One Cup of Dirt

Embracing Free Will Amidst Life’s Challenges

In a recent episode of “Heart of the Matter,” the discussion centered around the complex relationship between God, free will, and personal responsibility. The host explored the common argument made by non-believers that if God is omnipotent and all-knowing, then He must be responsible for everything, including our beliefs and actions. This perspective often leads to the conclusion that individuals are merely products of their environment and genetics, with no real agency over their choices.

The host challenged this notion by suggesting that while God allows various factors to shape our lives—such as upbringing, trauma, and personal struggles—He will ultimately assess us based on what remains after these influences are stripped away. This means that in the end, we will be judged not on the circumstances we faced but on how we responded to them with the free will we possess.

Using the metaphor of managing land, the host illustrated that even if much of our potential is hindered by external factors, we will still be held accountable for the small portion of our lives that we could control. The idea is that God, being fair and just, will take into account all mitigating circumstances but will focus on our individual contributions and choices.

The takeaway from this discussion is that rather than viewing God as a deterministic force that limits our ability to choose faith, we should see Him as a fair judge who recognizes our struggles while still holding us accountable for our actions. Ultimately, it is our response to life’s challenges that matters most in our relationship with God.