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C.M.H said:
Before I forget though, it seems as if choice is still mans... Pilgrim made it sound as if I make my choices but God guides me by circumstances and things of the sort WITHOUT changing my will or bending my will...

Since I'm late to this discussion I'm not sure what has been said before so forgive me if I repeat a point that's already been made. BTW, Hello to all - obviously I'm new here as far as posting goes.

If we're talking about salvation, then the choice belongs to God alone. If left to yourself you would never choose God. For example:


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Rom 3:11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.

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Joh 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

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Joh 6:65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."

Even your faith is given by God. For example:


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Phi 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake . . .


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Act 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.


If we're talking about God's providence in the choices we make in everyday life, then as the saying goes, "man proposes, but God disposes."


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Pro 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

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Pro 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

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Pro 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Here are a couple of examples of man's will and God's providence working together:


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Gen 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

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Isa 10:5 Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury!
Isa 10:6 Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
Isa 10:7 But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few;

Jim

Jud 1:3 . . . contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.