Do I have free will, am I free to choose? We all have freedom of choice, but we have made choices that end us up in a bind. For instance, some have gotten themselves into debt and are slaves to their debtor. Some have errored and are locked up in prison. Some have sold themselves to drunkenness, uncleanness, immorality, gluttony, or sorcery; and they have become slaves to their master; “For by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.” (2 Peter 2:19) And they have sold themselves to it. So there are some who are free and some who aren’t. And without question a slave does not have free will, but a freeman does.
Free-will exists when there are two choices. If there is only one choice, then free will wouldn’t exist. In the Garden, there were two choices; if there were only one choice then free will wouldn’t exist; but there were two choices. Adam chose the left rather than the right, the bad instead of the good. And as a result, we have been made slaves of sin because of one man, because sin passed from man to man. We all have two choices, but we are compelled into the one choice because of one man. We want to do good, but the good we want, we don’t do. We don’t want to do evil, but we do what we do not want. “If I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” (Romans 7:20) Therefore sin rules in the flesh of all men, for everyone sins; and ”Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” (John 8:34)
The one locked up in prison wants to go outside, but he can’t since he is behind bars — he must wait until his time is up. The one addicted to alcohol wants to quit, but he can’t; he wants to spend time with his kids, but alcohol carries him elsewhere. The one who is a glutton wants to be healthy, but he eats himself into sickness. (All of these are forced into choosing something they don’t want, which is slavery.) People don’t go to prison for a good deed, do they? An alcoholic isn’t enslaved because he hates wine, does he? But rather, a person is locked up for an evil deed, and a person is an alcoholic because he drinks. A person’s actions make him what he is; and so the one who sins makes himself a sinner; the one who walks in the ways of sinners ends up in slavery.
But I am free to make my own choice; yes, I desire to do good in my mind, but I chose evil in my flesh. So “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” (Romans 7:21) I am made a captive to this body of sin; for “I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.” (Romans 7:22-23) “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) Who will delivery me from slavery? Can I deliver myself? Am I strong enough to deliver myself? Who will free me from this body of death?
(Before we discuss Who it is, we must first see what we must do.)
What is it then? What shall we do? This is what we must do: nothing. I say again: we must do nothing. Yes, doing nothing is doing something. Since we cannot do anything good, we must do nothing. We cannot save ourselves; we need to be set free by Another. In the Law, the men of Israel did nothing on the Sabbath and were justified according to the Law of Moses. For what reason? “That you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” (Exodus 31:13) For it is our job to humble ourselves and to do no work; and it’s the LORD’s work to sanctify us. This goes for all the holy days: the men of Israel did no work. On the Day of Atonement the men of Israel were commanded to do no work and afflict themselves (fasting). Furthermore, in the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the men ate “the bread of affliction.” (Deuteronomy 16:3) So our work, if we do any, is against ourselves to humble ourselves.
And this humbling of ourselves is of faith — as it is written, “He should cease trying forever.” (Psalms 49:8) That is, stop striving and believe the Message. Humility makes us prime for the saving grace of the LORD; as it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6) For “To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5) So then, if I do not work but believe upon Him, then can I boast about my faith? Of course not! What boasting is there in weakness? What boasting is there in humility? What boasting does a worm have? Or a maggot? That it grovels in the dust and eats the mud? (Job 25:4-6)
Rather, as Christ says, ”My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) So then, when we are made weak, then we are strong; for God’s grace is perfected in weakness. Using a human example: when does food work best? When one is hungry or when one is full? Is it not when he is hungry? “A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.” (Proverbs 27:7) So likewise, the humble is full of God’s grace, but the proud is full of himself. So knowing that we are made strong by God’s grace, we follow the apostle Paul’s example, as he says, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) So therefore, labor diligently to enter that rest.
For the Good News is for the poor one, for the one who knows there is no good in himself. As it is written about Jesus, "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” (Luke 4:18-19) In the Jubilee year, captives were release, debts were forgiven, and lands returned to their owner, and it came with the blasts of trumpets; but with the “Favorable year of the LORD”, it does not come with blasts of trumpets, but with the preaching of the Gospel to the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed.
