If God isn't sovereign would salvation exist? Is the free-will of man the deciding factor? Many people have a difficult time reconciling their free-will and God's sovereignty in their salvation.
Does man have free-will?
Yes.
Its a road with two ditches. Some will take sovereignty to the extreme, where man has no free-will and God forces man to have every thought and take every action, thus leaving them unaccountable. The other side would be to say man has complete free-will to do things good (in God's eyes) and to do things bad.
Almost seems paradoxical, but the question is:
How can man have free-will and yet not be able to do good or bad by choice?Simply put, man, or really anything for that matter, acts according to its nature. Man cannot do the things which please God (especially regenerate and save themselves), apart from God causing a change in nature in the man. Man is "by nature children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3), man cannot act contradictory to his fallen sinful nature.
Think of it this way. God has a free-will, no one will argue with that, but God cannot do evil. Why not? Because His nature is good.
But God is sovereign, while he does not force us to do good or evil against our free-will, He is the only one capable of the change of nature we so desperately need. The only one capable of resurrecting our souls which are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1).
Salvation from beginning to end is the sovereign actions taken by God. People don't argue as much that God is working in their lives after conversion, or that he was providentially working before their conversion, but if you tell many people that it was God who gave them life and the ability to even come to Him, they are offended. May God be thanked and praised for his sovereign work in conversion.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Part 3 - If God Isn't Sovereign
In the last post I mentioned the verse:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28-
This verse is a wonderful promise to believers. But, before you meditate upon this verse, or go off making up your own meaning for it, I think there are a few misunderstandings of the meaning of this great verse.
What it is not saying:
It is not saying that God is going to allow only good things to happen to you all the time, or that He will never let anything bad come into your life. Don't be so vain. The Christian life is not all "butterflies and green fields" (Julianna Weaver; I may misquoted, but you get the point). Just take examples from Job, Jeremiah, Jesus, Peter, Stephen, Paul. Especially take a look at the experiences of Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, and let me know if thats the idea of mainstream, pop-psychology, self-help, health and wealth "Christianity" of today.
What it is saying:
What may look to you like horrible situations and things you would classify in the "not good things" category are in the end brought back to your personal good. God's providence is beyond measure, it is hard to fathom how it is that He has so ordained all things to take place down to the minutest detail so that in the end it would work out for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. Take a minute to look back on your life, imagine every small detail, every instance where had you made a different decision you may not be where you are today, a Christian blessed by God. God has guided your feet to the place you now stand. Even think of "bad" situations and what good came out of many of them: i.e. faith and obedience are strengthened, lessons are learned, people that have encouraged you in your walk may have been met along the way.
The point is, "If God Is Not Sovereign" then He does not know your steps or your directions, He is not able to bring all things together for the good of those called according to His purpose. The thought contradicts the scripture.
God is sovereign and God is bringing all things in your life together for good, the ultimate good, eternal life in heaven praising Jesus Christ.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." -Matthew 10:29-31-
Further Reading:
The Mystery of Providence - John Flavel
All Things for Good - Thomas Watson
Honestly I have only read the first one, but I know the other will be good because Thomas Watson is a great writer. Both of these guys are Puritans, and in my opinion Puritans have left behind Christian writings that are unparalled. Check these books out.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28-
This verse is a wonderful promise to believers. But, before you meditate upon this verse, or go off making up your own meaning for it, I think there are a few misunderstandings of the meaning of this great verse.
What it is not saying:
It is not saying that God is going to allow only good things to happen to you all the time, or that He will never let anything bad come into your life. Don't be so vain. The Christian life is not all "butterflies and green fields" (Julianna Weaver; I may misquoted, but you get the point). Just take examples from Job, Jeremiah, Jesus, Peter, Stephen, Paul. Especially take a look at the experiences of Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, and let me know if thats the idea of mainstream, pop-psychology, self-help, health and wealth "Christianity" of today.
What it is saying:
What may look to you like horrible situations and things you would classify in the "not good things" category are in the end brought back to your personal good. God's providence is beyond measure, it is hard to fathom how it is that He has so ordained all things to take place down to the minutest detail so that in the end it would work out for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. Take a minute to look back on your life, imagine every small detail, every instance where had you made a different decision you may not be where you are today, a Christian blessed by God. God has guided your feet to the place you now stand. Even think of "bad" situations and what good came out of many of them: i.e. faith and obedience are strengthened, lessons are learned, people that have encouraged you in your walk may have been met along the way.
The point is, "If God Is Not Sovereign" then He does not know your steps or your directions, He is not able to bring all things together for the good of those called according to His purpose. The thought contradicts the scripture.
