Five spiritual resources to get you through any crisis or situation

Introduction:

      The other morning I was meditating on spiritual resources which enable the Christian to get through any difficult time. As all of us are experiencing the ripple effects of COVID-19, I'm sure we wonder how we will fare? Furthermore, as we emerge out from underneath this time, and face a whole new way of living life amidst what are bound to be sweeping changes, how can the Christian effectively navigate through such choppy waters? Below I offer five truths that God provides for spiritual and emotional strength through this time and, really any situation we may face in the future.

1. Sovereignty of God.

      What is God's sovereignty? Divine Sovereignty is that perfection in which God has the unlimited right to be God over all He has created. The sovereignty of God is crisply expressed by Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper, where he said in effect that there is not one square inch of all creation where Jesus does not say: "mine". King David wrote in Psalm 103:19 perhaps the clearest words about God's sovereignty anywhere in God's Word, the Bible -

"The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! 21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. 22 Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;
Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

Some additional passages which affirm God's ultimate right of dominion over the events of our world are Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23-24; 14:17; Romans 8:28 and Romans 11:36. 

       Why is Sovereignty such a strengthening truth? To know that God is on the throne and that there is nothing random or meaningless means there is a purpose to everything - even when we cannot see it in the short-term. I heard author Charles Swindoll once note in a sermon something to this effect:

"Although I may not be able to comprehend all that is in God's Sovereignty, yet because of His Sovereignty I find great comfort and peace".

       God's exercise of His Sovereignty in our world is called His "Providence", meaning, He directs the course of all things, and uses both good and evil to accomplish His greatest good. Providence, simply put, is where God's "right-to-reign" becomes "the exercise of His reign in the maintaining of our world". Although God is not the author of evil and suffering, His plan included it. He works His will through the secondary agency of human choices and the secondary instrumentality of the laws of nature, history and events. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 expresses this point of God's providence:

"God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise."

      God chose to create a world that included, in His plans, the Fall of man and the Crucifixion. The inclusion of the crucifixion of Jesus and permission of the Fall of man points us to God's morally sufficient grounds for using both to achieve His most-wise ends. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith in Modern English notes about Divine Providence in matters such as COVID-19 (notice the underlined words) - 

"All things come to pass unchangeably and certainly in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, who is the first cause. Thus, nothing happens to anyone by chance or outside of God’s providence. Yet by the same providence God arranges all things to occur according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or in response to other causes."

2. The Savior - Jesus Christ

       When Jesus came into our world to live, suffer, die and raise from the dead, He came as the Savior of the world and His church (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:2; 4:10; 2 Peter 3:9). We read in Acts 4:27-28 a prayer the early Christians expressed that had a strong view of God's Sovereignty and focus on the Savior - Jesus Christ:

"For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence."

       As the early church was undergoing increased pressure, they found spiritual and emotional resources in the mission and majesty of Jesus Christ. The writer in Hebrews 13:8 reminds us of about Jesus as unchanging, with respect to His Divine nature, whenever we consider our rapidly changing world: 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever".

One other quote from the inspired Book of Hebrews about the Savior, Jesus Christ, captures His empathy which He experienced as truly man for us in Hebrews 4:15-16 - 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - ESV

I love that particular text of scripture, since there is an invitation to come to the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer whenever we're in need of help. The last line of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 article on "God the Son" reminds us:

"He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord."

Other New Testament passages such as Hebrews 12:1-3 direct the Christian to focus on Jesus when facing hardship (also consider 1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 2:6). 

3. The Scriptures.

     In addition to God's Sovereignty and the Savior, the third life-sustaining truth for Christians to remember when facing situations such as COVID-19 or other times is the Word of God - i.e. "the Scriptures". The term "scripture" derives from the Latin "scriptura" and means "that which is written". The Bible is God's Divinely written, inspired, inerrant words as originally given to the prophets and apostles. Psalm 119:105 reminds us in these dark times:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Romans 15:4 gives us this life-practical reminder of why we need the Bible in times such as these: 

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Readers can also turn to the following Biblical passages about the necessity and sufficiency of scripture in difficult times (Psalm 19:7-14; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

4. The Spirit of God.

       For the Christian, having God's presence directly active in their life ought to give great comfort in a time such as this, which is why Jesus promised the sending of the Holy Spirit upon His ascension into Heaven (see John 14:16-17; 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:7-11). 

       The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, meaning, He brings to us the direct presence and power of God as God. Put another way, I sometimes refer to the Holy Spirit as the "Ambassador of the Trinity", since it is He Who makes available to the Christian access to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Father (see Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:6; Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 4:15-16). The presence of the Holy Spirit in the Christian means that God is literally with every believer, and that there is no chance of having to face any crisis alone apart from God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20).

5. Certainty of God's promises.

      I've read over the years that various authors estimate some 8,000 promises from God to the Christian.      What promises can we turn to when facing difficult times? Let me mention a few examples. Whenever you are trying to discern God's will for future employment, your family or your current situation, Proverbs 3:5-6 gives this counsel:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

       What about knowing how to pray whenever you feel overwhelmed? How can you cope with overwhelming burdens such as bills and health? The Apostle Paul gives us this prescriptive promise in Philippians 4:6-7 - 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

     Then of course the impulse we all feel to get out of our homes and go "do something". For others, the current "holding-pattern" is nerve-racking, especially whenever one feels the urgency to get back to work or somehow try to transcend a situation in which they have no control. The promise we find in Isaiah 40:30-31 is timely - 

"Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Closing thoughts:

      We've considered five truths to get us through any situation: God's Sovereignty; the Savior - Jesus Christ; The Scriptures; The Spirit of God and the certainty of God's promises. I've found in over thirty years of Christian living that these five spiritual resources enable endurance through any and every situation. May the Lord strengthen you dear reader as you look to Him. 

