145. Q. What is “free will?”

Have you ever felt torn between doing something good and something not so good? Maybe you were deciding whether to help a friend or ignore them, to tell the truth or to lie. That feeling of having to choose is because of a special gift God has given us called free will. This is a unique ability that sets us apart from animals and even the rest of creation.

In the Baltimore Catechism, free will is explained like this:

145. Q. What is “free will?”
A. “Free will” is that gift of God by which we are enabled to choose between one thing and another; and to do good or evil in spite of reward or punishment.

Let’s break this down and explore what free will means in a way that’s easy to understand and can inspire us to make the right choices in our daily lives.

What Is Free Will?

Free will is like having a compass inside us that helps us decide which way to go. It’s the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil. This doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want without consequences, but it does mean that we have the power to make our own decisions.

Imagine you’re standing at a crossroads, with two paths ahead of you. One leads to a beautiful garden filled with flowers, peace, and happiness. The other path is dark, filled with thorns and danger. Free will is the ability to choose which path you will take. Even if someone shows you the rewards of the beautiful garden or warns you about the dangers of the thorny path, it’s still your decision to make.

Why Is Free Will a Gift?

God created us with free will because He loves us and wants us to be able to choose to love Him in return. Love that is forced isn’t real love at all. By giving us free will, God allows us to freely choose Him and to choose what is good, true, and beautiful. This freedom makes our love for God and for others genuine and meaningful.

Think of it like this: If you receive a gift that someone made for you because they truly wanted to, it means a lot more than if they were forced to give it to you. Our good actions, our prayers, and our love for God mean much more because they come from our free choice.

The Power to Choose Good or Evil

With free will comes great responsibility. We can choose to do good, like helping others, being honest, and following God’s commandments. Or we can choose to do evil, like being selfish, lying, or hurting others. Our choices have consequences not only for ourselves but also for the people around us.

Choosing Good

When we choose to do good, we grow closer to God and become more like Him. Choosing good means using our free will to follow God’s plan for us, even when it’s difficult. It’s like training our muscles; the more we choose good, the stronger we become in our ability to make the right choices.

For example, if you choose to be kind to someone who is unkind to you, you’re using your free will to rise above your feelings and act in a way that reflects God’s love. Every time you choose to do something good, you’re building a habit that will help you make good choices more easily in the future.

Choosing Evil

Choosing evil, on the other hand, is like putting obstacles in our own path. When we choose to do wrong, it separates us from God and makes it harder for us to hear His voice and feel His love. It’s like walking down a dark, dangerous path that leads us away from the light.

Even though God has given us free will, He doesn’t abandon us when we make wrong choices. He always offers us the chance to turn back to Him, to seek forgiveness, and to start again. This is what we call repentance. No matter how far we’ve strayed, God is always ready to welcome us back with open arms.

Why Doesn’t God Force Us to Choose Good?

You might wonder, if God loves us so much, why doesn’t He just make us do what’s right? The answer is that God wants us to love Him freely. If God forced us to choose good, we would be like robots, simply doing what we’re programmed to do without truly understanding or desiring it.

God wants our love and goodness to be real, to come from our hearts. He respects our freedom so much that He lets us make our own choices, even when those choices lead us away from Him. But He also provides us with guidance, through His Word, the teachings of the Church, and the examples of the saints, to help us make good decisions.

Using Free Will Wisely

Knowing that we have free will means we must be thoughtful and deliberate about our choices. Here are some ways to use our free will wisely:

  1. Pray for Guidance: When we’re unsure about what to do, we can ask God for help. Prayer opens our hearts to God’s guidance and helps us see things more clearly.

  2. Seek Advice: Talking to someone we trust, like a parent, teacher, or priest, can help us understand what the right choice is. Sometimes others can see things from a perspective we might miss.

  3. Think About the Consequences: Before making a decision, it’s helpful to think about what might happen as a result. Will this choice bring me closer to God and others, or will it cause harm?

  4. Listen to Your Conscience: Our conscience is like a small voice inside us that helps us know right from wrong. It’s important to listen to it, especially when it’s warning us against something harmful.

  5. Practice Making Good Choices: Just like any other skill, making good choices gets easier with practice. Start with small decisions, like choosing to be patient or kind, and gradually work your way up to bigger ones.

Encouragement for Everyone

Don’t be discouraged if you find it hard to always make the right choices. We all struggle at times and make mistakes. What’s important is that we keep trying and keep turning back to God. He knows our hearts and is always ready to forgive us and help us start again.

Remember, God has given you the incredible gift of free will because He believes in you and wants you to become the best version of yourself. Use this gift wisely, choose good whenever you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for God’s help when you need it. Each good choice you make is a step closer to the life God has planned for you—a life filled with peace, joy, and love.

Conclusion: Embrace the Gift of Free Will

Free will is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. It’s the power to choose, to love, and to grow. By using our free will to make good choices, we reflect God’s love and goodness in the world. Let’s be thankful for this gift, and let’s use it in a way that honors God and brings joy to ourselves and others.

Call to Action: If you’ve been struggling with a difficult decision or feel unsure about the choices you’ve made, take a moment to pray and ask God for guidance. Remember that He loves you and wants to help you use your free will to choose what is good and true. Share this message with someone who might need encouragement in making the right choices. Let’s support each other in using the gift of free will to live lives of love, goodness, and faith.

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