So it is clear that this Favorable Year is similar to the Jubilee Year; but the Jubilee is a shadow coming first and not the substance itself. For “The spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 15:46) This is the Favorable Year which Jesus Christ introduced; He is the one who came to set us free from this body of death — the slavery of sin. The Law only made guideposts in the case of a neighbor being blind, but did nothing for the recovery of sight to the blind. And for this reason the Favorable Year which is spoken about is greater and more better than the Jubilee; for Christ gave sight to the blind. And through the preaching of the Gospel, the captives were released, and the oppressed were set free; as it is written, “HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL,” and “TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD”. For Christ performed all these miracles through His spoken Word, through preaching and proclaiming the Gospel.
So it is evident: those who were enslaved were set free, during the Jubilee Year, the 50th year; so at this Favorable Year, which comes after, which is greater, God’s favor is introduced through the preaching of the Gospel. In the former, men who were enslaved were forgiven of their debts; but in the latter, men were forgiven of their sins. Just as a man is enslaved to his debtor, so he who sins sells himself to sin, makes himself enslaved thereby, and he is held accountable to God. But at the Favorable Year which is spoken about, “THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD”, men are remitted of their sins by God’s Son and are set free “from the house of bondage” (Joshua 24:17). As Jesus spoke about this Scripture, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21) For He is the One spoken about, “HE ANOINTED ME”.
And this freedom which the apostles spoke about saying, "Let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39) For the Law of Moses gave sin its strength; but Jesus Christ justifies apart from the law by grace, rendering the Law ineffective for justification; as the apostle says, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4) For faith is contrary to the works of the Law. And apart from the law, sin lies dead. Yet through faith we uphold the Law, not through works of the flesh, but by the Spirit of faith; so by faith works are established — not by striving after them, but through the faith of Christ. The one who works in the flesh, strengthens the flesh; but the one who resists the flesh, strengthens the Spirit.
It is by the loosing the restraint of the Law that we are set free, brethren, justified by the grace given at the appointed time; for the law is obligation, but grace is freedom; work produces wages, but no work merits the free gift; works bring forth slaves, but sons are free; the law begets children of wrath, but grace, children of peace. So our work is to do no work, which is the work of faith, humbling ourselves “under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6), so that we may be justified by the grace of God in due time. The law produces insincerity and hypocrisy, but grace makes willing servants of Jesus Christ. The law works wrath, but grace is peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
To express this in another way: the law charged everybody with commandments. And we were not able to keep them. And as a result, “The one who despises the word will be in debt to it.” (Proverbs 13:13) For when a law is not kept, the charge is not absolved and we are indebted; and we become enslaved to what we are indebted to — that is, the law. As it says, “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.” (Proverbs 22:7) So “God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” (Romans 11:32) For “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Romans 5:20) For when grace came, in the favorable year of the LORD, God forgave our debts — as the debtors forgave those indebted to them in the Jubilee Year. And not only was the debt forgiven, but the charge taken away, since “sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Romans 5:13) For the old covenant is passing away, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. And we are made sons of God, made free by the Spirit of the Son; and “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
So now, speaking allegorically, the sons of a king are exempt from such things as polls and taxes, since they are usually only imposed on strangers; as Christ says, “Then the (king’s) sons are exempt.” (Matthew 17:26) So they are not charged because they are sons of the king. So if it is so with physical things, then why not spiritual? “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) “If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” (Galatians 5:18) For “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) So it is with us, brethren: in our sonship we find our freedom because we are sons of the King.
And using another human example: in time of warfare, opposing sides fight and kill one another in conflict; yet when captives are taken, or somebody surrenders, then they are given certain rights: food, drink, and what is needful for the body. So taking this as an example, brethren: while we were enemies of God, hostile to Him in thought and deed, we were opposed to everything good, and thus, everything good was opposed to us. But when the grace of the Lord Jesus appeared to us, and took us captive through the Truth, we were no longer enemies of God, but treated as friends of God. As it is written, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." (Ephesians 4:8) For Jesus did not only give what is needful for our bodies, but gave us gifts according to His will.
