The term “free will” as it is commonly understood today does not appear in the Bible.
While we do have the freedom to make choices, what happens when our choices go against the will of God? At first, the consequences may not be immediate. But how long is our life in God’s eyes?
“Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah”. (Psalm 39:5 ESV)
What ultimately happens to those who reject God’s will? How about the wicked—do their plans always succeed as they intend? Consider these biblical examples:
Jonah—What happened when he refused to preach to Nineveh? •Jonah 1:1-3 – Jonah attempted to flee from God’s command, boarding a ship to Tarshish. •Jonah 1:17 – God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, keeping him there for three days and three nights. •Jonah 3:1-3 – After being delivered, Jonah obeyed and preached to Nineveh.
Satan—What is the result of his rebellion? •Revelation 12:7-9 – Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven after warring against Michael and his angels. •Revelation 20:1-5 – Satan is imprisoned, defeated, and finally destroyed forever.
Christ—Even in his greatest trial, he submitted to His Fathers will: •Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (ESV) •Matthew 26:39 – “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (ESV) •Philippians 2:8 – “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a stake.” (ESV)
Adam—What were the consequences of his choice in Eden? •Genesis 2:16-17 – “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (ESV) •Genesis 3:6 – Adam and Eve ate the fruit, disobeying God. •Genesis 3:17-19 – The ground was cursed, bringing much toil and death as a result of Adam’s sin. •Romans 5:12 – “Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (ESV)
Pharaoh—Was it not God who hardened his heart? •Exodus 4:21 – “But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” (ESV) •Exodus 9:12 – “But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.” (ESV) •Exodus 10:1 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them.’” (ESV) •Romans 9:17-18 – “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV)
Now, think about the core belief of Satanism: “Do what thou wilt”. This sounds remarkably similar to the modern concept of free will. But are people truly free to do whatever they want forever, without consequence? Do the wicked choose to perish and be thrown into the lake of fire?
What about our choices themselves—are they not preordained by God? Consider these passages:
Ephesians 1:3-14—This passage strongly emphasizes God’s sovereignty in salvation. •Ephesians 1:4-5 – “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” (ESV) oThis makes it clear that God chose believers before creation—not based on their future choices, but according to His will. •Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” (ESV) oGod is not reacting to human choices; rather, He actively works out all things according to His plan.
Romans 8:18-30—This section discusses both suffering and God’s eternal purpose for believers. •Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV) oOur lives unfold according to God’s purpose, not random events or mere human decisions. •Romans 8:29-30 – “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (ESV) oThis “golden chain” of salvation shows that God’s plan is set in motion before we ever make choices. Those whom He predestines will inevitably be called, justified, and glorified.
Romans 9:1-29—Paul explicitly argues that God’s will—not human effort—determines salvation. •Romans 9:11-13 – “Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” (ESV) oGod’s choice of Jacob over Esau happened before they were born, showing election is based on God’s purpose, not human decisions. •Romans 9:15-16 – “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (ESV) oSalvation does not depend on human choice or effort but solely on God’s mercy. •Romans 9:18 – “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV) oJust as God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12), He actively shapes human choices according to His will.
John 6:44—people cannot come to God by their own “free will”. •“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV) oHere, Jesus directly states that people cannot come to Him by their own “free will”. The Father must draw them, implying divine intervention in human choices.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31—Paul contrasts human wisdom with God’s sovereign choosing. •1 Corinthians 1:26-29 – “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (ESV) oGod’s calling is not based on human ability, status, or choices. Instead, He chooses whom He will call, ensuring that salvation is entirely by His grace.
Lastly, our faith itself is a gift from God, not merely a human-generated decision. Here are key scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (ESV) •This passage suggests that even faith itself is a gift from God, not something we produce on our own.
Philippians 1:29 – “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (ESV) •The phrase “granted to you... to believe” implies that belief (faith) is something God gives.
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (ESV) •Here, Paul speaks of faith being “assigned” or distributed by God.
Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (ESV) •Jesus is described as the “founder and perfecter” (or author and finisher) of our faith, meaning faith originates from Him.
