Backyard football. All the boys from the neighborhood would show up in some neighborhood field, or in one of the boy’s backyards. I usually went, not because I particularly enjoyed this activity, but it was something to do, and I was bored, or I was pressured into going by one of my older brothers, or friends. It was expected, so I went.
If it was in the backyard, it was always a good idea to take note of where the trees were, to avoid a concussion by inadvertently running into one of them. For me, one of the smallest kids in the neighborhood, the team picking scenario usually went something like this: two team captains were chosen, usually the two guys that all the other kids thought were the best football players. Whether they were or not, who knows? The fact that the other kids thought that they were was what mattered. The two team captains would take turns picking players for their side. Since I was usually the smallest kid, I would get “picked” last. Getting picked last did not mean that I was chosen. It meant that the last “picker” got stuck with me by default since I was the only one left.
There is something about being “chosen” that lights up every person’s heart. A few weeks ago, I was watching television, and out of boredom, and the fact that the local TV antenna would not pick up very many channels, I suffered through an episode of “The Bachelor”. It is a stupid show, the premise of which is that an eligible, I assume wealthy, and moderately attractive man, gets to choose from a bunch of single women that clamor for his attention and affection. He chooses which ones of them he will take out on dates, and then, I assume, he chooses to marry one of them. The point is that one of them gets “chosen” to be his lucky companion. Whoopty friggen’ do! Cinderella puts her other glass slipper back on, and they live happily ever after. She has been chosen.
Did you know that God desires to be chosen also? That may sound strange, but bear with me while I unpack this idea. God is wholly sovereign and independent, and He needs nothing from us. God is a personal being. He has personhood. He is not some vague power force. He is a person. He is relational. We see the relational nature of God in the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three-in-one, all in perpetual relationship. This is a hard concept for us, as human beings to grasp, but it is what the Scripture reveals to us about God. This means something to us. Since we are created in His image, we are also created to be relational beings. As relational beings, we choose.
When I read the Genesis account of creation, and the fall of man, one of the first questions I asked was “Why”? Man was created perfect. The Garden was perfect. Nothing was needed. Why was the “Tempter” (AKA, Satan, Lucifer, The Father of Lies) allowed to enter the Garden? Why didn’t God just leave well enough alone, and ban him from the Garden? Admittedly, the Scripture does not answer this question specifically, but I think reason gives us an answer. The Scripture does tell us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God is a loving being. A loving being desires to be loved. Love cannot exist unless the option to not love also exists. There is no such thing as coerced love. Love is always a choice. God gave man the power of choice. This is what it means to say that man is a free moral agent.
It is my contention, and I believe that a lot of theologians would agree with me, that God’s plan is to create a race of eternal, holy beings through mankind, that will live in relationship with Him. This can only be accomplished if man is given the choice to either accept and obey God, or reject Him, and believe a lie. God did not create us to be robots who are programmed to just accept His input like a computer, or a machine. This is not relationship, and if it is, it is the kind of relationship that exists between you and your vacuum cleaner. You may be pleased with your vacuum cleaner if it performs well, or you may be irritated with it if it does now work, but you do not feel affection, or love for it as you do a living being. Living beings can only experience relationship with other living beings. Without the power of choice, we are merely automatons, not people, with personhood, as God has personhood. So, the choice had to be given. The “Liar” had to be allowed to enter the Garden to test each man.
There comes a point in each person’s life when the choice presents itself to either believe God, or believe a lie. This can happen at varying times in every individual’s life, and it may happen multiple times. It may, or may not. Only God knows. Only God knows what is truly in a man’s heart. People sometimes wonder why an evil or sinful person will be permitted to live a long time. The Scripture says that “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). I believe if an evil person is permitted to live a long time, it is because God is giving the opportunity to repent.
Choice is a blessing, when we choose rightly. Choice becomes a curse when we choose wrongly.
Danny's Stump 