Asides dominion, another thing God gave us upon creation is free will. This free will is the freedom to make a choice. From the beginning, God gave mankind the freedom to choose their path. He instructed Adam not to eat of a particular tree but did not force him into obedience. Eventually, we see that Adam chose the way of disobedience and man is still suffering from that choice. (Gen. 2:16-17)
An understanding that God has given us free will makes us better understand that we are responsible for the consequences of our actions and inactions. Sin, sickness and death were let loose in the world because of a choice that someone made. (Rom. 5:12)
If a person is murdered, we cannot pin it on God. That person was only a victim of the choice of another person. The idea of free will is great but it leaves us with the reality of the repercussion of whatever choice is made.
God gives us the choice of serving Him or not. He also gives us the choice of obedience or disobedience. Whatever we get in the end is only a result of the choice that was made.
Now the question is, why did God give us something this powerful?
The reason why God gave us free will is because anything that is authentic or real should not be forced. Like honour, respect, love, obedience, once these things are forced, they become ingenuine. What God wants from us is a genuine relationship where whatever we do is because we want to do it and not because it was forced on us. Part of what makes us human is our ability to choose and make decisions for ourselves.
But like a good parent, God guides us. He doesn’t let us stray too far in foolishness. He tells us the right option to choose however, the ball lies in our court to make that choice. He says, behold I place before you life and death but choose life that you may live. (Deut. 30:19; Prov. 16:9)
It is possible to control what your free will is tailored to. Jeremiah made a statement in Jeremiah 20:9 that even if he wanted to stop the work of God he couldn’t because the word was shot up in his bones like a fire.
This wasn’t God interfering with his free will, instead it was because of what he had set his mind on. Romans 8:5 tells us that those who live according to the flesh –that is, make flesh-guided choices –are those who have set their minds on the flesh. And those who live according to the Spirit are those who have set their minds on the Spirit. Someone like Jeremiah found himself making the Spirit-led choice over and over again because he had set his mind on the Spirit.
Since day one when man chose disobedience, man has continued to choose disobedience. Most times, it is an intentional choice. Some other times, it is because of the sin nature of man.( Rom. 7:18) Coming into Christ gives us the ability to break free from that nature. It allows us to make Spirit-led choices, just like Jeremiah. We are given freedom in Christ, such that we choose right despite having the right to choose. (Rom. 8:2)
God did not interfere with Pharaoh’s free will either, contrary to what some often believe. If you take a close look at the scripture, you would see that Pharaoh already made his choice. Of his own will, he hardened his heart up to 5 times against God’s will (Ex. 7:13; Ex. 8:32). All God did was to “help” his cause.
Another thing about free will, especially for a believer is that your choice does not affect you alone. All it takes to welcome sin into the world is one disobedient man. All it takes to discourage thousands on Israelites is ten unbelieving men (Num. 13: 31-14:36). But still, all it takes for the whole world to be saved is the obedience of one Man (Rom. 5:19). All it takes for three thousand people to learn the truth is the message of one man (Acts 2:14-42). Our everyday choices, especially as believers whom the world is looking at, could determine the fate of other people. We must remember to exercise this free will keeping in mind that the choices we make have an effect on those around 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.
Galatians 5:13 NIV
God has free will and He chose to save us. He did not have to, but He did it anyway. In a world of many options, choose God. In a world of many temptations choose obedience. When it all comes down to picking between life and death, choose life that you may live. Until you choose Jesus, you have not chosen any of these. Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and knocking, waiting for you and hoping that you choose to let Him in.
To make that choice, say this prayer: Dear Jesus, I thank you for choosing to die for me. I thank you for choosing me. Today, I also choose you and make you my Lord and Savior. Amen.
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