I am not of the philosophy, "Everything happens for a Reason," if there is an insinuation that God orchestrates everything that happens to us. I do believe in Cause and Effect. And, I also believe in Free Will. Most importantly, I believe God is sovereign and nothing on this Earth is allowed to happen unless God allows it to happen. Even then, I believe in miracles! God can change the consequences of events. (See: John 11 and The Raising of Lazarus.) Ultimately, I believe God loves us more than we love ourselves!!
Cause and Effect: If I walk out in front of a moving truck, it is going to hit me! But, God didn't orchestrate it! On the flip side, if I obey God's Word, He will bless me. The book of Proverbs is filled with Cause and Effect.
Free Will: God has given people free will to make choices. We can order a pizza. We can choose to go to college. If we are in a Third World country, we can choose to survive or give up.
To further this point, let's look at the first sin in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 2:18, "But the Lord God warned him (Adam), 'You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden--(2:17) except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.'"
In Genesis 3, the serpent deceived Eve. v1, "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?" v2&3, Eve; "Of course we may eat of the fruit of the garden. It's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden we are not allowed to eat." She went on to say if they even touched it, they would die. v4, The serpent told her they wouldn't die.v6, Eve was convinced by the serpent they would't die, so she ate some of the fruit and gave some to Adam. He also ate. v7, Then, their eyes were opened, and they were ashamed of their nakedness.
This is Cause and Effect! It didn't happen for a reason orchestrated by God! He didn't want this to happen.
Then, there is Job. God does not initiate the bad things that happened to him and his family. Satan asked God to allow him to do these evil things to Job. God allowed it.
Good News for God's people: The scripture gives us several instances that God does get involved in our life for our good. Again, God wants good for us! But, that first sin of Adam and Eve caused us to live in a fallen world.
Psalm 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
We still have free will, but praise the LORD for his direction and delight over us!!!
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
So, with our free will as human beings, we will mess up! But, how awesome to know God will do what this verse says!
John 3:16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
God has and will take care of us, but we have to allow Him do so.
No comments:
Post a Comment