Where in the bible does it say god limits his powers in order to allow us to have free will?

Question

I heard this in an argument and was wondering if there is any reference in the bible of God saying that he has to make himself not so powerfull?

Answer 1

He doesn't limit his power by allow us to freely choose. He still has limitless power, even if He chooses to allow us certain freedoms. Does the general lose any of his authority when he allows the sergeant to make a decision??

Answer 2

There is a difference between God not exercising his power and allowing us to have free will so we can learn we can't direct our own steps (Jeremiah 10:23) and having his power limited.

Answer 3

If “free will” can mean that God gives humans the opportunity to make choices that genuinely affect their destiny, then I would conclude that we do have a free will. The world’s sin status is directly associated with choices made by Adam and Eve. All accounts of the fall of mankind indicate it was as the result of a wrong choice. From that point on individuals have had the opportunity to choose to follow God and to experience the consequences for not making that choice.

Even in light of God’s choosing Abraham and his descendents, God held individuals accountable. And individuals outside of the chosen group (Israel) were able to choose to believe and follow God, (examples: Gentiles that left with the Israelites at the exodus, Ruth, Rahab, Rulers in Babylon).

Therefore, He who chooses (elects) also allows individuals to choose. The Book of Romans is famous for explaining salvation and the sovereignty of God. It uses words like “chose,” “predestined,” “elect,” etc., yet it also holds people accountable for not choosing.

In the section whereby Romans discusses the sinful depravity of humans God bluntly states that those outside of salvation are without excuse “no defense.” This is specifically in light of the rejection of General Revelation, (showing His existence through His creation) Romans 1:20-21.

In other passages we learn that: Individuals are expected to choose to believe (John 3:16; Romans 10:11; etc). Individuals have a choice to be foolish or wise (Matthew 7:26). The Scriptures are given to provide instruction for salvation – obviously to be chosen or rejected (2 Timothy 3:15; John 20:30,31). Jesus established the choosing of obedience as a sign of our love for Him (John 14:21).

It is God’s will that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9), therefore, it must be someone else’s choice that separates individuals from God. God says we will reap what we sow – we can choose to reap differently (Galatians 6:7,8).

The multitudes of directives given by God assume that the hearers can make a choice to obey or disobey. It only seems logical that God could only hold us accountable for that if we indeed had free will to choose. Therefore, a Just God would not be expected to heap levels of expectations on those that are not free to choose. Therefore, I prefer to reconcile the thought that a sovereign God in His complexity allowed me to choose to accept Him, rather than to attempt to resolve a seeming character conflict between His justice and holiness