In each man and woman God give a special gift. And that gift is called choice. He willingly gave us this gift to choose and in doing so He will not keep us from using it how we want to. He will never force someone against their will to go in a direction that He wants us to go. God gave us the freedom to choose between doing the right thing or the wrong thing. And if you think this world has gone off the deep end it is because we keep making all the wrong choices.
Throughout the Bible, I find it clear that people always have a choice. Joshua 24:15 tells us, "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Or in Proverbs 8:10-11 when it is said, "Take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her." And finally in John 7:17 Jesus tells us, "If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority."
In giving man free will, God risked all because as a fallen creation we have a serious bend to misuse that gift of free will. Countless times, people have made horrible moral choices that God even laments creating us. Take Genesis 6:5-6 for example, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” That is exactly how big a risk God was taking when He gave you and I the gift of free will. He gave it to us with the knowledge that we could go so overboard that He would regret having given us life in the first place. God can't be any clearer that He created each of us with free will and that we can use it however we choose, even to our own detriment.
Understanding the aspects of God's sovereignty can help calm our fear and anxiety about the life we live. Especially when everything around us seems to be crumbling down into rubble. We can rely on the fact that God created us to make choices in life and that if we trust in Him, place our complete faith in His Son, that He will always word out things to the good. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for god, for those who are called according to His purpose." Even the bad choices we make can be used for the glory of God. I am comforted to the fact that there is no temptation that we can't overcome when we rely on God. All we have to do is make the right choice.
Throughout the Bible, I find it clear that people always have a choice. Joshua 24:15 tells us, "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Or in Proverbs 8:10-11 when it is said, "Take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her." And finally in John 7:17 Jesus tells us, "If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority."
In giving man free will, God risked all because as a fallen creation we have a serious bend to misuse that gift of free will. Countless times, people have made horrible moral choices that God even laments creating us. Take Genesis 6:5-6 for example, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” That is exactly how big a risk God was taking when He gave you and I the gift of free will. He gave it to us with the knowledge that we could go so overboard that He would regret having given us life in the first place. God can't be any clearer that He created each of us with free will and that we can use it however we choose, even to our own detriment.
Understanding the aspects of God's sovereignty can help calm our fear and anxiety about the life we live. Especially when everything around us seems to be crumbling down into rubble. We can rely on the fact that God created us to make choices in life and that if we trust in Him, place our complete faith in His Son, that He will always word out things to the good. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for god, for those who are called according to His purpose." Even the bad choices we make can be used for the glory of God. I am comforted to the fact that there is no temptation that we can't overcome when we rely on God. All we have to do is make the right choice.
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1st Corinthians 10:13 ESV
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