I’m reading a book that is dealing with the paradox of having a God who created the universe, and who has all power, and all knowledge, but ends up, repenting, or being sorry, that he created mankind. How did the two go together?
Couple that with John 3:16,
(Joh 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.And the concept that we find in Peter,
(2Pe 3:9 KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.God wants the whole world to come to repentance and eternal life and yet Jesus said it wasn’t going to happen.
(Mat 7:14 KJV) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.God knows what he wants. He has the power to force the issue, except for that little matter of free will. Of course if you don’t believe in free will, if you are a disciple of B.F. Skinner and behaviorism or you are hard-core, five-point Calvinist, this is nonsense to you. But God, because he has given us free will, because he created us in His image, because He knows the real meaning of love, is not going to force the issue.
God has chosen to have a relationship with man which says that He does not always get what He wants . But keep in mind that is His choice. It reflects his personhood. It reflects who He is. It reflects whom He wants us to be.
Part of growing up is to accept responsibility for our actions. It is very comforting to be a small child and let mommy decide what we will wear and have for dinner. If you are still living that way at 40 you have a problem. So grow up spiritually. Realize that God wants you to trust in Jesus but He will not force you.
homo unius libri
Amen!
ReplyDeleteAnd Maranatha!
DeleteGrace and peace
I love this post. I had 2 very hard times to face, both before age 38, two husbands lost to diseases. Total change in my life plan, and one daughter suffering through with me. I spent a few years asking God "why"? Then I realized the future ahead was up to me to go forward (that "free will thing") and I prayed constantly for God's help. God came thru! He gave me the courage I needed to go forward. It was not an "all easy road" but my daughter and I have made it through with God's constant help. Yes, I am still a widow of 43 yrs. now, but my life is quiet, secure, my health is good, my daughter is settled happily and has blessed me with a grandson I love dearly, now striving for his Phd in astro physics (whatever that is)...I hold God close in my heart now, I talk to Him daily to say "thank you for these blessings".
ReplyDeleteToday I hope people take time to read the comments.
DeleteAt the time of your loss it is possible that if someone had read this to you it would have been rejected but God has been faithful and, that free will thing, you have been faithful.
My grandchildren are still trying to learn to read but I hear your pride in your grandson.
Blessings.