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Dr. Brenda Davis PhD
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God’s Love and Justice (Lesson 8) Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence
FREE WILL OVER DIVINE PROVIDENCE
How do we know when God is speaking to us? God has different ways in which He reveals Himself to us. How can we know for sure that the voice speaking is from God and not from Satan?
Welcome back to our series on: God’s Love and Justice.
God is love, and how we understand this affects how we relate to the world around us.
Misunderstandings of God’s love can lead to negative thoughts and feelings that can harm our relationships with Him and others.
God’s love promises to guide and lead us.
God has three ways in which He speaks to us and guides us: in His Word, the voice of the Holy Spirit, and His Divine Providence.
Here, we examine how Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence affect the outcomes in our lives.
Before we begin, let’s Pray.
God’s Love and Justice
(Lesson 8)
Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence
Part 1 Introduction
Life is full of struggles, and often, it is hard to make those difficult decisions. Some days are harder than others.
Pain, sickness, loss, and trouble seem to follow us wherever we go.
But Jesus spoke words of comfort to us, saying in John 16: 33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).
Jesus is letting us know straight-up life ain’t easy. But He also gives us hope. He has already won the battle!
He has already overcome! And because He has won the battle, we, too, can have victory if we follow His divine will.
But how do we know His will? How do we know when he is speaking to us? How does He speak to us?
There are three ways God reveals His will to us: through His Word, His Holy Spirit, and His Divine Providence.
1. God Speaking Through His Word—The Holy Scriptures
The Bible is God’s message to us. It is more than just words on a page—it is His truth, His guidance, and His promises.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105, NKJV).
Just as a lamp helps us see in the dark, God’s Word shows us the right way to go in a world full of confusion. When we study it, we learn who God is, what He desires, and how we should live.
2. God Speaks Through His Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God’s presence with us. He speaks to our hearts, convicts us of sin, and leads us into all truth.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13, NIV).
The Spirit helps us understand the Bible, which is why when we read or study it, we should pray for guidance. This keeps us from being misguided.
The Holy Spirit reminds us of the teachings we have learned from the Bible and warns us when we are about to make a wrong choice.
But we must listen. If we ignore His voice, it becomes harder and harder to hear and obey.
God does not force us to obey Him. He gives us free will. Sadly, many people reject His guidance. That is why sin and suffering exist. But God is always calling us back to Him.
Some people believe that everything happens because God willed it that way—that we have no choice. But that’s not what the Bible teaches. This idea is contrary to free choice.
3. God Speaks Through His Divine Providence
Providence is the word used to describe God’s action in the world. It is how He works behind the scenes, arranging things for our good.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV).
How we understand God’s providence makes a huge difference in how we relate to Him, how we treat others, and how we think about evil in the world.
Some believe that God controls everything—that he already decides every event, every choice, and every outcome.
They think that God even chooses who will be saved and who will be lost and that we have no say in the matter.
But the Bible teaches something different. Strong biblical evidence shows that God does not force His will upon us.
Instead, He gives us free will—even to the point where humans and angels can choose to act against Him.
The history of sin is proof of what happens when free will is abused.
Adam and Eve chose to disobey.
Cain chose to kill his brother.
And people today still choose sin over God.
But because God is merciful, He made a way to save us.
The plan of salvation was put in place to fix the terrible damage caused by sin and rebellion.
Even when we make bad choices, God is still working.
He opens doors, closes others, and directs our paths.
If we trust Him, He will lead us to where we need to be.
God does not leave us alone in our struggles even when we have made bad choices.
The question is, are we listening? The world is full of distractions. But if we open our Bibles, pray and listen to the Spirit, and trust in God’s guidance, we will know His will.
And when we follow His will, we will find peace—even in life’s hardest and most difficult moments.
If God is Almighty, how is it possible for events to occur in this world that are not aligned with His will?
Read Psalm 81:11–14; Isaiah 30:15, 18; Isaiah 66:4; and Luke 13:34.
Then continue to Part 2: Our Sovereign God
God’s Love and Justice
(Lesson 8)
Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence
Part 2: Our Sovereign God
Some believe that since “God is in control, everything that happens must be His will.”
Are they correct?
Yes, trouble will come. Pain is real. But Jesus didn’t say suffering is His will—
He said we can have peace in the midst of it. So, how do we understand God’s will? (Pauser)
One way He reveals it is through His Divine Providence, how He works in the world, even in situations that seem unfair or unjust.
Yes, God is sovereign, meaning He controls everything that happens.”
Since God controls everything, does that mean He causes all our problems and our pain?
Some believe that whatever happens in the world is exactly what God planned.
After all, He is all-powerful—how could anything happen that He doesn’t want?
They believe that even the worst suffering is God’s will. But is that what the Bible teaches?
