As humans, the idea and feeling of being in control is of utmost importance. We control what we eat, wear, watch, listen to. We control our finances, and what we buy. We control who we associate with, and how much of our life is devoted to these relationships. When not in control, we tend to panic. When an unexpected expense comes up, being a passenger in a car or plane, losing a job. Many situations occur on a daily basis in which we have no control and our instinct is to panic or become stressed. Control carries over into our faith and relationship with God.
We want to feel as if we are in control. God is simply looking down on us, waiting to see what we are going to do next. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresence. In other words, God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present. How do we know this? The God-breathed, inerrant, infallible Word of God in scripture tells us. How does this factor into free will? Scripture is very clear on that as well. God is in control of all. God knows all, controls all, and sees all from the beginning.
Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). Paul said, “From the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13). God chooses and sends His Word and His Holy Spirit to open the eyes and hearts of sinners. This process of opening our eyes and hearts by the Word of God given in scripture is the sanctification process. The process of walking as Christ walked. Yes, this is done of the will, but ONLY after God made us able to see and believe.
“There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). We are sinners. If not for the healing and saving power of God, only sin would remain. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). By the gift of faith, we are able to see our sins, leading us to repentance and acknowledgment that all is done by the mercy of God, for we are wretched sinners. This is done, “according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23).
God said, “I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Romans 9:14). God chooses us. It is not of our own free will, but by God’s Grace and Mercy so that no one boasts. “It does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy” (Romans 9:16). “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). “All such boasting is evil” (James 4:16). If salvation was placed upon free will at all, salvation would be left with a sinners heart to boast for there is none righteous, no not one. Salvation is a gift from God; His display of mercy on whom He chooses.
“Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not!” (Romans 9:14). “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (Psalms 97:2). God loves and defines righteousness. Everything we have is graciously given. We “were dead in our trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). Salvation is from the mercy and grace given by God. We pray for others. Why? Because we believe in the sovereignty of God. Does praying for others infringe upon their “free will”? No! God will have mercy on whomever He CHOOSES. “He CALLED you to this through our gospel” (2 Thess: 2:14). “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has CHOSEN you” (1 Thess. 1:4). “For He CHOSE us in Him, before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4).
Gods justice, graciousness, and mercy is perfect. Human free will does not determine salvation. Free will opens the door for wretched sinners to boast. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. As we walk like Christ in our sanctification, scripture tells us it is by God’s mercy, not of anything we do, that we are saved from eternal damnation. If our free will had ANY determination of our salvation, we as wretched sinners would share in God’s glory. We give Glory and thanks to God for everything. For God is all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing.
Jason Pauley