John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV) •This shows that even the ability to believe in Christ requires God’s initiative.
Acts 13:48 – “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” (ESV) •Faith is shown as the result of God’s appointment to eternal life.
These verses affirm that faith is not merely a human effort, but something granted, initiated, and sustained by God.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while the concept of “free will” as commonly understood today is not explicitly stated in scripture, the Bible clearly teaches that our choices are influenced by God’s sovereign will. Throughout biblical history, we see that individuals, such as Jonah, Adam, and Pharaoh, made choices that ultimately aligned with or went against God’s plan, with consequences following their actions. Moreover, God’s will is shown to be supreme, as demonstrated in passages like Ephesians 1:3-14 and Romans 8:28-30, where God’s purposes and choices are emphasized as the foundation of salvation. Ultimately, even our ability to believe is a gift from God, demonstrating that human will operates within the framework of God’s overarching sovereignty. Therefore, while we make choices, they occur within the context of God’s divine plan and purpose.
The term “free will” as it is commonly understood today does not appear in the Bible.
While we do have the freedom to make choices, what happens when our choices go against the will of God? At first, the consequences may not be immediate. But how long is our life in God’s eyes?
“Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah”. (Psalm 39:5 ESV)
What ultimately happens to those who reject God’s will? How about the wicked—do their plans always succeed as they intend? Consider these biblical examples:
Jonah—What happened when he refused to preach to Nineveh? •Jonah 1:1-3 – Jonah attempted to flee from God’s command, boarding a ship to Tarshish. •Jonah 1:17 – God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, keeping him there for three days and three nights. •Jonah 3:1-3 – After being delivered, Jonah obeyed and preached to Nineveh.
Satan—What is the result of his rebellion? •Revelation 12:7-9 – Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven after warring against Michael and his angels. •Revelation 20:1-5 – Satan is imprisoned, defeated, and finally destroyed forever.
Christ—Even in his greatest trial, he submitted to His Fathers will: •Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (ESV) •Matthew 26:39 – “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (ESV) •Philippians 2:8 – “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a stake.” (ESV)
Adam—What were the consequences of his choice in Eden? •Genesis 2:16-17 – “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (ESV) •Genesis 3:6 – Adam and Eve ate the fruit, disobeying God. •Genesis 3:17-19 – The ground was cursed, bringing much toil and death as a result of Adam’s sin. •Romans 5:12 – “Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (ESV)
Pharaoh—Was it not God who hardened his heart? •Exodus 4:21 – “But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” (ESV) •Exodus 9:12 – “But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.” (ESV) •Exodus 10:1 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them.’” (ESV) •Romans 9:17-18 – “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV)
Now, think about the core belief of Satanism: “Do what thou wilt”. This sounds remarkably similar to the modern concept of free will. But are people truly free to do whatever they want forever, without consequence? Do the wicked choose to perish and be thrown into the lake of fire?
What about our choices themselves—are they not preordained by God? Consider:
Ephesians 1:3-14—This passage strongly emphasizes God’s sovereignty in salvation. •Ephesians 1:4-5 – “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” (ESV) oThis makes it clear that God chose believers before creation—not based on their future choices, but according to His will. •Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” (ESV) oGod is not reacting to human choices; rather, He actively works out all things according to His plan.
Romans 8:18-30—This section discusses both suffering and God’s eternal purpose for believers. •Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV) oOur lives unfold according to God’s purpose, not random events or mere human decisions. •Romans 8:29-30 – “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (ESV) oThis “golden chain” of salvation shows that God’s plan is set in motion before we ever make choices. Those whom He predestines will inevitably be called, justified, and glorified.
Romans 9:1-29—Paul explicitly argues that God’s will—not human effort—determines salvation. •Romans 9:11-13 – “Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” (ESV) oGod’s choice of Jacob over Esau happened before they were born, showing election is based on God’s purpose, not human decisions. •Romans 9:15-16 – “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (ESV) oSalvation does not depend on human choice or effort but solely on God’s mercy. •Romans 9:18 – “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV) oJust as God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12), He actively shapes human choices according to His will.
