Please forgive me, my second reply and fearful of overstepping any protocol but it seems this discussion is embarking on a very deep spiritual point, how does free will work in the plan of God? We are in His Image to be formed into the divine nature (2 Pet 1;4), God and Christ have freewill therefore man must have it to be in His image, the first requirement of love.
The paradox enters when God gives up His freewill over mankind, being voluntarily bound by His own law, Christ gives up His freewill because He does nothing of His own. (John 5) They both set an example they wish us to follow. Therefore the only decision we can rightly make is not to make a decision of our own! God chooses to keep His law, to be like Him (in His image) we keep our law because we want to not because we have to, writing the law in our hearts. Then when we do the same we become of His nature. When our law agrees with His law, it is the fulfillment of it. It is pictured by Abraham when he offers his promised seed Isaac back to God, we do the same, receive freewill and give it back to Him, like Christ.
That is how Christ makes us free, we are not free until we have truth. He takes away the sin and law so we are free to become of His nature. The Truth shall make you free. so were we truly free before we came to Christ?
The first time Adam uses freewill he sins. 'For in the day you DO eat', is that a prophecy or command? He became as God by using his freewill. (vs22) This begs the question, did it progress the divine plan or hinder it? Without Judas would we be christian? This is His plan and formation of the divine nature in us, through sin and redemption the divine plan emerges. (Rom 3:7) Jacob is loved and Esau before they did anything, what we call sin is part of the scheme. (Rom 9:9-13)
Sin and redemption is the forming (yatszar) or molding, Christ was slain from the beginning, this is not God's mistake, having created the wonderful universe and beautiful earth... it all went wrong! Israel, the Church, and all mankind are separated to be later reunited, this is predestined, the insecurity is temporary and our lesson. Our God through Christ knew the end from the beginning, He will not fail. The security is promised from the very start, but in pain the seed is brought forth and conceived. A creative process essential to His purpose with certain conclusion, otherwise He is not God.
Lord be with you all, yours, and His, in Him