Free Will: Is it Really?
Free Will: Is It Really Free?
Notice in the image above, that while there are many different colored threads seeming to wander aimlessly throughout the scene, they ultimately form a shape of a cross. Think of this image as it relates to the idea of free will and God’s sovereignty. In the image, each thread is a human choice, woven by the Master Weaver into a breathtaking design. We see only fragments, but God crafts the whole, ensuring every personal human decision contributes to His glorious plan.
Have you ever wondered how God can be completely in control of everything, yet we still have the freedom to make our own choices? It almost seems like a contradiction at first. If God is sovereign, aren’t we merely puppets on a string? Or if we have free will, does that limit God’s power? These questions have puzzled believers for centuries. In this article, we’ll explore what the Bible says about God’s sovereignty and human free will, and how both can coexist as complementary truths.
Defining God’s Sovereignty
Let’s start with what it means for God to be sovereign. Sovereignty refers to God’s supreme authority and power over all creation. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and nothing happens outside His knowledge or control. The Bible affirms this in numerous places. For instance, Psalm 115:3 declares, “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” This verse highlights that God is not bound by anything or anyone—His will is ultimate. Similarly, Isaiah 46:10 says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” God’s plans are certain, spanning from eternity past to eternity future, and He accomplishes them without fail. Another powerful statement comes from Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” While we may have our own intentions, God’s purpose ultimately triumphs. These verses paint a picture of a God who reigns over all, directing the course of history according to His divine will.
Defining Human Free Will
On the other hand, the Bible also teaches that humans have free will—the ability to make genuine choices. Several passages illustrate this where people are called to decide for themselves. Consider Joshua 24:15, where Joshua challenges the Israelites: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” The word “choose” implies real agency—they can decide whom to follow. Likewise, Deuteronomy 30:19 states, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” God presents options and urges a choice, underscoring human responsibility. In Paul’s writing to the Galatians he says, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13). Paul acknowledges personal freedom but ties it to accountability, suggesting that our choices have moral weight. These verses affirm that humans are not robots; we have the capacity to decide and act.
Reconciling the Two Truths
So, how can God be fully sovereign while humans still have free will? At first, it seems like a paradox—if God controls everything, where’s the room for our choices? Yet, the Bible reveals that these truths operate in harmony, not opposition. One way to understand this is to see God’s sovereignty and human free will on different levels. God’s sovereignty is ultimate and overarching, setting the boundaries and direction of existence. Within that framework, He has granted humans the freedom to make decisions. Think of a parent who has authority over their child but allows the child to choose within certain limits. Similarly, God oversees our lives while giving us space to act. God’s foreknowledge also plays a key role. Because He is omniscient, He knows every choice we’ll make before we make it. This doesn’t mean He forces those choices; rather, He incorporates them into His plan in ways we can't reason around or explain.
The Bible also distinguishes between God’s perfect will (what He desires) and His permissive will (what He allows). For example, in Genesis, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery—an act of free will rooted in jealousy. Yet, God used their sin for a greater purpose. Joseph later tells them in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Here, human choices, even evil ones, fall under God’s sovereign ability to redeem and fulfill His plan. I believe these are all part of His sovereignty.
Scripture offers striking examples of this interplay. Take the crucifixion of Jesus. Acts 2:23 says, “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” The cross was God’s sovereign design for salvation, yet it was carried out through the free, sinful actions of humans within God’s permissive will. Both God’s will and human responsibility are affirmed. Another example is Pharaoh in Exodus. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12), yet Pharaoh also hardened his own heart (Exodus 8:15). This suggests a dynamic where God’s sovereignty works with human disposition—Pharaoh’s resistance aligned with God’s purpose to display His power. These instances show that God’s control encompasses human freedom, weaving our choices into His narrative. Human accountability also illustrates this coexistence. Ezekiel 18:20 states, “The one who sins is the one who will die… The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.” God’s justice assumes our ability to choose.
Perhaps the clearest demonstration of this harmony is in salvation. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God sovereignly provided the way—sending Jesus—yet humans are allowed the freedom to decide for themselves their destiny. Salvation is God’s gift, and it is His desire that all humans be with him eternally, but how we respond to the gift is our choice. Understanding this balance is both comforting and empowering. God’s sovereignty assures us that He’s guiding history to His intended end, even when life feels chaotic. Meanwhile, our free will means our choices matter—we’re invited into a real relationship with God, responding to His love and grace.
This truth can mean freedom. We don’t have to fret over every detail, knowing God is in control of them. Yet, our decisions carry weight, allowing us to partner with Him. When faced with choices, we can pray for wisdom, trusting God’s hidden methods of providing it. That freedom to choose and trust is part of his sovereign plan.
Tom Johnson