Free Will
Good Morning,
During our Wednesday Bible study, I spent a few weeks teaching some of the most basic thoughts about Calvinism. I thought I might add an additional thought here, as there is always a draw toward doctrinal error.
Consider this question: why would God give us instruction? Why would God say “Do this, and not that?” There is only one explanation; we have a choice. Now, if you have common sense, read your Bible, and believe your Bible, you might want to stop reading now because the answer will be obvious. In most cities, as well as our area, several growing churches teach sovereignty, predestination, and that man has no free will.
God offers verses of invitation; no doubt because we are invited, and in the first case, the invitation is to the whole earth.
Isaiah 45:22 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
It seems that all the world has a choice to make, either to look to the Lord or to ignore Him. The choice is not difficult unless you have been educated out of good sense.
This invitation is to “be saved.”
Jesus offers the invitation to the heavy laden; therefore, those carrying a burden must have a choice to come or to avoid our Lord and His potential solution.
Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
This invitation is for comfort and rest.
The Bible has endless verses telling mankind how to live. These verses of instruction deal with family issues, care of the poor, and basic holy living. Again, if the instruction is urged upon us, is it not our option to obey or to disobey? Why give instruction if we have no choice?
“Husbands love your wives…”
“Train up a child…”
“Love ye therefore the stranger…”
“Be ye holy as I am holy…”
The fact that we HAVE A CHOICE is the most obvious and simple truth. Do what God says or disobey Him. The Calvinist says man has no power to disobey God.
I offer another matter worthy of consideration, who gets rewarded in Heaven? If God rewards the faithful, and all are of necessity faithful to do and be what God ordained them to do and be, then everyone in Heaven is equally obedient and equally faithful. Yet a parable in the Bible tells of one who made much with the talents given to him by the Master, and another hid his talent. The second was rebuked severely. If all are fore-ordained to do and to be what God predestined them to do and to be, how could a just God scold one for being exactly what He ordained him to be?
Matthew 25:23 “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
vs. 26 “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:”
vs. 27 “Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”
This invitation is related to rewards.
These servants certainly had a choice in their performance, and God honored the one who worked the hardest. Without question, there was a choice. The choice to be diligent, passive, or lazy is for everyone.
The Calvinist claims absolute sovereign control and the total predestination of events in our lives, yet God instructs, corrects, warns, and rewards. The idea of mankind having no choice is simply absurd.
Every speed limit sign has a potential fine because we need to be warned of the result of our negligent driving. We tell a child how to mow the lawn, make the bed, or do the dishes because there are options in life, and mankind has a “free will.”
I know some of you are saying, “That is obvious” but it is not so obvious when you are a college graduate and scholar. Of necessity, these scholars are forced to believe that if man has a free will to obey or disobey God, then man is more powerful than God and has the ability to overrule the plan and desire of God.
I close with the simple question I began with: why did God give instructions if we have no choice? If God ordained some to be rebels and some to be obedient, why did He give words of encouragement and warnings of judgment?
The fact that man has a free will is obvious. God is able to order and control anything He wishes to control. God gives man choices, and He rewards the wise and obedient. God allows mankind to choose what they wish; the choice is not difficult, unless you have been too confused by education.
Pastor