John 6:44—people cannot come to God by their own “free will”. •“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV) oHere, Jesus directly states that people cannot come to Him by their own “free will”. The Father must draw them, implying divine intervention in human choices.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31—Paul contrasts human wisdom with God’s sovereign choosing. •1 Corinthians 1:26-29 – “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (ESV) oGod’s calling is not based on human ability, status, or choices. Instead, He chooses whom He will call, ensuring that salvation is entirely by His grace.
Lastly, our faith itself is a gift from God, not merely a human-generated decision. Here are key scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (ESV) •This passage suggests that even faith itself is a gift from God, not something we produce on our own.
Philippians 1:29 – “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (ESV) •The phrase “granted to you... to believe” implies that belief (faith) is something God gives.
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (ESV) •Here, Paul speaks of faith being “assigned” or distributed by God.
Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (ESV) •Jesus is described as the “founder and perfecter” (or author and finisher) of our faith, meaning faith originates from Him.
John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV) •This shows that even the ability to believe in Christ requires God’s initiative.
Acts 13:48 – “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” (ESV) •Faith is shown as the result of God’s appointment to eternal life.
These verses affirm that faith is not merely a human effort, but something granted, initiated, and sustained by God.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while the concept of “free will” as commonly understood today is not explicitly stated in scripture, the Bible clearly teaches that our choices are influenced by God’s sovereign will. Throughout biblical history, we see that individuals, such as Jonah, Adam, and Pharaoh, made choices that ultimately aligned with or went against God’s plan, with consequences following their actions. Moreover, God’s will is shown to be supreme, as demonstrated in passages like Ephesians 1:3-14 and Romans 8:28-30, where God’s purposes and choices are emphasized as the foundation of salvation. Ultimately, even our ability to believe is a gift from God, demonstrating that human will operates within the framework of God’s overarching sovereignty. Therefore, while we make choices, they occur within the context of God’s divine plan and purpose.
The term “free will” as it is commonly understood today does not appear in the Bible.
While we do have the freedom to make choices, what happens when our choices go against the will of God? At first, the consequences may not be immediate. But how long is our life in God’s eyes?
“Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah”. (Psalm 39:5 ESV)
What about the wicked—do their plans always succeed as they intend? What ultimately happens to those who reject God’s will? Consider these biblical examples:
Jonah—What happened when he refused to preach to Nineveh? • Jonah 1:1-3 – Jonah attempted to flee from God’s command, boarding a ship to Tarshish. • Jonah 1:17 – God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, keeping him there for three days and three nights. • Jonah 3:1-3 – After being delivered, Jonah obeyed and preached to Nineveh.
Satan—What is the result of his rebellion? • Revelation 12:7-9 – Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven after warring against Michael and his angels. • Revelation 20:1-5 – Satan is imprisoned, defeated, and finally destroyed forever.
Christ—Even in his greatest trial, he submitted to His Fathers will: • Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (ESV) • Matthew 26:39 – “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (ESV) • Philippians 2:8 – “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a stake.” (ESV)
Adam—What were the consequences of his choice in Eden? • Genesis 2:16-17 – “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (ESV) • Genesis 3:6 – Adam and Eve ate the fruit, disobeying God. • Genesis 3:17-19 – The ground was cursed, bringing much toil and death as a result of Adam’s sin. • Romans 5:12 – “Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (ESV)
Pharaoh—Was it not God who hardened his heart? • Exodus 4:21 – “But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” (ESV) • Exodus 9:12 – “But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.” (ESV) • Exodus 10:1 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them.’” (ESV) • Romans 9:17-18 – “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV)
Now, think about the core belief of Satanism: “Do what thou wilt”. This sounds remarkably similar to the modern concept of free will. But are people truly free to do whatever they want forever, without consequence? Do the wicked choose to perish and be thrown into the lake of fire?
