Why did God give free will?

God gave humans free will so that love, faith, and obedience could be genuine choices, not programmed responses, making a real relationship with Him possible, even though this freedom also allows for evil and suffering; it enables humans to choose good over evil, making their moral choices meaningful and allowing them to become partners with God, rather than mere puppets.

What does it mean when Mary pondered in her heart?

When Mary "pondered in her heart," it means she deeply meditated, treasured, and mentally replayed significant events and divine messages about Jesus, like the angel's announcement and the shepherds' visit, holding them close to understand their meaning over time through quiet reflection, faith, and deep thought, rather than immediate full comprehension. It signifies a spiritual process of collecting divine truths, allowing them to shape her faith and understanding, serving as a model for trusting God's unfolding plan. 

What did Jesus say about free will?

For instance, in the Gospel of John, Jesus implies each man has the choice to do his own will or that of God when he says “whoever chooses to do his will shall know whether my teaching is from God or whether I speak on my own.” Additionally, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that the greatest commandment is “you ...

When did God decide to give us free will?

According to the Bible, God gave humans free will at creation, as shown in Genesis when Adam and Eve were given the choice to obey or disobey God's command about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, demonstrating an inherent capacity for choice. This ability to choose is seen as central to being made in God's image, allowing for love and partnership, but it also led to the Fall when they used their will to disobey.
 

Why did God give freedom of choice?

God gave humans freedom of choice (free will) primarily so that genuine love, relationship, and moral action could exist, allowing people to choose to love God and others rather than being forced puppets, though this freedom also enables sin and its consequences, leading to accountability and the need for salvation, with choices often framed as choosing between good and evil, or life and death. 

Do People Have Freewill if God is All-Knowing?

Why did God allow humans to have free will?

God gave humans free will so we could genuinely choose love, goodness, and obedience, rather than being forced robots, allowing for real relationships, personal responsibility, and the potential for true joy and growth, even though it also makes evil and suffering possible, with different faiths seeing it as a path to connect with God or follow divine laws. 

What is the real meaning behind Joshua 24:14/15?

Joshua 24:14-15 is a powerful call for wholehearted commitment to God, urging the Israelites to fear Him, serve Him sincerely, and put away all other idols, with Joshua famously declaring his own family's unwavering choice: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD". It's a pivotal moment where Joshua challenges the people to make a definitive decision for God or for the foreign gods of their ancestors and neighbors, emphasizing that their future depends on exclusive, faithful worship, a choice that remains relevant today for personal and family allegiance. 

Does God give us free will or are we predestined?

The question of free will versus divine predestination is a complex theological debate, with many faiths, particularly Christianity, affirming both concepts simultaneously, viewing them as a divine mystery rather than a contradiction, where humans have real choices but God remains sovereign and knows the outcome. Some perspectives suggest God's foreknowledge doesn't cause choices, while others believe God's will ultimately directs all things, including human decisions, leading to varied interpretations like Calvinism (predestination) and Arminianism (emphasizing free will). 

Why did God give them free will?

God gave humans free will so we could genuinely choose love, goodness, and obedience, rather than being forced robots, allowing for real relationships, personal responsibility, and the potential for true joy and growth, even though it also makes evil and suffering possible, with different faiths seeing it as a path to connect with God or follow divine laws. 

What are the consequences of no free will?

If it is true that we have no free will, then the consequences are already visible for you to see, since you live in a world in which we all behave deterministically. How we decide to treat criminals, for example, is all out of our control, as, indeed, is the choice about whether we accept we have free will.

Do humans still have free will in heaven?

Yes, most theological views agree people retain free will in heaven, but it's a perfected free will, free from the ability or desire to sin, enabling choices only for good, holiness, and God's glory, unlike earthly free will which struggles with sin. In heaven, free will functions within perfect love and understanding, meaning choices align with God's will, but are still freely made, similar to how Jesus had free will but never sinned.
 

How can God have a plan if we have free will?

Yes, God does have a plan for our lives. The free will comes in when we decide whether or not to follow that plan. And even before that, whether or no we chose to believe Him, like @disqus_XM5QHF0vAP:disqus said.

Do humans truly have free will?

Whether humans have free will is a deep philosophical and scientific debate with no single answer, but perspectives range from it being a powerful illusion (determinists/some scientists like Sapolsky) suggesting our choices are predetermined by biology and environment, to it being real (compatibilists, libertarians, many philosophers/theologians) meaning we possess genuine choice, even if influenced by factors, with some arguing our ability to reflect and choose between reasons constitutes freedom. Most people feel they have free will, and many believe it's essential for morality, though neuroscience shows our brains act before we're conscious of deciding. 

What are the three lessons we can learn from Mary?

