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If I've made a firm decision not to jump, the option of jumping is still available to me. But if I actually did jump, then suddenly I would lose the ability to do many other things I could do if I didn't jump. So, even though I have the freedom to jump, I choose not to do so in order to have more options available to me. But, just because I have made that decision, it doesn't do away with the option of jumping over the cliff.

In the same way, our Father in heaven is free to commit sin if He wants to. That option is always available to Him, but He knows that the moment He does, He would cease to be God. In the first place, He would lose the power of His priesthood since He would hold it in unrighteousness. And secondly, since no unclean thing can dwell in the celestial kingdom, He would also be forced to leave that heavenly realm. But the fact that our Father in heaven chooses not to sin doesn't eliminate His ability to commit sin. Therefore, He wisely chooses to do those things that will allow Him to have the greatest amount of freedom and rejects those options that will limit His choices. That is real freedom.

And the same principle applies to us. Choosing to do evil eventually limits the number of choices available to us. If we don't repent of our sins and begin making wise choices, then ultimately we will spend eternity restricted in what we can or cannot do. We will always have the ability or option to commit sin, but only those who live righteously will also have the option of inheriting eternal life. Therefore, the reason why God gives us commandments is to show us what we must do to achieve the greatest amount of freedom. Rather than them being a list of restrictions, they are, in reality, the only way to true freedom.

THE WAY TO FREEDOM
Thread: THE WAY TO FREEDOM

MC