--- title: "Chapter 9: Of Free Will | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 9: Of Free Will 1. God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that it is neither forced, nor by any absolute necessity of nat" canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=42" --- # Chapter 9: Of Free Will | Westminster Confession of Faith 1. God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that it is neither forced, nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to good or evil. Scripture proofs: Matt. 17:12; Jas. 1:14; Deut. 30:19. 2. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good, and well pleasing to God; but yet mutably, so that he might fall from it. Scripture proofs: Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 1:26; Gen. 2:16-17; Gen. 3:6. 3. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto. Scripture proofs: Rom. 5:6; Rom. 8:7; John 15:5; Rom. 3:10, 12; Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13; John 6:44, 65; Eph. 2:2-5; 1 Cor. 2:14; Titus 3:3-5. 4. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He freeth him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by His grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he doth not perfectly, nor only, will that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil. Scripture proofs: Col. 1:13; John 8:34, 36; Phil. 2:13; Rom. 6:18, 22; Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:15, 18-19, 21, 23. 5. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone, in the state of glory only. Scripture proofs: Eph. 4:13; Heb. 12:23; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowWillOur ability to desire and choose.ConversionGod’s turning a sinner to himself in repentance and faith. ### WCF 9.1 · We make willing choices God created people with wills that make real choices. We are not forced against our wills, and being human does not by itself mean we must choose good or evil. The condition of our hearts matters, as the following paragraphs explain. Explore the ScripturesMatthew 17:12; James 1:14; Deuteronomy 30:19. Talk about itWhy are we responsible for choices we willingly make? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/#paragraph-1) ### WCF 9.2 · Adam could obey Before the fall, Adam was free and able to choose what pleased God. He was not yet fixed forever in goodness, however, and could turn away. He chose disobedience. Explore the ScripturesEcclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 1:26; Genesis 2:16-17. Talk about itHow was Adam’s condition different from ours after the fall? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/#paragraph-2) ### WCF 9.3 · We cannot save ourselves After the fall, sinners cannot turn themselves to God or prepare their own hearts for salvation by their own strength. Spiritually dead hearts resist him. This does not remove our responsibility; it shows why we need his life-giving grace. Explore the ScripturesRomans 5:6; Romans 8:7; John 15:5. Talk about itWhy is salvation more than trying harder? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/#paragraph-3) ### WCF 9.4 · Grace sets us free to obey When God converts someone, he frees them from sin’s rule and enables them to choose and do spiritual good. They obey willingly because of his grace. Sin still remains during this life, so Christians also make wrong choices and need continuing help. Explore the ScripturesColossians 1:13; John 8:34; Philippians 2:13. Talk about itWhy can Christians truly obey and still need repentance? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/#paragraph-4) ### WCF 9.5 · Perfect freedom in glory Only in glory will God’s people be perfectly and permanently willing to do good alone. They will no longer want to sin. Their freedom will be complete, rather than a never-ending struggle with evil. Explore the ScripturesEphesians 4:13; Hebrews 12:23; 1 John 3:2. Talk about itWhat will be different about our desires in glory? [Read original paragraph 5 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/#paragraph-5) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - Why do we need Christ to free us from slavery to sin? - How does God’s help change the choices we make? #### Scripture to remember John 8:36 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=John%208%3A36) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Think of a hard right choice and ask God for help to make it. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=42) ## Related reading - [Understanding covenant theology](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/covenant-theology/) - [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 4: Of Creation](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-4-creation/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 9: What is the work of creation?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-9-what-is-the-work-of-creation/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 15: What is the work of creation?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-15-what-is-the-work-of-creation/) - [Find teaching on sin](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=sin) - [Read RP Testimony chapter 9](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-9-free-will/) - [Chapter 8](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/) - [Chapter 10](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-9-free-will/