Chapter 3
Free Will
When Adam was formed from the dust of the earth, the Holy Trinity ñ (Father,
Son and Holy Spirit) ñ had created him in His own image.
ìAnd God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness.î Genesis 1:26a (emphasis mine)
Man, like God, is also a triune being.ìAnd the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God
your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.î 1 Thessalonians 5:
Because mankind was made in the image of God, we have all received many
unique qualities that separate us from the rest of Creation. Traits such as
emotions, imagination and reason are not only a part of the make-up of man, but
they are also part of the character of God.
One of the major attributes that we have received from being made like our
Creator is free will. Itís the power and freedom of choice.
The LORD did not want a bunch of robots that would simply follow Him
because they had to. He wanted beings that would love, obey and have
fellowship with Him because they desired to. But like their parents Adam and
Eve, mankind kept choosing to rebel against God and His ways.
Another aspect of being made in the image of God is the nature to rule. The
LORD said to Adam:
ìÖhave dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of
the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.î
Genesis 1:28b
Although Adam was given authority over the entire earth, he was still to be
subject to Almighty God. But when he made the choice to listen to his wife and
disobey the commandment of the LORD, he placed himself under the ruler of the
rebellious, Satan.