Do we have free will in good acts?

[patrickveech]

If someone asks someone to do something exactly a certain way, what if that person goes off and does the job better, with a feeling that the person will appreciate it more. Is it okay to do this? Or should you follow their instruction.

It’s this equation I’m baffled on.

Intention > command
command < intention
command = intention.

 

[MarieVeronica]

I’m not sure if I’m understanding your question, 100%… but I would say that doing your best (and maybe even a little more) in every situation is a good thing.

For example, if your dad asked you to wash the car… as a favor to him, you would probably wash the car and do a good job. Then, you might think… it would be really nice if you also waxed the car for Dad, even though he didn’t ask you to. That’s really awesome!

This is a principle we can apply (as the saints did) to our discipleship to the Lord. He asks us to do certain things, as His disciples. But the saints always went over and above… doing anything and everything they could think of… for love of Him.

Hope this helps. God bless.

 

[Conservative]

If someone asks someone to do something exactly a certain way, what if that person goes off and does the job better, with a feeling that the person will appreciate it more. Is it okay to do this? Or should you follow their instruction.

It’s this equation I’m baffled on.

Intention > command
command < intention
command = intention.

Patrick, you sound like me - the “perfectionist plus” - ever trying to do things above and beyond what’s been asked or called for. Alot depends on what the job is, etc. Hypothetically, if your boss tells you to stack items a certain way in a store for show - he/she may have good reason for that. You may have a better idea but run it by them first unless you have authority to do otherwise. Mortal or venial sin? Can’t tell you. Obedience is the order of the day, I’d say, combined with good judgement.

 

[JReducation]

I’ll let you decide.

There is justice and there is mercy. Both are virtues. Which do you pray for?

JR

 

[water]

If someone asks someone to do something exactly a certain way, what if that person goes off and does the job better, with a feeling that the person will appreciate it more. Is it okay to do this? Or should you follow their instruction.

It’s this equation I’m baffled on.

Intention > command
command < intention
command = intention.

It really depends on each situation.

For example: someone asked you to lawn the yard for him, and he asked you to not worry about trimming every corner to make it nice. You thought you would have no problem and go ahead make it all look nice. I think this case is ok.

Another example: if your boss asked you to spend an hour to do a certain project and this project would have 3 features. You ended up spending extra hours and finished the project with 5 features. Your boss might not like be happy about it. She might need you to spend time working on something else.

The bottom line is - it is important to consider what really makes the other person happy. Sometimes, what makes you happy does not always makes others happy.

 

[patrickveech]

I’m not sure if I’m understanding your question, 100%… but I would say that doing your best (and maybe even a little more) in every situation is a good thing.

For example, if your dad asked you to wash the car… as a favor to him, you would probably wash the car and do a good job. Then, you might think… it would be really nice if you also waxed the car for Dad, even though he didn’t ask you to. That’s really awesome!

This is a principle we can apply (as the saints did) to our discipleship to the Lord. He asks us to do certain things, as His disciples. But the saints always went over and above… doing anything and everything they could think of… for love of Him.

Hope this helps. God bless.

Thank you, it does.

 

[mangy_dog]

If someone asks someone to do something exactly a certain way, what if that person goes off and does the job better, with a feeling that the person will appreciate it more. Is it okay to do this? Or should you follow their instruction.

It’s this equation I’m baffled on.

Intention > command
command < intention
command = intention.

I’m not sure about your example, maybe I just don’t grasp the essence of it.

However, as to the question - when we make good choices and decisions, we are truly free. God, who is all good - and in which there is no wrong or bad…is infinitely free.
It is only when we choose the wrong or bad or evil that we limit ourselves and in fact we enslave ourselves in sin so that we no longer are free.

I recommend early Thomas Merton, " Seeds of Contemplation" and “Thoughts in Solitude”.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[puzzleannie]

If someone asks someone to do something exactly a certain way, what if that person goes off and does the job better, with a feeling that the person will appreciate it more. Is it okay to do this? Or should you follow their instruction.

It’s this equation I’m baffled on.

Intention > command
command < intention
command = intention.

yes we always have free will. We also have the virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and charity to guide us in actions and relationships with other people. Is this person your superior in religion or in the world? Do it exactly as instructed. If you have a constructive suggestion make it, but in a constructive, not critical way? That is best done by asking a question.
Do you prefer that I use this tool or do you think the other tool will work better? Do you think the end product should look like this, or do you think this other look will yield a better result?
Whatever the answer, do it their way.

Were you given leeway to use your best judgement? Then do so.

Your question is too general for a more specific one-size-fits-all answer but in general obedience to a superior is the overriding virtue. On the other hand if you know doing it their way will cause a problem, be too expensive, ruin the equipment or whatever, it is your duty to inform them, in a noncritical civil way, not just do it willy-nilly.

Were you expected to exercise creativity and initiative then do so.

But get that emotional equation out of there, because that assumes you are planning to justify your action later on an emotional level. “But I thought it would look nicer, I was just trying to please you and now you are jumping all over me!” Tears, whining, argument, slamming doors, hurt feelings.

sounds to me like that scenario has already happened and somebody might be trying to justify actions after the fact