Question: How does free will affect my faith?
“So if the Son sets your free, you are truly free” – John 8:36
Free will is the power to chose for oneself. We have the power and ability to control our thoughts, words, attitudes and behaviors. At times, our emotions may get the best of us; Nevertheless, we are the only ones that can control what, when, where, why and how we chose to live. We are also in control of who we surround ourselves around. We have the free will to believe and have faith, or not to believe and live without faith.
“The Bible also says that we are responsible for receiving Christ as Savior. If we believe in Jesus Christ we will be saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10). God knows who will be saved and God chooses who will be saved, and we must choose Christ in order to be saved”
We have the power to be mean or kind, sensitive or cruel and judgmental or non-judgmental. Depending on the choices we make, it will reflect the life that we live, on earth and for eternity. Free will affects faith, the same way it affects us. If we chose to get in a car with a drunk driver, we chose to put our life at risk. We may know the consequences of our actions and still chose to accept them, without giving much thought of how it will effect us.
Free will has the power to chose life or death. Free will affects faith by determining our destiny in life and eternity
“Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin? [Proverbs 20:9] . This verse shows us the truth, we are all sinners. Although we the power of free will, we do not have the power to cleanse our hearts and forgive our sins. Thank God for Jesus! Since the sacrifice of Christ, paid the debt for all sinners, those who chose to believe in him, make the choice to be forgiven of their sins.
Additional Resources:
- http://www.gotquestions.org/sovereign-free-will.html
- http://www.theopedia.com/free-will