Again and again, we see that God does not always get what He wants.
People make choices—sometimes against His will.
God expresses sorrow when His people refuse to listen to Him.
This we learn from the Psalms: Let’s look at Psalm 81:11, 13, 14.
Psalms 81:11
11 “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me.
Psalms 81:13-14
13 “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries. (Psalm 81:11, 13, 14, NKJV).
God longed for His people to follow Him, but they refused. He wanted to bless them, but their choices led them away from His divine protection.
This same truth is repeated in Isaiah 30:15 and 18:
15 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not,
18 Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. (Isaiah 30:15, 18, NKJV).
Isaiah 66:4
4 So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.” (Isaiah 66:4)
God wanted to save His people. He wanted to be their strength.
But they refused. He did not force them to obey, so they suffered the consequences of their own choices.
Even in the New Testament, we see Jesus Himself grieving over people who rejected Him:
Luke 13:34 says:
34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! (Luke 13:34, NKJV).
Jesus longed to protect them, but they were not willing.
He was ready to help, but they turned away.
Hence, God’s providence does not mean He controls every event as if we are puppets on a string.
And He is not the cause of every tragedy, nor does He force people to obey Him.
Instead, He allows humans to make their own choices—even when those choices lead to pain.
But God is too loving and compassionate to sit back and do nothing.
No, even in our suffering, He is working. He brings good out of bad situations.
He opens doors, closes others, and guides those who put their trust in Him.
Isaiah 30:21 tells us
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand. Or whenever you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21, NKJV).
Even when we don’t understand, He is leading us.
If we believe that everything that happens is exactly what God wants, we create a dangerous way of thinking.
It means that every war, every disaster, and every act of evil is God’s doing.
It would mean that He causes suffering on purpose, even when the Bible clearly says otherwise.
Yes, God is in control, but He does not control us. He gives us free will.
Sadly, people often use that freedom to do harm. And when bad things happen, it is not because God planned them, but because the world is broken.
But there is the good news: God is still working. He is still guiding. He is still calling. He has not given up on us.
He is able to bring healing and restoration to whatever is lost and turn even the worst situations into something good for those who love and trust Him.
If thing bad things happen in spite of God’s sovereignty, how then can we feel secure?
Read: Revelation 11:17, Jeremiah 32:17–20, Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26, and also Hebrews 1:3.
Then, View the next segment of this video, Part 3: Pantokrator – The Almighty
God’s Love and Justice
(Lesson 8)
Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence
Part 3: Pantokrator – Almighty
God is powerful—more powerful than anything we can think or imagine. The Bible is full of stories showing His mighty works.
He parted the Red Sea so his people could walk on dry land.
He shut the mouths of lions, He healed the sick, even raised the dead.
And yet, despite His power, many things happen in this world that is not God’s will. (Pauer)
But, if God is all-powerful, almighty, why doesn’t He stop all suffering?
Why doesn’t He force everyone to obey Him? The answer lies in how He uses His power in harmony with His divine will and our free choice.
The Bible tells us over and over that God’s power is beyond measure:
Revelation 11:17 says:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned” (Revelation 11:17, NKJV).
God rules with great power, but He does not rule like an earthly king who forces or coerces people to obey.
He gives us the freedom to choose. This is the point Jeremiah makes in Jeremiah 32:17 (Pauser)
“Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17, NKJV).
Everything we see—the sun, the stars, the mountains, the oceans—exists because of God’s power. (Pausre)
If He can create all things, He can certainly handle our troubled lives.
Luke 1:37 makes this point
“For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37, NKJV).
When the angel spoke these words to Mary, he was telling her that God’s power has no limits.
He can do things we cannot even begin to concieve.
This is the point that Matthew 19:26 makes
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, NKJV).
Jesus spoke these same words about salvation. We cannot save ourselves, but God has the power to do so.
However, His power does not force people to accept salvation—it is still a choice.
The book of Hebrews reminds us that God holds everything together by His power. Hebrews 1:3 says:
“Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3, NKJV).
Every breath we take, every moment we live, is because God’s power sustains us. Without Him, nothing would exist.
Scripture teaches that God is all-powerful and that He sustains the world by His power.
Revelation repeatedly refers to God as the “Lord God Almighty”
See also Revelation 11:17 and compare it with 2 Corinthians 6:18, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 16:14, Revelation 19:15 and Revelation. 21:22.
The word translated “Almighty” in these scriptures literally means “all powerful”
The fact that God is all-powerful is not only affirmed in His Word but also manifested in the many amazing instances in which God uses His power to deliver His people and miraculously intervenes in world affairs. (Pauser)
Thus, some think that since God is all-powerful, He can do anything, even, evil, but the Bible says there are things He cannot do.
