What father holding his little girl’s hand crossing a busy street would ever let it go? The more she pulls, the tighter he squeezes. There is no way she is going anywhere! Is God any different? The argument that a person can choose hell by rejecting God as a result of “free” will is in effect saying a little girl has more strength than her dad. God has given man a “measure” of free will, but certainly not to the degree that He would allow him or her to damn themselves forever in torment. Is God less of a parent than we are (Mt. 7:11)? We extend increasing freedom to our children as they mature. Too much too soon is disastrous. He knows just how much freedom we need for our development.

God, as Creator, is owner of all things (Ps. 2:8; Ez. 18:4; Col. 1:16; He. 1:2), and that includes you and I. He has never relinquished that title. Only He has absolute “free” will over His property. Should we be forever lost, He would be the loser and God is not a loser!

Many say hell is locked on the inside. But how? Christ has the keys! (Re. 1:18).

Many believe God’s hands are tied; as much as He would like to keep us, He is unable. But, is our power to destroy His property really greater than His power to preserve or restore it? How “free” and powerful are we? What role did we play in controlling our life experiences that have made us what we are? Will we deliberately choose what sufferings we will undergo in the future that inevitably will affect what we become? What intricacies of our reasoning processes, which determine our decisions, do we fully control?

Is the Bible right in saying no one seeks after God, that our natural mind is at odds with Him and not subject to His law? “Indeed it cannot be subject,” said Paul (Ro. 3:11; 8:7). How can a naturally hostile mind, which “indeed” cannot subject itself to God, of its own “free” will do so? Is there not a contradiction here? Only God can give us faith and draw us to Himself; we cannot muster it up. See He. 12:2; Ro. 12:3; Jn. 6:44; 15:16; Ph. 1:29; Mt. 11:27; 16:16-17; Jn. 1:13; Ac. 13:48; 1Co. 4:7; Ep. 2:8-9; 3:16-17; Ph. 1:6; 2:13; Col. 1:12; 2 Th. 3:2; 1Ti. 1:14; Tit. 1:1; Ez. 36: 26-27; Jer. 24:7; 31:33-34; 32:39-40. To idolize “free” will as though it were the crux of our salvation contradicts the Bible and fosters a boastful attitude! (1Co. 1:26-31; 4:6-7).

What are we implying when we infer that God is helpless in the face of man’s “free” will? It intimates that our salvation depends on human power, not divine. Thus, God is stripped of His power and glory leaving the blood of Christ powerless to save those for whom it was shed (all sinners). In fact, it negates the very definition of God as “Almighty,” leaving us with no real God at all. In Exploring the Attributes of God Dr. Robert Morey stated:

God’s sovereignty was viewed as an essential attribute by the early Church and anyone who dared to deny it was called an atheist. This is one of the most misunderstood and maligned attributes of God. Yet, it is an essential attribute that makes God GOD. The Scriptures always describe God as actively controlling and guiding the entire creation. It is never viewed as bare potential. Where should we begin when studying God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility? Should we begin with man and establish his free will and then define divine sovereignty in such a way it does not conflict with man? Or, should we begin with God and His free will and then develop our understanding of man from that viewpoint? We must begin where Scripture begins.…The Bible begins with GOD. He is the great I AM, the Alpha…Omega, the Beginning…End. (22)

The story of Joseph pictures God powerfully working behind the scenes influencing the wills of men. Who of these men thought their will was not solely their own? Yet God, in His infinite power, was at work accomplishing His purposes through their decisions (Ge. 45:5). While the king of Egypt decreed all male Hebrew babies should die, God was all the while orchestrating His plan for putting Moses at the head of the kingdom! Even while Pharaoh resisted Moses, God was at work according to His plan. Where was Pharaoh’s “free” will? Consider what Isaiah wrote about Assyria:

Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger…I will send him against…the people of My wrath…will give him charge.… Yet he does not mean so, nor does his heart think so.…For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it.…Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it?” (Is. 10:5-7, 13).

Assyria was being used by God and was totally unaware of it. In all these cases, we see men doing, but God orchestrating. Please carefully reflect on these passages.

God will circumcise your heart to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul (De. 30:6).

I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted (Job 42:2 RSV).

Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You (Ps. 65:4).

A man’s heart plans… but the Lord directs… (Pr. 16:9).

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord (Pr. 16:33).

There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand (Pr. 19:21).

A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way (Pr. 20:24)?

The king’s heart is a stream…in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will (Pr. 21:1).

You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us (Is. 26:12).

I will do all my pleasure,…indeed…I will bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will do it (Is. 46:10-11).

None who seeks for God.…Where is boasting? (Is.53:6; Ro. 3:11, 19b, 27).

The way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23).

