08-FREE AGENCY
Chapter Seven
Free Agency
Free Agency is a doctrinal term. The exact words are not found in the Scriptures, but the concept is there. Free Agency is tied in with the concept of free will. In this chapter, we will consider Free Agency from two points of view, an internal influence and an external influence. God has given all people the ability to know right from wrong. He has given us an internal influence to show us that we need Him, and an external influence to lead us to the truth. Calvinism cites Romans 3:10-18 to show that man cannot seek God because he is totally depraved, but Paul here is showing the Jews that they are no better than the Gentiles because we are all under the bondage of sin. In the previous chapter of Romans, Paul shows us that the Gentiles have an inner, God given ability to know and keep God’s Law, even though they did not have access to it!
Romans 2:13-15 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) This passage shows us the internal influence God has put in every man’s heart. A person does not need to be born again before he can understand the wrongness of sin. All people have a God-given sense of right and wrong. God has written it in our hearts (v.14) Furthermore, God has given us all a conscience (v.15). We can all remember the feeling we had inside when we did something wrong, even before we were saved. Everyone has a conscience, it cannot be denied, and we received it from God. This is all part of the concept of Free Agency. Now please don’t misunderstand, I am not saying that man does not need the influence of God to draw him to the Savior. Nor am I saying that conscience alone can lead us to the Savior. Nor am I saying that an unbeliever can understand the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:7-16). I am simply saying that God has given all people both an internal and an external influence to draw us to Him.
The next verses show us how God influences us externally
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
God’s creation is a testimony of His existance and His omnipotent power. There is no excuse for atheism, nor is there any reason for a person to believe in the theory of evolution. The complexities of the creation declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.
God has also goven mankind the influence of the Holy Spirit.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. The word reprove in verse 8 is the Greek word elegchō - to shame, disgrace, to convict, to prove one is in the wrong and thus to shame him. (Strong) The word world is the Greek word kosmos which we already have seen to mean all of humanity. Notice the convincing influence the Holy Spirit applies to all people: Of sin - Not believing in Jesus as Savior Of righteousness - The work of atonement is finished and has returned to the Father Of judgment - Satan will ultimately be judged, and so will all unbelievers This ministry of the Holy Spirit is not only to the Christian, but to all mankind. It is another way that God draws men to Himself. We will be studying the drawing of God more extensively in the next chapter. Free Agency encompasses all these concepts, but there is something else that God has given all of us, and that is the free will to accept or reject these internal and external influences.
Consider the following verses:
14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Matthew 11:28-29 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
These passages depict people making concious decisions to either receive or reject the gift of salvation. They do not show us salvation based on God’s decree before the foundation of the world. As stated above, Calvinism teaches that an unregenerated man, one who is not born again, has no access to spiritual things because he has a dead spirit within him. However, the Scriptures we have considered show us that God gives all people a conscience, and the influence of the Holy Spirit. We have also seen that we all have the freedom and responsibility to believe the gospel and come to the Savior. The concept of Free Agency encompasses all these truths. God loves us so much that He was willing to send His own Son to die for us, but He also gave us the free will to accept or reject His gift of redemption.