“Clean Up On Aisle 9…”

This can often be heard over the intercom system of a retail business. It is often the store managers alerting the employees that there is some mishap that needs to be addressed. It typically is the result of someone dropping or mishandling an item, thus causing it to break or spill.

We often have the same attitude toward God. We want to do what we want to do…live how we want to live…but when it doesn’t go as we planned…we call on God, expecting Him to clean it up.

In the online encyclopedia of biblical Christianity, Theopedia it explains:

Probably the most common definition of free will is the "ability to make choices without any prior prejudice, inclination, or disposition," and specifically that these "free will" choices are not ultimately predestined by God. According to the Bible, however, the choices of man are not only ultimately determined by God, but morally determined by one's nature. Man is indeed a free moral agent and freely makes choices, but in his natural state he necessarily acts in accordance with his fallen nature. Man willingly makes choices that flow from the heart, and sin is also always attributed to the desires of the heart (James 1:13-15). When a person turns to Christ, he does so not because of his own "free will", but because God has supernaturally enabled and moved him to do so through regeneration. God never coerces man's will, rather God gives the ability to believe through the work of the Holy Spirit. Man is most free in heaven, where he is morally unable to sin. True freedom isn't freedom to sin, but freedom from sin. http://www.theopedia.com/Free_will

Although many appear to maintain a “I-can-do-what-I-want-to-do” mentality, without faithfulness and obedience to God, the consequences can prove to be harsh, even fatal.

The Bible says:

Genesis 2:16-17 (NKJV):  16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV):  13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

2 Timothy 2:26 (NKJV):  26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Revelation 3:20 (NKJV):  20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

John 7:17 (NKJV):  17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

James 4:7 (NKJV):  7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Memorable Quotes:

“You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequences of your choice!”

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl

“When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed.” -  Ezra Taft Benson

“Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is doing it.”

“By choosing our path, we choose our destiny.” – Monson

“Evil comes from abuse of free will.” - C. S. Lewis

Be careful of abusing your “free will.” Use it to choose God. That choice will have positive, eternal results.