I will give them a heart to know Me…for they shall return to Me with their whole heart (Jer. 24:7).

I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me (Jer. 32:40).

I will…cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them…. (Ez. 36:27).

He does according to His will among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand (Da. 4:35).

Those…were born…nor of the will of man, but of God (Jn. 1:12, 13).

No one can come to Me unless the Father…draws [drags] him (Jn. 6:44). See “Every Knee” in chapter six.

Without Me you can do nothing (Jn. 15:5).

You did not choose Me, but I chose you (Jn. 15:16).

Creation [people] was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who…subjected it in hope…. (Ro. 8:20).

It does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs but on God who has mercy (Ro. 9:16 NAS).

You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” (Ro. 9:19).

God chose the foolish…God chose the weak…He chose the lowly…so that no man may boast… (1Co. 1:27-29 NIV).

Predestined man…to the purpose of Him who works all… according to the counsel of His will (Ep. 1:11).

God works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Ph. 2:13).

He is able even to subdue all things to Himself (Ph. 3:21).

God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind (Re. 17:17).

Who is in control here? Man or God? Whose will prevails? My friend David Nuckols said, “How ironic that those who believe God will not violate the ‘free’ will of man have no problem believing He will violate His own free will—that all men should be saved!” In “The Work of the Cross,” Ken Eckerty wrote, “How ironic that those who believe God will not violate man’s “free” will have no problem that He forces men—against their will—to confess and bow to Christ.” (23)

What are we saying to God in deifying the will of man? “Oh well, Lord, it is a sad thing that…

You cannot have what is yours (Ro. 11:36).

You cannot find what you have lost (Lu. 15:4).

Isaiah was wrong about your hand not being so short it cannot save (Is. 59:1).

The Bible exaggerates in saying nothing is too difficult for you (Jer. 32:17).

Man has robbed the keys of Hades from You (Re. 1:18).

He who is in the world is stronger than You (1Jn. 4:4).

Your propitiation for the whole world is really only for a few (1Jn. 2:2).

Your promises to reconcile all things are just exaggerated hopes (Ac. 3:21).

Your hands are tied. You cannot accomplish all your will (Is. 55:11).

All creatures will not really worship you like you hoped (Re. 5:13; Phil. 2:10-11).

What has happened to GOD? Our tradition has pawned His power off to man in the myth of “free” will. Are we better than the fools Paul referred to in Ro. 1:20-21? Why were they called fools? For failing to glorify God “as GOD.” Do we do the same?

God’s Will

Since Bible translators are human, they are naturally inclined to conform the text to their world view. Since the majority have believed in the sovereignty of man’s will, they must weaken the sense of certain phrases such as “to will” and “to purpose” when referring to God. Instead, they use terms like “to desire” and “to wish” relative to God’s intentions. As a corollary to this tendency, God is seen as merely “desiring” things instead of “willing” them into existence.

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have [“desires”–NKJV] all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1Ti. 2:3-6 KJV).

God “will” have all men to be saved. Does this mean God purposes with intent to accomplish His will, or that He merely desires it with no power to make it happen? The Greek word “will” here is thélō, Strong’s #2309. The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament defines thélō at (I) (C) as “To will as the equivalent of to purpose, to be decided upon, seeing one’s desire to its execution…”(V) “Thélō indicates not only willing something, but also pressing on to action.” (24) Of more importance than what any lexicographer would say, is how the apostles understood Christ when He used the word.

Jesus said to him, “If I will [thelo] that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “if I will [thelo] that he remain till I come, what is that to you? (Jn. 21:22-23).

The disciples evidently understood Jesus statement, “If I will” as the equivalent of “to purpose,” “to be decided upon,” and to “seeing one’s desire to its execution.” That is why they went out and proclaimed that this disciple would not die. For them to believe such an incredible statement is especially relevant. Did Jesus’ hearers understand the word, “will,” differently than we are to understand it in 1Ti.2:4? I don’t think so. And for the sake of argument, even if it read “desire” instead of “will,” it does not change a thing, for Isaiah says: “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure [“delight”—YLT]” (Is. 46:10).

Tradition has taught us that God will not save a person against his or her will. I agree. However, He has the power to orchestrate whatever circumstances are necessary to effect one’s will to change.

