The Heart of the Matter
Discovering God’s Highest Priorities
by
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Chapter 2
THE NECESSITY OF FREE WILL
The concept of free will is basic to Christianity and has always been a fundamental reality. The principle of free will existed in the heavenly realm from the beginning. The angel Lucifer had a free will and elected to rebel against God in concert with a third of the angels. On earth, Adam and Eve had free wills and made a terribly wrong choice by listening to Satan’s lies.
The free will concept still exists for every person and many argue that it will continue into eternity.
GOD’S DEMAND: A CLEAR CHOICE
Scripture indicates that God demands all created beings, i.e.: angels and humans, to make a clear choice: either follow him or follow Satan. It’s a black or white issue. Either choose God (light), or choose sin (darkness). There is no middle ground.
Some might argue that the choice before us does not necessarily include choosing sin. They contend that it simply is either to choose God or not to choose him. But, to not choose God is, in fact, a choice for sin. It’s much like a light switch – the choice is either to turn it on or turn it off. However, darkness is inherent in the choice to turn the switch off. So it is that sin is inherent in failing to choose God.
God gave Adam and Eve the first opportunity to make a true choice. The fact that they were perfect beings in a perfect environment when created did not exempt them from making a choice, either for or against God.
In Genesis 2:16-17, God said to them, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” God clearly laid out before them his moral standard and the options, then left the decision to them. He didn’t try to coerce them into deciding one way or the other.
It’s interesting to contemplate what would have happened if Adam and Eve had obeyed God in the Garden. No doubt our lives would be easier, but each person thereafter still would be faced with choosing between God and evil. Somewhere along the line, someone undoubtedly would make a wrong choice and God would have to deal with it.
Although he demands a choice be made, God allows everyone to exercise their free will in doing so. He will not interfere with anyone’s decision. Even though it presents risks, allowing us to exercise our free will is vitally important to God. Without it, allegiance to him would mean nothing. It would be like someone winning an election without opposition - it would be no choice at all. And God desires that we willfully choose him above anyone or anything simply because of who he is.
Scripture makes this very clear. Some examples:
• Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before me.”
• Exodus 20:5 – “… I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, …”
• Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
• James 4:4, “… don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
Stark Reality
We must make a distinction concerning our free will choices. In order to make any choice, at least two options must be available. For anything less, a real choice is impossible. Concerning our eternal security, the two options before each of us are: we either choose God or we choose sin. As mentioned above, these are the only options.
We’ve known this all along but it points out an important reality: without the option to sin, we would be little more than robots. Without the option to choose sin, our choice in favor of God would mean nothing. Thus, the stark reality is that the availability of sin is crucial to securing our eternal salvation. Not that we must participate in sin. God forbid! But the option to do so must be available.
For people who love God and his word, this thought is difficult to assimilate – maybe even abhorrent to them. We cringe at the suggestion that sin has any purpose whatsoever. But, the irony is that the existence of sin, the thing we hate the most, is necessary to obtaining eternal life, the thing we cherish the most.
THE ORIGIN OF SIN
Since choosing sin is one of the options in the choice before each of us, it would be helpful to review the origin of sin.
We know that God, in the persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, has always existed. But, what about sin? Where did sin come from in the first place? If Lucifer and the other angels rebelled against God and were kicked out of heaven, sin obviously was a possibility at that time. Did God create it? How could a holy God create evil? And so it goes.
These are preeminent questions of the ages. People rarely address them – most don’t even try, probably thinking there are no suitable answers. Others may think answers would serve no purpose in understanding God and seeking to follow him. However, I believe that trying to answer such questions as these, even if we’re unsuccessful, always helps to put the things of God into perspective.
So, here goes.
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About the Book
The Heart of the Matter does not dance around the fringes of acceptable religion nor is it limited by traditional church thinking. Rather, it peels away the many layers of conventional thought to get down to bedrock truth concerning Christianity and living the Christian life. However, in so doing, it carefully adheres to the absolute truth and authority of scripture.
The book puts into perspective who God is and his overall plan for creation and eternal fellowship with his bride. It delves into how each person fits into that plan, offering considerable detail concerning the many issues in establishing a deep relationship with God. Much is said about the biblical significance and importance of maintaining such a close, intimate relationship that God not only demands but earnestly desires.
Many practical guidelines are presented regarding God’s design for our lives here on earth—what he would have us think, say, and do; that we are to continue growing; how to deal with gut-wrenching adversity; and that whatever we do is to be for his glory.
About the Author
George E. Thompson is a retired aeronautical engineer from the Air Force Aero Propulsion and Power Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. Spanning more than thirty-five years, his career centered on advanced technology for spacecraft power systems and missile propulsion. He and his wife, Marjorie, both having lost their first mates to illness, have four children and six grandchildren. They reside in Beavercreek, Ohio. The Heart of the Matter is his first book.