Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.
- Jawaharlal Nehru
We love using our imagination. Particularly when it comes to upgrading ourselves and circumstance. Even so, we find out pretty early on we don't have super powers. Still, most of us can comfort ourselves with the assurance that at least we're free. But are we? Just how free? And for how long?
Freedom is as complicated a concept to grasp as it is to achieve. This is particularly true for transient and mortal beings besieged by such a vast array of choices and challenges. While a thousand physical and mental, social and spiritual factors influence and limit our collective and individual experience, we continue to imagine ourselves self directed and autonomous. The question is, is such a mindset based in reality? Does our worldview speak more of the independence of the human spirit or mass denial of our precarious state of existence?
Science and medicine continue to divulge the intricate biological nature of human life. From cellular design to the autonomic nervous system, modern advances have exposed critical forms and function of which we live largely unaware.
Much the same may be said regarding the human psyche. From neurology to psychology, progress in mapping and understanding the connection and complexities of the mind have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Such insights are impressive to be sure, yet they pale in comparison to the miracle and meaning of spiritual sentience. Unique among life as we know it, mankind's level of self awareness and perception presuppose an equally great privilege and responsibility. As the 17th century mathematician, physicist, writer and inventor Blaise Pascal noted: "It is not in space that I must seek my human dignity, but in the ordering of my thought. It will do me no good to own land. Through space the universe grasps me and swallows me up like a speck; through thought I grasp it.”
Millennia before Pascal, Socrates explained, "The unexamined life is not worth living." While passed on by oral tradition, his actual quote when translated into modern English may have been nearer, "The unexamined life is not fully human." Some have speculated that the philosopher's intent was to highlight that fact that as the only species to formally bury their dead, we should recognize from our mortality the importance of a handful of Ultimate Questions.
Modern life presents a paradox. Given the rapid advance of technology, a peasant child anywhere in the world with nothing more than a smart phone has greater access to information than any president of any nation only a few decades ago. Those utilizing the full benefits of living in the developed world enjoy lifestyles previously unprecedented, as if receiving the answers to the prayers of all past generations. Yet even in the midst of such opulence, billions around the globe remain impoverished without proper food and housing, education and health care. In fact, given our current use of resource, it's estimated that 1,700,000,000 representing 25% of humanity continue to live without electricity and the enormous freedoms it affords.
First World citizens are provided with a dazzling array of options and opportunities. In a word we are fabulously rich. Even something as commonplace as a grocery store would be a marvel to most of humanity now and through the ages. In comparison with much of the Earth's current population and ninety nine percent of all human beings throughout history, we live lifestyles that in many ways exceed those of ancient kings and approaching those of mythological gods.
Yet even while reaping fantastic benefits in areas such as food and clothing, housing and security, education and knowledge, health and sanitation, communication and travel, business and entertainment our state remains perilous. In the best of circumstances each of us daily faces enormous temporal, not to mention even more crucial eternal uncertainties.
For better or worse, to the degree circumstance and health allow, humanity chooses to live for the most part in a state of denial. Frailty and even mortality notwithstanding, we zestfully move through life as if we always will, seeking opportunity to live large and in charge. With the human lifespan short at best, such a philosophy is not without merit. Why not "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die?" Yet doesn't the flip side of this very reasoning demand we do our due diligence to explore the concept of eternal life and obtain "a better resurrection" if at all possible?
The Bible reveals that mankind's liberty can only be realized in humbling ourselves to the point of surrendering our limited free will to God. Seemingly counter intuitive from an earthly point of view, from an eternal perspective it makes perfect sense. As a young missionary observed, "he is no fool who exchanges that which can never be kept for that which can never be lost." Along these lines Christ counsels those who would gain freedom to first admit their lack thereof as a step on the path of renouncing sin and self:
- Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:31-36
- Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26
Both Paul and James reinforce the issue of Lordship, or our slavery to Christ:
- "I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 TLB
- "And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that." James 4:15 MSG
Scriptures such as these address the inherit difficulty of discerning what would seem to be the obvious difference between freedom and bondage. Doing as we will appears to be the very definition of being free. Yet the Bible declares the opposite is true. It warns that as created mortal beings, we are only as free as we are bound to our Creator's intent and purpose. A sentiment expressed by the age old question, "Is a train freest on or off it's tracks?"
For millennia adherence to Biblical directives has proven invaluable in this life. Countless multitudes have been spared the specter of a sin ravaged life by choosing obedience over the temptation to indulge baser instincts. On the other hand, consider the emotional and mental, physical and spiritual sorrow and even death billions have suffered from needless war and greed, abuse and poverty, addiction and immorality… all of which might have been avoided by mankind merely heeding a handful of Christ's commands. Even so, a close examination of the words and example of Jesus and His apostles call for a deepening commitment to a cause greater than ourselves.
True discipleship requires adherence to Kingdom principals often, if not always, at odds with wordily wisdom. Self denial and baring one's cross are required daily regimens for those who would seek heavenly reward rather than earthly wealth. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that such authentic Christianity arises from embracing an eternal perspective which gladly exchanges our current limited freedom for the liberty of knowing and serving God. A sacrifice to be sure, yet compared to the glory and horror of eternal rewards or punishments, the difficulties involved seem all but inconsequential:
- And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him! That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. Romans 8:17-21 The Message
How Free Are We?
