THE FREEDOM OF THE WILL

By Gary Ray Branscome

In the past there has been a great deal of controversy regarding freedom of the will, much of which stems from a failure to distinguish between freedom of the will from man’s viewpoint, and freedom of the will from God’s perspective. Man was created with a free will, and it appears to us like we still have it. In fact, when it comes to everyday choices, such as what we will wear or eat etc., we do have a free will – up to a point. I say “up to a point” because we cannot choose to wear or eat what we do not have. So even in everyday matters our freedom of choice is limited. However, the words, “No one can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost,” and the words, “No man can come to me, unless the Father who has sent me draws him,” tell us that from God’s point of view we are no longer free to chose in spiritual matters, and no man can come to faith in Christ apart from the work of the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 12:3, John 6:44). Having said this, the words, “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me,” tell us that Christ is never going to turn away someone who truly wants to be saved (John 6:37). It is just that no one will want to be saved unless the Father “draws him”.

Likewise, no one should ever be afraid that God does not want to save him. On the contrary, the words, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance,” tell us that God does not want any one to be lost (2Peter 3:9). It is just that God works through His word to bring people to salvation. As it is written, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). And, all you have to do is look around you to see that the lost, for the most part, care nothing for God’s Word

Much of the controversy regarding the doctrine of freedom of the will is generated by those who, on the basis of some passages, draw conclusions that contradict other passages. Then, when they realize that their conclusions contradict other passages, instead of rejecting their conclusions they reject what the Bible says by explaining it away. That is rebellion against God. And, the words, “If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them,” warn us against listening to those who contradict what the Bible says (Isaiah 8:20). The doctrine that God wants us to learn is the doctrine He has plainly stated in the words of Scripture, “line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:10).

The words, “There will be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err,” and the words, “I will put my hook in your nose, and my bridle between your lips, and I will turn you back the way you came,” tell us that from God’s point of view men are controlled by spiritual influences just as a horse is controlled by a bridle (Isaiah 30:28, Isaiah 37:29).

The words, “You are of your father the devil, and you will do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it,” tell us that those who are not children of God are children of the devil, and will do his will (John 8:44). That does not mean that everyone who is lost will commit crimes like murder. However, if they do not commit such crimes it is only by the grace of God. In some cases God is reaching out to them through their conscience. In other cases He is protecting believers. In still other cases they are seeking righteousness through works. But, they are all guilty of the sins that stem from a fallen nature. They all lie, lust, and have imagined murdering someone they are angry at etc. And, the words, “That they may come to their senses and escape from the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to do his will,” tell us that Satan is able to take control of them (2Timothy 2:26).

The words, “The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned,” tell us that because of original sin it is contrary to nature for those who are lost to accept the things of God (1Corinthians 2:14). And, the words, “The fleshly mind is hostile to God: for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be,” tell us that when it comes to the Law of God, we do not have a free will (Romans 8:7).

The words, “I know that you are Abraham’s seed; but you want to kill me, because My Word has no place in you,” tell us that God’s Word is what works in us to change our hearts (John 8:37). The words, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He who remains in me, and I in him, produces much fruit: for you can do nothing without me,” and, the words, “We are not adequate in ourselves to think that we can accomplish anything in our own strength; but our ability is from God,” tell us that we are not able to accomplish anything spiritual in our own strength (John 15:5, 2Corinthians 3:5). As it is written, “It is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

The words, “You formerly walked according to the way of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience,” again speak of those who are lost being under the influence of Satan (Ephesians 2:2). The words, “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is no one who does good, no, not one,” tell us that no one can make himself righteous in the sight of God (Romans 3:12). The words, “The light shone in the darkness; and the darkness did not comprehend it,” tell us that without the help of the Holy Spirit the lost do not understand (John 1:5). And, the words, “He has rescued us from the power of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son,” tell us that we are saved by what God does, not by what we do (Colossians 1:13).

The Apostle Paul was not saved because he chose Christ, or because he resisted less than others, but because God chose him. At the time of Paul’s conversion Christ said, “I have appeared to you for this reason, to make you a minister and a witness not only to the things that you have seen, but also to the things that I will let you see. I will deliver you from your people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified through faith in me” (Acts 26:16-18).

Speaking to Timothy, Paul said, “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle toward all, able to teach, and patient when wronged. With gentleness instructing those who oppose their own interest, in the hope that God will give them repentance bringing them to a realization of the truth. That they may come to their senses and escape from the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2Timothy 2:24-26). Those words remind us that those who are lost, having been taken captive by Satan, oppose their own interest [i.e. salvation], and repentance is a gift of God.

A number of passages are commonly cited to support the idea that man has some part in his salvation. However, as you will see, that idea is not in the text, it is being assumed.

The words, “Come to me, all you who labor and are carrying a heavy burden, and I will give you rest,” invite all who are lost to come (Matthew 11:28). The words, “The kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel,” call on people to repent and believe (Mark 1:15). And, the words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” were the words of Paul and Silas to the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:31). However, the words, “The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned,” and the words, “No one can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost,” tell us that just because the Bible calls upon men to believe does not mean that they have the ability to believe (1Corinthians 2:14 and 12:3). Without the power of the Holy Spirit working through His Word they could never believe. Their sinful flesh would destroy faith before it got started by filling them with doubt

The words, “He (Christ) is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world,” tell us that salvation is available to everyone (1John 2:2). However, the words, “The minds of those who do not believe have been blinded by the god of this world, that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, might not reach them,” and the words, “The world through its wisdom did not know God,” tell us that without God’s Word the lost have no idea that they are lost, or that salvation is available (2corinthians 4:4, 1Corinthians 1:21).

The words, “It pleased God to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching.” // “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” and “No one can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost,” then tell us that God works through His Word to bring multitudes to faith, in spite of their resistance (1Corinththians 1:21). And, the words, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people valued by God; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light,” tell us that we have not chosen Christ, He has chosen us (1Peter 2:9).