darinhouston wrote:One related topic that has plagued me over the years is how we can be certain that we won't "fall" ourselves in eternity (and what would happen to us if we did). I am reassured by the fact that the tempter is destroyed and without a tempter, Adam & Eve wouldn't have fallen, but if Satan was "free" to fall or not without an external tempter, than what assurance do we have in eternity that we won't likewise suffer a similar fate?
During the American Revolution, most people in the U.S. were with the rebels, and opposed to Britain. But the United Empire Loyalists, stayed loyal to Britain. The Loyalists all had free will. They could have chosen to switch sides. But their decision to stay loyal to Britain was more or less cystallized by their initial decision.
At some point, a number of angels left their original status and deserted their original habitation:
Now I want to remind you, though you all once knew, that the Lord saving a people out of Egypt, the second time destroyed those not believing. Also He has kept the angels who did not keep their own beginning [status] and who deserted their own habitation, in everlasting bonds under darkness, for the judgment of the Great Day. Jude 5,6
But when those angels rebelled, the other angels must have made the decision to stay loyal. Thy still had free wills, but they willingly chose loyalty to the Lord. Though it is possible for them to rebel at some future time, it is unlikely, for their loyalty has been more or less crystalllized by their decision.
If Christ's disciples have submitted to Him and served Him all their lives, and were being conformed to the image of Christ, are they likely to rebel against Christ later? "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the Day of Christ." That doesn't mean you lose your free will. But it does mean that your character development will be such that it is highly unlikely you will ever rebel.
Even in this life, many of the Early Christians remained loyal to Christ, even though they were tortured, burned at stake, trampled by bulls, or beheaded. They were often given the opportunity to deny Christ and live, but few chose that course. Had they lost their free wills? Was it
impossible for them to deny Christ? Not at all. But their loyalty to Him was "crystallized".
The proconsul urged Polycarp to "swear by the fortune of Caesar" and "reproach Christ" and he would free Polycarp. Polycarp's answer was, "Eighty-six years I served Him, and He never did me any injury; how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?"
At one point, the proconsul threatened him, "I have wild beasts at hand; to these will I throw you unless you change your mind."
But Polycarp answered, "Call them then, for we are not accustomed to change our minds about what is good in order to adopt that which is evil; but it is good for me to be changed from what is evil to what is righteous."
So Polycarp was burned alive. Had he lost his free will? No, he retained his free will. Could he have changed his mind? Yes, of course. But his character was such, that he was resolved to suffer for his Master's sake.