Understanding the Will of Man

This capacity for choice has profound implications for our destiny and the course of human history, particularly in light of events such as the fall of man and the subsequent disobedience of chosen Israel throughout history. Understanding the role of human will in our relationship with God is crucial for comprehending both our spiritual journey and the responsibilities it entails.

The Role of Human Will in Our Walk with God

The Bible consistently emphasizes the role of human free will in our relationship with God and calls for it in our walk with God, from Genesis to Revelation.

In the Old Testament
In the creation narrative, God uniquely created human beings in His image, endowed with the ability to make choices and exercise dominion over creation. Genesis 1:27-28 states, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” This passage highlights that God created humans with the ability to make choices and to exercise dominion over creation.

Furthermore, God’s command to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘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,’ presents Adam with a choice, emphasizing the presence of ‘free will,’ and the accountability associated with it. Similarly, God’s warning to Cain in Genesis 4:7, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it,” underscores personal responsibility and the ability to choose rightly.

Moses’ exhortation to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 10:12, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,” further highlights our active role in following God. God values humanity as bearers of His image and likeness, entrusting them with significant roles in His plan.

Also, we see that Joshua and the Prophets gave numerous exhortations to choose rightly and follow God’s commands. Joshua, in his farewell address, emphasized the importance of serving the Lord. “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” (Joshua 24:15).

The prophets also repeatedly called Israel to repentance and to return to God’s ways, emphasizing the importance of free will in aligning with God’s plan.
In sum, from Genesis to Malachi, the first to the last books of the Old Testament, God consistently expects us to use our free will to make choices that align with His good will for His blessings; otherwise, we face consequences.

In the New Testament
The New Testament continues to affirm the importance of human will in our spiritual journey.

Jesus said in John 3:16 and 18, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” and “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” In these passages, and in many of Jesus’ parables, such as the Wise and Foolish Builders and the Vine and Branches, both the acts of believing and not believing in response to the gospel of God require a decision made through our free will.

Peter’s instructions in 1 Peter 1:13-14, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,” encourage proactive engagement in our spiritual walk.

Paul’s teachings also emphasize the cooperation between divine empowerment and human responsibility. Romans 13:13 advises, “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:6 urges, “So then, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul explains, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

In the Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation also underscores the ongoing act of making righteous choices. Revelation 22:14 states, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” The ongoing act of washing one’s robes symbolizes the continuous exercise of our will in living righteously.

The Consequences of Our Choices

Our choices have significant eternal implications, affecting both our rewards in heaven and our spiritual state, including our relationship with God and the potential ramifications on salvation. The Bible consistently affirms that while God empowers and guides us through His Word and the Holy Spirit, we must actively choose to follow Him. The consequences of our choices are evident throughout Scripture, although these Biblical truths may pose challenges to some theological viewpoints. Nevertheless, Scripture speaks, and it stands!

Eternal Rewards: Our actions and choices will result in rewards in heaven. Jesus speaks of rewards for those who serve Him faithfully (e.g., Matthew 16:27). God is just, fair, and loving, ensuring equality for salvation and, at the same time, equity in rewards in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said in Luke 18: 29-30, ‘And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.’

Kingdom Status: We can be considered least or great in the Kingdom of God based on our obedience and actions (e.g., Matthew 5:19). John the Baptist, despite his significant role, was pronounced by Jesus as ‘less than the least in the Kingdom of Heaven’ due to his doubt about Jesus (Matthew 11:11).

Assured Entrance: Peter assures us that diligence in our spiritual walk will secure a ‘rich entrance’ into the eternal kingdom (2 Peter 1:10-11). Additionally, Paul explains that although someone’s work may be burned up, they will still be saved, though only as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Potential for Falling Away or losing one’s salvation: There is a warning about the possibility of falling away from the faith, losing salvation, or having one’s name removed from the book of life. The warning about apostasy and losing salvation would not be relevant if these concepts did not exist in the first place. (Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Revelation 3:5; Psalm 69:28). Furthermore, Jesus states in Matthew 21:43, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

While God’s love remains steadfast and unchanging, and nothing external can separate us from it (Romans 8:31-39), Paul, in his Epistles, emphasizes that those living according to the flesh or being guided by worldly desires are considered hostile to God and unable to please Him. Similarly, John instructs believers in 1 John 2:15, advising them not to continually love the world or anything in it, as this would indicate a lack of the love of the Father in them. Continuing to live a worldly lifestyle without repentance and turning to God demonstrates this absence of the love of God.

While a tree cannot change its nature, humans have the capacity to choose whether to abide in Jesus or not, and apostates can relinquish their faith or not produce spiritual fruit (John 15:1-8). The parable of the ‘five foolish virgins’ serves as a reminder that not preparing spiritually is a choice with consequences. This highlights the vital importance of maintaining continuous belief (John 6:29) and remaining steadfast in following Jesus and His teachings.

As Jesus warned His disciples about coming persecutions, He emphasized the importance of acknowledging Him before men to be acknowledged before the Father.

Human beings hold a central position in this plan as agents and beneficiaries, uniquely created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1). Throughout biblical narratives, God’s profound respect for human autonomy and free will is evident. Without this respect, both history and divine decree would lose their profound meaning. Consequently, any doctrine that undermines this fundamental biblical truth not only poses a significant challenge the Word, even constitute breaking the Word of God, also misrepresent the holy, just, and loving God.

Conclusion

In conclusion, through God’s respect for human autonomy and free will, God proves His profound love and acknowledgment of humanity’s intrinsic worth. Without this respect, the Biblical narratives of creation and redemption would lack their essential purpose, much less the need for the voluminous written Word of God.

Our walk with God is a lifelong journey of faith and obedience, involving an interplay between divine grace, His sovereignty, and human responsibility. As the Scripture showcased, it is evident that individuals and groups have turned away from God and their faith in various ways throughout biblical history, not by the Will of God, but by the exercise of inherent free will autonomously leading the entire human race to the Fall.

Therefore, embrace this journey, knowing that while it is filled with challenges, it is also one of profound growth and transformation. By continually yielding to the Holy Spirit and living by God’s Word, we fulfill our divine purpose and draw closer to Him. Our will plays a crucial role in our relationship with God and our spiritual formation, and our choices have significant eternal consequences—leading either to the blessed life or to eternal damnation. Thus, we are called to live by faith, make righteous choices, and endure to the end.

                  Sola Scriptura!    Solus Christus!     Sola Fide!

                        Sola Gratia!        Soli Deo Gloria!