Freedom of Choice is different in context than Free Will. Due to karmic bonds free will is limited. Each person’s life is mapped out based on destiny according to a person’s karma. If it’s a person’s fate to end up disabled due to their past life – then that is what will happen. The Creator is in context – karma. Everyone gets what they deserve – good or bad. Free Choice has been granted to each individual; choice between good and bad. A person has the choice to help the stranger or act selfishly toward the stranger. A person has the choice to study spiritual material or keep it on the shelve. In this way each person has the freedom to choose.
The heart is the seat of motivation, each person is affected from their past life according to what they did good or bad. The heart can be changed, which changing the motivations of the heart is based on our ability to choose. Choosing to take in knowledge, to understand the depths of what love consists of that is a choice which resides within.
Considering that the eyes of our Creator are everywhere and each person is tied to karmic bonds; each person should use discernment and astuteness when choosing. A reason for considering decision making as important is because there are consequences regarding a foolish or wise choice. Within the Hebrew Scriptures there are a mutitude of examples of individuals exercising free choice that resulted in wisdom or foolishness. Proverbs states at chapter 11:24,
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
The freedom to choose is exemplified within the story of King David and King Solomon. During the time of King David, was a time of battle between David and King Saul. Joab, David’s chief commander, ended up murdering Abner and Amasa during peacetime. Notice Chapter 2 of 1 Kings starting in verse 5-6
“Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.
King David choose to forgive and manifest long-suffering toward those who were wicked toward him. David gave the choice to his son King Solomon. David also forgave Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses when David went to Mahanaim. David again chose to forgive and left it up to his son King Solomon. In 1 Kings chapter 2:13-46 clearly shows in what way King Solomon chose to execute justice among the enemies of King David. David chose to show love to his enemies and put up with their wickedness. King Solomon exercised free choice to execute justice, which firmly established his kingship.
Looking in 1 Kings chapter 3:4-5, The Divine appeared to King Solomon and told Solomon to ask for what he would want the Divine to give him. King Solomon was faced with a choice. Solomon decided to ask for wisdom, which was the best choice. Freedom of choice has been granted to the creation regarding being able to choose between good and bad: helping the stranger, giving of our time and money, studying scripture, leaving a religion, detaching oneself from entanglements of this world, being no part of this world are choices. Circumcising the heart and transcending the ego, starts from the motivation of the heart, although, to continually pursue the transcendence of the ego becomes a choice.
Jesus clearly taught that it is a choice for a person to live the narrow road next to the broad road in Matthew chapter 7 verse 13-14,
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
The Almighty Creator granted choice to the creation – spirit and human. Karmic bonds that a person experiences within their life is a result from their bad or good choices from their past life. The ego will play the victim to keep the person deluded. Nevertheless, once a person learns the concept between karma and choice – that person would want to make wise choices, starting immediately within their life, which will provide good karma and blessings from the Divine Source.
Choose for yourself to seek wisdom which leads to righteousness.