Even two- and three-year-old children rebel against being “bossed around.” If you are a parent, you have probably heard one of your children say, “You’re not the boss of me.” Why did God create us with free wills when he knew we would want to use them in the wrong ways?

God could have created us as robotic believers who knew nothing except how to obey. God could have limited people’s ability to sin. Why did God create us with the right to choose while knowing we would choose wrongly?

God created us to love him and to love others. Love is a choice, so we were created with the ability to choose. We could not have a personal relationship with God, or with anyone else, if we didn’t have the ability to make choices. God is love, and we were made in his image.

That’s why God’s perfection requires a sacrifice for sin. God knew sin couldn’t exist in heaven or heaven wouldn’t be paradise. Paul wrote, “You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.”

Who is the “boss” of us? The One who bought us. He didn’t want us to be led or controlled by anything less than his perfect, loving will for our lives.

Exercising our free wills in this world is normal. Actually, the world applauds those who do. It takes spiritual strength to choose to submit our wills to our heavenly Father. We serve whomever we follow. God wants us to follow him.

A bondservant indentured himself to someone for a price and was, in many ways, “owned” by his master. Our Master bought us himself so we would no longer be owned by the world. Who is the “boss of you”? The Father who bought you and wants only the best for your life.

God’s priorities are wisdom. Aren’t you glad God made your salvation his high priority?