Burning in hell

 

I realise we are tested by 'good' and 'evil' in life - that we grow through this, faith is tested through the trials of life.

 

I don't think those verses are implying in any way that we can always wholly and freely give 'consent' to 'sin' - disobedience. Biologically we are predisposed to so many things - characteristics. The whole genetic thing. We don't have a 'choice' about any of that.

 

Spiritually too perhaps - psychologically, emotionally we can be, are predisposed to certain behaviours, ways of acting or acting out because of the environments in which we are raised - the parental/adult and all other influences.

 

When you seriously think about it all - you have to go right back to God. For whatever reasons God creates, or permits or allows the 'evil' as well as the 'good' for 'test'ing. It all goes right back to that same God. Forget Adam and Eve. Blame God.

 

I find the concept of 'free will' difficult to grasp too. Like you saying before, that the person gives his/her 'consent' to the abusive alcoholic, or rapist to be hurt and chooses to be affected by that.

 

If I could freely choose to 'sin' - then I'd have full knowledge of what that truly meant. I'd know what the real consequences were for myself, the other person and ultimately God. But I don't. We cannot know in this world. You'd have to have the knowledge of the angels at the very least, if not Godlike knowledge.

 

"Father forgive them for they know not what they do......   " 

 

 

It's not that black and white Ali. Not for me anyway. But then I am weird - I can't see anything simply ;-) lol  

 

God bless

 

 

Minuteman has this little signature on his profile:

 

"If anyone is bad someone must suffer.......  "  Does the person suffering choose to suffer because someone is bad ? Does the person who is bad, give whole and free consent to being bad, or are they driven by hurt and anger, in bondage to these negative emotions to the degree they are not free to choose the better way.