- Record
- counseling glossary
- Term
- Free Will
- Definition
- Made in the image of God, humans are given not only ability, but also the authority to make sovereign choices irregardless of any external factors. This is foundational for the ability to love.
- Importance
- Status
- Record
- counseling
- Illustration
- Since the Fall, Free Will is largely replaced by the governing force of Depravity in the unregenerate. There still remains, however, at least one realm where Free Will choice is made possible by the ministry of the Holy Spirit: the choice to receive God’s love through the death of Christ. The process of Redemption the broadens the realm of Free Will to include relationships with others. The increased use of Free Will marks the transition from Immature Love to Mature Love relationships. Cindarella Love is an example of a definition of love lacking appreciation for Free Will.
- Graphics
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- See
- Mature Love, Immature Love, Cindarella Love
Definition: Made in the image of God, humans are given not only ability, but also the authority to make sovereign choices irregardless of any external factors. This is foundational for the ability to love.
Terse Description: glossary entry
(appears with page listings)
Clarifications: Since the Fall, Free Will is largely replaced by the governing force of Depravity in the unregenerate. There still remains, however, at least one realm where Free Will choice is made possible by the ministry of the Holy Spirit: the choice to receive God’s love through the death of Christ. The process of Redemption the broadens the realm of Free Will to include relationships with others. The increased use of Free Will marks the transition from Immature Love to Mature Love relationships. Cindarella Love is an example of a definition of love lacking appreciation for Free Will.
Key Scriptures:
References / Illustrations / Applications
Not Defeated by Your Choice
…from this tree you shouldn’t eat…l - Gen.2
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Gaining Free Will by Obedience
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The ability to provide for one-self and others is the base-line of a fully grown-up person. In the emotional arena this means the ability to love parents because you choose to do so, not because they chose to love you. As a child, parents decided for you, but in adulthood the significance of parent’s choices wanes, but only when you build your own love by free choice. - n/a
Not Governed by Feelings
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Because love is a free will choice, it necessarily means it is not primarily an emotional experience. This is vital in understanding the nature of love, as opposed to instinct and other emotional states. - kmcc
“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- Joshua 24:15
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
- Deutertonomy 30:15
Add Scripture References…» more…
Mature Love is Free Will Love
Counseling-Ankenman-Glossary