Do We Have a Choice?

From the beginning, God gave man the ability to choose. Adam and Eve could either eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or they could choose not to (Gen. 2:16-17). Eve was deceived by the serpent and made the choice to eat of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6; cf. 2 Cor. 11:3). Adam also ate by his own choice (Gen. 3:6). Thus, man sinned by transgressing God’s Law (1 Jn. 3:4). Consider the absurdity of having a law and resultant judgment if there was no ability to choose.

It is the will of God that all people be saved, yet not all people are saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4; Mt. 7:13-14, 21). Why? Man has his own will or ability to make his own decisions. Man can choose to be saved by obeying God or lost by not obeying (Heb. 5:8-9; 2 Th. 1:7-9). Jesus had His own will and subjected it to the Father’s will which is our target (Jn. 6:38; Mt. 26:39).

God does not show partiality to people nor is He a respecter of persons (Ac. 10:34-35; Rm. 2:11). God has placed redemption in His only begotten Son (Eph. 1:3-7). So, we must choose to get into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). God calls everyone the same way which is through the gospel (2 Th. 2:13-14). Thus, the church needs to get the gospel out (Mk. 16:15-16; Ac. 8:3-4). God wants all to come and take the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17).

The invitation of Christ is still open to take His yoke and to learn from Him (Mt. 11:28-30). Yes, we all have a choice in whom we will serve which results either in salvation or condemnation, so let us stay with God (Jos. 24:14-15; Jn. 5:28-29)!

Trent Thrasher