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Free Will

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Our Lord and the Faith › Free Will

The question

Some clergy have tried to explain that we will have free will in heaven. I do not understand what that means. What will we be able to choose from in heaven if the idea and common understanding is that we will be joyful and happy all the time because everything there is good and there will be no pain?

The answer

In heaven, our free will be engulfed in God's love. The devil will be bound in hell and unable to entice us and our sinful impulses will not exist nor can we be tempted toward evil in our glorified state. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:28-29). Therefore, we will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, and can no longer be enticed by sin. It is difficult to comprehend this great splendor in our limited state.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2351 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.