God Designed Us With Free Will.

When God created the first humans revealed in Genesis chapter one, we were created in His image, but made a physical creation. 

Genesis 3:19 God said to Adam: "...For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”

God taught Adam and Eve the difference between right and wrong, but He also gave them the choice whether or not to obey Him. To test them He gave a simple instruction:

Genesis 2:16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Notice that God didn’t stop Adam and Eve from making their choice. He allowed them to make the wrong decision and suffer the consequences from it. While mankind was created to one day be just like Him, we are required to choose to live as He lives. 

He’s Already Shown Us The Right And Wrong.

Adam and Eve had the choice between taking from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or taking the fruit from the tree of life.

Taking from the tree of life would have eventually given them eternal life, changing them from mortal to immortal, from physical matter to beings composed of spirit just like God.‍ Ultimately, they rejected God’s instructions, and trusted Satan and themselves over God. 

Genesis 3:3-5 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Mankind has been suffering the consequences of its wrong choices ever since – continually choosing their own way instead of relying on the wisdom of God which He’s freely provided.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.

But Why Do Our Choices Matter?

While salvation can’t be “earned,” God does require obedience to know if we can be trusted to choose His ways after we’re given eternal life. 

Just like Adam, society has rejected the freely given knowledge of God's spiritual law even though it’s the very foundation of all knowledge. People want to decide for themselves what’s righteous and what’s sin, what’s right and what’s wrong, even though only God has authority to make that decision.  

This self reliance and rejection of God’s authority is why man in all his abilities has always failed against the evils of the world.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

God’s way of life and His commandments ultimately lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life.

What’s The Next Step? 

God doesn’t want us to continue in sin because sin comes with both natural consequences of suffering and pain, as well as the ultimate penalty: death. While we can be forgiven of our sins through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us, the law is meant to teach us God’s nature. Our primary goal is changing so we become more like God.

Luke 12:29-34 "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

That change starts with building a relationship with God, studying who He is, allowing His Word to interpret itself instead of deciding that for ourselves, and actively practicing His ways. When we start to know Him through this process, we can begin to understand how God wants us to live, so that we may one day become part of His eternal family.  We need to fit in with His family if we’re going to be part of it for eternity!

God Gives Salvation To Those Who Choose Him.

The choices we make in this life ultimately reveal our true character, and if we want to be like God, we have to choose to live like Him. Through the 10 Commandments, our Father revealed who He is and how He thinks. His Law uncovers His nature and character, with love at the center of every command, and our choices should align with His!

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

Mark 10:17-21 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

When we freely obey His law and submit ourselves to it, we can receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, granting us the opportunity to inherit eternal life in His kingdom.

Acts 5:32 “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom [which] God has given to those who obey Him.”

‍Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Obedience is necessary to grow in spiritual Godly character and to receive God’s eternal promises. Obedience is also a choice, and it’s one God knows we’ll trip over now and then – this is how we learn, and this is also why Jesus Christ came to redeem us. Even still, our purpose in this life is to keep on choosing God through obedience, repentance, and change to be a new creation He can trust with eternal life.

This life is really a choice between doing right and receiving what is good from God, or causing discomfort, pain, and harm through sin. There is a cause for every effect. If we want peace, prosperity, and abundant life, the cause of that is living according to the instructions for a good life that God already gave us.

There is more to this life. There's a purpose to your life. You just have to choose it.

Deuteronomy 30:15-19 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”