The Gift Of Free Will

There is a children's story about a famous wood carver who one day carved the figure of a little boy. It was a beautiful carving and the man called it Pinocchio. He was proud of his work but there was no way the carving could love him in return.

What would have happened if the carver had put a little talking-machine inside the wooden boy? Maybe he could have made the little figure move and say, "I love you." Would that have satisfied the carver? Would he have been thrilled and said, "Now I know my carving loves me?" No, because that would not be an expression of love. It would be only a mechanical phrase with no real feeling.

The story says that somehow the wooden boy came alive. He had a mind of his own and when he would say, "I love you," it did thrill the carver. Why? Because the wooden boy wasn't forced to say it-he said it with love.

We know the story is just a fable, but it gives us a little picture of how God felt when He made man. He made him beautifully and, most important, with the power to make his own choices.

God made man, but not carved from a block of wood. How did He make him? What qualities did He put in man? Do you know? And if not, why?

In God's Word it tells the amazing truth that God created all things. The most important of his creation was in the loving design of a man, who would be fashioned and created from God's own image. (Genesis 2)

Upon Adam's creation we learn that he had an intimate relationship with God. And although, Adam knew God personally, he lacked the real ability to love God. The type of love that says, "I love you" by action, not just words. Before that could happen God knew he needed to give to Adam a choice by a "free will". To choose to love God; not be forced to love Him. For we all understand that forced love isn't real love at all, and if there is no real love, there cannot be genuine affection from the heart.

Like in the story of Pinocchio, the boy remained only an image going through the motions of life until his maker breathed life into him. Upon his new life he was also given the freedom of choice via "free will". To chose wrong or right, to love or hate.

In the boys choice to do wrong was he able to learn the affects of his sin, how it affects us and our lives. To learn that only through repentance from his sin could the boy reverse sins effect, and receive the ability to return to his Creator/Father. When he did, his relationship was for the right reason, as they then were finally joined together in heart.

The power behind this story lives out every day for countless believers who realize their need for God, who repent from their sin to turn their hearts back home to their Creator. Doing so today only through God's Son, Jesus Christ. For its only then - that God can breath His Spirit - breath of life, (Holy Spirit) into our heart - see (John 14:15-31).

Like Pinocchio, we are then rejoined to our Heavenly Father and experience His love as well as given the ability to finally love God too. With all our heart, soul, and mind. (Mark 12:30-31)