On a recent STR Ask podcast, Greg Koukl was asked: “Since we will presumably have free will in Heaven and
yet be unable to sin, why didn’t God just make things that way in the first place?”
Greg’s response: “I think that is one of the most difficult questions to answer and I have a general answer but it’s not one I am certain of because this is another one of those; 'Why did God … kind of questions.” Greg's typically response to those kind of questions (Why did God…do such and such) is; If the Bible doesn’t say why God did such and such, then we are guessing at the answer, and likely wrong.
Given the unsubstantiated assumption made in the questioner’s question (we will be unable to sin in Heaven), how would you answer the question? I have some thoughts to post later.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/strask-with-greg-koukl/id1030958668?mt=2&i=1000409237166
Where in Bible does it state that the ones who (ultimately)make it will have a freewill. When Jesus Himself does NOT have one . Didn't he say repeatedly "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
John 6:38
John 4:34 He even called doing God's will His food
" For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
And in Matthew 7:21Jesus clearly pronounces that only those followers will enter His sanctuary who do this will of the Father . Thus scripture is abundantly clear that wicked selfish willingly sinful have no chance of making it, no matter how hard they shout and scream that they believe in Jesus . It's not going to work . Take Paul's doctrine out and examine the rest of the Bible . No salvation without doing God's will over ours ( wilful obedience) .
In heaven also we will have no will like angels. Jesus said we will be like angels. Mark 12:25.
Whoever fails to do God's will will not make it to heaven, despite all the assurances many pastors hand out nowdays. Read sermon on the mount . Jesus clearly states unless we are not radically willing to fight our sinful nature and pursue righteousness there is no chance of being saved. Paul's words have been used over-used misused and abused to guarantee salvation. Salvation is only possible if we do God's will over ours. At least give our best shot. For that very reason many believing but non practicing Christians who choose to live in sin risk judgment.
In the OT Father God was so furious with the sinfulness of His people that he allowed them to become cannibals and eat their own sons! So great and hideous is the backlash of sin.
MOTHERS WHO ATE THEIR SONS
2 Kings 6:26-30
When King Benhadad of Syria besieged Samaria severe famine overtook those within the city, and as Israel’s king, Jehoram, went around the defenses encouraging his garrison, a woman seeing him appealed to him for justice against her neighbor. The two women, driven to despair by the terrible scarcity of food, entered into a pact to eat their sons. One day the two women ate one of the boys, but the next day the mother whose son was still alive hid him and refused to deliver him up for human consumption. When the king heard this appalling story from the woman whose son had been eaten, he dressed himself in sackcloth, a sign of his desire to appease the wrath of Jehovah who permitted the dire famine because of the nation’s departure from Him.
Paul may say we are under ministry of grace . But the sin issue is as flagrant as it was when God allowed the Jews to get destroyed at the hands of their enemies because of sin. Similarly the Messiah righteousness will be imputed only to those believers who are willing to pick up their cross daily , deny their flesh and follow the Lord. Not otherwise . Salvation ain't so easy guys . I believe and I'm saved . Says who? Certainly not Jesus. Let's take heed guys and this very moment make a solemn resolve to DO THE WILL OF GOD FROM THIS VERY MOMENT ONWARDS.
Dear friends there is no other way but this . Believe in Christ and do the Will of God .
Christian walk is a very hard walk and there are no short cuts .As Jesus fell more than once as He carried His cross , so shall we. But the good Lord will always help us get up and walk to our golgatha. Yes as He was crucified we will get crucified too. Some emotionally , others physically (through disease or persecution ) as All apostles were martyred( save John for writing Revelation ) and we are not greater than them or Jesus.
John 15:20
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Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
So my dear friends , please do not believe the pastors or teachers who promise salvation just by believing in Christ . That's just the starting point . Now starts the long arduous walk ..... A walk of righteousness, a walk of obedience a walk IN the Holy Spirit . Even as we suffer we will have his joy in us . Plus an ETERNAL reward .