Full Episode Transcript

Brother Richie Juatco:  Fighting for freedom and the right to choose our own destiny is part of being human. It is as though it’s somehow coded in our DNA. Without the freedom to choose, our lives feel empty or mechanical, like robots with no real sense of purpose. Now, some who believe in fate or predestination may argue that free will is just an illusion. 

But the deeper question is: If free will exists, is there a proper way to use it?  

Stay with us. This is what we’ll be studying today, here on The Message. 

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Free Will and God’s Will

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The Message

Brother Richie Juatco:  Hi. Thank you for joining us. I’m Brother Richie Juatco. 

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Brother Mark Vasquez

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Richie Juatco

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Mark Vasquez: And I’m Brother Mark Vasquez. 

Since we, as human beings, are the creations of God, some people think that we are just like the other living beings that He created. They think that the lives that God gives us are basically shaped by biology, environment, and experiences. But is this true? Do we have a different relationship with the Lord God? Brother Richie, does free will exist and is there a proper way to use it? 

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Does free will exist and is there a proper way to use it?

Brother Richie: You know, let’s get our answer from what’s recorded in Deuteronomy. We’ll read from chapter 30. We’ll read verses 15 and 19. Here God says, 

Today I’m giving you a choice. You can have life and success. Or you can have death and harm.

… But I want you to choose life. Then you and your children will live.

[Deuteronomy 30:15, 19 New International Reader’s Version]

Brother Richie: Here, the Bible clearly shows God giving people free will or the freedom to choose their own destiny. Now it is important to understand this, because without this freedom to choose, we would not really have a genuine relationship with God. God did not create us to be like robots that are forced to serve Him, because then there would be no evidence of genuine love and respect. Now, what did God give humans that He created? He’s the one that said, “I’m giving you a choice.” 

Brother Mark: Now what choice did our Creator, the Lord God, what choice did He give to us? 

Brother Richie: Our God said that “You can have life and success. Or you can have death and harm.” Therefore, receiving life or death, or success or harm, is entirely our choice to make. But what should we also notice? God clearly states His own will for us. What is God’s will? He’s the one that said, “I want you to choose life.” So God gives us the free will, but He also gives us His will. 

Brother Mark: But is He forcing us to follow His will? 

Brother Richie: Of course not. You know, He gives us the choice in order to see who actually trusts Him and wants to obey Him.

Brother Mark: And this is why those that argue, “If God is so powerful, why didn’t He just create everyone to be good and perfect?” They simply do not understand how that would defeat the purpose of God having a real relationship with people. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. Now, if one chooses to trust God and do what He wants and choose life, what will then happen? Our God said, “Then you and your children will live.” 

Brother Mark: But what is that life that was mentioned by the Lord God that He wants us to choose? It obviously can’t be the life that we’re living now. 

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Free Will and God’s Will

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Which is the life that God wants us to choose?

Brother Richie: That’s true. It’s not this life, because if one doesn’t choose what God wants, they don’t just drop dead. So that’s a good question. What is He referring to as that life? So let’s keep learning. We’ll read from what’s recorded in John, chapter 5. We’ll read from 28 to 29. Here it says this,

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

[John 5:28-29 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: So, clearly, the life mentioned that God wants us to choose is not this life, but rather is the life after this one.

Brother Mark: Because we know that this life that we have now, it ends with us being buried or placed in the grave. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. But there is a resurrection or an eternal life. 

Brother Mark: So who has made that choice God wants them to choose?

Brother Richie: Well we read, “those who have done good.” Now, what are they resurrected to? We read, “to the resurrection of life.” 

Brother Mark: But what about those who use their free will to go in a different direction from what God actually wants? 

Brother Richie: We read, those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” So this is the death and harm God gives as one of the choices people can make.

Brother Mark: How does one do good or choose life? How can one make the right decision and choose eternal life? 

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How does one choose life?

Brother Richie: Well, let’s keep learning. The first verse that we read was from Deuteronomy, chapter 30. Let’s go back there, but now let’s read verse 20. It says,

that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; …

[Deuteronomy 30:20 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Now, according to what we have read, the way to choose life is by proving we love and obey His voice. Now we know and understand that when many people hear this, they will automatically think that, oh, they’re already doing that. 

