Today we are going to examine is the time honored tradition of man's "Free Will". I propose to demonstrate that God has bestowed upon man the dignity of "choice", NOT "Free Will". Free Will to me implies a self-determinate sovereignty. If man DOES NOT posses this self-determination, than his will IS NOT FREE, for it is subject to the control and/or influence of one or more outside and/or inner forces. Also, if man has a "Free Will", then I contend that Satan, a being FAR greater in power and glory than man, must also most certainly have a "Free Will". If you hold the orthodox interpretation of this doctrine to be true, then I assert that we do NOT have ONE supreme, sovereign GOD, but rather THREE Sovereign, Independent, Self-determinate Beings who fit our theological definitions of "gods". Consider the ultimate implication of this position. If a puny creature like Man can resist, contradict, and thwart God's will, then surely Satan can do likewise. If this is true, than God IS NOT in control of the universe no matter WHAT word tricks you may pull out of your theological bag!! If God does NOT have ultimate and absolute control over the universe and all that is in it, what assurances do you or I have that He can really accomplish that which He promises?? How do we know after we get to "Heaven" that sin may not break out into the universe again?? What confidence do we have that Satan might not escape from the Lake of Fire and seduce some other world into sin?? Whatever your opinion on this subject may be, God's Word most certainly DOES NOT support such a concept.

If you subscribe to the current crop of platitudes such as, "The Holy Spirit is a gentleman" and, "God never forces anyone to do anything," you are going to be greatly shocked and at a loss to explain some of His clear declarations in His Word. Take for instance Isaiah 43:13, where God clearly proclaims, "I Am God. I do as I wish, and who can withstand Me?" He (God) repeats this assertion in Isaiah 46:10 where He proclaims, " I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: MY PURPOSE WILL STAND, and I will DO ALL THAT I PLEASE." It seems that Job, in the book bearing his name, had a similar exalted opinion of himself and Man in general, as does Orthodox Christianity today. He felt that surely, if God would only give him a chance, he could explain a few things and straighten God out on certain matters. Finally, when he DID get a chance to talk with God face-to-face, the outcome was that Job's view of himself was properly adjusted. He was brought to see that previously, he had spoken ONLY from secondhand knowledge of things he had heard from others and really knew nothing about himself. Now that he had seen and heard God in person, he realized just how small, weak, and ignorant he really was. If you will refer to the scriptures in Item II of the outline, you will readily see that what is portrayed in God's Word is that there is but ONE FREE WILL, and that belongs to God alone. He states quite emphatically that ALL wills and ALL creatures move in conformity to the council and dictates of HIS WILL. We may BELIEVE that we are making independent choices based upon our "Free Will", but God is there, constantly working behind the scene to work ALL according to the council of HIS Will and Purpose (Eph. 1:11).

In MY mind and spirit, I believe that it is safe to say that NO ONE concept or doctrine has been more destructive and detrimental to the cause of true Christianity than that which is currently called "Free Will". It has been responsible for the split of God's people into two fundamental opposing camps -- Calvinism, which proclaims MAN"S absolute "Free Will" ---- and Arminism, which opposes this view with the absolute sovereignty of God. The TRULY strange thing, however, is that the pages of "Holy Writ" seem to equally support BOTH positions, thought to discuss this issue with EITHER camp would certainly NEVER disclose this predicament. !!

The delusion of absolute "Free Will" has reduced the Sovereign, Omnipotent God to a mere servant of man. The true and absolute ruler is REALLY man. After all, if God sent Jesus Christ to merely "offer a chance at salvation", and NOT, in fact, to "save the world" -- if God's supreme work is so easily thwarted by man's Sin and obstanance -- then, I ask you, WHO is the TRUE Ruler ???? The Serpents promise, "You shall be like unto God" has been MORE than fulfilled. If absolute "Free Will" be true, then Man has EXCEEDED God in Sovereignty !!!

Could even Satan himself done the Almighty God a greater injustice and disservice ?? Instead of the "God of creation and of all of the Ages", the almighty Mover, Lord, and Sovereign, He who proclaims, "I am God, I do as I will and who is there to oppose me ?" ---- what do we find ??? If absolute "Free Will" be true, we find a defeated, second rate deity -- wringing His hands in despair over the waywardness and obstanance of His unruly children -- hoping at the fireside like the proverbial grandmother, that PERHAPS, someday, they might change their "sovereign wills" and come home. If not, despite ALL of his great efforts and fine sounding promises, they will be lost to the "fires of torment" forever, as this "god" looks on for eternity, crying, "I tried, I did the BEST that I could, but in the end, your fate was really in YOUR hands" !!!

