If our future is determined for us by God, then how do we have free will like the Bible says?

If our future is determined for us by God, then how do we have free will like the Bible says?

QUESTION:

If our future is determined for us by God, then how do we have free will like the Bible says?

ANSWER:

Isaiah confirms the following,

Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

This scripture tells us that God has planned and determined the beginning and the end of everything in existence. It tells us that God is outside of the realm of time which He has created. This means that God is omnipresent and can be present in the beginning of time as well as at the end of time, or anywhere in between, simultaneously. In addition, God is omniscient and is not limited in knowledge, knowing the end from the beginning, knowing how all things work out and align up, as these verses prove,

Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 

1Jn 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 

With this in mind, let's get back to the details of the question, “Is our future really determined for us by God?”

Does God not know the beginning from the end?

Does God not know the beginning from the end?

QUESTION:

Does God not know the beginning from the end?

REPY:

God absolutely knows the beginning from the end. God is not limited by time as He is outside of time and eternal in nature. The Bible provides several verses that emphasize God's eternal nature and His existence beyond the constraints of time: Ephesians 3:11; 1 Timothy 1:17; Genesis 21:33; Psalm 100:5.

Besides direct quotes of scripture let’s also look at other content that proves God’s eternal nature and His omniscience regards knowledge of beginning and end. Consider this. Any ‘human’ plan (or project) has a specific sequence of events. One cannot build a house by starting with the roof first! (Progress through the plan in the wrong order leads to problems and probable failure). Have you ever considered the Bible being God's plan (or project) to redeem creation? In this regard, the Bible is God’s blueprint that provides the plan to follow and achieve the desired outcome. Consider the following verses, noting the indication of a plan, a start and end of it, progression and specific timings and goals, etc.