Board Thread:Bible Questions/@comment-29848406-20160903220806/@comment-1777104-20160906190712

The Debater Is In wrote: What's the point of having free will if we get punished for using it? It just doesn't make sense. We have free will, but after we die, we get punished for using it. So what's the point of having it? Okay, Debater, it is clear that you are only on here to argue. It would be nice if you could respond to explanations as to how "free will" actually works. But, I will attempt to answer point by point.

First, what is "free will"? This is not a concept we get directly from the Bible, so it will have to be deducted from it's definition. The "will" is that which we "will" do, that is our deepest desires. For that to be "free," it would have to be something separate from us. Logically, we excercise our will as we do our body and mind. We naturally do what is in our best interests. We do not "have" a free will in our natural state, so it is not a 'free will' that we use to make bad decisions for which we are punished.

Does it make sense, then, that we are punished for doing what comes naturally? That is the real question. I will touch on that in this response, but it will take another post (or more) to answer that fully.

The proposal that we are "punished for using" our free will is not a Christian idea. The truly "free will" is possessed only by those who are already saved from the consequences of following after one's self-will which is bound to one's earthly desires. The greatest minds in the ancient church considered the "problem" of the free will (an idea developed by the ancient Greek philosophers). No one likes the idea that God is in control of their lives, but that is a truth taught throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The truth of the matter is that without God in your life, you will do bad things and look out for your own self-interests. These actions all deserve the punishment that is received both in this life and the next.

The good news, is that God loves those naturally inclined to disobey him and act selfishly. From the very beginning He has made a way to escape the consequences of our sins. For thousands of years there was a system in place that gave an object lesson of that solution: animal sacrifices. That object lesson was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross. It was Jesus who took the consequences of ALL our sin, at ONE time and FOREVER.  God sees Jesus, rather than those for whom he died.

So, "free will" is gained only when a person is drawn into God's presense to be saved from what was his deserved punishment. The "natural" is upgraded to the "supernatural"! Not everyone is saved, so it is important to follow the lead of God in this matter. If you are being led by God away from your natural path, then you should not resist that leading. If you have been saved from that path, and have a desire to be close to God, then you are FREE to do so. However, you are also free to stray and suffer the consequences in this life. However, like King David of old, you are also free to come back, repenting of your sinful choices.

The sins of a Christian are covered by Christ's blood. It is the use of the free will of a believer to do what his new nature leads him to do (good deeds, prayer, sacrificial giving, etc.) that gains rewards. Any deed done selfishly, even good deeds, will be "burned away" in the judgment.

In summary: Only believers have a "free will." When a person is saved from his natural end (judgment for his sins), he becomes able to freely choose to do the right thing. If he chooses wrong, he loses some of his reward which he might have gained. All good choices, made for the right reasons, will be rewarded. The point of the believer's free will is to freely choose to do the right thing.

I hope that answers your question. Feel free to message me directly if you have any further questions.