God is sovereign and God is bringing all things in your life together for good, the ultimate good, eternal life in heaven praising Jesus Christ.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." -Matthew 10:29-31-
Further Reading:
The Mystery of Providence - John Flavel
All Things for Good - Thomas Watson
Honestly I have only read the first one, but I know the other will be good because Thomas Watson is a great writer. Both of these guys are Puritans, and in my opinion Puritans have left behind Christian writings that are unparalled. Check these books out.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Part 2 - If God Isn't Sovereign
Perhaps I'll speak first of God's sovereignty in His acts of providence. In light of the Virginia Tech incident, I believe this might be a proper place to start. Some, in these times, will turn to God for comfort and peace, yet, at the same time many may be hardened at a time like this.
The questions arise amongst natural unbelieving man, perhaps even amongst some Christians, how can God let such things happen? Where was God in all this? Why do bad things happen to good people? These questions are nothing new though. Throughout history we have seen genocides, world wars, mass murders, and pain and suffering. For a mind set at enmity with God, its easy to have such objections to a "loving and all-powerful" God , who seems to have no problem with letting these things happen to people.
So then what is the response? Is God not all-knowing, all-powerful, and sovereign over all things? Are these things out of his control or unknown to Him before they happen? Of course not.Lets think for a minute. Who gives life? Most atheist/agnostics love to point out that God kills many many people in the Bible, and they ask, is He not evil? If they stopped and thought of the absurdity of the remark they may not have asked such a question in the first place. The only reason they have enough breath to utter such a comment is because of God's sustaining grace.
Job understood the implications after his sons and daughters were killed, he didn't blame Satan or some other cause he says:
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." -Job 1:21-
Job understood the sovereignty of God's action, God willed it and it was done, God gives and sustains life and God can easily take that away. For the grieving Christian parent of a child who died in such an atrocity, they can say with Job these same words and be comforted that in such trials and in such pain the Lord has promised something very very comforting:
"We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28-
I do not wish to trivialize the mourning and the grief, I cannot even fathom the depth of sorrow in such an event, but I do know this much, the Lord's hand is in all things and he will bring good out of evil for all believers. I'll come back to providence because of course there is much more that can be said of the mystery of God's providence.
The questions arise amongst natural unbelieving man, perhaps even amongst some Christians, how can God let such things happen? Where was God in all this? Why do bad things happen to good people? These questions are nothing new though. Throughout history we have seen genocides, world wars, mass murders, and pain and suffering. For a mind set at enmity with God, its easy to have such objections to a "loving and all-powerful" God , who seems to have no problem with letting these things happen to people.
So then what is the response? Is God not all-knowing, all-powerful, and sovereign over all things? Are these things out of his control or unknown to Him before they happen? Of course not.Lets think for a minute. Who gives life? Most atheist/agnostics love to point out that God kills many many people in the Bible, and they ask, is He not evil? If they stopped and thought of the absurdity of the remark they may not have asked such a question in the first place. The only reason they have enough breath to utter such a comment is because of God's sustaining grace.
Job understood the implications after his sons and daughters were killed, he didn't blame Satan or some other cause he says:
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." -Job 1:21-
Job understood the sovereignty of God's action, God willed it and it was done, God gives and sustains life and God can easily take that away. For the grieving Christian parent of a child who died in such an atrocity, they can say with Job these same words and be comforted that in such trials and in such pain the Lord has promised something very very comforting:
"We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28-
I do not wish to trivialize the mourning and the grief, I cannot even fathom the depth of sorrow in such an event, but I do know this much, the Lord's hand is in all things and he will bring good out of evil for all believers. I'll come back to providence because of course there is much more that can be said of the mystery of God's providence.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Part 1 - If God Isn't Sovereign
What suffers? Is it merely as trivial as people pretend it to be? Is God's sovereignty in salvation and in providence a thing to be swept under the proverbial rug? Can it be said that God's sovereignty is something higher than we can understand so we should just leave it to God?
Here is where I believe we have a major disconnect in the church. In God's sovereignty, in His election, in His calling, justification and in His providence. I think of it this way. When I go to the range to qualify with my rifle, I look at the target (300 meters away) through the rear and front sights. Say I was off by a centimeter to the left, from where I am that doesn't seem to be so far off, but 300 meters down range that could be 2 or 3 feet to the left.
It can be applied to the sovereignty of God in this way. People deem election or predestination not that big of a deal, if one person believes it and another doesn't its not that much of a difference how much could it possibly affect? I mean those are things higher than us anyway, they aren't for us to worry about.
But go down the range (in theory) and when you get to the target you're way off. You have churches which are more man-centered than God-centered, and worship that cares more about entertainment than worship, so on and so on.
