Positional Statement Series Part 8: Concerning Free Will

I believe in Free Will. I do not believe that God would send some people to heaven and some people to hell. I believe it rests on the individual to respond to the power of the Holy Spirit and chose to follow Jesus Christ or they can quench the power of the Holy Spirit and fervently reject God. It is up to the individual to decide whether they want to follow God for all their worth or not follow God. It is free choice that can be made by the individual under the sovereign plan of God. Though God knows every decision we will make both past, present, and future, God also gives us the option to rebel against his plan or propel his plan forward. I believe it is up to the individual to respond to the Gospel message. God knows their decision before they make it. God does not want anyone to perish and is patient with those who rebel because ultimately, they can always return to God before they die. Once they die, the game is over and they chose their fate. 2 Peter 3:9 shows us what God’s heart is towards mankind. 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) states, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” This is God’s ultimate sovereign plan. God’s ultimate sovereign plan is that all of mankind should reach repentance. However, some people chose not to repent. Therefore, I do not believe that God would send some people to heaven and some people to hell because God is both a just and merciful God. However, it rests on the individual to respond to the power of the Holy Spirit and accept the free gift of Salvation. Thereby, I do not believe in predestination. I believe that God has given us free will to choose our fate. I know for a fact that when I die, I will go to heaven because I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ came down to earth to die on the cross to save me from my sins and rose on the third day conquering sin and death.