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Why is it so easy to choose wrong?


So a friend asked me, “if Adam and Eve ‘chose’ to sin, then why is it that we cant ‘choose’ God?” Can we choose sin but not choose God?

Interesting question.  Lots to unpack.

1. Did Adam and Even choose to sin? Yes. Prior to Genesis 3 Adam and Eve were in perfect union and harmony with God.  They had free reign in the garden, authority over creation, and direct access to God.  They had free will to choose.

2. Do we have free will now over whether to sin or not?   No.  Genesis 3 changed every thing.  It forever fractured our relationship with God.  That fracture is only healed through a Savior.  I do believe we have some measure of free will by common grace, however, our ability to choose is limited by our human nature. For example, I can choose which road to drive down but I can’t fly down the road because my human nature, abilities, and limits prevent me from flying. Likewise, we can’t choose to be righteous.  Our sin nature prevents us from choosing to do that which is right (Romans 3:23). So, free will is limited by our nature.  We are enslaved to our sinful nature and can only choose evil. Psalm 10:4; Psalm 58:3; John 5:40, Isaiah 26:10

3. Can we choose to put our faith in Jesus Christ? No.  In Romans 9:16 it says that our relationship with God doesnt depend on our desire, but His mercy.  Jesus says in John 15:16 that He chooses us.  In John 6:44-47 it says that no one comes to the Father unless the Father calls you to him first.  We cant choose Him.

And in spite of our vain attempts to do so, “the world advances free will, the rational and natural approach of good works, as the means of obtaining the forgiveness of sin. But it is impossible to gain peace of conscience by the methods and means of the world.” -Luther

So Adam and Eve chose to sin, which forever limited our ability to choose not to.


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drewdickens

Able to start a conversation with a phone pole. Adaptive extrovert, Disruptive thinker, Intuitive philosopher, Perceptive influencer, Idea futurist, Believer, and hater of labels. 😉 Follower of Jesus cleverly disguised as a husband, father, student, and friend.

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