Galatians 5:13 reminds us, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
Deuteronomy 30:19 declares, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"
Paul echoes this truth in 1 Corinthians 10:23: “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything"—but not everything is constructive."
And again in 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
I have never been able to understand why believers argue amongst each other as to whether free will exists? We are called to be mature in our spiritual understanding, and it seems natural that spiritual maturity allows us to read between the lines of scripture, and recognize that everyday of our lives is filled with choices — to sin or not to sin, to obey or be disobedient.
Perhaps the confusion for many comes with the doctrines of being chosen and predestined. But other than being isolated by early theologians, what constitutes the two to be doctrine that stands apart from the core truth of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior? It can just as easily be argued that such isolations are why the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to warn us against being distracted by “philosphy and vain deceit” (Colossians 2:8).
It’s clear from the first two humans that God created, Adam and Eve, that free will was a part of the human construct. He did not plant the tree of knowledge of good and evil to tempt them, but because love or the lack thereof, can only be expressed through obedience or disobedience. Mankind are not the only of God’s creations that God gifted free will. Lucifer and the third of the angels that were cast out of heaven with him had the choice to honor God or themselves — obviously they chose themselves. The sons of man, some call them watchers, did not have to sleep with the women of earth — yet they did and the nephilim were created.
Being made in God’s image, it only makes sense that we have free will, because God himself exercises it. As He told Moses in Exodus 33:19, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Perhaps the clearest example of free will being rewarded when obedience is chosen, is the night of Passover. Because the Hebrews chose to obey God’s command and mark their doorposts with the blood of the sacrificial lamb, the angel of death passed over them, not touching a single first-born Hebrew child (Exodus 12:29).
Their obedience opened the door to mercy and prosperity. It wasn’t until they forgot all God had done for them, and became disobedient, that mercy turned to discipline. These are vivid reminders that free will can either lead to a path of peace and prosperity, or one marked with discipline and chastisement. Serving the flesh leads to spiritual death because the flesh is bound by sin. We are called out of bondage, set free with the promise of eternal life. The choices are set before us — “life and death, blessing and cursing“, it is no strange thing that generations tend to stay the same when they choose the same path.
Living the same type of lifestyle as those before us may be the cultural norm, but may not be suitable for the Kingdom of God. As Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 10:23, we have the right to do anything we want, but not everything is beneficial or constructive. Going a step further, we must recognize that what may benefit the flesh, may be destructive to the soul — even when it comes to how we talk to or about others. Being verbally abusive and judgmental toward others is just as sinful as doing them physical harm. Temptation through anger and pride leaves no room to serve others humbly with love.
Free will can be a gift or a curse depending on the motive behind the practice of it. God will not force any of us to do His will, but He does discipline those He loves and chastens those He accepts as sons and daughters (Hebrews 12:6). He will never allow any of His children to be tempted beyond what they can bear. Live your life knowing that you always have a choice — even when it comes to who you allow into your life. You are not to let anyone, even family, misuse you are convince you that you are anything other than what God calls you. God calls you loved — so freely love in return.
Amen.
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