Free Will
In the Christian community, how often do we talk about having a free will. It gives us the actual option to choose God or reject Him, to obey or rebel, even how we spend eternity. Without it, we would be mere automatons. It’s an understatement to say, the way we use of our will greatly affects our lives. Without going down the rabbit hole, if you don’t like your life, evaluate your decisions and choices. You may find it not always everyone else’ fault. Perhaps, it’s time to make adjustments -you decide.
Exercising our free will as we call it, can have very good results; however, imposing it can be quite costly. It can be an act of pride, especially if you are one who thinks you’re always right, and your decisions are always best for everyone. If one believes no else can be right, one is on a slippery slope!
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.
Stating the obvious, dishonoring others is an act of pride. Imposing your will on them, often dishonors them. Yes, there may be times it is appropriate to force your will on others. For instance, parents who must override their children’s unwise proclivities in order to protect them. Then of course, there’s the executive decisions that some must make because of their position. But even the later can be done with humility, which involves input from others.
Even God gives us the right of way to make decisions for ourselves. He doesn’t impose His will on us. There will come a time He will, and even still, much of that is based on our decisions and choices we make today. By the way, He provides the information to make the best decisions, if we choose to ask (see James 1:5). That being said, perhaps, it would behoove all of us to give others the latitude to make up their own minds.
His Word Reveals His Will
It has been said the Word of God is the will of God. The Bible does indeed reveal His will, but it is important to exercise care when trying extract it from that amazing Source. Without the help of Holy Spirit, it could be disastrous. In some circles, people quote this statement in order to impose their will. Many of us by now have seen people cite Scripture in order manipulate others.
To be clear, there is proper use of the Bible for instruction, and finding what God says about given situations. The biggest difference between what’s proper and what is not, is the intent behind it.
To be sure, some even quote Scripture to God in order to manipulate Him, even though the Bible is not a bargaining chip. And yes, some quote Scripture as part of their prayer life, which includes the intent of following His will.
We have the written Word, but we also have the proceeding Word, and they go hand in hand. Jesus made that clear: But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4).
It still gets back to not only having knowledge, but having the knowledge of God’s will, along with wisdom and spiritual understanding. A person might know and quote much Scripture, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he has the wisdom and understanding to properly discern God’s intent. Again, that requires the help of Holy Spirit.
Jesus knew and quoted Scripture perfectly (and still does); nevertheless, He operated by the will of the Father. He humbled Himself. In short, Jesus said what He heard the Father speak, and did what He saw Him do.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.
You have the freedom to surrender your will to Him. It’s your decision. What will you do?