Brother Mark: Yeah, they might openly say that they love God or claim that they hear God’s voice in their dreams or through their life experiences.

Brother Richie: That’s right. But according to the Bible, Brother Mark, what is God’s voice that people should obey in order to prove that they love Him? 

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What does it mean to follow God’s voice?

Brother Mark: If we really want to prove that we love God, the Bible teaches us what we should do. Here in the book of I John, we’ll read five. We’ll read I John, 5 and we’ll read verse 3. This is what the Bible reminds us,

For our love for God means that we obey his commands. And his commands are not too hard for us,

[I John 5:3 Good News Translation]

Brother Mark:  The Bible clarifies that “our love for God means that we obey his commands.” So God’s commands, written in the Bible, are what must be obeyed to prove our love for God. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. This cannot be ignored or avoided—we cannot get around this. Therefore, it is necessary for us to learn God’s commands. 

Brother Mark: Without learning God’s commands we cannot obey them, which would mean not proving our love for God and in turn not choosing life. Remember, the choice is entirely ours to make. 

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Free Will and God’s Will

Brother Richie: That’s right. And we know that to many people, the words ‘obey,’ or ‘obedience,’ or even ‘commands’ are not regarded positively, because it means to do somebody else’s will. And in this case, it’s God’s will or His commands. And because of this, they decide to use their God-given free will, or right to choose, to go in a different direction from what God wants. The problem with this type of thinking is the fact that there are only two choices given. Now, what have most people decided to do with their God-given free will or their right to choose, Brother Mark?

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How have most people chosen to use their free will?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s read that answer here in the Book of Jeremiah. We’ll read Jeremiah, 6 and the verse is 16,

The LORD said to his people, “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk in it, and you will live in peace.” But they said, “No, we will not!”

[Jeremiah 6:16 Good News Bible]

Brother Mark: Here we see that God is clearly giving instructions to people in order to help them choose wisely. And what did He command? He said, “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is,” and “walk in it.” What would be the result of making the decision to follow His instructions? Well, God said, “and you will live in peace.” But what have most people decided to do with their God-given free will? We read, “But they said, “No, we will not!”

Brother Richie: Now we learned that people have the right to make that decision, because God has given us the right. But it should also be clear that when people decide to use their free will to go against God’s will, they decide not to be with God and not to have a real relationship with Him. 

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Free Will and God’s Will

Brother Richie: Now, again, the choice is entirely ours. But we have to understand and, Brother Mark, help us and our viewers with this, what’s the consequence of going against our Creator? 

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What is the consequence of going against God?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s learn the consequence here, what’s written in the Bible in the Book of Isaiah. We’ll read 65 and the verse is 12,

I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will fall in the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”

[Isaiah 65:12 New International Version]

Brother Mark: Here we see what God will do to those who He created but they chose to not be with Him. God said, “I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will fall in the slaughter.” This is the harm and death God gave as the alternative choice people can make. 

Brother Richie: Now, we already mentioned that there are only two choices given. And since we learned that the ‘life’ referred to in the ‘life or death’ choices is the eternal life, then the ‘death’ mentioned is the eternal death or the resurrection of condemnation. Brother Mark, why would God do that? Why would He punish or destroy the people He created? 

Brother Mark: Well, He said here, “for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen.” God calls and speaks to His people with His words written in the Bible, like we are hearing right now. Again, people have the freedom to choose not to listen to or answer God’s call. And how will God view those that make that choice? He said, “You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” 

Brother Richie: You know, the sad thing is, most people that God created have made the wrong choice with the free will He granted and will actually suffer the consequence of their choice. 

Brother Mark: According to the Bible, who among those who exercised their free will would only benefit because they made the right choice, and how many would be able to find it? 

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Who will benefit from making the right choice?

Brother Richie: Let’s find out the answer of the Bible. Here in Matthew, we’ll read chapter 7, verses 13 to 14. Here it says,

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

[Matthew 7:13-14 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Here we learn about the narrow gate and the way that leads to life. Now this is what God instructed in the verse that we read earlier when He said, “Ask… where the best road is,” and “walk in it.” Now how is that instruction reiterated in this verse? Well we read, “Enter by the narrow gate.” 

Now, from all the people God created, how many people will understand His instruction and answer and follow? Well we read, ”there are few who find it.” So only a few people will actually benefit from their free will and make the right choice to enter into the narrow gate, walk in the way that leads to true life with God. 

