Jack Hibbs : Free Moral Agency

Free moral agency—it might sound like a bureaucratic term or something linked to government policies. However, it is, in fact, a profound and personal gift from God. This concept, deeply ingrained in human existence, reflects God’s unique design when He created us in His image. Free moral agency means the capacity to make choices, a divine sovereignty built into us.

What Is Free Moral Agency?

Free moral agency is the ability to choose freely, a privilege we exercise daily. From deciding what to eat for breakfast to selecting our friends and planning our day, we act upon this God-given gift. Unlike angels, who were created as ministering spirits and are not made in God’s image, humans possess a moral likeness to God. This likeness includes the capacity for emotions like love and even hatred—though God’s hatred is directed perfectly at evil.

Choosing to Love and Follow God

Our free moral agency allows us to choose our paths, even in a fallen world where we often resist imposed restrictions. However, as believers, we willingly surrender our free will to God out of love. When God prompts us to “go left” or “go right,” we respond in faith, choosing to walk with Him. This surrender, grounded in love, deepens our relationship with God and aligns our will with His.

A Theological Debate

The topic of free moral agency often sparks debate within Christian circles, particularly between Arminian and Calvinist perspectives. Do we have free will, or is everything preordained by God? The answer lies in Scripture. Romans 8:29 reminds us that God foreknew and predestined us. He sees the entirety of time and knows the decisions we’ll make when confronted with the gospel.

The Example of Jerusalem’s Choice

Matthew 23:37-39 highlights Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem’s rejection of Him. Despite His longing to gather them like a hen protects her chicks, they chose tradition over faith in Christ. Their free moral agency led to the desolation of their temple, symbolizing the futility of religion without true faith.

Jesus declares that one day, the remnant of believers will proclaim, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” This prophetic moment, recorded in the Bible, emphasizes the consequences of our choices—whether to embrace Christ or reject Him.

The Call to Decision

The gospel presents a deeply personal moment of choice. God asks, “What will you do with Me?” Blaming circumstances, upbringing, or others is not an option. Each individual must respond to the truth of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to offer salvation.

This is not about redefining Jesus to fit modern ideologies or false teachings. It’s about embracing the true Jesus of the Bible—the Son of God, who bore our sins, paid our debt, and rose again for our righteousness. He asks: Will you accept the gift of salvation?

Now is the time to reflect and respond. Jesus Christ has already done the work—dying for our sins and conquering death. The choice is yours. How will you use your God-given free moral agency today?

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