Freedom to Love is Freedom to Hate

Which is more loving, a God who creates a world in which love is possible or a God who creates a world in which love is impossible?  It seems reasonable that a loving God would create a world where love is possible and can be experienced by creatures who are designed “in His image.”  But a world in which love is possible can be a dangerous place.  Love requires freedom.  True love requires that humans have the ability to freely choose; love cannot be forced if it is to be heartfelt and real.  The problem, of course, is that people who have the freedom to love often choose to hate.  That’s why freedom of this nature is so costly.  A world in which people have the freedom to love and perform great acts of kindness is also a world in which people have the freedom to hate and commit great acts of evil.  You cannot have one without the other.

J. Warner Wallace, “Cold-Case Christianity,” p.136