Quillen Hamilton Shinn, a Civil War soldier, teacher, and acclaimed Vermont minister, wrote:

He does not save men by arbitrary force. He saves by their wills, through moral influence. God has resources in his universe, the all conquering agencies of love, to make the unwilling soul willing! He has light enough to make the blind see, and love enough to melt the hardened heart.” (25)

Pastor and author of The Outcome of Infinite Grace, Loyal F. Hurley, pointed out:

Again and again, when trouble stalks his path, a man turns back to the God he has despised. When his wife dies, or his children go wrong; when loss and disaster fall upon him, again and again he will seek the God he has neglected. That is not because God coerces the man, but because He brings upon him such experiences as change his attitude. And He brings such experiences upon men, not in anger, but in love. For love is the only ultimate power that is not coercive. (26)

The Myth of “Eternal” Rejection

We know in part…we see…dimly.
(1Co. 13:9-12)

No one has complete or perfect knowledge of God. So when a person rejects a given concept of God, they are not in truth rejecting the true God, but only their partial or flawed understanding of Him. Only Christ truly knows Him, and he to whom He wills to reveal Him (Mt. 11:27; Lu. 10:22; Jn. 6:46). If Christ has not revealed the Father in truth to someone, can that person be held accountable for rejecting what was not really made known?

Once a full revelation of God is received in the ages to come (Ep. 2:7), all will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, just as Isaiah and Paul prophesied (Is. 45:21-25; Ro. 14:11; Ph. 2:9-11). Who would want to continue in active and persistent rebellion knowing that God wants only what is absolutely best for them? Knowing then, the great goodness and love of God, along with the Holy Spirit working in each heart, all hardened hearts will melt before His glorious being. It is impossible that an omnipotent God can fail in His purposes, and some would forever resist unconditional love opting for everlasting pain. This would be totally irrational. And even if one were that irrational, such resistance would not arise out of a free will, but an enslaved will, a will in bondage to an insane mind.

Martin Luther declared:

I frankly confess that, for myself, even if it could be, I should not want free-will to be given me.…But now that God has taken my salvation out of the control of my own will, and put it under the control of His, and promised to save me, not according to my working or running, but according to His own grace and mercy, I have the comfortable certainty that He is faithful and will not lie to me, and that He is also great and powerful, so that no devils or opposition can break Him or pluck me from Him. (27)

John Wesley claimed that everyone in the world could be saved without the loss of liberty, according to a sermon entitled, “The General Spread of the Gospel,” which he preached on April 22, 1783. He said a city, nation, or the whole world could become Christian, and it could take place without difficulty if only we were to suppose God acts irresistibly. “Now in the same manner as God has converted so many to Himself without destroying their liberty, He can undoubtedly convert whole nations, or the whole world. And it is as easy to Him to convert a world as one individual soul.” (28)

Free will? Have you prayed for light and revelation about this teaching? Are His hands tied by your free will? Your belief or disbelief in “free” will must inevitably be determined by your view of God’s sovereign will and power.

The biggest factor overlooked by those who say God will not violate man’s “free” will, is the fact that man does not own himself. “All souls are mine” (Ex. 18:4). God wills all to be saved (1Ti. 2:4). If that does not happen, it is His will that is violated, not man’s.

If you might dare, imagine putting to God this question: “Do you place a higher value on our self-destructive “free will” than you do your own loving will for us, your very own children?” Please think about the audacity of this question! He created us and our wills. We and they are subject to Him.

Why is it that our tradition only accepts our will as “free” if it leads us to eternal destruction, and not free when it leads us to life in God’s predetermined will (Ph. 2:9-11; Ro. 14:11)? Unlimited freedom of will is an illusion. Such absolute freedom in man would be bondage of the worst kind imaginable.

If we, through our so called “free” will, can trump God’s will forever, then Christ gave up His “will” in vain. This would unlawfully rob Him of His reward for sacrificing His life for all men. Listen to His heart wrenching prayer after falling on his face in the garden of Gethsemane: “Father…not as I will, but as You will!”(Mt. 26:39). Jesus yielded up His “will” to His Father and accepted a most horrible death to save each one of us. He came to save the world! (Jn. 12:47).Did Christ think for a moment that His Father’s will to save all, and His ransom for all in due time (1Ti. 2:4, 6) would be meaningless? Not for a second! Please pause a moment and reflect on what was just said.

“Jesus…for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross (He. 12:2). What joy? There is only one thing that would give Him true joy; the total success of His mission. The Good Shepherd is not content until He finds each lost sheep. “He shall see the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied” (Is. 53:11 KJV)!He shall be satisfied!

I leave you with one final thought:

Charles Darwin said:

“I can indeed hardly see how anyone ought to wish Christianity to be true; for if so…my father, brother and almost all my best friends, will be everlastingly punished.” See “Autobiography of Charles Darwin, New York. W.W. Norton, 1969. 87. Extract from Nora Barlow ed with original omissions restored. Sincere thanks to Graham Rogers United Kingdom.2009

Please think very carefully about what Darwin is saying here. If this man had known God’s unfailing love for all, do you think he would he have sought an alternative explanation for life? How would this have impacted our world?

 

From Hope Beyond Hell by Gerry Beauchemin Chapter 1