Why Should an Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Benevolent God Care Whether People Believe in Him?

For centuries, the relationship between humanity and the divine has been a subject of contemplation and debate. The question of whether an almighty, omniscient, and benevolent God would care about our beliefs remains a profound query.

The Will of God and Our Free Will

According to religious beliefs, God has established His will for humanity: that individuals should believe in Him and approach Him as their creator. The Bible, as one of the primary sources of this belief, provides numerous passages that support this assertion. One such example is the story of Pharaoh and the Israelites. The pharaoh had initially decided to release the Israelites, but God intervened by hardening Pharaoh's heart, causing him to change his mind and resist the order to let the enslaved Israelites go.

This story raises questions about the extent of our free will and the intervention of God in our lives. Is our free will an illusion, or are we truly capable of making our own choices without divine interference?

Divine Governance and Our Responsibility

Believers argue that God's mandate goes beyond mere belief. God, as the Father and Creator, has responsibilities that transcend our own choices and beliefs. According to these beliefs, He is accountable for the preservation of the physical and spiritual existence of those He has created.

The text suggests that God created a habitable planet specifically for our physical existence. Furthermore, He has established a set of laws and guidelines to govern our behavior and ensure the well-being of His creation. These divine laws serve as a moral compass, providing us with the knowledge of right and wrong.

A poignant example can be found in the verse from Matthew 18:18, where Jesus asserts, 'What we bind on Earth is bound in Heaven and what we loose on Earth is loosed in Heaven.' This illustrates the relationship between earthly laws and divine laws, highlighting God's ultimate authority and the interconnectedness of His will and our actions.

Redefining Free Will: A Pathway to Choice

Despite the apparent challenge to human free will, believers argue that our free will is ultimately a gift from God. Through Jesus, we were granted freedom to choose life in accordance with God's will. This freedom allows us to make conscious choices, even if we fail to keep the Law of God.

Conversely, we also have the freedom to sin and allow death to have power over us. However, it is important to understand that God did not send Jesus to condemn the world but to save it.

God desires to be reconciled with humanity and offers forgiveness. This belief in a benevolent and loving God highlights the depth of His love and the ultimate goal of His governance: the well-being of His creation.

The outcome of our actions and choices, driven by our understanding and response to God's will, determines the quality of our existence. This world, with all its challenges and suffering, serves as a tangible reminder of the importance of aligning our lives with God's will and the betterment it brings.