Free will is not a scam.
God already knew all the actions we would choose to take, and He planned His own actions to lead us all to the best possible outcome—probably the highest number of people being saved. That is what predestination is.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love; having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,” (Ephesians 1:3-5 WEB)
Predestination is not about how some people are made for Heaven and others are made to go to Hell.
God loves all of us. He made each and every one of us like an intricate embroidered work while we were in our mothers’ wombs. He designed us to be beautiful and unique.
“For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.” (Psalms 139:13-16 WEB)
Unfortunately due to the fall, the flesh is tainted by sin from conception and that is why people are born with deformities and flaws. God made you perfectly, but sin in the blood distorts what He designed.
An illustration to help you understand: you can be a great artist who draws beautiful pieces of digital art, but if your only printer is faulty, the art will still come out blotchy and ugly, with patches of ink splattered everywhere. Adam damaged the printer when he sinned against God.
“The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 WEB)
It is clear in the New Testament that God’s will is for all to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, but when you give “free will” to a creature, you must let it choose, even if it chooses the self-destructive path.
Even though He knew that not everyone would accept Jesus as Lord, Jesus still bore everyone’s sins at the cross, and was punished for them, so that the cross is truly an open invitation for salvation to all. No one has been excluded—anyone can receive salvation if they choose to place their faith in Jesus.
God can give unbelievers many opportunities to know the Gospel and experience His goodness, but He cannot force them to make Jesus their Lord and Savior.
For us believers, God leads us by His Spirit every day. He prompts us to do the right thing and teaches us about Himself through His Word. We still have free will, and we can choose whether to follow the Spirit, or to be driven by our flesh.
Following God’s leading will always bring you to the best possible outcome for your life. He has your eternity in mind, to confer you the best eternal rewards, so that your joy will be made full. We have a good Abba God, so obey His promptings and believe that He wants you to receive the very best!
In “Sandcastles Don’t Last Forever”, you will discover the rich eternal rewards that God has planned for you. There is a higher purpose, a calling upon your life, and complementary spiritual gifts to help you fulfill that. Redeem your time wisely for the Lord’s return is much nearer than before: http://bit.ly/sandcastlesdontlastforever
