The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Concerning the freedom of the will

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]Obviously, I'm probably only stating something you already know, but it should be emphasized that the natural man, although having a free will, cannot desire God.</font><hr></blockquote><p>True, true.... but doesn't this seem to contradict what you said immediately before hand? [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/scratch.gif" alt="scratch" title="scratch[/img]<blockquote>the miracle isn't so much that <span style="background-color:yellow;">we have the ability to love God (for this was given to us at creation)</span>, but that we desire to love God.</blockquote>The ability to love God was lost soon after Adam was created when he sinned; he died spiritually, i.e., his disposition/inclination was turned against God, he having no desire for God. And we, being the inheritors of Adam's corruption, are born hating God (desire) and thus have no ability to love God. It is when a sinner is regenerated that a new nature/disposition is created which restores that desire and thus man is able to love God; i.e., to yearn for His fellowship, submit to His authority and walk in obedience to His will (law). [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin[/img]<br><br>In His Grace,