When God takes a matter this seriously, we must also, and must seek to understand why. The answer lies in the fact that God gives us the opportunity for true love, the access to divine love, and the possibility of true worship. If there is no choice, there cannot be true love in its fullest sense. Though this question is approached differently in certain non-western cultures, the highest quality of love is only manifest when freedom of choice exists. God's love is so far beyond human experience that to glimpse it we must understand human love in its highest form, then extrapolate.
Divine love is reflected by human love in the biblical illustration of bride and bridegroom.
Love originates in a one-sided fashion, but must be reciprocated. If it is, true love can grow totally and completely, and the persons may entrust themselves to each other. Love is built on mutual respect and consent. Thus absolutely free choice is a prerequisite for true love. God has chosen to give us divine love, and desires that we freely choose to love him.