Free will is a crucial concept in Christianity, referring to the idea that human beings have the ability to make choices that are not predetermined by God. In this blog, we will explore 10 Bible verses about free will and answer the questions: "Do we have free will according to God? What is God's gift of free will? Why is free will important?"
- Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." This verse emphasizes the importance of choice and the ability to choose between right and wrong.
- Joshua 24:15: "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." This verse highlights the idea that free will involves making a conscious choice to follow God or not.
- Proverbs 1:29-31: "Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes." This verse emphasizes the consequences of choosing to reject God and His wisdom.
- Isaiah 7:15: "He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good." This verse shows that free will is not something we are born with, but something that we develop over time as we learn to discern between good and evil.
- Jeremiah 21:8: "Tell this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death."'" This verse emphasizes the importance of choice and the ability to choose our own path in life.
- Ezekiel 18:30-32: "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." This verse emphasizes the importance of repentance and the opportunity to change our ways.
- Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." This verse emphasizes the importance of choosing the right path in life and the consequences of making the wrong choice.
- John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse emphasizes the gift of free will that God has given us, allowing us to choose to believe in Him or not.
- Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This verse emphasizes the importance of choosing to follow God and the consequences of choosing to sin.
- "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." This verse emphasizes that while we have the gift of free will, we should not use it as an excuse to sin but rather use it to serve and love others.
God's gift of free will is important because it allows us to have a meaningful relationship with Him. If we were robots programmed to obey God, there would be no genuine love or connection. But because we have free will, we can choose to love and follow God willingly.
Moreover, free will allows us to learn and grow. We have the ability to make mistakes, learn from them, and make better choices in the future. Without free will, we would not have the opportunity to develop our character and become better versions of ourselves.
In conclusion, free will is a fundamental aspect of Christianity, and the Bible teaches us about its importance and the responsibility that comes with it. As we make choices in life, let us remember to use our free will to serve and love others and to follow God willingly, with a grateful heart for the gift of free will.