Free will and its consequences.

Do you think that the manufacturer of an automobile should be blamed for the purposeful, illegal misuse of that automobile? Should a pharmaceutical company be liable for the misuse and abuse of its products? Is it the fault of the maker of kitchen knives when someone uses one of their knives to commit a crime? Neither can God be blamed for the sin in us or in the world. When we do wrong, it’s our fault. We have choices and choices have consequences. We do wrong when we are drawn away by our own desires (Jas. 1:13-15). This desire is from our own evil heart (Matt. 15:18-19). These desires are not from God or caused by God.

Evil exists. It is real. It originates from Satan who totally opposes God in everything. We sin when we do not listen to God and instead do what Satan wants us to or what our own lusts desire.

Evil is the rejection of God when we allow the desire to please self be supreme in our lives. The root of all sin is selfishness. “I Did It My Way” is the theme song of evil.

Evil does not exist as a separate entity. It only has meaning in its counterfeit of good. If there was no genuine, authentic currency, then there could be no counterfeit money. If there is no good, holy, righteous God, there could be no evil. Evil exists like rust on metal exists. If there is no metal, there is no rust. Rust is the corruption of the metal; evil is the corruption of good.

If humans do not have free will, then everything we are and say and do is predetermined. There would be no choices. We would be automatons. We would be programmed to do what we do. Like mechanical robots, we would not be responsible or accountable for our behaviors. No one could be praised or punished. If we are controlled by determinism, no one is responsible for anything.

The greatest life, joy, hope and future are in serving God. About 1400 B. C., Moses gave his final messages to Israel. His challenges to them are good for us now: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,  loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days” (Deut. 30:19-20). Moses’ successor, Joshua, faced the false gods of his day. He gave us gave us a good example when he said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Jos. 24:15). Jesus came to bring us real life (John 10:10). He offers us this gracious invitation: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).