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BullHazzer · 08-18-2003, 11:09 AM

Good description of free-will, choosing your own destiny. Free-will is a God given trait and I feel some of these posts have over simplified the topic. I have read more than one post giving the idea that if our only choice was to honor and serve God, our life would be dull and boring and restrictive. I have also read someone say something to the effect of how could God really enjoy us serving him. If I may I would like to try to convey the importance of our free-will and our serving God.

Imagine you were the master/king of a country. You have to groups of people who serve you. Group A serves you because they have no other choice. They give you the respect you deserve and carry out the tasks you set before them without grumbling and with out thought. They are, for all intensive purposes, drones. What do you feel about them when they serve you? Nothing right? You feel nothing about them because that is exactly what they are supposed to do. It does nothing for them and nothing for you.

Now there is a second group who serves you. This group serves you because they have chosen to serve you. They don't fear you, but rather revere you and hold you under a very high regard. They serve and give their all, freely choosing to do what you bid them. All the while being able to turn there back on you and leave whenever they want. How do you feel about this second group of servants when they do what you ask them too? How do you feel when they choose something other than you?

This is a simplified explanation of why God created free-will. He wants us to choose Him and serve Him out of love and reverence for Him. As we serve Him and focus wholly on Him, we find ourselves putting others before ourselves (aka serving others). And for those of you who need self esteem and think that putting yourself first will bring it to you, you are sorely mistaken. I know I feel best about myself when I have given myself to someone else as a servant and helped them in whatever way I can. All the while, serving God first.

"'Vanity of vanities', says the preacher 'All is vanity.'"
There is nothing good apart from God.

08-18-2003, 11:09 AM	#19 (permalink)
BullHazzer Crazy Location: The land between the two rivers	Good description of free-will, choosing your own destiny. Free-will is a God given trait and I feel some of these posts have over simplified the topic. I have read more than one post giving the idea that if our only choice was to honor and serve God, our life would be dull and boring and restrictive. I have also read someone say something to the effect of how could God really enjoy us serving him. If I may I would like to try to convey the importance of our free-will and our serving God. Imagine you were the master/king of a country. You have to groups of people who serve you. Group A serves you because they have no other choice. They give you the respect you deserve and carry out the tasks you set before them without grumbling and with out thought. They are, for all intensive purposes, drones. What do you feel about them when they serve you? Nothing right? You feel nothing about them because that is exactly what they are supposed to do. It does nothing for them and nothing for you. Now there is a second group who serves you. This group serves you because they have chosen to serve you. They don't fear you, but rather revere you and hold you under a very high regard. They serve and give their all, freely choosing to do what you bid them. All the while being able to turn there back on you and leave whenever they want. How do you feel about this second group of servants when they do what you ask them too? How do you feel when they choose something other than you? This is a simplified explanation of why God created free-will. He wants us to choose Him and serve Him out of love and reverence for Him. As we serve Him and focus wholly on Him, we find ourselves putting others before ourselves (aka serving others). And for those of you who need self esteem and think that putting yourself first will bring it to you, you are sorely mistaken. I know I feel best about myself when I have given myself to someone else as a servant and helped them in whatever way I can. All the while, serving God first. "'Vanity of vanities', says the preacher 'All is vanity.'" There is nothing good apart from God.