Trevor Jones
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Hi, guys —
One thing that always stuck out in my mind, and I'm sure in many minds, is the afterlife.
I think I understand, what the Scriptures say about free will. This is what confuses me:
If God is omnipotent, He knew the person He was creating and knows the choices they will make.
Whether they are good or bad choices, it just feels that we are predestined to make the choice we make. He knows if we will:
- be headstrong
- get so angry we stop believing, or
- be compassionate and follow whichever faith you have chosen with love
- So when our final judgement comes, are we predestined for Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell?
I may not have worded this correctly, but it's one of those thoughts that can keep you up at night or one of those thoughts where you're staring at nothing and this thought just goes round and round in your head. I don't know if you can answer this question to my liking. Most hard truths aren't to a person's liking. Who knows, I may get yet another answer where I still don't understand the issue.
My mother always jokingly called me a Doubting Thomas because I was and still am a skeptic on many things of faith, but I'm hoping in reaching out to others, I can maybe find a new understanding.
Thank you for your time and God Bless.
Trevor
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How can we have free will to choose, when God already knows the choices we are going to make? }
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Paul replied:
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Trevor,
Your questioning the mysteries of the faith is holy. It shows a desire and thirst for truth. Trust God that the answer exists, despite how challenging it is for us to understand.
I would agree that God knows all the past, present, and future simultaneously, since He transcends time, which He created. However, knowledge of something doesn't mean determining it. If God gave you a miracle to know who wins the Superbowl next year, that doesn't mean you made it happen.
It is God's eternal plan that His Will, in this world, unfolds through the free choices of us humans. He may know who will populate Heaven and Hell for all eternity, but this knowledge includes His knowing what our free will choices will be . . . but those choices remain free.
Perhaps it's like picking up a book and reading the last chapter. You know how it will all end, but that doesn't mean you made it happen. God is the Author of Life; but His Story (History) is written through the free decisions of his characters. That's how He set it up.
I hope this helps a little.
Paul
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Bob replied:
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Dear Trevor,
Thanks for the question.
I have the feeling you already know the answer though. Free will means entirely that: A will that belongs exclusively to the individual. You can choose for or against God. He will not coerce, save or damn you in advance of your fiat, despite the fact He can see what you will do.
It is a mystery to us to try and comprehend how God sees all things at every point in time and yet does not interfere with our freedom. It would seem easier if we didn't have any responsibility, but we do.
So, in the end, it is up to you to make a decision for God (He will even give you the aid to say, yes, without coercion), and if you say yes, He will give you every grace to come home.
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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