I have been thinking about this since you mentioned it. Its a different way to look at free will. Not from the freedoms humans demand like individual right to self determination or autonomy. We constantly here about individual and group rights to freedoms.
But from the other side of the coin. When humans become too rightful of their own self rights and will. To the point that it leads to actual bondage and loss of freedom.
Then its a case that we have to admit defeat and realise we are really not good at knowing what is freedom at all. That its actually by surrendering that we gain true freedom and control. Its paradoxial to this world.
But I think its a truth principle in life and it stems back to Christs example of His sacrifice in overcoming sin and death that we can be truely free.
Freedom is a different subject all together.
Free will does not require true freedom. It is simply the freedom to make and act on our own, regardless of the consequences.
So, anyone can exercise their God given gift of free will, and be in bondage.
Atheists for example may not submit to God, but they can still choose not to give in to the temptation to wait in a back alley and hit their annoying neighbor on the head with a hammer.
They can, and do choose not to molest their girl child. etc.
Having true freedom is something gained when one submits to God's will, even though, as Paul said... "
16 I do the very thing I do not want
to do, I agree with the Law, that
the Law is good.
17 But now, no longer am I
the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good
is not.
19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20 But if I do the very thing I do not want, I am no longer
the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me." Romans 7:16-20