And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
The dictionary defines free will as a doctrine in which the conduct of human beings is expressed through personal choice and is not simply determined by physical or divine forces. This definition is certainly precise and to the point. However, the ground roots of free will are much deeper than this definition. Let me explain.
Through God’s divine will and physical command He divided the light and darkness to create day and night. He created heaven. He created earth. He created the seas. He created the grass, seeds, and trees that yield fruit. He created the fish in the sea and the birds that fly above the earth. He created man and breathed His breath of life into his nostrils. He created woman from the rib of man. Surely, if it is of His will, it will be done. In this I have no doubt.
Yet, God does not force any of us to follow Him. He gives us a choice of free will. What greater love is this? God knows that He is the right choice but He loves us so much that He wants us to find our way to Him and not force His way to us.
At one point we will all reach that fork in life’s road where we are conscious of the right side of eternal life and the left side of eternal damnation. It is our choice whether to turn to the left to walk on the wide crooked road where we can dwell in sin in any way our flesh desires or to turn to the right to walk on the straight and narrow road that is paved with the sacrificial and redeeming blood of Jesus Christ.
If we choose to turn to the right and surrender to the love of God we are assured by His Word that He will never forsake us or leave us alone. No love could be greater than this.
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5
Yes, we are given free will but so many of us are not choosing God. Personally, I cannot understand how one can choose the snares and pitfalls that a wayward life brings instead of choosing the truth, the way, and the life brought through Christ Jesus? How could anyone not love Him the creator of all things? As for me and my house we will serve the Lord for the rest of our days!
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