignty and moral responsibility may seem to be paradox to
the creature. But it is understood by the Creator, and the begotten again trust
Him.
I2C
140122a Rom 6v17 Providence vs free will / I2C / 1401 / Rom 6v17 Providence vs free
will / Absolute sovereignty vs moral responsibility
