Why Free Will?

Updated: May 28, 2025

The Bible makes it plain that God gave man the ability to choose. It also makes it clear that man’s choices are often directly contrary to His will. For example, God says in Genesis 6:5-6 that He “regretted that He made man on the earth…” because of man’s wickedness. He also says in 1 Samuel 15:11, “I regret making Saul king…because he has turned back….” These statements clearly show that God’s will and man’s will exist independently and often flow in opposite directions! Otherwise, how could God judge anyone as guilty?

Some consider God’s foreknowledge a contradiction to free will. Isn’t it plausible that the God Who created us already knows those who will accept by faith the gift of salvation? Since God knows our choices before we make them – and the choices of every one of His creation — what if He is able to arrange the lives of His people for their good in ways consistent with His spoken Word? Yes, He is more than able to do this without taking away choice. We choose, then we and our world experience the consequences of our choices.

One might say, “But we all don’t start at the same place! I didn’t grow up in church, and I didn’t have any good role models in my life!” Granted. But does that really absolve anyone from the guilt of wrongdoing, or of not doing good?  The moral code of the creator was baked into us so that we are all without excuse. We don’t choose where we start, but surely we can all recognize our personal responsibility for how we finish. This is why the sacrifice of Jesus was so critical. He made us eligible for a brand new life if we simply take it by faith. Regardless of how or why we got messed up, the good news of Jesus is that we don’t have to remain that way. He can more than make up for anything we lost or never had! (See also Why Me? Why do I matter? and Why Bad?)
(Genesis 6:5-6, 1 Samuel 15:11,35, Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15, Romans 1:19-20, Genesis 18:25, Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:11)