Scripture makes the case that in our feeble spiritual state, those succumbing to temptation initiate a process of subjection to sin that if unchecked ends in death:
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:12-15
In addition to the spiritual component, life itself underscores the fact that as mortals our liberties are held in check by a myriad of mundane and harsh realities. A short list includes:
1. Conception and birth: Natural and engineered abortion accounts for the termination of half or more of all conceptions. Additional casualties and challenges result from illness and death among newborns. As has been pointed out, for most part we are "born between urine and feces" and for all our pomp we "die like dogs."
2. Infant and child helplessness: Healthy babies and young children live at the mercy of others and circumstance. Our childhood experiences, or lack thereof, not only shape us early in life but often continue long into adulthood.
3. Air and water: While often cavalier in our assertion of independence, truth be told a little air or water added or withheld can be enough to kill. Such inherent weakness out to give us pause.
4. Food and clothing: 99.99999999999999…% of the universe is hostile enough to obliterate all of humanity in an instant. Even living in the "Goldilocks zone" in space and time, on a miraculously habitable planet within our fantastically fine tuned solar system, galaxy and universe we still require continual sustenance and shelter from the elements.
5. Elimination and sleep: The often grandiose claims and actions of mankind seem in stark relief against such daily requirements as elimination and sleep. Beings of such weakness, we weary within a single day to the point of sleeping a third of each away.
6. Economic and familial duties: Another 8-10 hours a day is spent providing for ourselves and our families. While many countries afford a great deal of latitude regarding career choice, others do not. Even within the freest societies a host of factors may conspire to make landing and keeping a dream job difficult if not impossible.
7. Mind and body: The only thing more astounding than humanity's achievements in mind and body are our limitations. With intelligence restrained by the biology of 2-3 pounds of brain matter, seen in a certain light are we not basically soulish meat cycles on skeletal sticks?
8. Emotional and social instability: While our treatment of ourselves and others can be affectionate and even sublime, a host of social ills tells a different story. Self inflicted sorrow to suicide, gross societal inequities to violence, who can deny interior and exterior boundaries to freedom abound.
9. Disease and death: Whether caused by neglect and abuse or simply the normal course of life, humanity both as a whole and individually is encumbered by a variety of illnesses and inevitable mortality. Lifespans most often measured in decades limit and eventually end any construct of unlimited free will.
While there are many reasons for writing an article on the limitations of human free will, our purpose here is twofold. Foremost is the foolishness and folly of the atheist and agnostic who purposeful fail to acknowledge the precarious nature of human existence. In a world of ever increasing ease and entertainment, one might well imagine our momentary and fleeting freedoms will last forever. Ironically, the very blessings being so liberally bestowed by a "faithful and just Creator" are being misconstrued by billions to foster a false sense of independence and even rebellion. This is not to say there is anything wrong with legitimate doubt. On the contrary, given the apparent silence and distance of God, intellectually honest questions about Omnity's nature and even existence are both normal and healthy. Problems arises when misusing the gifts of science and technology to dismiss the overwhelming evidence for intelligent design, relegating God to mythological status. So emboldened, modern society quickly becomes inebriated with the original sin of entitlement. Intoxicated by such thinking, instant gratification and immorality soon replace character and godliness. Careening out of self control, mankind becomes enslaved by a false sense of freedom, forgetting both God and our imminent need to answer life's ultimate questions.
The second need for an article such as this, while far more subtle, is no less compelling. Simply put, the vast majority of the billions who acknowledge Christ not only tend to overlook humanity's dire situation but grossly underestimate the power of Satan to deceive even God's anointed. Forgetfulness of the often tragic historical behavior of God's people we've supplanted devotion and discipleship for sound systems and programs. Disregarding the frailty of vastly limited free will and emboldened by hyper inflated faith, modern Christianity refuses to consider the failings of Churchianity or the inarguable success of demonic resistance. A situation exacerbated by an unwillingness to reconcile new and popular doctrines of easy believism with the message of Scripture including the Book of Revelation's account of Jesus judging His church. This unfortunate scenario has led to ever increasing levels of apathy and worldliness while decreasing interest in sanctification and revival.
Churchianity's overestimation of it's standing before God stems from a growing trend towards Biblical ignorance and illiteracy. Serious Bible study and memorization no longer required, the average church attender has difficulty quoting five to ten verses in a row outside of the Lord's Prayer and Psalms 23. Corporate and personal prayer also in sharp decline, on average modern Christians stop and pray less than 5 minutes a day.
A disaster on every level, lack of recognition of our dependance on God and His Word have nearly left us literally without a prayer. Failure to appreciate Scripture's insight into the history of eternity, much less correctly interpret the Biblical prophecy have conspired to create a Christian culture of ignorance in regard to the desperate need of relearning the importance of daily and strategic prayer, not to mention rekindling the lost art of intercession. Understanding the vast and seriously limited nature of human free will, the need has never been greater for a generation of prophetic Christians to arise, wrestling with God for the power to wrest enslaved mankind from the grip of sin, self and Satan.
By brokenness and fasting, let us learn to be still and wait on God. In perfected intercession, "let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Though Satan accuse us "day and night" let us continually remind God that while we stand before Him utterly condemned for our sin, and are without excuse, even our behavior is not without explanation! For it is written that our prosecutor, formally known as Lucifer or in Hebrew הילל בן־שׁחר Helel Ben-Shachar, who stands accusing and condemning us first tempted and deceived us after having led a myriad of angels astray. Ancient, holy and glorious angels from Heaven above. What chance do we stand against so great an Adversary, his army and demonic resistance without an unprecedented global outpouring of the Holy Spirit's presence and power, provision and protection?
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