And in another human example: citizens of a country are given certain rights and freedoms because of their citizenship in that country; but slaves or aliens are not given such rights because they are not native born. So likewise, while we were still far away from God, estranged from Him in thought and deed, He reconciled us unto Himself through the body of Jesus Christ; and He made us to be born again unto a living hope in Him. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household.” (Ephesians 2:19) For we are newly born in Him, and are citizens with the saints; and He purchased our freedom. And now, “our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) So therefore, since we are born of Him, we are His sons. And since we have died with Him, we have died to the law (Romans 7:1-4). And since we have been taken captive by Him, we are His captives. And since we are citizens in the city of God, we have been given freedom. All these things pertain to our freedom in Christ Jesus.
And so, because we are free, the apostles did not command nor compel us by a law, a rule, or a regulation; they instead urged us “by the mercies of God” (Romans 12:1); and yet in another place, they said, “for love's sake I rather appeal to you” (Philemon 1:8-9). And again, in another place, they said, “as each person has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7); and in another place, “not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God” (1 Peter 5:2); and yet again, they said, “we beg you on behalf of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), or “I beg of you, brethren” (Galatians 4:12), and even, “I ask you, lady,” (2 John 1:5) or simply, “I ask you” (Philippians 4:3); and another time, “we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:1), or “we request of you” (1 Thessalonians 5:12). For although the apostles had been given authority, even to command and order for us to do what is proper, they instead appealed on the basis of love, which is the new commandment. And love is the fulfillment of the law, proclaimed by the law and the prophets.
Does not the law testify the same thing? For in the law, Israel gave free-will offering to the LORD in the wilderness for the building of the tent of meeting; and they gave more than what was required! Similarly, the materials for the temple were given by the freewill of David and the people; and the materials far surpassed the materials needed! The Spirit shows by this, that although we are free from the law for righteousness, our contributions by our own freewill greatly exceeds what is required of the law. “Willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good.” (Psalms 54:6) So then, when the people were bound by law, they failed; but when the people were set free from the law, they far surpassed the requirements of the law.
Then arises the question: what is profitable and edifying to do with our freedom? And here lies the truth: “You were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” (1 Peter 2:16) For in the law, a man willingly serves his master because he loves him. And as a result, “his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.” (Exodus 21:6) So how much more should we offer ourselves as bondservants of God saying, "I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man” (Exodus 21:5)? As the Psalmist says, “My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.” (Psalms 119:109)
Therefore, remain free! For “It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” (Galatians 5:1) And because of freedom, the Corinthians church proclaimed, “All things are lawful for me.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) Although All things are lawful for me, “I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) “For by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.” (2 Peter 2:19) If you are overcome by a sin, you are a slave of sin; as Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” (John 8:34) Wisdom also says, “Evil will not deliver those who are given to it.” (Ecclesiastes 8:8) For evil never delivered any of its subservients. For in the law if a person made a “binding oath to humble” (Numbers 30:13) themselves, they were obligated to keep it — they were bound by the words of their mouth. There was no law that required one to make an oath, but they did it voluntarily, even though it bound them (This is why we are exhorted not to make vows by Christ and the apostles). This shows us that we should not use our freedom to end us up in a bind. However, offer yourself as “slaves of righteousness,” (Romans 6:18) slaves of God, for He delivers from the wrath to come. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
And because of freedom, Jesus taught to “make no oath at all” (Matthew 5:34): so that we would remain free. Likewise, regarding marriage, it is taught by the apostles that it is better not to marry, “not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:35) And the apostles also taught: “do not become slaves of men.” (1 Corinthians 7:23) “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8) And they taught, if you were a slave when Christ called you, “If you are able to become free, rather do that.” (1 Corinthians 7:21) Paul also wrote to the Galatian church warning them to stay free from the law, so that they would not be enslaved all over again; for they were being circumcised and observing “days and months and seasons and years.” (Galatians 4:10) Look to the apostles who used their freedom to do good: as he said, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.” (1 Corinthians 9:19) And again he said, “We did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:12) And furthermore, seek for what edifies the church.
If we neglect Christ’s easy yoke and light burden, and turn away from Him, won’t the Lord give us over to the slavery of the law all over again? As it says in the law, that God gave Israel over to his enemies, and He said, “They will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries." (2 Chronicles 12:8) Likewise, Jesus also warned in a parable, when He spoke about the servant who wouldn’t forgive, saying, "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:34-35) Therefore, we ought to remain in the grace of the Lord, lest He teach us the hard way with thorns and briars through slavery and imprisonment.