How free is your free will?

The Young Layman presents:

Last updated: July 23, 2015
Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture used is in the New International Version.

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I am a disciple of history. Definitely, one is bound to say this is out of my realm. However, the study of history has raised numerous "ifs." What if Germany won at El Alamein? What if Jose Rizal was not exceuted in 1896? What if China had not drawn the nine dash line? What if...

The thing is, it all happened. We cannot change what has been done. One is to ask then: "Could they have chosen otherwise?" or "Is there really a grand order in the universe?" Anything similar to these questions.

I even read in the comic strip Divine Comedy by Steven Pabalinas, the character Luther remarked:
"Maybe there is a God who created all these!"

If God exists, is He really in control? If He is not in control, then who is? If He is not in control, then how did He even become Almighty, all powerful? If He is in control, then do we have control? If both sides had control, up to what extent can we control? The questions bloom like mushrooms in the rain. And yes, like mushrooms, not all answers to this forest of questions are beneficial. Some are poisonous, dangerous. What exactly are we about to talk about?

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Introduction

First of, I acknowledge that the following discussion presents only my personal view and not the view of any other person or institution. I have to clear that first. Next, let it be known that I adhere to these verses:

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:1-4)

Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:24)

Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God - even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:32-33)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Thus, do not fear because, like Paul, I do not expect that you will be persuaded to this view. Keep in mind that this I do for the good of many.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul replied, "Short time or long - I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." (Acts 26:28-29)

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed."Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13-17)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

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How free is your free will?

Now that all has been established, we turn to the question of free will. Also, if free will exists, then how free is your free will? In my days in the university, I once heard this remark:
"Too much freedom kills freedom."

Indeed, if we are all free, then no one is free because you yourself cannot hinder the freedom of others, vice versa. If one wants to kill you, then they can. Who can stop them? Also, who can stop you? Anarchy. If we are only partly free, can that be equated to free? Is a fraction of a dollar worth as much as a whole? If your will is limited, how did it become free, whereas being free meant unhindered or unlimited?

Let us first define free will:

• Freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention. (see Merriam-Webster definition of free will)
• The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion. (see Oxford definition of free will)

In addition the brain operates in ways that seem to defy the limitations of computational machines. Most notably, we seem to have the capacity for free will. (Rice Broocks in God's Not Dead: Evidence for God in an age of uncertainty)

Note the author's use of the term "seem."

Law of Ueki

Photo courtesy of Mike Stanfill

When I was younger, I watched the anime series called The Law of Ueki. It featured a power battle between power users who had God candidates to give them those powers. One of the participants is Ueki Kousuke. Now, his God candidate Kobayashi was sent to Hell because Kobayashi committed a violation in the power battle. When Ueki saw Kobayashi again,

Ueki: If Koba-sen came here, does that mean God has forgiven you?
God: No, he is only released temporarily to fulfill his mission.
Ueki: Then, I will be saying goodbye to Koba-sen again?
Kobayashi: Yes, that is what it means.
Ueki: Then I'll release him by force and also save Inumaru!
God: No. The only one who can fix that is the omnipotent God.
Ueki: Then come fix it!
God: No! I am the law and foundation of heaven and earth. I cannot ignore the laws I myself have made.

It is not definitely Ueki's "law" that was in force, neither was Kobayashi's. God's "law" operates. How about our God? As powerful as He is, can He just not fix the problem easy? Well, He did try to destroy almost all of mankind in Genesis 6-8. Or, has God been playing according to rules all this time? However, in recognizing the existence of the law, how can one say his will is free all the same? And, in being the omnipotent He is, God cannot possibly create anything that He cannot handle. This solves the paradox of omnipotence.

Illusion of choice?

In a multiple choice question in any exam, there are choices and the number of choices vary. It all seemed you have a choice. Yet, you cannot choose the questions you are to answer. You also cannot choose the answers that are provided for the question. It was the examiner who determined the questions you will answer and the answers you will choose from. Now it all seemed choice was an illusion. Well, you can also choose not to answer the exam and then see what happens. In order to make it that we do have a choice, free will arises. We can determine, but how much can we determine? We can plan, but how much can we plan? We can choose, but how much can we choose? We have a will, but what will is it?

The story of the Fall in Genesis has been a classic example by defenders of free will. They had a choice, right?

