August 04th, 2017

Luke 22:21-22 “But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” 
 
FREE will is a big topic among humanity, isn’t it? We want to believe that we all have an ability to decide for ourselves whatever we wish to do and believe. The world forcefully assaults any idea of influence from outside of self. Sadly, too, even though we pray, “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” the church shudders at the thought that God will direct us to his will, not ours. Do we forget the sovereign God, who willed his Son to the cross, also willed the church into existence? The earth and all that is in it, the church and all we are commanded to do, is no man’s idea!
    Yet, in his sovereign plans for all he created, God has ordained mankind to have a freedom of will to choose how we live. How do we understand God’s sovereign will in relationship to our free will?
    We can begin to answer the question in Genesis 3. God’s will created the world and two beautiful human beings. He willed Adam and Eve into a perfect relationship with one another and with him. Then he gave them several “do this” commands and one “do not” command. In so doing, he also gave to them a mind to willfully choose how they would respond.  
    Then they chose to do the “do not” command. They sinned. Did God then say, “It’s okay. I gave you free will. You’re not responsible for your sin.” No, he judged their sin. He removed them from perfection to the curse of hard toil, pain in childbearing and death.
    The same is true of Judas here. He had a free will to “do” or “do not” Jesus’ teachings. Willfully he chose, as did the first couple, to betray the Word of God. The Lord says he is responsible for his choice: “Woe to the man who betrays him (me).” What you willfully chose leads to cursing or blessing.   
    God’s will is that we will choose many things in our lives. Yet, God sovereignly intercedes into particular lives to dramatically change our minds to: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will Is –  his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
    Think how God’s will changed and empowered Noah, Abraham, Moses, the prophets and the apostles. None of these men woke up one morning to say, “I’m going to do some new amazing thing with God. My will is to build an ark, save people from Egypt, prophesy to sinful Israel and make disciples.”
    God is the Father who sets, encourages and teaches us of himself. He watches over us. When something must happen to correct us, he responds in his righteousness, “This is what we will do.” We must obey. Woe to those who willfully reject the father’s commands and do not repent.
    Yes, free will is good. God has given it to us. Yet freedom creates responsibility and accountability. May your will be to please God that his will be done on earth as it surely is in heaven.
 
Prayer: I pray I am a servant of your will, Father. Amen.