What about our choices themselves—are they not preordained by God? Consider:
Ephesians 1:3-14—This passage strongly emphasizes God’s sovereignty in salvation. • Ephesians 1:4-5 – “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” (ESV) o This makes it clear that God chose believers before creation—not based on their future choices, but according to His will. • Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” (ESV) o God is not reacting to human choices; rather, He actively works out all things according to His plan.
Romans 8:18-30—This section discusses both suffering and God’s eternal purpose for believers. • Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV) o Our lives unfold according to God’s purpose, not random events or mere human decisions. • Romans 8:29-30 – “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (ESV) o This “golden chain” of salvation shows that God’s plan is set in motion before we ever make choices. Those whom He predestines will inevitably be called, justified, and glorified.
Romans 9:1-29—Paul explicitly argues that God’s will—not human effort—determines salvation. • Romans 9:11-13 – “Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” (ESV) o God’s choice of Jacob over Esau happened before they were born, showing election is based on God’s purpose, not human decisions. • Romans 9:15-16 – “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (ESV) o Salvation does not depend on human choice or effort but solely on God’s mercy. • Romans 9:18 – “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV) o Just as God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12), He actively shapes human choices according to His will.
John 6:44—people cannot come to God by their own “free will”. • “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV) o Here, Jesus directly states that people cannot come to Him by their own “free will”. The Father must draw them, implying divine intervention in human choices.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31—Paul contrasts human wisdom with God’s sovereign choosing. • 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 – “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (ESV) o God’s calling is not based on human ability, status, or choices. Instead, He chooses whom He will call, ensuring that salvation is entirely by His grace.
Lastly, our faith itself is a gift from God, not merely a human-generated decision. Here are key scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (ESV) • This passage suggests that even faith itself is a gift from God, not something we produce on our own.
Philippians 1:29 – “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (ESV) • The phrase “granted to you... to believe” implies that belief (faith) is something God gives.
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (ESV) • Here, Paul speaks of faith being “assigned” or distributed by God.
Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (ESV) • Jesus is described as the “founder and perfecter” (or author and finisher) of our faith, meaning faith originates from Him.
John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV) • This shows that even the ability to believe in Christ requires God’s initiative.
Acts 13:48 – “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” (ESV) • Faith is shown as the result of God’s appointment to eternal life.
These verses affirm that faith is not merely a human effort, but something granted, initiated, and sustained by God.
In conclusion, while the concept of “free will” as commonly understood today is not explicitly stated in scripture, the Bible clearly teaches that our choices are influenced by God’s sovereign will. Throughout biblical history, we see that individuals, such as Jonah, Adam, and Pharaoh, made choices that ultimately aligned with or went against God’s plan, with consequences following their actions. Moreover, God’s will is shown to be supreme, as demonstrated in passages like Ephesians 1:3-14 and Romans 8:28-30, where God’s purposes and choices are emphasized as the foundation of salvation. Ultimately, even our ability to believe is a gift from God, demonstrating that human will operates within the framework of God’s overarching sovereignty. Therefore, while we make choices, they occur within the context of God’s divine plan and purpose.
The term “free will” as it is commonly understood today does not appear in the Bible.
While we do have the freedom to make choices, what happens when our choices go against the will of God? At first, the consequences may not be immediate. But how long is our life in God’s eyes?
“Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah”. (Psalm 39:5 ESV)
What about the wicked—do their plans always succeed as they intend? What ultimately happens to those who reject God’s will? Consider these biblical examples:
Jonah—What happened when he refused to preach to Nineveh? •Jonah 1:1-3 – Jonah attempted to flee from God’s command, boarding a ship to Tarshish. •Jonah 1:17 – God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, keeping him there for three days and three nights. •Jonah 3:1-3 – After being delivered, Jonah obeyed and preached to Nineveh.
Satan—What is the result of his rebellion? •Revelation 12:7-9 – Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven after warring against Michael and his angels. •Revelation 20:1-5 – Satan is imprisoned, defeated, and finally destroyed forever.
