Matthew 27:1 - 66
ESV - 1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
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★ According to some estimates, there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world. The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system", but religion differs from private belief in that it has a public aspect. Indian tradition says they have 30 x 3 crores of gods. God would never force anyone to obey Him. We either believe and follow Him out of Love or we go our way and it leads to destruction.Proverbs 14:12. ► If man were not a free moral agent, God would be entirely responsible for all sin, the effect of sin, rebellion, sickness, and the damnation of people, demons, and angels. ► Seven facts about free moral agency: 1. Man has no choice about coming into the world, but after he is here and old enough to be responsible, he is held accountable for his salvation or damnation (Mk. 16: 15- 16 Lk. 13: 3, 5). Man has his own will to exercise in this matter (Jn. 3: 16; 6: 37; 7: 17; Rev. 22: 17). 2. It is God's will that all people who will to be, shall be saved (Rev. 22: 17; Jn. 3: 16; 1Tim. 2: 4; 2Pet. 3: 9; Rev. 22: 17). 3. People are commanded to choose God (Josh. 24: 15; Lk. 13: 3, 5). 4. People are to be cursed if they do not choose God (Prov. 1: 29- 33 Mk. 16: 16; Isa. 66: 3). 5. It is impossible to serve God and Satan at the same time (Mt. 6:24; Jn. 8:32- 36 Rom. 6:16- 23 8:12- 13). 6. Promises are given to people upon the basis of their choice (Rev. 22:17; Mt. 16:24- 25 Mk. 3:35; 16:16; Jn. 3:16; 5:40; 7:17; 9:31; 12:26). 7. In over 4,000 scriptures where "choose," "will," and other words expressing volition are used, not one suggests that God forces any man to accept Him and do His will. Man's relationship with God is entirely on a voluntary basis (Rev. 22:17; Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:16; 7:17; 1Pet. 5:2) No man recognizing that endless decisions are necessary to daily life can deny the fact of free acts and conduct, for he knows he has freedom of action-- moral action-- concerning right and wrong, and that he is responsible to God for his every act. If one can deny these facts, he can deny his very existence and prove it on the same basis he tries to prove that he is not a free moral agent. That he is and that he is free to choose his own destiny and daily moral actions are facts known to sane beings. Hope these clarify.
Matthew 24:3-5,24 and John 16:1-4 both record Jesus warning of false religious leaders deceiving people, thus false religions grow as people follow these leaders. Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4,13-15 says that a different spirit will indwell those who preach a different gospel. Peter in 2 Peter 2:1-3 foresaw deceivers with destructive doctrines having many followers. Paul again warned Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 people would even leave the faith and follow deceiving spirit as taught by demons. So why does God allow his Gospel and His Son's blood to be blasphemed, the same reason He allowed Adam and Eve to fall by Satan's lie, God will not force anyone to obey Him. We either believe and follow Him out of Love or we go our way and it leads to destruction.Proverbs 14:12.
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