By: Obed Pineda
Free will is arguably the most complex part of human existence. Although it is a treasured gift that has been bestowed upon man from heaven, it is a gift, nonetheless, that holds an enormous amount of responsibility. Its complexity, undoubtedly, stems from the consequences that are bound to the choices man makes daily. In other words, even though man has been enabled to be able to freely choose his own path, it is often the case that the path chosen will eliminate his free will. King Solomon surmised this truth as he penned, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25, emphasis added). The reality of this inspired proverb is sorrowfully proven true regularly by a world that “lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1st John 5:19b). It is righteous to note that those who are under the wicked one’s spell choose to do so willfully, for Holy Writ clarifies “that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:19-20, emphasis added). Behold a popular choice freely made, that eliminates a person’s liberty of choice! The inspired beloved apostle reveals to his readers what the condemnation of the world is. He wisely explains in the pericope that man picks his eternal destination when he either accepts or rejects the only begotten Son of God, Jesus the Christ (John 3:18, 36). However, it is wise not to ignore that a man who rejects Christ can afterward change his choice and embrace Him, but the same is also true of the opposite. Once more, man’s free will is both complex and magnificent in nature. The same book that teaches us about the dangers of walking a path that may potentially end in death, also declares “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3, emphasis added). Holy Scripture once more illuminates the importance of choice. Just because a person began their journey on a path that led to death, it does not mean that they cannot change their route to another path that avoids that dreaded fate. He who is wise learns to observe very cautiously the road he travels on. It is imperative to understand that the merciful Father allows His creation ample opportunity to consider well the repercussions of the choices that are made. Hence the precious value of considering prudently and righteously the consequences risen from the decisions that have been made. Nevertheless, the wise man sets himself apart by first weighing the options of each decision (i.e. “foreseeing,” Luke 14:28-32), seeking out wise counselors to advise him in his decision (Proverbs 15:22, 24:5-6), but most importantly by submitting his “works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (Proverbs 16:3, emphasis added). He who does so fully trusts in God and commits to His will knowing “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7a). It is necessary to reiterate that those who are blessed to enjoy the peace of God are those who commit themselves fully over to God. The apostle Peter elaborates, “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1st Peter 5:6-7, emphasis added). It is irrefutable that there are certain decisions one makes in life that have an impactful, long-lasting effect. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to make these life-altering decisions responsibly, wisely, and in godliness. When this is not practiced, regret sprouts into the heart of the man. The dangerous trait of regret is that it is not always holy. Remember that a person who makes the right choice at the beginning, can regret that choice and turn back from that path. The great apostle to the Gentiles forewarned the Corinthians that “godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2nd Corinthians 7:10, emphasis added). The inspired Paul makes a valid distinction between godly regret and worldly regret by illustrating them in the form of sorrow. According to one dictionary, regret is defined as “1) to mourn the loss or death of or 2) to miss very much” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). With these two definitions, Paul’s lesson is better illuminated. Godly regret is to mourn the loss of your soul, poisoned by the sin you ingest. When this realization takes place, guilt will “cut to the heart” and you will now wonder, “men and brethren, what shall we do” (Acts 2:37, emphasis added)? In other words, your desire will be to find the antidote to nullify the venom now coursing through your inward man’s veins. Seeking for this cure from sin is what the Holy Spirit, through the quill of the apostle, explains as “repentance leading to salvation.” However, to solely find the cure will not save you. Logic dictates that for the antidote to work, the poisoned person must take it so that it will neutralize the venom; otherwise, it becomes useless. Furthermore, the entire vile of the antidote must be taken if all of the venoms is to be flushed out of the heart. It is here where the apostle’s warning makes its immense value known. Too often when a person learns about the lifelong sacrifice that is required for Christianity, they come to regret (in a carnal way) their decision and turn away from it. This form of regret is what the apostle names “the sorrow of the world.” Those who regret having buried their old man in the watery grave, imitate Demas by forsaking their brethren “having loved this present world” (2nd Timothy 4:10a, emphasis added). Their ties to this world are tightly bound by sin, and choose to ignore the Master’s plea “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32, emphasis added). Lamentably, because man insists on making irresponsible, selfish choices he forgets too quickly that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2nd Corinthians 5:10, emphasis added). Verily, it is frightening to know that still today there are many like Demas and Lot’s wife who everlastingly regret having made the choice of turning back from He Who was trying to save them from eternal damnation.