God gave us and the angels free will; Angels: Day 078

God gave us and the angels free will

St. Justin Martyr says that God gave us and the angels free will so that we could choose righteousness. God, who is omniscient, knows ahead of time that some of his creatures will choose evil, but that does not mean he created them for evil. Their own wills have acted freely in choosing it.

God wanted human beings and angels to follow his will. So he resolved to create them free to do what was righteous. He gave them reason, so that they could know by whom they were created, and through whom they exist, when they did not exist before. He gave them a law that they would be judged by him if they did anything contrary to right reason. And by ourselves we—both human beings and angels—will be convicted of having acted sinfully unless we repent before- hand.

But if the word of God foretells that some angels and human beings will certainly be punished, it does so because it knew beforehand that they would not change their wickedness. But that isn’t because God created them that way. –St. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 141

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

In the decisions I’ve made today, have I followed the loyal angels in choosing God’s way? Where did I fail in my loyalty, and how can I repair the damage?

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, you created me with the same free will you gave to the angels, and you have shown me the way to salvation: send your Spirit to me so that I may be worthy of your service.

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