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' " "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (Genesis 3:1-7)

Now, reread the definition of free will as mentioned earlier. Free will supposes that man can make a choice that are not determined by prior causes or divine intervention. This includes God for that matter. In the situation of the Fall, is there no cause for them to make that choice?

The man said, "The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." (Genesis 3:12-13)

The blame game is on. Man just acknowledged it was the serpent, i.e. the devil, who caused them to eat. So much for free will, is it? Had they not realized that by doing so, they have become slaves to sin? At least take responsibility for what you did, we would say. But is it? Or then again, if they really intended to eat in the first place, could they have done so even before the devil appeared? Apparently, man had no intention to eat it before the devil appeared. Otherwise, we could have had a different story of the Fall.

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. (John 8:34)

Alternately, why had man not eaten the fruit of the tree of life instead? He could have just willed it, could he not? Where has the man of determination gone?

And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)

And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." (Genesis 3:22)

However, let us not take the issue at either extremes. While man did not cause it only by himself to eat, man is still held accountable for his choice, and thus, has been banished from the garden. It is deserved.

For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. (Proverbs 5:21)

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37) 

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

On another note, who determined that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil be there in the garden? If man knew that by eating the fruit of that tree, he would be slave to sin, could he not just willed the tree to be gone altogether? I wish the tree was not there. Poof! Stays in the garden. No, that did not happen. The tree exists. The fruit exists. Man was there in a place where those two exist. Who determined these to be there again? Man or God? It sort of reminds us of Luther's remark as mentioned earlier.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." (Genesis 2:15-17)

One would say, "So God created sin and evil?" Who told you that? Read Genesis 1. It is clear that all God has created is good. And as the creation is good, so is the Creator. Is there a hint that God created evil? Is there a hint that God can sin? Can He ignore and violate the law He Himself had made? What is evident in Genesis 2:16-17 is that God defined evil. That's it. If one says God created evil, how then did He become holy and righteous? Who then created evil? Man?

The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. (Psalm 33:5)

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. (Psalm 145:17)

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone (James 1:13)

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. (1 John 3:8)

God's law is holy and righteous. It is by the law can we distinguish what is sin.

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (Romans 3:20)

So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. (Romans 7:12)

Even Jesus said,

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. (John 7:7)

Why is that? It is because the devil is prince of this world. If God had created evil, Jesus could have said: "but it hates me because I created evil." Being the prince of this world, it is the devil who has power here. What is evidence that the devil now is prince of this world?

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." (Matthew 4:8-9)

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." (Luke 4:5-7)

Where is man in this equation? Can he not just determine that God and the devil does not exist? That he is on his own? Can he just wish, "I don't want this world. I'd switch it for a more favorable world."? Can he just determine that his future be bright regardless of his being slave to sin? Can he will that he will not die? In this evident power struggle between God and the devil, what power does man have? If we do have free will, how free is it? If it is not free, then how did we come up with our will being free? One may even blurt out, "What kind of free will is this if I myself cannot be free after all?"

Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it. (Ecclesiastes 8:7-8)

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27)

While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? (Acts 3:11-12)

The only one who can determine the future is the one who foreknew. Who else foreknew than God Himself?

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. (Romans 11:2a)

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:20b)

Any future we can determine, we can only determine if God has revealed it to us. The Bible is full of examples for this instance. Otherwise, can we determine any future for that matter?

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." (Daniel 2:19-22)

We have the power to choose

Who said you cannot choose? What you cannot choose is the choices you ought to choose from. Let us go back to the multiple choice exam. If there are four choices (A, B, C, D) to answer a certain question, can we introduce E and get away with it? Unless the examiner permits you, the right answer has to be in the four choices alone. Thus, there is nothing that can surprise the examiner come checking day. In turn, it would be you who may be surprised with the exam results.

Anyway, here are some verses that is claimed to support free will. For more verses that is claimed to support free will, see this article.

1) Choose for yourselves

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15)

Well, if you ended there, you would definitely say "we have the power to choose." The challenged people chose the Lord. Then again, Joshua has this to say.

Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you,after he has been good to you." (Joshua 24:19-20)

How right was he if one is to take a stroll in the book of Judges. A seemingly endless cycle of forgetting and remembering the Lord. Who do you think revealed this to Joshua? Was it intuition? Hunch? Gut feel?

Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. (Daniel 2:27-28a)

2) My own accord

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. (John 10:17-18)

Do not put this out of context. It is Jesus Himself who spoke there.

3) Freewill offering

All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do. (Exodus 35:29)

Well, it is mentioned 21 more times in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Psalm, Ezekiel and Amos. What is a freewill offering?

Moses said to the whole Israelite community, "This is what the LORD has commanded: From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. (Exodus 35:4-9)

Come to think of it, your freewill offering is actually a command from God. So much for free will, is it? Besides, we can give because God first gave us.

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. (Acts 14:17)

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Why would God provide for us? It is because He first loved us.

We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

Take for example the poor widow.

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said,"I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on." (Mark 12:41-44)

Was it her choice to be that poor? If she had free will, could she have not chosen to be rich instead to be able to give more as the rich men do? Why would she be so poor if what she does what is right? The Lord has a purpose for it, and it is not our will which had it done. Take this illustration for instance.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him,"wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said. (John 9:1-12)

It also shows that not all things are caused either by ourselves or our parents. It is beyond their will. Anyway, what freewill offering meant here is this:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

 And must we lose heart if what has been promised to us has not yet come?

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39-40)

4) Choose life

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

It pretty much reminds us the scenario in Joshua. Well, if you ended there, you would definitely say "we have the power to choose." The offer is useless if we do not have free will, or so they say. Recall what Joshua has to say.

Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you,after he has been good to you." (Joshua 24:19-20)

How right was he if one is to take a stroll in the book of Judges. A seemingly endless cycle of forgetting and remembering the Lord. Who do you think revealed this to Joshua? Was it intuition? Hunch? Gut feel?

Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. (Daniel 2:27-28a)

God already knew that the people would not be able to choose life, and yet He still made an effort to make the offer all the same. Thank God that He did not see his own offer as useless. Otherwise, He could have withdrawn it. One more thing, how can one know if it really was God's voice? Definitely, we cannot choose the Lord unless He has been revealed to us. Recall that we have been slaves to sin. It is like a one-choice question. Unless another choice is revealed, what else will you pick? So much for free will, is it? Take Samuel as an example.

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyeswere becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. (1 Samuel 3:1-7)

He did not recognize the Lord at that time. Now take into note what Jesus said.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:14-16)

Whose plan is it?

It definitely is not my plan that is set into motion yet I do plan. It is definitely my will that has been done, but that does not mean I do not have a will. Then again, is that will free? On another note, whose plan is it that has been set into motion? Whose will is it that has been done all this time?

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:10-11)

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? (Isaiah 14:27)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. (Acts 5:38-39)

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. (Romans 8:18-21)

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. (1 Corinthians 2:6-7)

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace,which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:4-6)

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

 And God's will is not only directed to believers.

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message - which is also what they were destined for. (1 Peter 2:7-8)

What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day." (Romans 11:7-8)

Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn--and I would heal them." (John 12:37-40)

I saw one article claim to cite three verses as if they were enough. to defend free will. While I am wary that the number of verses I provided is nowhere near the staggering number that author provided, more than strength in numbers, let us look for coherence for the Bible brings one consistent message.

What power do we have?

It definitely is not by my own power, but that did not mean I am powerless. God laid out the choices for us, and he also established whatever power and permitted whatever authority we ought to have.

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (Genesis 1:26)

In the past, he let all nations go their own way. (Acts 14:16)

"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." (John 19:10-11)

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1)

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13-14)

Even the devil, the prince of this world, had to ask for God's permission. How powerful he could be, he still had no authority to act unless God has permitted him. Also, note in this case if the man had any say on the matter. Could the man have willed that he and everything he owned be spared from the imminent danger? Or was it God who spared his life?

"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has,and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:9-12)

God Himself is the One who strengthens us, who gives us the power that we lack. It is He who gives us everything we need to choose life.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. (Acts 3:16)

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) 

Every good and perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

Why can I not do what I want?

This is our problem. We want to think we are free to do whatever we want with our free will. Being slaves to sin that we are, what we expect is this.

Why not say - as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say - "Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved. (Romans 3:8)

However, are we really free to do anything and everything?

