How Can We Reconcile God’s Sovereignty with our Free Will?
God is the great king, not a Machiavellian tyrant (as some theologies teach). He possesses the power to decree a limited, libertarian free will. This allows for true love and service to God, as well as the experience of the consequences of our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. As the King of kings, He can overrule at any time for any reason. When He orders a conditional covenant, He gives us a choice with its consequences. Conversely, when He orders an unconditional covenant, it will occur regardless of our wishes or approval.
Asks for a real choice, unless language is not meaningful.
- Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (LHB) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live: 20 That you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may cling to him: for he is your life, and the length of your days: that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
- Jeremiah 21:8-9 (LHB) And to this people you shall say, Thus says the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. 9 He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he who goes out, and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be to him for a possession.
- Psalms 119:30-31 (LHB) I have chosen the way of truth: your judgments have I set before me. 31 I have held to your testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
- Isaiah 66:3-4 (LHB) He that kills an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offers an offering, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burns incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations. 4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did evil before my eyes, and chose that in which I did not delight.
- John 5:40 (LHB) And you will not come to me, that you might have life.