As a Christian there are certain beliefs that I can’t discuss or put a question mark over. One of those is the supremacy of God. But with matters like human free will, we can enter into a bit of debate. For nearly everyone feels—and many insist—that they consciously decide and control their actions, which is the foundation of free will. In terms of a definition, free will is described as: performing an intentional action based on informed and rational deliberation by a sane person, in the absence of compulsion and coercion. This definition runs into some challenges when we affirm the existence of a sovereign God or supreme being, which would suggest that we aren’t free but only puppets.
Are we truly free beings or mere automatons?
Are we truly free beings or mere automatons under the control of God? Put another way, if God is in control of all that he’s made then how do we understand our own freedom? Can we even claim to be free or have free will if God is sovereign? Let’s attempt to answer some of those questions by considering first our nature as created beings; second, the intersection of free will and sovereignty in the Bible; and finally, the only way to be truly free.
Free Will and the Bigger Picture of God’s Sovereignty
Man is a creation. We are the result of God’s intent and decision. Apart from him we wouldn’t exist. So, men are a product. And all products are defined by their creators. Consider cars. The manufacturer determines all things mechanical and electrical, designing how the vehicle will function; the car can’t make a u-turn and tell the manufacturer how it wants to be built. Similarly, the sovereign and supreme God is the manufacturer, mankind is his product. He is creator. We are the creation.
God is creator. We are the creation.
After the car is made and running it can go many directions. As humans we can likewise, deciding what we want in and for our lives, including the horrific decision of intentionally sinning, committing murder or adultery and so forth. But—and this is a very important point—the car can never fly. Why? Because the manufacturer never built the car with that capability. In this way, the manufacturers will always prevail over the product’s. We can say the same thing about people, ourselves.
All our desires and the exercising of our will falls within the supremacy of God. This means that God, not you, ultimately determines our intentions and decisions. He doesn’t prevent what we want or choose to do—even if he prohibits that same thing. He stands as the source behind your person and all that you do. This is difficult for us to understand, and it’s even harder for us to accept. But our freedom falls within his sovereign decision to create us; his decision to create you, as an individual.
Sovereignty and Free Will in the Bible
Let’s go the Bible and observe Adam and Eve engaging in their first sin, disobeying God. Looking on we must wonder, “Why doesn’t God interfere? Couldn’t he have kept them from sinning against him?” The simple answer is that, “People aren’t God’s puppets.” We’re free. We can do whatever we want, including good and bad things.
Whatever we do, however much we’ve deliberated or planned, God’s will prevails.
But here’s the challenging bit. Whatever we do, however much we’ve deliberated or planned, God’s will prevails. Going back to the Bible, let’s look a little more closely at Adam and Eve prior to the fall. Internal dynamics of their disobedience aside, we know that God had eternally prepared a solution (Ephesians 1:4-5). Before the sin was committed, the work of the Son was anticipated. In this we see the sovereign will of God and at the same time human freedom.
To make another example, consider Joseph’s brothers, who sold him into slavery that eventually brought him to Egypt. Years later, Joseph had become a powerful figure in Egypt. So when his brothers arrive in Egypt seeking food for their famine-struck people, Joseph tells them, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones” (Genesis 50:20-21).
Nothing happens outside of God’s will. Nothing is outside of his control.
Where Will Our Freedom Lead Us?
Though we might struggle to hold these two points together, we are free and God is sovereign. As I said at the outset of this article, some theological matters are debatable. But God’s supremacy over all things isn’t one of those. Somehow our free will fits within that sovereignty, so much so that our first parents chose to disobey God and choose sin—and we do the same. Only in all of this we can be sure that God is sovereign. He rules and orders his creation.
No one is obligated, but everyone is called.
At the same time, our Lord preached, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). No one is obligated, but everyone is called. Will you choose him? Will you take hold of his promises? “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Why would you choose any other Lord, but this gracious God?
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