Tell me dear friends, is this the "god" which you have chosen to follow and entrust with your life and soul, or would it not be FAR preferable to get to know the TRUE God of the Bible and --- Follow Him !!!!

If they truly consider the facts, even the Philosophers of THIS Age (World System) could not believe in absolute "Free Will". Consider the facts -- our physiological makeup is formed and controlled by hundreds if not thousands of life conditions -- ALL of them affecting our decision making process. A small sampling of these would be:

• Our heredity - our parents, grandparents, etc. Their genetics qualities - temperament, intelligence, diligence, health (mental and physical), etc. are ALL passed on to us. 
• The country into which we were born 
• Our lifelong health condition 
• The religious environment (or lack thereof) into which we were born 
• Our school and learning environment - good or BAD 
• The neighborhood in which we were raised and the friends we associated with
• The social and financial position of our parents 
• The parental technique and philosophy of our parents 
• As we became older, the social and work environment we found ourselves in (including friends) 
• The one that we chose for our mate  AND our children

These and MANY other factors ALL go to form and influence EVERY decision that we have, we do, and we will EVER make !! What a height of blindness and delusion to believe that we ever have or ever WILL make a truly independent, free and SOVEREIGN decision !!!! How much easier, then, for the Ultimate, Supreme God, who says that He moves ALL thing toward His purpose, working behind the scene, to tweak events here a little, there a little, until we find ourselves moving in the direction of His choice without even being aware of it. As an example -- you leave for work one morning - you travel down the highway to a fork where you USUALLY veer left. Today however, the bridge on this fork was washed out. So you exercise your "Free Will" to make YOUR sovereign decision to take the RIGHT fork. EASY, wasn't it ???

According to the proponents of "Free Will" and "Christian Orthodoxy", it is this so called "gift" that is going to be responsible for the BULK -- YES BULK -- of mankind (God's children) rotting in the, "tormenting flames of eternal hell, where their worm never dies and the screams of their anguish rise up FOREVER". To make it even more intolerable (depending upon which school of theology you subscribe to) all of this is either the result of God's EXPRESS will and intent, or else because He is too weak and impotent to have it otherwise (He does His best ??????).

Consider further, what REAL Choice (Free Will ????) does mankind have ? Consider the following facts and scriptures:

1. - He enters this life "conceived in Sin", under a curse over which he has No control and in which he played No part in bringing about.

5:12 So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people 5:15 .... For if the many (ALL) died through the transgression of the one man .... 5:16 .... judgment, resulting from the one transgression, led to condemnation 5:17 For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one .... 5:18 Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many (ALL) were made sinners .... **** Romans

2. - He lives out his life dominated by this overruling affliction, and were this NOT bad enough, under the domination and control of the "god of this age", the malignant spirit know as Satan or the Devil, brought into being by God Himself.

7:14 .... I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin. 7:15 For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want, instead, I do what I hate. Now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me. 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. I want to do the good, but I cannot do it. 7:19 I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me. 7:21 So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. 7:23 I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. **** Romans

4:3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing, 4:4 among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ **** 2 Corinthians

3. - Unless God specifically reaches out His hand to draw individuals to Himself, we cannot even avail ourselves to the ONLY source of Hope and Help available, God's Spirit.

6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 14:6 Jesus replied, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". **** John

9:15 For he says to Moses: "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion"" 9:16 So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. 11:32 For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all. **** Romans

Free Will vs. God's Sovereignty

• I put to DEATH and I bring to LIFE, I have WOUNDED and I will HEAL. Deut 32:39
• No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, WHO CAN RESIST IT ? Isaiah 43:13
• I bring peace and CREATE EVIL, I the Lord do ALL THESE THINGS. Isaiah 45:7
• I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times. what is still to come. I say: MY PURPOSE WILL STAND, and I will DO ALL THAT I PLEASE. Isaiah 47:10
• It is I who created the Blacksmith ........... It is I have created the Destroyer TO WORK HAVOC. Isaiah 54:16
• Who can speak and have it happen, IF THE LORD HAS NOT DECREED IT ? Lamentations 3:37,38
• He has torn ... He will heal. He has injured, He will bind up our wounds. Hosea 6:1
• For this reason they COULD NOT BELIEVE ........ He (God) has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts. John 12:39,40
• You did not choose me, but I CHOSE YOU. John 15:16
• By grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this NOT FROM YOURSELVES. It is the GIFT FROM GOD. Romans 2:8
• ALL have turned away ..... All have become worthless ...... there is NO ONE that does good ...... NO NOT ONE. ( Who then can be saved ? With God, ALL THINGS are possible !!) Romans 3:10-18
• For the creation (creature) was subjected to frustration ......... BY THE WILL OF THE ONE WHO SUBJECTED IT, in hope that the creation (creature) WILL BE LIBERATED FROM It's BONDAGE. Romans 8:19-21
• In all things, God works for the good,.... ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. Romans 8:28
• It DOES NOT DEPEND ON MAN's DESIRE OR EFFORT, but on God's sovereign choice and mercy. Romans 9:10-18
• Does not the potter have the right to make out of the clay ( WHATEVER HE WISHES ). Romans 9:19-23
• God's Sovereign election and use of the Jews that salvation might be brought to the Gentiles. Romans Chapter 11
• God has bound ALL MEN over to disobedience, that HE may have MERCY ON THEM ALL. Romans 11:32
• Him who works out Everything in conformity with the purpose of HIS WILL. Eph. 1:11
• It is God who works in you TO WILL AND TO ACT, according to HIS GOOD PURPOSE. Philip 2:13
• God send them a powerful delusion, SO THAT THEY WILL BELIEVE THE LIE. 2 Thes 2:11
• God ... who has saved us and called us -- not because of anything we have done, but because of HIS OWN PURPOSE. 2 Tim. 1:9

