The correctness of free will as an idea when speaking of the “kingdom of heaven” is considered, today, along with more on the miracle of Jesus changing water to wine. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Ivan” (Level 1 with 24 points, a member since December 25, 2013) posted the following:
So is there free will in heaven?
If there is, wouldn't there be sin in heaven? And if there's not, doesn't that mean that free will is a bad thing?
THE BATTLE AXE: A Worthy Miracle? (04/07/2014)—(6.) The account that appears in the holy writings (John 2: 1-11, KJV), reports only that the ruler of the feast (who tasted and approved the wine as excellent), gave credit to the bridegroom as being frugal and shrewd, yet, did not acknowledge Jesus, or give glory to GOD. The disciples who accompanied the Lord, who already were beginning to grow in faith, and had been prepared by GOD, were the only ones who knew the source of the wine, were aware that the Lord had worked, and experienced the presence of GOD through praise. Jesus used the miracle to proclaim the kingdom of GOD, not to promote his own popularity and reputation. By proclaiming the kingdom of GOD, Jesus also declared new covenant based upon yet-to-be-fulfilled promises through the prophet, King David. The miracle of water to wine signals divine abundance and sacred presence as a foundation for the security in marriage as well as for security within the new covenant relationship. The identity and integrity of Jesus as heir to David is not yet at issue; however, in the same way David was anointed by Samuel to be king, and was reluctant to promote himself as monarch (especially after the popular acceptance of Saul), Jesus displayed a hesitance to “take up the crown.” Through his new television program at iTBN celebrating the pioneering broadcasts of a Catholic Bishop, Fulton J. Sheen, the Franciscan monk, John Michael Talbot, has also shared that, physical labor (we may say, deeds, works) of bearing the water further points to the union of flesh and divinity as a combined power for the establishment of divine benefit and blessing. The water into wine should also be recognized as a foretaste from a second sacred event, the great feast of Passover, with its miracles establishing the Lord’s Supper, where the wine becomes blood, and the bread becomes the consecrated body of the Son of GOD. Consider Genesis 49: 10-12, Isaiah 49: 25-26, 1st Chronicles 11: 15-19 and John 6: 25-69, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (2nd Corinthians 10: 4-6, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Doing GOD’s Plan? (02/20/2014); “Prayer Death”? (02/21/2014); Freewill is Finite (06/30/2013); GOD Intervenes? (07/01/2013); No Free Will (10/19/2010); Speaking of GOD (10/20/2010)
“Ivan”, those who have not received Jesus as their Savior hate the answer I have to share with you, however, trusting that you are not spiritually blind, ignorant, or as stubborn as the Pharaoh of Egypt who insisted upon denying GOD and Moses, here are a few points you should consider:
(1.) “Free will” is an idea that comes from human philosophy, political theory, and secular studies. Christian belief and doctrine (we may say, the official teachings) do not speak to operations of will in created beings and living creatures so much as to operations of divine spirit.
(2.) Participation in what is called “the kingdom of heaven” is not an expression of the finite will that appears in all created beings and living creatures. Kingdom life emerges from the spirit matter that determines ones makeup and active presence (we may say, what you are, that you are) within any of the spheres for life established by GOD (e.g., earth, heaven, the universe).
(3.) Sin was first found to exist among the holy angels of heaven, however, was not understood as destructive, harmful and malicious. The process of sin has been “allowed” to crystallize and develop (become fully visible to all) as a further expression of divine righteousness (we say, judgment). Sin is not a living entity, contains no spirit matter, and is not created by GOD. Yet, sin may dominate and permanently change awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures.
(4.) Sin opposes the existence of heaven, of divine law, of the continued existence of divinity, and of all Creation. As a nonmaterial, non-spirit aspect of experience, sin is subtle (i.e., displays barely visible differences, is covered and hidden), and cannot be detected, eliminated, recognized, removed or resisted without using special spiritual tools provided from GOD. Human intellect, logic, philosophy, reason, and science are not enough.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) Not all human error is sin; and for mankind, learning may go forward by decision-making or trial and error as well as by imitation, modeling, and taking calculated risks. (Consider, learning “mama” and “dada”, counting to ten, or first reciting the ABCs.) The challenge is to internalize, and to make something from outside oneself a permanent part of ones own consciousness. Because sin resides within the living, it may not be seen as abnormal, foreign, strange or unnatural.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the measure of divine faith that resides in you.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2: 20, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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