Grace and Free Will

Calvinism and Arminianism are two opposed theologies concerning free will.

As Cassian opposed Augustine, it is still a major debate today.

What if the debate is just about usage from verse to verse, some verses use grace at different times in life.

God could control every aspect of your life to bring you to belief, and then in one moment give you a choice based in free-will.

Much of Calvinism can be true, God could totally control us, what is not true about Augustines doctrine and Calvin's is that Grace prohibits God from giving you a choice at different stages in life. Grace did not remove free-will altogether.

Just as a baby is brought into the world without his/her consent, many were brought to belief without their consent.

The baby eventually grows up to exercise their personal will.

One verse that solidifies the doctrine of free-will is

Act 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

At some point it becomes an individual choice of following the Grace offered to us. It is a choice if we continue in grace.

Grace can overpower the intellect so that the vilest reprobate can come to believe, but it remains a choice if you follow.

Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Great power was used to provide grace for belief, but not all followed after witnessing the power. Not all those who personally witnessed Christ's glory through grace actually followed Jesus.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Joh 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

Joh 2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

Many believed but eventually opposed Jesus.

Judas for instance beheld Christ's glory but gave over to greed. The rich young ruler did as well.

Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Luk 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

Luk 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Even with faith that Jesus was a good master, he lacked one more thing. The conscious decision to follow Christ.