Are We Predistined to Follow Christ – Or Do We Have Free Will to Choose
There has long been a discussion—sometimes even an argument—about whether we truly have free will to make choices in life, or whether everything is already predetermined by God. This debate has continued for hundreds of years, even among faithful Christians and church leaders. Yet in truth, there is no real conflict between the two. The Bible teaches both, and both are true at the same time.
You may ask, How can both be true?
It depends on your point of view.
If you are seated on the throne of heaven—seeing all things, knowing all things, being all-powerful and ever-present—then of course you know what lies ahead for all creation. From God’s perspective, everything is known and certain; this is predestination.
But from our human point of view—living here on earth, looking up to the Almighty—we must make conscious choices every day. We must decide whether to obey or disobey, to believe or to reject. These are free-will decisions.
There is no contradiction. To imagine that an all-powerful, all-knowing God does not know what will happen is to lower Him to the level of human limitation—and that is impossible.
Scripture clearly speaks of both truths.
We find the words “predestinate” or “predestinated” in three verses: Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:5, and Ephesians 1:11.
We find “foreknowledge,” “foreknow,” and “foreknew” in three more: Acts 2:23, Romans 8:29, and Romans 11:2.
And we see the related word “foreordained” in 1 Peter 1:20.
Clearly, this is a divine concept we must acknowledge, regardless of how we personally view free will.
At the same time, Scripture affirms human responsibility and choice. One of the most familiar verses in the Bible—John 3:16—declares, “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The word whosoever speaks of anyone who will believe. Likewise, 1 Timothy 2:4 tells us that God “would have all men to be saved.” Jesus came to redeem all humanity, yet not all will accept His offer of salvation. Many, by their own free will, will reject so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3).
Each of us must make a conscious, personal choice to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. He will not force anyone to love Him. Though He is able to make every knee bow before Him, His desire is that we bow willingly—because we love Him and choose to follow Him. That is why God has given us free will: so that our love may be genuine and our obedience sincere.
Yet make no mistake—He already knows those who will enter Heaven’s gates (John 6:39). For He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and sovereign over all. Something else to consider is, we should all be thankful for the foreknowledge of Jesus Christ as it pertains to us. He tells us in Romans 8:28-29 , all things work together for good with them tha love him; it is good to know he already knows every mountain, valley, pitfall, high, low, ups and downs we will face in life, so he can make everything work out for our good. To that I say AMEN!