The Relationship Between God's Omniscience, Free Will, and Salvation

In the context of Christianity, the concept of God's omniscience plays a pivotal role in discussions surrounding free will and salvation. As believers, we recognize God as God's elect, chosen individuals who have chosen to be part of God's church. However, the interplay between divine knowledge and human choice can be complex.

Divine Omniscience and Human Free Will

God's omniscience means that He knows everything, both in past and future. This raises questions about the compatibility of divine foreknowledge and human free will. It has been argued that if God knows with absolute certainty what one will do in the future, then that person cannot choose otherwise. However, this argument fails when considering the possibility of infallible certainty in the future without an existing entity.

For instance, if a scientist designs a rat maze and knows every path the rat will take, the rat's freedom of choice is inherently limited by this certainty. Conversely, if the scientist only knows the choices the rat makes in real-time, the rat retains genuine free will. Similarly, in human life, while God's omniscience is total, human free will remains unimpaired. This idea aligns with the concept of Limited Free Will, where individuals have choices but are influenced by pre-existing conditions and external factors.

God's Elect and Salvation

As God's elect, the choice to accept Jesus Christ and join the church is a free decision. God loves all and desires all to choose Him. While He provides the opportunity for salvation, God also knows who will and will not choose to follow Him, reflecting a kind of foreknowledge. However, this does not impair human free will because the choice to accept or reject God remains with the individual.

God's predestination aligns with the idea that He foreknows who will respond to His call. Those who choose to call out to God are therefore part of His chosen ones. This concept is reflected in the statement, 'We are FREE to CALL OUT TO HIM and we are FREE not to CALL OUT TO HIM.' This highlights the importance of personal choice in the faith journey.

Embracing Free Will Through Salvation

Salvation through the righteousness of Jesus Christ affords humanity the opportunity to make significant choices. God has given each person this life to choose between eternal life with Him and eternal death on Earth. This choice is free and vital.

While God provides guidance and assistance, the ultimate decision to accept or reject His path is left to the individual. God's help in correcting life's mistakes is a form of intervention, but it still respects the free will of the individual. As faithful and obedient Christians, our choices to allow God to direct our paths reflect a conscious decision, a manifestation of free will.

The core message is that God's omniscience does not negate human free will. Instead, it enhances the value of free choice. Acceptance of God's divine intervention and guidance is itself a form of free will. The journey of faith is an active, choice-driven process, underpinned by the belief that every decision ultimately belongs to the individual.