Why did God give us free will?

Answer

The question of why God gave humans free will often arises in discussions about the problem of evil. Someone may inquire why there is so much evil in the world, and the response is that human beings have chosen to commit evil acts. God is not at fault. The subsequent question is, if God knew all the evil deeds people would choose to commit, why would He grant us free will?

The conventional explanation appears to be that, for love to be genuine, it must not be forced. Without the ability to reject God, we would not truly be able to love Him. Some theologians even argue that human freedom is the highest good and that not even God will infringe upon it. Authentic love and true goodness can only exist in a world where there is the possibility of genuine rejection and real evil. Some further suggest that, since God knows all potentialities—past, present, and future (foreknowledge)—the world He brought into existence must be the one where the greatest good would prevail. Among all conceivable worlds, the one He created is the finest. The flaw in this reasoning is that, while it may be somewhat intellectually satisfying, it is not explicitly stated in Scripture.

The following are a few additional reflections that may aid us in formulating conclusions as to why God bestowed upon us free will. At the very least, they will help us appreciate the full weight of the biblical evidence.

First, we must acknowledge that “free will” is constrained by physical limitations. “Free will” does not imply that we are free to do anything we desire. Many individuals might wish to fly like Superman, possess the strength of Samson, or teleport from one place to another, but physical constraints prevent them from doing so. While this may not initially appear to be a matter of free will, it is not entirely irrelevant, as God fashioned a world in which people aspire to perform these feats but lack the ability to do so. In this sense, God has restricted

When we talk about “free will”—it is not truly free as commonly defined.

When we pray for something, we are often praying that another person’s “free will” will be restricted by external circumstances and physical limitations. For example, if a ruthless dictator invades a neighboring country, and we pray for their defeat, we are essentially praying that the dictator will be unable to carry out their intentions. In this scenario, the individual praying is requesting God’s intervention to hinder another person from achieving what they have decided to do. In the way God designed the world, He has incorporated numerous constraints that impede our will and restrict our choices. Similarly, He may intervene to further restrict our choices through uncontrollable circumstances.

Considering this, we could perhaps define free will as the capacity to select whatever we desire within the confines of physical limitations. This leads to the second issue, which pertains to our desires. To address this matter, Martin Luther penned his treatise “The Bondage of the Will.” The predicament is not that we lack the freedom to choose what we desire, but rather that our choices are greatly influenced by our wants. We opt to disobey God freely because that is our sole inclination. Just as we are unable to soar like Superman due to our physical limitations, we are incapable of obeying God due to our spiritual limitations. We have the freedom to select various ways to defy God, but we are simply incapable of choosing to obey God without a profound transformation of our desires (some would argue regeneration)—and we are powerless to achieve this independently. Without God and relying on our sinful nature, we will opt for sin (Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3;Romans 3:10-12).

Romans 8:5–8 highlights the spiritual constraints on our “free will”: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mindGoverned by the flesh leads to death, but the mind governed by the Spirit leads to life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those in the realm of the flesh cannot please God” (emphasis added). From the context, it is evident that those who “live according to the flesh” are unbelievers. Their wills are in bondage to sin, and so sin is all they desire to do. They are unable to submit to God’s law.

If this is the situation, then who can be saved? “All things are possible with God” «And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. », (Mark 10:27). The Lord works in some to invigorate their spirits and instill in them a desire to repent and believe, see Acts 16:14. Sinners do not do this on their own but only under the convicting power of the Spirit. If it were otherwise, the saved could boast that they possessed some wisdom or moral superiority that led them to choose to repent and believe when faced with the truth, while many others continue to reject the gospel. However, we are saved by grace, and no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). God is not obliged to save anyone (He has free will), yet He desires that all would be saved and come to repentance «who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. », (1 Timothy 2:4,2 Peter 3:9). He extends salvation to everyone «For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, », (Titus 2:11) yet He will not compel anyone to come to Him. Through His sovereignty and unchanging character «For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.»

ed. », (Malachi 3:6), foreknowledge «For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. », (Romans 8:29,11:2), love (Ephesians 1:4-5), and plan and pleasure «having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, », (Ephesians 1:5) He predestines some to salvation. Others He allows to continue in rebellion—which is exactly what they want to do. In either case, people make real, uncoerced choices.

Coming to faith in Christ frees our will to obey God, to desire the things of God, yet Christians still have an old nature that pulls them in the other direction. Romans 6:12–14 says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” One day, believers will be confirmed in holiness (glorified) and will no longer be able to sin—yet their love for God will be genuine. They will be free to do what they want, but they will not want to do anything that displeases God.

Prior to the fall, man could be said to have had a “free” will in that he was free to obey God or disobey God. After the fall, man’s will was corrupted by sin to the point where he fully lost the ability to willingly obey God. This doesn’t mean that man can’t outwardly obey God. Rather, manCannot perform any spiritual good that is acceptable to God or has any salvific merit. The Bible describes man’s will as “dead in transgressions and sins” «And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; », (Ephesians 2:1) or as “slaves to sin” «But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. », (Romans 6:17). These phrases describe man as both unable and unwilling to submit to God’s sovereign authority; therefore, when man makes choices according to his desires, we must remember that man’s desires are depraved and corrupted and wholly rebellious toward God.

God created a world where people could choose to disobey, and He allows people today to continue to rebel against Him. In the process, God’s power and forbearance are clearly seen: “What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory?” (Romans 9:22-23). The whole plan of redemption is to the praise of God’s glory «which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. », (Ephesians 1:14). As should be expected, this doctrine is wholly unsatisfying to those who are in rebellion against God and have no desire to give Him glory. When we engage in evangelism or apologetics, we are often tempted to offer another, more “satisfying” answer that focuses salvation on the benefit to humanity. We should resist that temptation and keep

The focus is on God’s glory.

God does not force people to reject Him; He simply allows them to do what they want (sin), and He allows them to do it with a great deal of variety and creativity. God does not force people to accept Him, but He persuades them with tactics that cannot be refused. God is in control, but humans make genuine choices. Somehow, God’s control and human freedom are perfectly compatible.

Ultimately, there are questions that cannot be fully answered or understood, and we must never assume the role of judging God by stating what a loving God “should do” or a just God “should have done.”

After discussing God’s control and human choice at length (Romans 9—11), Paul concludes with this:

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are His judgments,

and His paths beyond tracing out!

‘Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been His counselor?’

‘Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay them?’

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:33-36).

And Paul concludes the letter to the Romans with this: “To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen” «to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.», (Romans 16:27).

God created the world as He did and granted humans the freedoms they possess to bring glory to Himself. The glorification of God is the highest good possible.