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Free Will and God’s Will

Brother Mark: Since the Lord God gave and set a way that truly leads to Him, what is that way that other people, they decided not to walk in that way?

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What is the way that leads to God?

Brother Richie: Good question. Let’s read from what’s recorded in John, chapter 14. We’ll read from verse 6. And this is what it clearly states,

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

[John 14:6 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: So Jesus Christ, being the Son of God, makes clear that He is the one God is referring to as the “narrow gate,” the “best road,” or the path or way God is instructing people to walk in. How did our Lord Jesus Christ describe Himself? He is the one that said, “I am the way.” 

Brother Mark: Is there any other way to God besides through the Lord Jesus Christ?

Brother Richie: Our Lord Jesus Christ clarified, He said that “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” So there’s no other way. There’s only the way God said. Remember, there are only two choices to make: It’s God’s way or not. It is obey or disobey.

Brother Mark: Brother Richie, since it’s the instruction to enter through the Lord Jesus Christ, since He’s the door or the narrow gate, where are the few who have made that decision to enter through Him? Where can we find them? 

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Where can we find those who have entered through Christ?

Brother Richie: Let’s read what our Lord Jesus Christ teaches. We’ll read here in John 10:7 and 9. Here it says, 

So Jesus spoke again: ‘In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold.’… I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …

[John 10: 7 & 9 Revised English Bible]

Brother Richie: Here, Christ again describes what it means to choose life by telling His disciples that He is the way. Our Lord Jesus Christ said “In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold.” Now what is His invitation to those who want to choose life and success instead of death and harm? He is the one that said, “anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe.” Therefore, entering through Christ, as the door of the sheepfold or flock, people will be able to come into the fold. 

Brother Mark: So if we should enter that sheepfold or the flock, what is that sheepfold or that flock? What is that being referred to, and those are the ones who have made the decision with their free will to follow the Lord God in heaven? 

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What is the flock that Christ is referring to?

Brother Richie: Well, the flock that our Lord Jesus Christ is referring to, we can read what that is. We’ll read here in Acts 20:28,

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.

[Acts 20:28 George M. Lamsa’s Translation]

Brother Richie: So here the Bible teaches about the flock, the flock that the overseers are to feed. What is the flock? We read, “to feed the church of Christ.” So this is where few have found the way that God set to have a relationship with Him. Those inside the Church Of Christ are the ones who listen to God’s words, and they answered His call.

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Free Will and God’s Will

Brother Mark: For those hearing this for the first time, you’ve learned that it is necessary to learn God’s commands. Without learning God’s commands, we cannot obey them, which would mean not proving our love for God and, in turn, not choosing life. So we encourage you to learn more of God’s commands written in the Bible, taught here inside the Church Of Christ. Remember, the choice is entirely yours to make. 

Brother Richie: Now, if you’ve already made that choice, or you’re going through those lessons, or wherever you are in your spiritual journey, make sure that your journey does not stop here. Keep watching and growing with us, and stay constantly tuned into The Message. On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we are very grateful for you joining us in this episode.

But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.

Brother Mark: Our Father in Heaven, thank You very much for Your love for all of us. We heard Your words of truth that You have given us a choice to make, and You prove Your love to us by encouraging us to make the right choice to find the path that leads to You, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

May it be that You help all of our friends and viewers that have joined us, to also make the right choice to enter into the Church Of Christ, where we can receive Your holy commandments and be part of the flock that You commanded us to be a part of. May it be that if there’s any challenges that we’re facing, You help us overcome all of these things, because we want to be able to follow Your commandments until the end of our life. 

Our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, thank You as well, Lord Jesus, because of Your mediation for us. Because of You, the Father listens to our prayers, and You also made it clear to us the path that we should take. So, Lord Jesus, please continue to help us so that the Father will continue to listen to our prayers. 

Father in heaven, it is our faith that You will bless all of us. You will help us to follow Your commandments, and that every day of our life You will take care of us so that we will not only be safe from harms and dangers, but also, Father, we will be able to uphold Your holy commandments.

Please always bless, above us, the Church Administration led by Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, and also please bless the Deputy Executive Minister, Brother Angelo Manalo. 

We pray these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

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