Three key lessons from Mary's life are: unwavering faith and saying "yes" to God's plan, even when uncertain; humble obedience and surrender to God's will, trusting His path; and meditative presence, quietly treasuring and reflecting on God's work in her life. She showed profound trust in God's timing and power, becoming an example of quiet strength, courageous action, and deep devotion. 

What is the actual meaning of Deuteronomy 22:5?

Deuteronomy 22:5 prohibits women from wearing men's attire and men from wearing women's clothing, calling such acts "abominations to the LORD," with interpretations varying from maintaining gender distinction, preventing pagan rituals (like fertility rites) or illicit sexual encounters, to upholding specific cultural norms, though its precise application today is debated due to changing fashions and cultural contexts, with some seeing it as a timeless moral principle about gender roles and others as a specific cultural law. 

How did Mary get pregnant with Jesus if she was a virgin?

According to Christian belief, Mary became pregnant with Jesus through a miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, not sexual intercourse, meaning she remained a virgin. The angel Gabriel told her the Holy Spirit would come upon her, making her conceive, which is described as a supernatural, divine act where God overshadowed her to bring forth the Son of God, Jesus. Joseph, her betrothed, was informed by an angel in a dream to take her as his wife, as the child was conceived by God, and he fulfilled this, remaining with Mary but abstaining from intimacy until after Jesus' birth. 

Why did God let humans have free will?

God gave humans free will so we could genuinely choose love, goodness, and obedience, rather than being forced robots, allowing for real relationships, personal responsibility, and the potential for true joy and growth, even though it also makes evil and suffering possible, with different faiths seeing it as a path to connect with God or follow divine laws. 

Why does God punish us if we have free will?

The question of why God punishes despite granting free will is a central theological debate, with common perspectives suggesting that consequences for sin aren't arbitrary punishment but natural outcomes of violating divine laws, God's loving discipline for growth, a demonstration of justice, or the self-inflicted suffering from choosing evil over good, with many faiths offering paths (like salvation/repentance) to avoid eternal consequences through faith or action, framing it as respecting human choice and responsibility, not contradiction. 

What is the spiritual meaning of free will?

In spirituality, free will is the divine gift of self-determination, allowing individuals to choose their path—towards good/God or away from it—making them responsible for their spiritual growth and actions, though interpretations vary on how this interacts with divine will, predestination, or fate, often seen as steering within the "flow of the universe" rather than against it. It's the capacity to choose thoughts, intentions, and actions, but this freedom comes with moral weight, enabling love and spiritual connection but also the potential for evil.
 

Can God override our free will?

Whether God can interfere with free will is a complex theological question, with most traditions suggesting God respects human freedom but can influence circumstances, offer grace, or guide people without overriding their core choices, often through divine providence that works with free will, not against it, allowing individuals to still choose their responses. Views vary, but generally, God doesn't remove free will but provides opportunities, knowing choices, and allowing consequences, with some believing God can subtly alter minds or events for a greater purpose, while humans always retain the ability to choose how to react. 

Which Christians do not believe in predestination?

Protestant traditions vary: Lutheranism affirms unconditional election to salvation but denies predestination to damnation, Calvinism teaches double predestination, and Arminianism links election to foreseen human faith. The LDS Church rejects predestination but teaches foreordination, emphasizing moral agency.

Do we have free will or is everything predetermined?

The question of free will versus predetermination is a centuries-old debate with no single answer, involving philosophy, neuroscience, and theology, with perspectives ranging from hard determinism (everything is caused by past events, making free will an illusion) to compatibilism (free will and determinism coexist by defining free will as acting on desires, even if those desires are determined). While some scientific findings suggest our brains make decisions before we're conscious of them, many argue for a practical sense of freedom, while religions offer nuanced views blending divine will with human choice. 

How does Joshua 24:15 apply today?

At its core, Joshua 24:14-15 serves as a clarion call to faithfulness and loyalty. It challenges believers to examine their allegiances and prioritize their commitment to God above all else. In a world plagued by distractions and temptations, these verses serve as a reminder of the importance of unwavering devotion.

What did Jesus mean when he said "Do not give dogs what is holy"?

When Jesus said, "Do not give what is holy to dogs," He meant believers should use discernment about who they share sacred truths, spiritual insights, or precious faith with, warning against giving deep spiritual things to those who are hostile, irreverent, or unappreciative, as they will likely scorn, misuse, or attack the message, trampling it underfoot instead of valuing it. It's about recognizing when people will not value holy things and could even turn on the messenger, preventing the desecration of sacred truths. 

What are the three great lessons you have learned in the story of Joshua?

He encouraged Joshua to be strong, brave, and obedient. The secret of true success, then and now, is complete obedience to God.