Questions like this prove the need for revelation and not just a carnal understanding.
Most Bible studies are based on the understanding of man, not the unchangeable Holy nature of God. God's Word is spirit and only the Holy Spirit can reveal the Truths of His Word. When we study God's Word with the carnal mind few can stray from the application of narrowness to make a point. Many times this "focus" eliminates or avoids all the supporting Scripture that makes Him divine. We get the "seemingly" right answer for our efforts but leave the floodgates open to questions that would contradict.
Let me assure all who will read this that there is no contradiction of Scripture on any wise or level in His Holy Word. Even as the "life of Christ" seamlessly matched the Word of God, (as He is that Word in the flesh), so His written Word is without contradiction or variance.
Now we know by His Word that He created all things as show in Colossians:
Colossians 1:16-17King James Version (KJV)
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
This Scripture states that God created all things including principalities and powers. All principalities and powers. Does this mean that He created the wicked principalities and powers as they stand today. No. There is a difference between creating and Omniscience. So then how does James 1:13 if in here "seamlessly."
James 1:13
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
So whats the seamless fit here? Simple. God knew about the wickedness of all those He created because He is Omniscient and wickedness came by free will to both angels and mankind. Remember that before He created anything Christ "the Redeemer" was there with Him, and through Him (Christ) were all things created that were created. So Scripture states that He who was to "redeem" all creation was present before it was created through Him so that "all things consist by Him". Before "free will" existed God provided a way to defeat evil and wickedness, the very thing that he did not create but that He "fore knew in the beginning." Omniscient!
Mind this: "in the beginning" all things created were perfect, God didn't create a flawed environment even though He knew that we would "decide" to become wicked do to temptation.
Note: At first even the angels in heaven were perfect in spirit body and tasked to give worship and serve God. The angels had to, "through free will" decide to rebel against God and His Word, by whom all were created. Understand. Wickedness was in the heart of all the living creation both angelic and mankind, it was just a "decision" away. That's why all things were created through Christ so that He would be the redeemer of all things.
So "free will" brought in temptation to wickedness and sin (disobedience to God.) Another way of putting it is that "in the beginning" only two decisions existed: serve God or rebel against God. We were designed to do the first (serve) but we also (because of free will) had the choice opened to us to rebel.
Being that "nothing is new in all the earth" all of us "choose" to rebel (our choice by nature) as did our first predecessor Adam. Lets make sure that we consider the Truth of the nature about "Adam's sin". Adam took responsibility for the first sin not by committing it first but by failing to instruct Eve as warned of God the way he should of. He is sighted with being the founder of sin because he didn't obey God in teaching Eve the "Garden Rules", so when she was tempted and "ate of the forbidden fruit" he became complicit. He could of said "No" when she offered it to him but he wanted to "please" his wife, as Paul says so many centuries later:
1 Corinthians 7:32-33
32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
So did evil or wickedness exist in practice up to that time with mankind? No! Until Adam and Eve agreed with temptation and decided to agree with disobedience to God's Word, sin did not exist in mankind (even though it was already practiced among the angels.) Keeping this in perspective then, mankind was pure and innocent from sin/evil/wickedness in the practice of it but was already in agreement with it in the heart. Hence the Redeemer was already in place "before creation." God created the perfect creation in design but by His Omniscience knew of it's fall to sin/evil/wickedness and so before "in the beginning God" became a reality God, already provided "His Christ the Savior" to "redeem" His creation from there own "free will" decisions.
Here is a clear view of how deceiving temptation is and how wicked the heart of man and some angels are. Lets start out before creation! Angels were created by God and were blessed to be "in His presence", surrounded by His glory, serving the One True God. Then Lucifer "looked upon himself" (Isaiah 14:12,13) and thought himself to be more glorious and powerful than God. So the thought to "exalt my throne above the throne of God", (the first sin for the angels: vanity), and take over. This was the first action of "agreement to wickedness/rebellion against God's Word and it was also the first "free will" decision in favor of sin. Any "transgression" of God's laws (His Word by which and through all things were created) in heaven or on earth brings the commensurate discipline meet for the sin. Notice here that "free will" was also practiced by all the angels because being presented with the same choice some chose to "obey God" and stay in His service.
Now a look at mankind! Just like the angels mankind started in an environment that God deemed suitable for him in creation. It was called the "Garden of Eden". He too (man) was in the presence of God and was instructed by Him, taught by Him, and given "rules to live by". Then God blessed man with a "help meet", a woman to nurture her and instruct her in the ways of God's will. She too spent her days with her husband walking and talking with God in the "cool of the day." Yet having that as a norm they still made the decision to disobey. I would find that almost impossible to imagine, having been in God's presence to make a "free will" decision to rebel against God's commands. But I have been in the presence of God/Jesus (whether in the flesh or in the spirit I know not), and being there was an incredible and indescribably remarkable experience. Yet I can truly understand the "nature of man's heart" because having that experience more than a couple of times I still sin. I have no excuse and neither do you, regardless what your intimate relationship with your Father in heaven consists of on a regular basis.
So free will is good as it allows us to "maintain an intimate relationship with God our Father" provided our hearts have been prepared by the Holy Spirit to honor Him, the very thing that He has been sent to do.
So what are the steps to receive "grace through faith" that this chain/bondage of rebellion should end? First "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Second "be filled with the Holy Spirit. Third "walk in the ways of the Lord. If these Scriptures be followed, strengthened with prayer and engrafting the Word, you will receive the grace needed to resist the bad decisions allowed by free will and successfully serve the Lord God.
Note: I find that Omniscience is a great aid into the Revelation of Jesus Christ. As I have said before that Scripture never contradicts Scripture. If our "study's" are carnal many arguments will arise that will leave us and Scripture unable to be explained, but if our studies be "taught by God" then nothing is unclear or contradictory.
Both the church and unbelievers need to know that "God's Word is True" and able to deliver. Mankind needs to know that it suffers a stain called sin that cannot be cleansed but by the Blood of Jesus.
We, the faithful need to have answers in our hearts and in our mouths to be a witness for our Savoir being armed with the "Truth that sets free." Not just words but with "power from on high."
God didn't "create" sin or evil or wickedness that was the product of free will. But God did provide the "cleansing flood of blood" to redeem and set free those who "decide" to "stray" from His Word. Free will is a "test" for all that draw breath that they might "freely" choose to come back into a relationship with our Creator which He has provided "a fore time", even before He created anything either angel or man.
Love
J&E in Tn
