Just to cut to the chase: Is it possible for a person to act, of their own free will, contrary to God’s will?
As much as I'd like to oblige, it takes more than a simple yes or no to answer that question.
What is "free will?" It's really a pretty meaningless concept. I don't have "free will" to flap my arms and fly. My will is contrained by a variety of things.
And what is "God's will?" In Scripture we read that God's will is perfect and thorough and that ultimately, one way or another, God accomplishes everything He desires.
He created everything. His being is the glue that holds the universe in place. Without God's will, nothing would exist...ever.
So how does something so poorly defined thwart the God of all creation? Nothing thwarts God ultimately, because He's God and He's sovereign over all things.
I enjoy the wording of the WCF. And while it's longer than a sentence or two, it certainly helped my understanding of God and man's place within God's creation...
II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions;[4] yet has He not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.[5] III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels[6] are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.[7] IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.[8] V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, has chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory,[9] out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto;[10] and all to the praise of His glorious grace.[11] VI. As God has appointed the elect unto glory, so has He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto.[12] Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,[13] are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,[14] and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation.[15] Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.[16] VII. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extends or withholds mercy, as He pleases, for the glory of His sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praised of His glorious justice.[17] VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care,[18] that men, attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election.[19] So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God;[20] and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.[21]
Of God's Eternal Decree
I. God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass;[1] yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin,[2] nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.[3]
The footnotes refer to Scriptural proofs found at the site.
I realize it's not a simple answer, and God knows I tried to find holes it its Scriptural presentation of who God is. But as I read Scripture I realized more and more that God is really who He says He is and He really has "declared the end from the beginning."
At the moment God created all things He "knew" every path of every atom He created. If not, He's not omnicient.
And in God's "knowing" is our "doing."
So the Bible tells us after Adam all men are fallen and incapable of pleasing God. "Whereas anything not of faith is sin," says Paul. And faith is a gift from God to whom He will, given for His glory to those whom He has numbered among His family from before the foundation of the world, and not for any "good work" they might do but for and by and through the work of Christ on the cross alone.
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." -- Colossians 1:16-17"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
I believe that. "All things."
This understanding isn't necessary to know one is saved by Christ. But after believing both sides of this issue, I sure can state I am now far more comforted, invigorated, emboldened, and alive in Christ than when I thought I contributed to my obtaining God's mercy.
God's gift of merciful grace is free and unmerited. All of Him and none of me.
"(Christ Jesus) in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." -- Ephesians 1:11
And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them... Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" -- John 17:9-10,20"I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.