Christ—Even in his greatest trial, he submitted to His Fathers will: •Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (ESV) •Matthew 26:39 – “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (ESV) •Philippians 2:8 – “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a stake.” (ESV)
Adam—What were the consequences of his choice in Eden? •Genesis 2:16-17 – “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (ESV) •Genesis 3:6 – Adam and Eve ate the fruit, disobeying God. •Genesis 3:17-19 – The ground was cursed, bringing much toil and death as a result of Adam’s sin. •Romans 5:12 – “Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (ESV) Pharaoh—Was it not God who hardened his heart? •Exodus 4:21 – “But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” (ESV) •Exodus 9:12 – “But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.” (ESV) •Exodus 10:1 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them.’” (ESV) •Romans 9:17-18 – “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV)
Now, think about the core belief of Satanism: “Do what thou wilt”. This sounds remarkably similar to the modern concept of free will. But are people truly free to do whatever they want forever, without consequence? Do the wicked choose to perish and be thrown into the lake of fire?
What about our choices themselves—are they not preordained by God? Consider: Ephesians 1:3-14 This passage strongly emphasizes God’s sovereignty in salvation. •Ephesians 1:4-5 – “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” (ESV) oThis makes it clear that God chose believers before creation—not based on their future choices, but according to His will. •Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” (ESV) oGod is not reacting to human choices; rather, He actively works out all things according to His plan. Romans 8:18-30 This section discusses both suffering and God’s eternal purpose for believers. •Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV) oOur lives unfold according to God’s purpose, not random events or mere human decisions. •Romans 8:29-30 – “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (ESV) oThis “golden chain” of salvation shows that God’s plan is set in motion before we ever make choices. Those whom He predestines will inevitably be called, justified, and glorified. Romans 9:1-29 Paul explicitly argues that God’s will—not human effort—determines salvation. •Romans 9:11-13 – “Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” (ESV) oGod’s choice of Jacob over Esau happened before they were born, showing election is based on God’s purpose, not human decisions. •Romans 9:15-16 – “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (ESV) oSalvation does not depend on human choice or effort but solely on God’s mercy. •Romans 9:18 – “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV) oJust as God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12), He actively shapes human choices according to His will. John 6:44 •“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV) oHere, Jesus directly states that people cannot come to Him by their own free will. The Father must draw them, implying divine intervention in human choices.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Paul contrasts human wisdom with God’s sovereign choosing. •1 Corinthians 1:26-29 – “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (ESV) oGod’s calling is not based on human ability, status, or choices. Instead, He chooses whom He will call, ensuring that salvation is entirely by His grace.
Lastly, our faith itself is a gift from God, not merely a human-generated decision. Here are key scriptures: •Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (ESV) oThis passage suggests that even faith itself is a gift from God, not something we produce on our own. •Philippians 1:29 – “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (ESV) oThe phrase “granted to you... to believe” implies that belief (faith) is something God gives. •Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (ESV) oHere, Paul speaks of faith being “assigned” or distributed by God. •Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (ESV) oJesus is described as the “founder and perfecter” (or author and finisher) of our faith, meaning faith originates from Him. •John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV) oThis shows that even the ability to believe in Christ requires God’s initiative. •Acts 13:48 – “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” (ESV) oFaith is shown as the result of God’s appointment to eternal life.
These verses affirm that faith is not merely a human effort, but something granted, initiated, and sustained by God.
In conclusion, while the concept of “free will” as commonly understood today is not explicitly stated in scripture, the Bible clearly teaches that our choices are influenced by God’s sovereign will. Throughout biblical history, we see that individuals, such as Jonah, Adam, and Pharaoh, made choices that ultimately aligned with or went against God’s plan, with consequences following their actions. Moreover, God’s will is shown to be supreme, as demonstrated in passages like Ephesians 1:3-14 and Romans 8:28-30, where God’s purposes and choices are emphasized as the foundation of salvation. Ultimately, even our ability to believe is a gift from God, demonstrating that human will operates within the framework of God’s overarching sovereignty. Therefore, while we make choices, they occur within the context of God’s divine plan and purpose.