The Privilege of Choice
God respects human freedom and will not override it, reflecting His high regard for human nature.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the inherent freedom of man's will, reflecting God's own nature of freedom. He explains that this freedom allows individuals to choose their companions, allegiance, and ultimately their spiritual state, whether to follow God or the devil. Tozer asserts that God respects this freedom and that to criticize God's creation of man is to question the Creator Himself. He highlights that apart from sin, there is nothing in human nature to apologize for, as confirmed by the incarnation of Christ. God values human freedom so highly that He will never violate it, preserving the dignity of His creation.
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It is inherent in the nature of man that his will must be free. Made in the image of God who is completely free, man must enjoy a measure of freedom. This enables him to select his companions for this world and the next; it enables him to yield his soul to whom he will, to give allegiance to God or the devil, to remain a sinner or become a saint. And God respects this freedom. God once saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. To find fault with the smallest thing God has made is to find fault with its Maker. It is a false humility that would lament that God wrought but imperfectly when He made man in His own image.
Sin excepted, there is nothing in human nature to apologize for.
This was confirmed forever when the Eternal Son became permanently incarnated in human flesh. So highly does God regard His handiwork that He will not for any reason violate it. For God to override man's freedom and force him to act contrary to his own will would be to make a mockery of the image of God in man. This God will never do.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Man's Freedom
- Man's will must be free to make choices
- This freedom is inherent in man's nature
- Man's freedom is a reflection of God's nature
Key Quotes
“To find fault with the smallest thing God has made is to find fault with its Maker.” — A.W. Tozer
“Sin excepted, there is nothing in human nature to apologize for.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must respect and honor the freedom of others, just as God respects and honors our own freedom.
- We should not lament or apologize for human nature, but rather see it as a reflection of God's image.
- Our choices and actions have consequences, and we must be mindful of the impact they have on our lives and the lives of others.