Is there free will in heaven?

[lucent]

I read this argument from a brilliant poster named Brian Sodding Boru, an instrument-maker residing in New Zealand; on the recently exclusive board (now closed to all but actual customers) at Insight Broadband.

Christians often give free will credit/blame for man's choice to reject god and perform evil. God, we are told, wanted to make certain that our belief and our worship was genuine. He didn't want a race of sheep.

So,what happens in Heaven? Heaven is the ultimate reward, is it not? And those who make it past the Pearly Gates will be there a very, very, very, very long time. Will they have free will there? Could they commit evil? Could they reject god? Lucifer did? If we have free will, what would prevent us (and this is an editorial "us") from having differences of opinion about god, his rules and the nature of the universe he created?

And if we do not have free will, have we not lost something of immense value; something so valuable that god would rather see 99 of 100 of us burn in eternal fire, torment and damnation for the next trillion^trillion years rather than see us do without it? Surely it is something humans have PAID for.

So... what gives?

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

On the New Earth, we will have full knowledge of the truth. We will know fully, just as now we are fully known. People sin because of of a lack, but there will be no lack there. The former order of things will have passed away:

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

There will be no more loss, pain or sorrow. Death will be no more.

Isaiah 65:17

"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

The former things won't come to mind, so sin will have no way to even be conceived of. In short, it will be perfect.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

We can't imagine what it will be like, which is amazing in itself, because human beings have pretty good imaginations. It's a place where eternity can be spent in peace and joy. Think about it..ultimately, this is what everyone wants. To live forever in an eternal paradise with unlimited possibilities and fellowship. That is because He placed such a desire in our hearts. And God is making it happen in this very moment and all are welcome.