Do we lose free will when we die?

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OrthodoxChristianity.net > Moderated Forums > Faith Issues (Moderator: Michał Kalina) > Topic: Do we lose free will when we die?

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Andrew21091

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Do we lose free will when we die?

« on: June 27, 2011, 02:00:47 PM »

God has given us the gift of free will. The ability to choose between good and evil. However, when we die and go to heaven, is our free will taken from us? Why did God create us and then give us free will? Will He just take that free will away from us when enter heaven? A friend of mine asked these questions and they are tough to answer.

My answer would be no, our free will isn't taken away. However, once we are united to God in heaven, evil will cease to exist and therefore no longer be a choice.

The whole question is confusing. Any thoughts?


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Melodist

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Re: Do we lose free will when we die?

« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2011, 02:17:01 PM »

We will still have free will, it's part of the image and likeness in which we are made.

We tend to change our minds when we find new information or see something that we did not see before. Everything will be fully revealed to us by Christ at the final judgement. We will "see even as we are seen". With nothing more to be revealed to us after the final judgement, we will freely continue in the spiritual direction in which we are set at the pace in which we are moving.

At least that's my understanding of it.


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Quote from: Severian on August 03, 2012, 01:40:16 PM

And FWIW, these are our Fathers too, you know.

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LizaSymonenko

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Re: Do we lose free will when we die?

« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2011, 02:20:33 PM »

...also, keep in mind that it's not as simply as simply dying and waking up in Heaven.

Not everyone will find themselves in Heaven. We pray that everyone does, but, there's no guarantee.


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Re: Do we lose free will when we die?

« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2011, 02:31:48 PM »

Quote from: Andrew21091 on June 27, 2011, 02:00:47 PM

We keep our free will but have no gnomic will, the faculty that short circuits the ability to use free will properly.


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