Is everything predetermined or do we have free will? Christians debate these matters. On the one hand, if everything we do, down to the color of our socks is predetermined by God, then we are not responsible for our decisions. On the other hand, if God has nothing to do with what happens, then we are on our own. The Bible holds these two ideas in tension: God works out his plan and we have freedom to make decisions for which we are responsible.
Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth gives us a number of examples. God spoke to Joseph in dreams telling him to marry Mary, to go to Egypt and to return. God was literally protecting the life of his Son by telling Joseph what to do. As a result two things happened: Joseph obeyed God, and scripture was fulfilled. The trip to Egypt and the return to Nazareth fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. God was working out a foreordained plan. But Joseph was still responsible to obey. What if he had not? Well God would surely have found another way to protect Jesus, but Joseph would have missed the blessing of obedience.
We should not be confused. Our sovereign God is working out his plan in our lives. We have the chance to cooperate or to rebel. In the case of Jonah, who ran the wrong direction, God still gave him a chance to get to the right destination. Jonah accepted that opportunity. God still speaks to us and shows us what he wants us to do. Often, he speaks through his word or through his people as we pray together. Still, we are not robots. We can choose the wrong way as Judas did.
What difference does all of this make? As responsible persons, we must not blame God when people disobey and cause great harm to others. Think of dictators who attack and harm great numbers of people. We cannot say, “Well it was God’s will for them to harm others.” On the other hand, God redeems what he allows. When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and caused him great harm as a slave and prisoner, they meant it for evil (Genesis 50:20). Still, God meant it for good and turned that circumstance and used it for ultimate good to feed the very ones who harmed their brother.
When we choose to obey God, we get to experience the joy of joining him in his redemptive work in history. Disobedience, on the other hand, leads to consequences. But God’s ultimate plan to save all who trust in Christ will be fulfilled. God is synergizing all things together for good today for those who love him and answer his call.
