This devotional actually began as a conversation I had with a former student of mine on Facebook. Being a third year college student, his major required him to take a course in psychology where the nature of free will was discussed. In one of the lectures, he became bothered by the professor’s insistence that “free will” of the person does not exist in most religions, including Christianity. Sadly, the professor began to expound on various doctrines held by some of the various denominations that supported his viewpoint. What is even worse is that the professor would not allow any other discussion on the matter or allow any student to offer a counter argument. When the lecture ended, the professor had succeeded in assuring that his humanist-based argument against all religion stood strong.
In truth, God created humankind – Adam and Eve – to have free will and to be able to exercise it. Within the first three chapters of Genesis, this free will is demonstrated through the story of the fall of man. Although God had commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the forbidden fruit, there was no obstacle placed in their way. There was no angel standing guard, there was no force field, or even a canyon that surrounded the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam and Eve could freely walk under its shade, could enjoy the fragrance of its blossoms, but were told not to eat of it. The tree, and all that was in the garden were fully accessible to Adam and Eve and would stay that way until man willfully chose the path of disobedience. It is after the fruit is eaten and God’s judgment pronounced where it is recorded in the third chapter of Genesis: And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life (Genesis 3:22-24).
Job also questioned the free will of man. As he was in the midst of his trials, he asked, Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (Job 3:23). Unlike Greek and Roman mythology that teaches that all mortals are at the whims of a pantheon of gods and goddesses whom change the fates of men and women to suit their own passions, our God is one that gave us the ability to make our own choices. We are not given some maze to run, but are told by the Lord, 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 (Deuteronomy 30:19). Our salvation all rests on our decision, for God’s invitation is extended to everyone regardless of their personal history, nationality, race, sex, or any other artificial construct society creates: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). God doesn’t hedge anyone in to make the “right” decision – the most basic decision, to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior is yours to make. God wants us to love him out of our free will, not because we feel that we must.
There are plenty of scriptures that teach that God offers mankind a choice. Even within the writings of the prophets, God still calls out to man, offering the best that He has that awaits all who will choose to accept and to love Him: Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). In other words, God is saying that if we choose Him, the best awaits us without price to us. While we may enjoy some of those blessings here, the best is yet to come once we are in Heaven with Him. It is the same concept that Jesus taught, as recorded in the gospel of Matthew: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). The beautiful thing about our free choice is that when we answer God’s call and accept His offer, He puts no other condition. During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). Notice the concept in both passages – “come to me” – is the only requirement. It doesn’t say we must come or is it even a commandment to come. It is an invitation to come to the Lord much like one would get to join a family member or a friend for an evening out. Our salvation is dependent upon our free will. We have the choice to accept or reject; to choose death or choose life.
Within the early church, this was taught by the apostles; Peter told all that would listen to him in those days, And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21). Again, contrary to the claims of the Calvinists (those who believe that only certain people are predestined for Heaven) and humanist alike, this contradicts the central belief of both philosophies. The phrase “whosoever shall call” indicated that only those who call upon the Lord will be saved. While God did make the first invitation that all people could be saved through faith in Him, only those who choose to accept the offer will actually be saved. It is the free will of the person that determines their eternal relationship with God. The final proof of the role in free will in salvation can be found in the book of Revelation: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17). Again, the invitation to all people has been extended, again, the hand of God reaches out and says “Come.” It is up to the person to either accept or reject the invitation.
