Wednesday, June 06, 2007
What about sin?
Does sin fit into God's plan? If so, how?
Here's what the Bible says:
Unfortunately, some have translated this that God "creates evil." But this is far more accurately translated "I make weal and create woe." It is a parallel. Blessing and cursing. The good and the bad (and the ugly). God is not the author of sin. God is the author of the punishment, but He is not the author of the guilt. God is the author of war, famine, pestilence as we saw yesterday. He is also the author of man-made calamities. God does not put the evil into the hearts of men, it is already there. But he wields their evil as His own weapon, to bring chastening and judgment. All events find their origin in God.
God is not silent. But when you feel that your prayers only rise to deaf ears, when you think there is no response from God, turn here. If you have made your call and election sure (2 Peter 1:1-10), then this is God's answer to you: in the secret Providence, God is working together all your adversity for good. He is turning Satan's poison into sweet medicine. He is growing you through these trials (James 1:2-8).
Here's what the Bible says:
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him." So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died, 'Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, we pray you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, "Behold, we are your servants." But Joseph said to them, "Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he reassured them and comforted them.Genesis 50:15-21
Joseph saw the Providence of God in the course of his life. He saw that God had directed him every step of the way to Egypt, that he might save his brothers - the very brothers who sold him into slavery. Because he recognized this Providence, he knew he must not fail to forgive his brothers, or he would be resisting the plan of God. His slavery was cruel and horrible, but it was the very decree of God. Joseph was sold into slavery by both his brother's cruelty and God's Providence. But the two acts are not the same. The brothers seek Joseph's destruction. God seeks the brothers' salvation. This Providence is staggering! Nothing is done without the will of God. He sovereignly directs, even turning the will of men, and controls all things. If any good is done, it is by the moving of His Spirit. Yet, when evil is done, he wields it as well, but the blame rests solely on the transgressors. His Spirit induces men to do good, but men do evil all on their own. When men purpose to do evil, God turns it and purposes it for good. God can turn the poison of Satan into medicine. And, just as He did at the cross, turn Satan's hopes for victory into resounding defeat.
I am the LORD, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I gird you, though you do not know me,
that men may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
I form light and create darkness,
I make weal and create woe,
I am the LORD, who do all these things.
Isaiah 45:5-7
"Do two walk together,
unless they have made an appointment?
Does a lion roar in the forest,
when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den,
if he has taken nothing?
Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth,
when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
when it has taken nothing?
Is a trumpet blown in a city,
and the people are not afraid?
Does evil befall a city,
unless the LORD has done it?
Amos 3:3-6
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.Romans 8:26-30
"Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son.' But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?" They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:"The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the LORD's doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes'?
"Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."Matthew 21:33-44
Yes, men will try to hinder Christ, but He is now and forever will be victorious.
I can't help but see it as if the climactic scene of some epic movie: The explosion has subsided. The destruction is complete. And as the smoke clears, Jesus emerges. All His enemies' efforts only prove His triumph again and again.
I can't help but see it as if the climactic scene of some epic movie: The explosion has subsided. The destruction is complete. And as the smoke clears, Jesus emerges. All His enemies' efforts only prove His triumph again and again.
Though men would seek to drag Him down and destroy Him, Jesus would ascend to His throne. In fact, by dragging Him and and killing Him, they acting to bring Him to His throne. Jesus is the foundation of the Church. Our salvation is on Him. Our perseverance is through Him.
"Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, "The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.' Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also proclaimed these days. You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."Acts 3:17-26
The most wicked act of all history proved the most glorious and holy. A truly damnable treason proves our salvation. The effort to destroy His life, gave His life for many, many, countless many other lives. And this was all according to plan.
Begin to consider seriously the implications of God's predestination - that He truly has an eternal, unchangeable, specific, comprehensive, certain, transforming, victorious plan.
Begin to consider seriously the implications of God's predestination - that He truly has an eternal, unchangeable, specific, comprehensive, certain, transforming, victorious plan.
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