Freedom of Choice
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
Freedom of choice is foundational to Christianity -- freedom to believe and follow, or to reject and turn away.
We are born free, and from that point onwards worldly conditioning closes in on us, initially from parents who mean and impart the best they know; then we are subject to educational conditioning which varies in many ways depending on the country, the educational system, and the politics, which can dictate anything between goodness with the very best intentions, or pure evil with the very worst intentions.
GOD, WHO is more real than we are, has always existed and always will. HE knows everything that is happening and will eventually step in when HE decides it is time. Then all the people with impure motivations together with their evil, selfish, greedy, and power hungry influences and plans will be banished forever. They will know neither heaven nor eternal suffering, they will be banished forever, as though they never existed; even the memory of them and their evil will be cancelled out forever. So in the end they achieve nothing.
Not knowing GOD and Jesus is the most empty state of existence. ONLY those who know them and are in devoted, loving relationship with THEM, will enter heaven and eternal life.
Everything else is, and becomes, utterly futile.
Please seek and learn what GOD, through Jesus, has put on offer, before you make a decision.
Eternity is at your feet; you can tread on it and walk on, OR you can pick it up and embrace it. The outcomes are infinitely opposite.
Every human being has freedom of choice in GOD’s eyes, however every human being also has a responsibility to GOD and to each-other, but we still have the freedom to ignore and reject that responsibility; following which, consequences come into action, and depending on which choice has attracted which particular consequence, the outcome is either a blessing or a condemnation -- curse and suffering.
GOD did not make us to be robotic, and therefore able to be manipulated by HIM and be influenced against our will. Therefore every choice in life is ours to make, and of course, choices have consequences; so whether we ultimately enter heaven or hell is not GOD’S choice, HE has already laid down the conditions for such qualification, so our choices, in everything, determine the outcome.
GOD does not force anything, HE invites us, the choice is ours. People are free to reject GOD, and HE will allow them to go their own way. To not enter into relationship with HIM is to reject HIM.
Jesus came to offer us freedom from being prisoners of a finite (temporary) life ending in death. He paid the penalty of the unavoidable death which hangs over us all. He defeated that death and regained life which is eternal; guaranteed to never end.
So all who believe in and accept Jesus, including what He achieved, the result which He has offered to every person who loves Him and GOD the FATHER, and is obedient to His commandments; will inherit eternal life in GOD’s eternal kingdom.
That is the ultimate freedom.
GOD is love. HIS original creation is the expression of love.
Sin has, for 6000 years, severely damaged and distorted GOD’s creation, but HE will restore it all to perfection when HE creates the new heavens and new Earth, which happens after Earth has been void of life for 1000 years. Freedom of choice is essential for the expression of love, for intelligent thinking, for wise decisions, reasoning, and action; all of which are impossible without it. Freedom of choice is precious, and needs to be respected, honoured, and fully protected.
John 8:31-32 ‘To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8 10-11 ‘Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they (your accusers)? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. Jesus declared, “Then neither do I condemn you, go now and leave your life of sin.”
John 8:36 ‘Jesus said “So if the Son (Jesus Himself) sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
To turn away from and avoid sin, is to enter into freedom from sin.
1 Corinthians 10:24-31 ‘No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank GOD for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of GOD.’
Galatians 5:1 ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’
Freedom through life with Christ.
Colossians 2:6-12 ‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of GOD, WHO raised Him from the dead.’
Each and every person, with maturity, must have freedom of choice, and should not allow any other person, regardless of who they are, to make final decisions for them. To do so is to give away your freedom, which is a dreadful mistake. Others may offer advice, but your choice should be final.
Circumcision here means ‘circumcision of the heart’ which means to have sinfulness and worldly ways removed (spiritually cut away) from the heart, to no longer be part of your life.
Turning away from scriptural accuracy, allows Satan and his evil angels to infiltrate and take control of your thinking.
GOD is longsuffering (patient,) merciful, and forgiving, but no one can determine the moment when HE will cease HIS protective care and allow a person to go their own way.
James 1:25 ‘But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do.’
James 2:12-13 ‘Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.’