Free Will vs God's Will

A more in-depth study of Free Will vs God's Will is in the making. For now, I offer this short snippet.

Consider this:
- Do you believe God knows what's going to happen tomorrow?
- Is there anything you can do to change the plans of God?
- Is it scriptural that you can choose to be saved?
- Does your free will impose itself on someone else's free will?

Do you believe the following statement is true? Because of God's unconditional love towards man, He gave man a free will to choose to "screw up" or "get right" with God even though God knows what's going to happen tomorrow. If you believe that statement is true or know someone that does, then the following teaching is for you.

It's pretty hard to get around the fact that God knows what's going to happen in the future. We shall say that the thoughts of God are in - The mind of God. And the mind of God knows all things about you: your past, you presently and your future. The mind of God is also the "Word" of God. Written in the Greek as "Logos". The "Logos" or "Word" or "Mind" of God cannot be changed. It is His will. Psa 139:2-6 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways.Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.[Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it. Q? Does God only focus on big events or does He focus on all events big or small? Didn't Jesus say that the hairs on your head are numbered? Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Would God know that number at any given moment: past, present and future? I think we can safely say that God focuses on all things big or small.

So the mind of God knows all things and is concerned about all things. But you still think you have a choice about your life. You believe your choices created your past and are creating the present situation you are in and are creating the future for you. You think you can will tomorrow the way you want it to be. Didn't the Apostle James say, "that if the Lord will, we shall do this or that?" Jam 4:15 For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Whose will? God's right? So where do you get the idea that you are in control of tomorrow? I'll tell you where this thinking comes from:

It's called the tree of knowledge of good and evil! The tree of knowledge of good and evil represents contrasting opposites: good - evil, left - right, up - down, black - white = CHOICES! This is why the serpent said "You will be like gods." Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Wouldn't a "god" believe they are in control of everything? Just because God has allowed you to KNOW choices doesn't mean you're actually dictating the choice to happen. It has gone to your head that you believe you're in control of your own destiny. That's the "god-like" attitude the serpent was referring to. To think you're in control instead of God. That, my friend, is the wisdom of the world. That is how you thought all your natural life - before your spiritual eyes could see. That is precisely the thinking of Eve when she saw that eating the fruit would make her wise. Eve making the "choice" made her feel wise. God says the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. Now that you walk with Jesus, you still think you are in control? Get over it! Choices are a state of mind as I have pointed out here from the time of Adam and Eve, God controls the cause and effect of the actual decision that is destined by Him. Scary, huh? You're really not in control - but your mind thinks you are. That is why Jesus pointed out to fear the one who can kill your soul - not the one who can kill only your flesh - Matthew 10:28. And this is precisely the exhortation the Apostle Paul makes for the believer to understand that transformation begins with the mind: Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Repentance as preached by John the Baptist meant to "Change your mind." Once you get over the fact that you are NOT in control and understand and believe that God IS in control (Really! Not Christian double-talk), then you can fully experience the peace of God. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Try this fruitless excersize: Get a planner and plan all your choices for tomorrow by each second - everything you want to do tomorrow over a 24 hour period. Now live it for each second and see if you can stay on track.

The reason why this is an important subject to understand is because it's the foundation of your faith. It's understanding the measure of grace that is given to you. It's the proper understanding of ALL Jesus has done for you and therefor He should receive ALL the glory with praise and thanksgiving. Do you have faith that God is in control of all things and His purpose and plans cannot be thwarted - OR - do you believe God's plans and purpose can be thwarted by man's disobedience or the actions of the devil? The Word says "Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him." Hbr 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. So wouldn't you want to have the proper foundation when "Walking by faith?" 2Cr 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) Faith in your ability to make good decisions or faith that God is in control 24/7? Do you praise Him for ALL things or just some things? Which do you believe? Which belief do you think gives God ALL the glory with praise and thanksgiving?

Jesus said in Jhn 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. We're not content to just abide in Christ - we want to know His will for our lives like there's some sort of psychic Holy Spirit force to discover. The Holy Spirit is not a psychic phenomena. Faith is knowing that you are exactly where you are in God's will and that His will is perfect and all you need to do is understand that you are to "abide" in it.

The Tree of Life that was in the Garden of Eden has been kept out of man's reach until the coming of Jesus the Christ. We are now able to receive eternal life by eating of the Tree of Life: Jesus. The Tree of Life is the understanding that Jesus is LIFE. Totally. He is the true LIFE - all the time - all His choices - all His glory - all His Life.

So how do you make the transition from believing in Free Will to God's Will? The first thing you should begin doing is thanking Him for all things that happen in your life. Good, bad, ugly, You thank Him. 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. What this does is unleash a peace in you that God is in total control and no matter what happens, you are thankful knowing that: Rom 8:28,29 (God causes) all things to work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 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. I repeat, thank Him for everything: This is the works of your faith. 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Also, understand this is all part of His wonderful plan for us. Rom 8:20, 21 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. God allowing you to know good and evil means you are like Him as He proclaimed in the Garden of Eden, "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil..." This is part of His image. God said to KNOW good and evil - not to CHOOSE good and evil. To KNOW good and evil are to KNOW the choices - and thank Him for the choice He has made for you.

So in making the transition from believing in Free Will to believing in God's Will, you may be in question as to how you make any decision. Relax!!! Abide!!! God IS in control. This is where the Holy Spirit plays a big part in guiding you. It's a progressive relationship. We now embark on knowing the Mind of God (Christ). The more you gain understanding of ALL Jesus has done for you and who Jesus is, then you understand what choices He has made for you that you will walk in. HUH? Well, it takes a little explaining. But when the Word says to know what the will of the Lord is, that means you will know what His will is as you are faced with choices to make because you understand His thoughts, you hear His voice and you have the MIND of Christ. If you are not at this point, then you just go with your heart because it really doesn't matter since God already knows what you will think and what you will do - which is HIS will. I repeat: RELAX! You cannot thwart the plans and purposes of God. Pray for Wisdom and Understanding to learn of Him MORE and have an attitude of expectation to see the works of God unfold before your very eyes! Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvelous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.

This site is not intended for argument. For most of you, I have been where your beliefs are and I cannot go back. I praise God for however He plans to use this site.

Your search for the truth should be directed to the Lord - so then the Holy Spirit can renew your mind in Christ.