"Most of what happens is not the will of God."
Don't worry. I haven't lost my mind. The above statement or at least something very similar was in a "sermon" my daughter heard while she was away. This has led to a very interesting discussion about this worldview versus a worldview based on the sovereignty of God.
I would venture to guess that many people who consider themselves Christians would agree with the following:
Suffering = Bad
Bad = not God's will
What I want from life (Is it really what I think I deserve and am entitled to?) = Good
Good = God's will
As long as things are going relatively well, you can comfortably believe this worldview because nothing has happened to upset your apple cart.
But what happens when suffering comes? When disaster strikes? What happens when you get sick or someone you love gets sick? What happens when a loved one dies? What happens when a marriage ends or a child rebels? What is your explanation for that? What kind of God can sustain you through something like this?
If something "bad" happens, then it must not be "God's will". That leaves the devil and sinful man running the show down here, while poor "God" is passively waiting for us to exercise enough faith to take charge of our own destinies. "God" is left in the position of saying, "I'd really like to help, but my hands are tied. Sorry, I really tried, but you didn't pray/have faith enough yourself."
You either arrogantly deceive yourself in thinking you have the power to command the situation to change by "faith", or you are left in despair carrying the weight of your destiny on your own shoulders. There is no God to turn to because "God" is effectively rendered to be no God at all.
I have lived in this hell upon earth until the Holy Spirit revealed the truth about God's sovereignty in the Word. This wrought a change that seems almost as great as the difference between heaven and hell. How sad that some would prefer a passive and essentially powerless god over an absolutely sovereign One.
Don't worry. I haven't lost my mind. The above statement or at least something very similar was in a "sermon" my daughter heard while she was away. This has led to a very interesting discussion about this worldview versus a worldview based on the sovereignty of God.
I would venture to guess that many people who consider themselves Christians would agree with the following:
Suffering = Bad
Bad = not God's will
What I want from life (Is it really what I think I deserve and am entitled to?) = Good
Good = God's will
As long as things are going relatively well, you can comfortably believe this worldview because nothing has happened to upset your apple cart.
But what happens when suffering comes? When disaster strikes? What happens when you get sick or someone you love gets sick? What happens when a loved one dies? What happens when a marriage ends or a child rebels? What is your explanation for that? What kind of God can sustain you through something like this?
If something "bad" happens, then it must not be "God's will". That leaves the devil and sinful man running the show down here, while poor "God" is passively waiting for us to exercise enough faith to take charge of our own destinies. "God" is left in the position of saying, "I'd really like to help, but my hands are tied. Sorry, I really tried, but you didn't pray/have faith enough yourself."
You either arrogantly deceive yourself in thinking you have the power to command the situation to change by "faith", or you are left in despair carrying the weight of your destiny on your own shoulders. There is no God to turn to because "God" is effectively rendered to be no God at all.
I have lived in this hell upon earth until the Holy Spirit revealed the truth about God's sovereignty in the Word. This wrought a change that seems almost as great as the difference between heaven and hell. How sad that some would prefer a passive and essentially powerless god over an absolutely sovereign One.
For this reason, it follows that those who aim at the subversion of this doctrine [the providence of God], depriving the children of God true comfort, and vexing their minds by unsettling their faith, forge themselves a hell upon earth. For what can be more awfully tormenting than to be constantly racked with doubt and anxiety?
~ John Calvin
You hit it right on the head with this one. I have cancer. I don't like having cancer...I'd rather live to a nice old age of 90 and succumb to an instant, painless death. But instead, I have cancer. Through this past year I have had to remind myself over and over that God is sovereign...that I am completely in His will for my life...and if I am completely in His will, cancer and all, then I need to relax, fret less, live more, and be thankful to Him for every step of the road in front of me, no matter which turn that road might take. It makes life so much easier. I trust Him in all of this. Yes, I seek good medical care. But once I have done all that seems reasonable, the rest is left up to my Creator to take care of. What freedom we have in Christ!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your testimony so much, Whitestone. It encourages me personally and glorifies the One who is our hope.
ReplyDeleteDear WhiteStone, your testimony and witness is SO MUCH more powerful and God-glorifing than a confused Christian who doesn't acknowledge God's sovereignity in life. Where is the comfort in believing that God is not completely in control? God bless you and may He give you a vast amount of grace and strength!
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