One of those things is found in 2 Timothy 2:13
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13, NKJV).
God cannot lie. He cannot break his promise. He cannot act against His own nature.
His power is always used in harmony with His goodness, love, and justice.
Accordingly, most people who believe in God agree that God is omnipotent (all-powerful), meaning that God has the power to do anything that does not contradict his character.
In other words, God can do anything that is logically possible and consistent with His nature.
Jesus, when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, showed that God’s power is not separate from His will:
He said in Matthew 26:39: “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39, NKJV).
God had the power to stop the crucifixion—but He did not because saving sinners required Jesus’ sacrifice.
Nevertheless, God does not use His power carelessly. He always acts in ways that are consistent with His perfect plan.
God’s greatest desire is to save everyone, as expressed in:
1 Timothy 2:4
“Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4, NKJV).
Titus 2:11
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11, NKJV).
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NKJV).
And Ezekiel 33:11
“Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live’” (Ezekiel 33:11, NKJV).
God wants everyone to be saved. He has the power to save all. But not all will be saved.
Why? Because God does not force anyone to choose Him.
Does this mean God’s power has limits?
No! It means that God’s power is used in harmony with His love and justice.
He does not force obedience. He does not force love. He gives us the freedom to choose.
If God forced everyone to obey Him, it would not be real love—just control.
But God does not want robots—He wants a relationship with His people.
Divine Providence involves God working through our choices, through His power, and through His guidance—but never against our will. (Pausr)
What does it mean to us to have free will? Read Matthew 22:37 and Deuteronomy 6:4, 5
Then continue to the next segment of this video, Part 4: To Love God
(Lesson 8)
Free Will, Love and Divine Providence
Part 4: To Love God
Love that is forced or coerced is not love.
Although God is all-mighty, He does not force us to love Him. He invites us to love Him.
He calls us. But He never forces us—because true love must be given freely.
So, God can’t make anyone love Him against their will.
If love is forced, it stops being love.
This is why God, in His wisdom and kindness, invites us to love Him freely. (Pausr)
He knows that true love must come from our hearts, willingly and joyfully.
Jesus made this clear when He said in Matthew 22:37,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37, NKJV).
Love is a choice. God desires our love, but He will never ever demand it.
From the very beginning, God wanted a relationship with His people.
Not one based on force, but one based on love and trust.
This is why He gave us free will—the ability to choose to love Him.
This same instruction was given to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:4–5
4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, NKJV).
Thus, God’s greatest commandment is to love Him. This is evidence that God does, indeed, want everyone to love Him, but He does not force us.
This is why everyone does not love God. It is because they must choose to do so. But they have instead chosen to direct their love toward someone or something other than God, even themselves.
But why doesn’t He just make everyone love Him?
Because. Again, forced love is not love. For love to be love, it must be freely given.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 6:17–18 that God is faithful and unchanging:
17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:17–18, NKJV).
You see, God does not lie. He does not change His mind or break His promises.
His Word is true and eternal. His word is everlasting.
Titus 1:2 lets us know that God cannot lie, it is against His nature.
“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (Titus 1:2, NKJV).
Therefore, If God says something, it will always be so. He does not deceive, manipulate, or take his word back.
He has promised us free will, and He will never take it away.
Number 23:19 makes this same point.
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19, NKJV).
Similarly, Hebrews 6:17-18 points out that God does not lie, He always keeps His word.
17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:17-18)
God has committed Himself to giving us freedom of choice, and He keeps His word, He is not a promise breaker, He is a promise keeper.
Therefore, we must live with the results of our choices, be they good or bad.
If God forced us to obey, there would be no true love, no real faith, and no meaningful relationship between God and His people.
But with free will comes responsibility. We are accountable for the choices we make.
Yet, God does not abandon us. Even when we go against Him, He calls us back. He offers His forgiveness and His grace.
Thus, our choices matter. What we do, how we live, and whether we choose to follow God or turn away all have real consequences.
The question is: What will you do with your choices?
There is the notion that God has predestined some people to be saved and others to be lost. Is that true? Read Ephesians 1:9–11. See what you think.
Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 5: God’s Ideal and Remedial Wills.
God’s Love and Justice
(Lesson 8)
Free Will, Love and Divine Providence
Part 5: God’s Ideal and Remedial Wills
Many people wonder, “Does God decide ahead of time who will be saved and who will be lost?”
If that were true, then would our choices even matter?
Would some people be doomed no matter what?
The Bible tells us that God has a plan for us. What is that plan?
Are we predestined to live everlasting lives or eternal death?
How does predestination align with free will and God’s divine providence?
The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:9-11:
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, (Ephesians 1:9–11, NKJV).
At first glance, it may sound like God has already decided everything, including who will be saved and who will be lost.