The sovereignty of God is a complete world-view, it will sway your thinking and your approach to an all-holy all-sovereign God. I'll do a couple posts thinking about some of the things this effects, such as: worship, evangelism, Christian living and persecution, and perhaps other things as I think of them.
God Bless.
Here is where I believe we have a major disconnect in the church. In God's sovereignty, in His election, in His calling, justification and in His providence. I think of it this way. When I go to the range to qualify with my rifle, I look at the target (300 meters away) through the rear and front sights. Say I was off by a centimeter to the left, from where I am that doesn't seem to be so far off, but 300 meters down range that could be 2 or 3 feet to the left.
It can be applied to the sovereignty of God in this way. People deem election or predestination not that big of a deal, if one person believes it and another doesn't its not that much of a difference how much could it possibly affect? I mean those are things higher than us anyway, they aren't for us to worry about.
But go down the range (in theory) and when you get to the target you're way off. You have churches which are more man-centered than God-centered, and worship that cares more about entertainment than worship, so on and so on.
The sovereignty of God is a complete world-view, it will sway your thinking and your approach to an all-holy all-sovereign God. I'll do a couple posts thinking about some of the things this effects, such as: worship, evangelism, Christian living and persecution, and perhaps other things as I think of them.
God Bless.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Easter/Christmas...Christian?
There are a few things that this note is not arguing against nor am I completely against the holidays them self. This is not against the gathering together of families, I am not addressing that. Furthermore, this is not against the observance of the birth, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In actuality the purpose behind the note is to prove the the lack of care for Jesus' birth, death and resurrection, and the way in which "Christians" give little care to these matters all the other days of the year and how Churches go about their Easter Sunday "service." But that will become clear, and other matters of disagreement will come out.
I am going to go ahead and leave out the fact that both Christmas and Easter are holidays which the Roman Catholic Church have instituted and intermixed with Pagan traditions, because this really has little to do with the matter at hand, whether the Jehovah's Witnesses want it to or not.
Firstly
I am ardently against those who presume to make this day more important than any other day. One will notice quickly that Churches fill to about twice their normal attendance. Every nominal Christian without a care for Jesus in the least bit, suddenly flocks to the pews. As if this day were now more fixed upon by God than any other day, these "Christians" of apostate tendencies think themselves to be doing a better service to their own self and to God by showing an appreciation for at least one day out of the year.
Easter more than Christmas tends to have this traditional importance for some reason. I would reason from that evidence, that it would probably be a wiser thing for them if they didn't step in on God's solemn and reverent worship.
Let me qualify though, I'd fear that some would think I don't want unbelievers to come to church and hear the word of God preached. That is not my point, the point is that most of these people have heard the message and more than probably made a "decision" for Christ at one point, and have now deemed it unimportant to worship God every Sunday or to fellowship with the children of God.
The fact is, I have seen this all too many times, someone who says they are "saved" but lives like Jesus didn't exist or doesn't care, but thinks that going to church on Easter will make up for it (this happens more than on Easter, it may be a weekly thing as well, a nominal Christian feels they can live the way they wish, as long as they wipe the slate clean on Sunday).
Secondly
The way some Churches go about Easter Sunday. Say you do get a larger crowd that day (with the above point in mind) and then preach a sermon that is about 10 minutes long so you don't bore those who came, and then have a little Easter Special or a children's play or a whole bunch of solos and video clips to entertain the unbelieving crowd.
For example, I went to a friend's church on Christmas Eve this last year, had about a 20 minute sermon, with virtually no Gospel presentation. Then to top it off canceled that evening's service, so that we could "spend time with family and not worry about Church tonight." I'm not sure what I deem more important on such a day, spending time with family, or worshiping the Christ who saved our souls so we could even enjoy a family (sarcasm).
The day is, for some odd reason, set aside as more special than the rest. Sermons are cut shorter, sermons are watered down, church cancellation, etc. Why? Why not just continue exegetically going through the Bible as you should be, contemplating the birth, life, death, resurrection, intercession, every Sunday?
Thirdly
I'll address this quickly. The world has attempted to take these holidays which are supposedly centered around Christ and turned them into egg painting, wreath hanging holidays. What's worse is that Christians have given into it, we delude the children of America with fairy tales of bunny rabbits and fat men with flying reindeer, instead of presenting them with the Gospel from the very day they can comprehend it.
Lastly
A proposal. Say we didn't treat these days so much different, what if instead we got rid of them, how bad would it be? Would "American Christianity" crash and burn to the ground? So be it, if that is what is holding it up, if it's the fact that we get free presents and a day out of the year to pretend we are Christian. I wonder if true Christians in oppressive countries are worried about two days out of the year, or if they worship God how He is to be worshiped.
