Why did God give us a Free Will?

Why did God create us with the ability to do good and to be the best we can be, or to become the most evil, rebellious, hateful person on the planet?

Our world would be much more at peace if it wasn’t up to us, so why did He free us to make our own choices?

According to Wikipedia this was a popular English figure of speech, literally meaning “you cannot simultaneously retain your cake and eat it”. Once the cake is eaten, it is gone. We cannot have two incompatible things. This proverb’s meaning is similar to the phrases “You can’t have it both ways” and “You can’t have the best of both worlds.”

What this to do with our will to choose what we want for our lives? When God gave us freedom to live our lives in freedom He gave this to all of us. What we want to do us up to us, but within each of us is the issue of right and wrong. We each must decide what we do with that freedom.

What we decide for us determines the path we take, but our choices will ultimately affect those around us, good or bad.

But think about the alternative…

If we weren’t given a free will we’d be unhappy, feeling trapped with no power to alter our course. Would you enjoy that kind of life?

The Bible says: God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise, and He chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 MSG …

When I read these words I wondered why didn’t God just simplify things making this world the beautiful place He always intended it to be?

If He hadn’t given us our free, will this world would have no violence, no fear, no selfishness, no hatred, no war, no evil, no inner thoughts in our head that we are better or worse than others …. no reason for Jesus to suffer and die on the cross to bring forgiveness for all of the above.

Then I read the next Bible verses 30 & 31 and it all became clear ….
As the Scriptures say, “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.”

God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

….. Now it all made sense!

Like a piece of clay can’t boast when it becomes a beautiful piece of pottery, it is foolishness for us to boast about our achievements. We are made in the image of God, but we are His creation, nothing less and nothing more.

Without God our potential is limited, but with His Holy Spirit directing us (if we choose to let Him direct us)we will become useful and powerful beyond measure!

God promises us:
Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:13 MSG

Thank you Jesus!

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Deuteronomy 30:19

Please share this with all you know and love.

Copyright 2012 Elaine Costin All Rights Reserved
While everything The Holy Spirit inspires me to write is under full copyright protection, the only purpose is to make sure people copy it right. As long as you always clearly reference it as my work including my copyright statement at the bottom, keep it in its entirety without editing of any kind and link it to https://www.capturingsunrise.com/blog as the source, you have my permission to copy, print, and distribute my writings freely, as long as it is not for profit. If you wish to use my writings in a profit making capacity then permission must be granted by the author.