God's Word has given us NUMEROUS instances of His sovereign working, but either "our eyes are too blinded to see" or our "hearts are too hardened to understand". We are told that it was God Himself who chose (elected) Jacob over Esau.

9:10 Not only that, but when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our ancestor Isaac, 9:11 even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election would stand, not by works but by his calling), 9:12 it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger," 9:13 just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated"" 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! 9:15 For he says to Moses: "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion"" 9:16 So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. **** Romans

One of the clearest is Pharaoh of Egypt starting at Exodus 7:10. As stated in Romans 9:17, God's sole (or at least prime) purpose in making Pharaoh ruler of Egypt and instigating the conflict between him and Moses was so that God could, "demonstrate His power and that His name may be proclaimed in all the earth".

9:17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh: "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may demonstrate my power in you, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth"" 9:18 So then, God has mercy on whom he chooses to have mercy, and he hardens whom he chooses to harden. 9:19 You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?" 9:20 But who indeed are you, a mere human being, to talk back to God? Does what is molded say to the molder, "Why have you made me like this?" 9:21 Has the potter no right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special use and another for ordinary use? 9:22 But what if God, willing to demonstrate his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath prepared for destruction? 9:23 And what if he is willing to make known the wealth of his glory on the objects of mercy that he has prepared beforehand for glory. ****** Romans

Of Israel God tells us in Romans chapter 11 that He Himself has hardened the hearts of the Jews until such time as, "the fullness of the Gentiles might enter in".

11:25 For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: **** Romans

To read a fascinating essay on the plight of Judas within the context of what we are discussing here, click HERE.

I believe that OUR difficulty (mankind's) is NOT so much failing to understand with the mind as it is rejecting the truth which we DO NOT wish to believe. It is NOT doctrinal and intellectual but it is rather MORAL !! As Satan stated in his temptation of Eve, "We would wish to be 'gods' ourselves". Our pride and ego can not - nay - WILL not accept the truth that we are but created creatures, here to fulfill the desires and purpose of another. We are not our own. We were not even created for OUR own glory and satisfaction, but are merely "clay" which the great potter fashioned to serve His purpose, to display His greatness and glory !! That is the ultimate degradation and humiliation to the proud, sin-filled and twisted human ego.

Of course, it is NOT too hard to understand this reluctance to entrust ourselves fully and without reservation into the hands of our Creator -- the "Great Potter" -- considering the caricature of the Biblical God that Orthodox Theology has created. To learn more of the Biblical God - the Father God - the God of Total Love - the God of Christian Universalism - click HERE.

While I will admit that our human vanity, pride, and ego may chafe under this truth, that does NOT render it any-the-less true!! So strongly is this "Ego-Need" to be in control entrenched within Man's heart, that he has substituted for the scripture of Rom 3:4, "Let God be true though every man be a liar," HIS rendering of, "Let God's Word be made a lie so that MAN's word may be true!"

To summarize, neither Man nor Satan has "Free Will" as it is commonly understood (or better misunderstood), but rather has freedom of choice, with God more than able to work behind the scene to direct and influence said "choosing". Thus God, as He repeatedly proclaims in His Word (and as WE repeatedly ignore), moves ALL things according to the council of HIS WILL. As Shakespeare so aptly put it, "All the world is a stage, and the people merely players." This DOES NOT make us puppets, but it DOES make us merely Creatures (and NOT gods as we would like to think) in the hands of our Creator. We are the clay in the hands of the great potter, fashioned according to HIS design and purpose.