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (Romans 7:14-24)

Being slaves to sin, we are not free to do good. We cannot establish our "own law," and worse, we cannot delight in God's law. Another power is in force. Thus, we cannot do anything and everything.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (James 4:1-2)

We also cannot garner anything and everything that we desire. So much for free will, is it?

We should have been robots

One may say that if we have no free will, then we could have just been robots. Well, the thing is, you are not a robot. We are having this discussion this very minute. Now, tell me if you are a robot. I took programming in the past (C++), and I was frustrated on why even a minute detail can make the entire program go into error. Say, a period (.), a semicolon (;) or a colon (:) missing, and the entire program fails. Thus, the program cannot make a choice. It does not have a will. It has to do what it is designed to do or else it is as good as dead. Yet, we do have a will. We are not programmed to be good or to be bad. We succeed, we fail, and yet we still live. We can choose and yet not fear that God's plan has been out of sync.

Bad actors

We have been introduced earlier to Pilate's dilemma.

"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." (John 19:10-11)

Could Pilate have chosen otherwise? How about Judas?

"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." (John 13:18-21)

Could Judas have chosen otherwise?

Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. (John 13:26-28)

How about the Pharaoh? Why did he not listen to Moses?

Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it." (Exodus 7:1-5)

How about Saul? He was convinced that he was not up to the task to become Israel's first king. And yet, see what happened.

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. (1 Samuel 10:9)

Peter, who has testified earlier that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, has been given this message.

Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! (John 13:36-38)

He seemed determined to conduct his word, but look at what happened to Peter.

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. (John 18:15-18, 25-27)

These are but a few examples. However, it only affirms again and again that it is the Lord's will that is being done. It is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Otherwise, history has been changed already.

Why free will negates God's will

Free Will
Photo courtesy of Existential Comics

Recall the definition of free will we have taken earlier.

• Freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention. (see Merriam-Webster definition of free will)
• The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion. (see Oxford definition of free will)

Since God has foreknew, He also has determined. If free will supposes that actions and decisions are not influenced nor intervened by any cause, God or whatever, where does God's determination go? It would appear that if we had free will, God has to conform to us and our actions and decisions. He has to respect those and has to adjust His plans for us rather than our plans adjusting for Him. In this case, how can God's purpose prevail? It is like a new move has been introduced and God has not foreseen it. It is like having a new hideout and God cannot find it. Clearly, the two concepts are in conflict with each other. Free will does not only negate God's will, it also denies God's omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience.

"Why do we seek God's will if we have free will?"
Someone asked me this in the past and I must say that it is exactly the question that fits in this discussion.

Where do we go from here?

Have you figured out yet if you have free will? And if you do, how free is your free will? Think of this. We cannot be free for we are slaves to sin. Have you ever seen a slave be free to do whatever he wanted?

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

Being freed from sin, it meant being free to do good for we have become slaves to righteousness.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:15-18)

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16)

Yes, we have become slaves to righteousness, but that does not mean we are considered slaves anymore.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:12-15)

Moreover, we are not only considered friends. We have become children of God.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ""Abba," Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:15-17)

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2)

Yes, it is God who has given us a choice, and this not by our own will.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Why would God risk it?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. (Psalm 98:2)

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

On our own will, could we have chosen God?

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' "But they paid no attention and went off - one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are invited, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:1-14)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 15:16)

"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:43-44)

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:14-16)

As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (Romans 3:10-12)

Again, where do we go from here?

Conclusion

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

As far as the discussion goes, we can conclude that our will is not free. Still, it is only to confirm that we have a will. We are given choices, and these choices have subsequent effects. We only ought to refrain from adding any adjectives to it, and in this case, "free." Simple as that. It is we who insist on making it complicated. Then again, it is not our will that prevails, but God's. We cannot take the issue at either extremes. God is a God of balance, cooperation, and harmony. However, like history articles, no one article on this matter can be considered complete. One may think I have only used a few of the verses available. As we reach only tentative conclusions, we are also subjected to change them. However, we ought to use as much basis as we can to provide the most adequate article possible. And yes, as I end, I fervently pray that this article has been of help for the good of many.

Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18)

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I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

Note: The Young Layman is a sub-blog of The Young Filipino Historian. Unless otherwise stated, all verses of the Bible were from the New International Version.