Look at the lyrics of this song (listed below video), are they scripturally sound? Because they seem to imply what most modern Free-Will Theology implies, that God’s greatest gift to man was his glorious free-will, his choice to accept or reject Christ and the Gospel. I mean think about it, how could we receive God’s gracious gift of Christ without His glorious gift of Free-Will, right? I don’t think so. Check it to the word saints.
I Give You Freedom (The Whippoorwill Song)
I set the boundries of the ocean vast,
Carved out the mountains from the distant past,
Moulded a man from the miry clay,
Breathed in him life, but he went astray.
CHORUS:
I own the cattle on a thousand hills,
I write the music for the whippoorwills,
Control the planets with their rocks and rills,
But give you freedom to use your own will.
And if you want Me to, I’ll make you whole,
I’ll only do it tho’ if you say so.
I’ll never force you, for I love you so,
I give you freedom – Is it “yes” or “no”?
I hold the waters in My mighty hand
Spread out the heavens with a single span,
Make all creation tremble at My voice,
But My own children come to Me by choice.
(chorus)
Even the oxen knows the master’s stall,
And sheep will recognize the shepherd’s call
I could demand your love – I own you twice,
But only willing love is worth the price!
(chorus)
My holy word now I give to you,
As a shining lamp to guide you through,
My yoke is easy and My burden is light,
Keep looking up, your Heavenly home’s in sight.
(chorus)
Does this song not seem man-centered and off to you? Might I suggest this counterpart hymn:
“My Lord I Did Not Choose You” by Josiah Conder (1836)
My Lord, I did not choose You,
For that could never be;
My heart would still refuse You,
Had You not chosen me.
You took the sin that stained me,
You cleansed me, made me new;
Of old You have ordained me,
That I should live in You.
Unless Your grace had called me
And taught my op’ning mind,
The world would have enthralled me,
To heav’nly glories blind.
My heart knows none above You;
For Your rich grace I thirst;
I know that if I love You,
You must have loved me first.
July 17, 2007 at 2:53 am |
Amen, Hallelujah, Praise the Lord! That song was quite unscriptural. I think that it was blasphemy against the God who said “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44 ). It certainly gives man some of the glory in salvation, doesn’t it? (Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Cor. 1:18-31).
God forgive them for they know not what they do!!!
July 17, 2007 at 10:47 am |
Josh, it was truly unscriptural. The whole idea of “Free Will” is not only not taught in the bible, but is not even a term ever used, except in the sense of “free will offerings”. It’s a confusing, deceptive, and false phrase that is tearing down true theology and methodology of the Church as we know it. As I watched the video, I can feel my blood boiling, thinking that it was not just a song that was sung out of the heart of these people, but an attack on God’s Sovereignty, man’s condition, and the very root and power of the Gospel! It’s a shame that so many people believe every word of this song. And even if they claim they don’t, their theology and beliefs ultimately lead to this implication. And your’e right, it gives man ALL of the glory in salvation, because instead of God giving us His grace undeserved, He gives us His grace BECAUSE of our decision and choice. Right? Isn’t that where this FRee-Will theology leads? So may we begin to sing new songs to the Lord, songs that truly Glorify Him and His true attributes and the TRUTH of the Word of God!
August 9, 2008 at 12:32 pm |
What’s the connexion between the baptism of Jesus and water baptism?
God wants you to know this today. :)
August 9, 2008 at 12:35 pm |
God’s righteousness saved us and gave us the TRUTH that set us free. Jesus fullfilled all righteousness.
August 19, 2008 at 4:45 pm |
georgi,
Your first comment: We are baptised into Jesus’ death and burial by our faith in Jesus Christ. And we take part in baptism to not only follow in Jesus’ example, but to also signify that we have been truly born again by the Holy Spirit and are trusting, following, believing, and treasuring Jesus Christ as our King and High Priest!
Your second comment: Your’e right. It is God’s righteousness in Christ that saves us by God’s grace through our faith in Him. Grace and faith which God supplies. Christ Jesus partook our wrath for our sins and provided our righteousness! What a wonderful life-saving truth! Indeed, praise God that Jesus fulfills all the righteousness that God requires! All of which comes by faith in Jesus Christ! The righteousness of God.
-Jonathan
November 11, 2008 at 1:50 pm |
They are one and the same thing; Jesus Christ is the gift of free will.
March 16, 2009 at 1:33 pm |
Olivia,
I respectfully disagree. Where in scripture do we see this as true?
Where do we see evidence of free will? Only in situations where we are commanded to respond or given opportunities to obey? Does that prove free will? Or only prove that God commands something?
February 26, 2009 at 4:59 am |
What does the comment jesus and free will being the same thing mean. please explain futher. because it seems that there is no actual thought or meaning or reason behind it at all. just something thrown out there.
March 16, 2009 at 1:28 pm |
Joe,
The comment “jesus and free will are the same thing” applies to Christians who believe that Jesus enabled our Free Will. Jesus is a gift to us from God. And I am arguing that those who hold to Free Will Theology also believe that Free Will is a gift to us from God. Finally I am concluding that those who hold to such seem to believe that the gift of Free Will, if it does exist, is more supreme than the gift of Jesus.
I know it’s a bit confusing. But my point is to challenge Free Willers into wondering whether or not the idea of “Free Will”, in that we have the free ability to choose the ultimate good, namely Jesus Christ, is actually granted to us by God or not.
make sense?