But is that what predestination really means?
The Greek word translated “predestined” simply means “to decide beforehand.”
It does not mean that God forces every event to happen exactly as He desires.
There are two ways to make decisions ahead of time:
Unilaterally – One person decides everything alone, without considering the desires of others.(Pauser)
Bilaterally or multilaterally – With foreknowledge, a person makes a decision while considering what others will choose.
The Bible teaches that God does the second. He considers our free choices in working out His plans.
Paul explains this further in Romans 8:29-30:
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30, NKJV).
The term translated “predestined” refers to God plans for future events, based on what He knows people will decide using their free will.
Thus, God’s foreknowledge means He already knows who will accept or reject Him.
But just because He knows it does not mean He forces.
If God had already decided who would be saved and who would be lost, then people would not have free will.
But the Bible helps us see that people choose to accept or reject God’s will.
So, God does providentially guide history to the desired good end for all.
At the same time, He respects the free will required for us to have a genuine, loving relationship with him.
What Paul says Ephesian 1:11 is that God “works all things according to the counsel of His will,” it does not mean that everything happens just as He desires.
There is a difference between God’s ideal will and God’s healing will.
God’s Ideal Will is what He prefers to happen. It is what would happen if everyone obeyed Him.
God’s Remedial Will is What He allows after considering human choices, including bad ones.
Thus, Ephesians 1:11 is speaking of God’s remedial will, his healing will. Even though we make wrong choices, God still guides history toward His ultimate good purpose.
Paul also reassures us of this in Romans 8:28 when he says:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NKJV).
Even when things don’t go as God ideally desires, He is still working to bring good out of bad situations for those who trust Him.
God never forces us to follow Him, but He also never breaks His promises.
God cannot lie. When He says we have free choice, He means it. When He says He works all things for good for those who love Him, He means it.
But that does not mean everything that happens is exactly what God originally wanted.
Many things happen that God wishes did not, but He allows them because He has given us humans free will.
Thus, the choices we make really matter.
We have all gone against God’s will at some point in our lives.
Yet, God does not give up on us. He is still working to bring us back. He is still calling us to trust Him.
No, God does not decide ahead of time who will be saved or lost.
He gives everyone free choice. At the same time, He works through Divine Providence, guiding history for our good without taking away our free will.
His power is not about control but about love—a love that invites us but never forces us.
So, although we are subject to making bad choices and going against God’s will, there is hope.
Read John 16:33 again. What hope do we have in our worst conditions?
Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 6: Christ Has Overcome the World
God’s Love and Justice
(Lesson 8)
Free Will, Love and Divine Providence
Part 6: Christ Has Overcome the World
If the ideal will of God were always carried out, there would be no pain, suffering, or evil. We would have only perfect love, peace, and harmony.
Though our world today is not ideal, God will restore it back to its perfect condition. But for now, we must live in a broken world where God’s will is not always followed.
In the meantime, God is working out His will in a manner that honors the free choice he has given us humans.
Even in the midst of suffering, God is guiding history toward His ultimate purpose.
But because He has given humans free will, not everything that happens is what He originally desired for our world.
Many believe that everything that happens is God’s will, but we understand that if this were true that would mean God is the cause of evil—and of course we know that is not true.
Divine Providence is not one-dimensional—it does not mean God controls everything that happens. Instead, it is two-dimensional:
Some things like His blessings, miracles, and acts of redemption happen because God causes them. (Pauser)
On the other hand, some things happen because of human choices—including all evil and suffering in this world.
We must also keep in mind that there is a battle going on behind the scene. A battle between good and evil. Christ and satan. It is a battle for our souls.
Nevertheless, we can be of good cheer because God is always working things out for our good, but He does not force people to follow Him.
Think of it like a baking competition:
Every baker must use a required set of ingredients. But each baker can also add their own ingredients, making their own unique cake.
The final cake is a combination of both the required ingredients and the choices of the baker.
In the same way, history is shaped by both God’s actions and human decisions. (Pausr)
God has set certain things in place—His love, His grace, His plan for salvation.
But He also allows us to make choices, and sadly, many choose to go against His will.
When we suffer, we have a choice:
We can turn away from God, blaming Him for our pain.
Or we can draw closer to Him, allowing Him to use our pain to shape us into people of faith and compassion.
When we go through trials, we can:
Grow in faith—trusting God even when we don’t understand.
Become more compassionate understanding the pain of others.
Be motivated to care for others, helping those who are struggling.
God’s will is not always done in this broken world—but His providence means that He is always working.
He is guiding history, shaping events, and calling us back to Him.
Submit your will to him, even in your trials and your pain. If you do, He will give you perfect peace, hope, and strength—because Jesus has overcome the world, and He cares for you. (Pause)
———————————————-
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