I firmly believe that Christmas and Easter are to be celebrated every single day I am alive. With any true faithful Christian, we should be praising God every hour of the day for the Birth, the Death, the Resurrection, the Justification, the Mercy, and the Grace that has been so freely and so wonderfully bestowed unto us, God's chosen people. What if we were more worried about that, or more excited about that, than the prospect of free gifts, money, and one day out of the year we get to wear our new Easter clothes.
And if you are going to set these days aside in Church for a special message or if you are going to celebrate it with family, then remember the Lord your God, who died and rose and took upon your sins so that you might be justified and imputed His righteousness, all of your days.
"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!" -Psalm 34:1-3-
"I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever." -Psalm 145:1-2-
Any Thoughts? There's gotta be some.
In actuality the purpose behind the note is to prove the the lack of care for Jesus' birth, death and resurrection, and the way in which "Christians" give little care to these matters all the other days of the year and how Churches go about their Easter Sunday "service." But that will become clear, and other matters of disagreement will come out.
I am going to go ahead and leave out the fact that both Christmas and Easter are holidays which the Roman Catholic Church have instituted and intermixed with Pagan traditions, because this really has little to do with the matter at hand, whether the Jehovah's Witnesses want it to or not.
Firstly
I am ardently against those who presume to make this day more important than any other day. One will notice quickly that Churches fill to about twice their normal attendance. Every nominal Christian without a care for Jesus in the least bit, suddenly flocks to the pews. As if this day were now more fixed upon by God than any other day, these "Christians" of apostate tendencies think themselves to be doing a better service to their own self and to God by showing an appreciation for at least one day out of the year.
Easter more than Christmas tends to have this traditional importance for some reason. I would reason from that evidence, that it would probably be a wiser thing for them if they didn't step in on God's solemn and reverent worship.
Let me qualify though, I'd fear that some would think I don't want unbelievers to come to church and hear the word of God preached. That is not my point, the point is that most of these people have heard the message and more than probably made a "decision" for Christ at one point, and have now deemed it unimportant to worship God every Sunday or to fellowship with the children of God.
The fact is, I have seen this all too many times, someone who says they are "saved" but lives like Jesus didn't exist or doesn't care, but thinks that going to church on Easter will make up for it (this happens more than on Easter, it may be a weekly thing as well, a nominal Christian feels they can live the way they wish, as long as they wipe the slate clean on Sunday).
Secondly
The way some Churches go about Easter Sunday. Say you do get a larger crowd that day (with the above point in mind) and then preach a sermon that is about 10 minutes long so you don't bore those who came, and then have a little Easter Special or a children's play or a whole bunch of solos and video clips to entertain the unbelieving crowd.
For example, I went to a friend's church on Christmas Eve this last year, had about a 20 minute sermon, with virtually no Gospel presentation. Then to top it off canceled that evening's service, so that we could "spend time with family and not worry about Church tonight." I'm not sure what I deem more important on such a day, spending time with family, or worshiping the Christ who saved our souls so we could even enjoy a family (sarcasm).
The day is, for some odd reason, set aside as more special than the rest. Sermons are cut shorter, sermons are watered down, church cancellation, etc. Why? Why not just continue exegetically going through the Bible as you should be, contemplating the birth, life, death, resurrection, intercession, every Sunday?
Thirdly
I'll address this quickly. The world has attempted to take these holidays which are supposedly centered around Christ and turned them into egg painting, wreath hanging holidays. What's worse is that Christians have given into it, we delude the children of America with fairy tales of bunny rabbits and fat men with flying reindeer, instead of presenting them with the Gospel from the very day they can comprehend it.
Lastly
A proposal. Say we didn't treat these days so much different, what if instead we got rid of them, how bad would it be? Would "American Christianity" crash and burn to the ground? So be it, if that is what is holding it up, if it's the fact that we get free presents and a day out of the year to pretend we are Christian. I wonder if true Christians in oppressive countries are worried about two days out of the year, or if they worship God how He is to be worshiped.
I firmly believe that Christmas and Easter are to be celebrated every single day I am alive. With any true faithful Christian, we should be praising God every hour of the day for the Birth, the Death, the Resurrection, the Justification, the Mercy, and the Grace that has been so freely and so wonderfully bestowed unto us, God's chosen people. What if we were more worried about that, or more excited about that, than the prospect of free gifts, money, and one day out of the year we get to wear our new Easter clothes.
And if you are going to set these days aside in Church for a special message or if you are going to celebrate it with family, then remember the Lord your God, who died and rose and took upon your sins so that you might be justified and imputed His righteousness, all of your days.
"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!" -Psalm 34:1-3-
"I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever." -Psalm 145:1-2-
Any Thoughts? There's gotta be some.
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