Does Human Free Will Exist in Salvation?

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (Ephesians 1:4-5)

Understanding Human Free Will in Salvation

When it comes to predestination, most Christians agree on a few ideas. Before the world began, God knew mankind would be lost in sin. In response, God decided beforehand to save those who would believe the gospel. And God chose in advance to adopt those who would believe the gospel. Interpretations diverge on the question of human free will. Do we have the freedom to choose God of our own accord? Or did the sin of Adam prevent his descendants from choosing God?

Choosing God Through Human Free Will

This debate about whether or not sin prevents us from choosing God has been ongoing for centuries. My personal belief is we can all choose God of our own volition. Jesus says,

“My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” (John 7:16-17)

According to Jesus, I can choose to follow God of my own accord—I can “will to do His will.”All of us have sinned, but our sins—including Adam’s sin—do not prevent us from choosing God.

Few Will Choose God

On the contrary, we can all choose God, but few of us will. Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14,

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

While every human being can choose God, only a few will find the difficult way to eternal life and follow it.

However, even though few of us will choose God, it remains God’s will to save the world. 

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16). 
• God our Savior “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). 
• God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)

God wants to save us from our sins. We must decide whether or not we will allow Him to save us.

What is Evil?