Free will affords us certain liberties, one of which is the right to choose. We have the civil right to be wrong. No one can force us to believe or act a certain way. However, there are right and wrong choices to be made in our relationship with God. One can’t live wrong and expect the righteous reward. Here are some things we need to have right so that we are not wrong with God.
Faith in God. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
Hearing God’s Word. “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14)
Faith in Christ. “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).
Believing the Gospel. “And with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10).
Obedience to the Gospel. “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another” (1 Pet. 1:22).
Repentance of Sin. “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
Confession of Christ. “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32).
Baptism. “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Pet. 3:21).
Worship. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
Christian Conduct. “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1).
If we have no expectation of any reward in the life after this, then we are free to think, believe and be wrong about anything we want. We can’t be wrong about what God has said and expect a reward. These thoughts are contrary to one another. “Behold I thought” does not nullify “the Lord hath spoken.” We must be in step with what God has said to expect the reward that He gives. We can be wrong if we want. Anyone with a heavenly expectation can’t afford to be wrong.