Introduction
As we continue our sermon series on THE Nature of God, I think I need to expound on God’s omniscience and include where our freedom of choice begins and ends, we come to a topic that has perplexed theologians for centuries: the reconciliation of our freedom of choice and the omniscience of God. On one hand, we are told that we have the ability to choose between good and evil, and that our choices have consequences. On the other hand, we are told that God knows everything that will happen, including the choices we will make. How do we reconcile these two seemingly contradictory truths? Today, we will explore this topic and seek to gain a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and our freedom of choice.
The Paradox of Free Will and Divine Foreknowledge
One of the most challenging aspects of reconciling our freedom of choice with God's omniscience is the paradox of free will and divine foreknowledge. If God knows everything that will happen, including the choices we will make, do we truly have the freedom to choose? If our choices are already predetermined, how can we be held responsible for them?
This paradox is not a new one. Theologians and philosophers have debated this issue for centuries, with no clear consensus. Some argue that our freedom of choice is an illusion, and that God's omniscience means that our choices are predetermined. Others argue that God's foreknowledge does not negate our freedom of choice, and that we are still responsible for our decisions.
The Bible itself seems to affirm both our freedom of choice and God's omniscience. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God tells His people, "I have set before thee life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." This passage suggests that we have the ability to choose between good and evil, and that our choices have consequences.
At the same time, the Bible also affirms God's omniscience. In Psalm 139:4, David writes, "For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether." This passage suggests that God knows everything we will say and do, even before we do it.
So how do we reconcile these seemingly contradictory truths?
The Sovereignty of God and the Responsibility of Man
This in and of itself proves to us that our relationship with God is a two way street.
One way to reconcile our freedom of choice and God's omniscience is to understand the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. In other words, God is in control of all things, including our choices, but we are still responsible for the choices we make.
This concept is illustrated in the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, but God used that situation to bring about His plan to save His people from a famine. Joseph later tells his brothers, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Genesis 50:20).
In this passage, we see that God used the evil actions of Joseph's brothers for His own purposes. But that does not absolve them of responsibility for their actions. They still made a conscious decision to sell their brother into slavery, and they were held accountable for that decision.
Likewise, we can trust that God is in control of all things, including our choices, but we are still responsible for the choices we make. We are not robots programmed to act in a certain way. We have the ability to choose between good and evil, and those choices have consequences. At the same time, we can trust that God will use even our bad choices for His purposes.
God's Grace and Mercy
Another way to reconcile our freedom of choice and God's omniscience is to understand the Concept of God's grace and the power of free will
God's grace is the unmerited favor and kindness that He shows us, despite our shortcomings and sins. It is because of His grace through faith that we are saved and reconciled to Him. However, some may question how the concept of free will fits into the idea of God's grace. If God knows everything that will happen in the future, does that mean that our choices are predetermined, and therefore, grace becomes irrelevant?
The answer is no. The power of free will still exists, and it is an integral part of our relationship with God. While God knows what choices we will make, He does not force us to make them. Instead, He allows us to exercise our free will and make our own decisions. The fact that God knows what choices we will make does not negate the fact that we have the ability to choose.
God's omniscience does not limit our free will, but rather, it allows us to make choices that are in line with His will. We have the power to choose between good and evil, and it is up to us to choose what is right. We can choose to accept God's grace and follow His path, or we can reject it and go our own way. The choice is ours, and God will not interfere with that choice.
The Bible is filled with examples of people exercising their free will, both for good and for evil. Adam and Eve had the free will to obey or disobey God, and they chose to disobey. Abraham had the free will to obey God's call and leave his home, and he chose to obey. The Israelites had the free will to follow God or worship false gods, and they often chose the latter.
The concept of God's grace and the power of free will is further illustrated in the New Testament through the teachings of Jesus. Jesus often spoke of the importance of making choices that align with God's will. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." This passage suggests that we have a choice to make - we can either follow the easy path that leads to destruction, or the difficult path that leads to life.
Furthermore, Jesus also spoke of the power of free will in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). In this parable, a son chooses to leave his father's home and live a life of sin and excess. However, when he realizes the error of his ways, he chooses to return home and seek forgiveness from his father. This parable illustrates the power of free will - the son had the ability to choose to leave and to return, and his choices had consequences.
Ultimately, the reconciliation of our freedom of choice and God's omniscience requires us to trust in God's sovereignty and to take responsibility for our actions. We must recognize that God is in control of all things, and that He can use even our bad choices for His purposes. At the same time, we must also recognize that we have the power to choose between good and evil, and that our choices have consequences. We must take responsibility for our actions, seek forgiveness when we fall short, and strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the reconciliation of our freedom of choice and God's omniscience is a complex and challenging topic. However, by understanding the sovereignty of God, the responsibility of man, and the concept of God's grace and the power of free will, we can begin to gain a deeper understanding of this issue. Ultimately, we must trust in God's plan and take responsibility for our actions, knowing that our choices have consequences and that God will use even our bad choices for His purposes. May we all strive to make choices that align with God's will and bring glory to His name.
i. Firstly, it's important to understand that God's omniscience means that He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. He knows every decision we will ever make, but this does not mean that He is the one making the decisions for us. God created us with free will, which means we have the ability to make choices for ourselves.
ii. Secondly, we need to understand that God's knowledge of our choices does not determine our choices. Just because God knows what we will choose, it does not mean that we are not making the choice ourselves. It's important to remember that our choices are not predetermined or predestined by God. We have the freedom to make our own choices, and we are responsible for the consequences of those choices.
iii. Thirdly, we need to understand that God's sovereignty and our freedom of choice work together. God is in control of all things, and He allows us to make choices within His will. This means that we are free to make our own choices, but God is still in control of the ultimate outcome. Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." This means that we may plan our own paths, but God ultimately directs our steps.
iv. Fourthly, we need to understand that our choices have consequences. We cannot blame God for the choices we make or the consequences that come with those choices. We are responsible for our own actions and must accept the consequences of those actions. Galatians 6:7 says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
v. Fifthly, we need to understand that God's knowledge of our choices is not a limitation on our free will. Just because God knows what we will choose, it does not mean that we are not free to choose something different. We still have the freedom to make choices, and those choices have real consequences. Amen
