Fireside Chat: Gods Gift of Free Will
God is not willing to do everything , and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us. - Niccolo Machiavelli
From a profoundly Christian perspective, the quote by Niccolo Machiavelli raises an important theological question about the nature of God and His relationship with humanity. Christianity teaches that God created humans with free will, granting us the ability to make choices and decisions. This free will is a precious gift from God that reflects His love for us and our unique status as His children.
Machiavelli's quote suggests that if God were to intervene and do everything for us, our free will would be negated, and we would lose the opportunity to participate in the divine plan and share in the glory that belongs to us. From a Christian viewpoint, this aligns with the understanding that God desires a genuine, loving relationship with His creation, and such a relationship cannot exist without the freedom to choose.
Throughout the Bible, we see numerous instances where God respects and values human free will. He allows individuals and nations to make choices, even if they are contrary to His will, knowing that this freedom of choice is vital for genuine love and obedience. For example, in the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to choose whether to obey Him or eat from the forbidden tree. He did not manipulate or force their decision but allowed them to exercise their free will, even though it led to consequences.
God's respect for human free will is also evident in His interaction with the Israelites. Despite their repeated disobedience and rebellion, He continued to give them a choice to follow Him or turn away. God sent the prophets to exhort and guide the people, but the final decision to repent and return to God rested with each individual.
Additionally, Christianity teaches that God's ultimate plan for humanity involves restoring our relationship with Him and sharing His glory. This is made possible through Jesus Christ, who offers salvation to all who believe in Him through His death and resurrection. Salvation is not forced upon us but requires faith and acceptance of God's grace.
In conclusion, from a profoundly Christian perspective, the quote by Machiavelli reminds us of the profound importance of free will in our relationship with God. It affirms that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, grants us the freedom to choose our actions and decisions, recognizing that true love and glory are only possible when they are freely given and received. Our free will is a precious gift that allows us to participate in God's divine plan and experience the joy of a loving relationship with Him.