How to be more spiritually healthy in the upcoming year

Titus 1:1-3 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior

Introduction:

     What is meant when we talk of healthy churches or healthy Christianity? A healthy church, or Christian, has the following traits: they prioritize God, pray, place others first, prize scripture and have a passion for evangelism. What can you and I do, in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, to become more spiritually healthy in the upcoming new year? Today we will offer the following answers to this question by noting that the primary trait of Christian spiritual health is when we focus on God. Below we will spell out what it takes to focus our attention on the Lord.

1. Live a life sensitive to God.          Titus 1:1,4

      If we make it our business to focus on God, it will cost us much. Our world and culture are certainly not interested in our spiritual health. We will battle distraction, disappointment and discouragements in our quest to focus on God - yet, the effort will be well worth it! When it comes to the individual Christian life or church life, God uses testings of all sorts to make us stronger in our faith. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 reminds us: 

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

      When Paul wrote his short letter to Titus, he was urging him to finish up the work that he (Paul) had begun on that island (see Titus 1:5). The island of Crete is a tenth of the size of the state of New York, yet, it was a considerably difficult work. As any survey of the Titus 1:10-16 will discover, Paul and Titus both had their work cut out for them. Nevertheless, Titus had a proven track record of focusing on God in tough situations.

     Titus' life evidenced a sensitivity to God.  We find 12 or so references to him in the New Testament. We know he was used greatly by God in sorting out the mess Paul dealt with at the church of Corinth. In surveying those letters of Paul, we find a couple examples of how Titus cultivated a sensitivity to God. 

a. He refreshed the souls of others. 

2 Corinthians 7:6 "But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus."

b. He resolved to influence others for God. 

2 Corinthians 8:16 "But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus."

      Clearly Titus was a spiritually healthy Christian, called by God to leverage such influence upon other believers. As I was reading the little letter written by Jude, Jesus' half-brother at the end of the New Testament, I found a recipe for cultivating sensitivity to God. Let me cite the text first, then give you the recipe. The text in question is found in
Jude 1:20-21 

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life." 

     Whenever I read that text, I wrote down the following recipe for cultivating sensitivity to God: pursue His word + prayer + practice your faith + put your focus on Christ’s 2nd coming = greater spiritual sensitivity. If we will but consider Titus' example and Jude's words, we will become a more spiritually healthy people and thus, churches. In addition to having a greater sensitivity to God, spiritually healthy people and churches do something else when attempting to focus on God.

2. Lean on the Sovereignty of God.
    Titus 1:1-2
    
    When we speak of, "God's Sovereignty", we refer to the right He has to have authority over our lives, history and everything. A high view of God, in proportion to a lower view of ourselves, will yield a proper view of everything else. Leaning on God's Sovereignty means I'm trusting Him with the outcomes as I put forth the effort to obey. Psalm 103:19 gives a wonderful description of God's Sovereignty: "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all." Romans 11:36 is my favorite passage in the Bible, since it speaks of how far His Sovereignty extends: 

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

      We can note God's Sovereignty operating in the first two verses of Paul's short letter to Titus.

a. Titus 1:1, “Paul  and apostle”. Sovereignty in sending the Gospel. 

       Paul identifies himself as an "apostle", a "sent one". God sends those that communicate the Gospel to those who need to hear it. Romans 10:14-15 states this truth of God's Sovereignty in the sending of the Gospel: 

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

b. Titus 1:1b Sovereignty in saving faith. 

      We see side-by-side, the necessity of faith to receive the Gospel and God’s Sovereign choosing. The Southern Baptist doctrinal statement, Baptist Faith and Message 2000, notes the following of what we see in Titus 1:1 whenever Paul speaks of doing what he does, "for the faith of those chosen of God" , 

"Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility."

       The Bible consistently places both God's Sovereignty in salvation beside mankind's need to respond in faith to that salvation. We find the doctrine of election in roughly 100 spots in the Bible. For example, Abraham was chosen by God and called to be a blessing (Genesis 12:1-7; 18:19). Yet, we also find in Abraham's journey with God that: "he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (see Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). 

      Within Abraham's own family, we find God choosing Isaac, the younger, over Ishmael, the oldest son (Genesis 17:19). We find that when Isaac had his twin boys, Jacob and Esau, it was Jacob God chose, rather than Esau (Malachi 1:2). Yet, in both Isaac's life and Jacob's, there was a necessary moment where they each needed to respond to God's saving call by faith (Isaac in Genesis 22 and Jacob in Genesis 28). 

      God's Sovereignty in salvation is continued on in the New Testament, with the accompanying response of faith following. Jesus told his disciples in John 15:16 - "You did not choose me, but I chose you." We find of course in that same chapter of John 15 Jesus' repeated emphasis of "abiding in Him", which is another way of exercising trust or faith in Him. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 we read:

"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

     Affirming reliance upon God's Sovereignty gives the Christian, and churches, more reason to actually do evangelism. The Apostle Paul was told in Acts 18:9-11 

"And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."

      The underlined phrase in Acts 18:10 tells us that God already was at work in specific people in Corinth whom had not yet believed. God didn't tell Paul who they were. Thus, Paul knew that he and his fellow workers needed to share the Gospel with everyone, while trusting God for the results. Although we may not know how God's Sovereignty and human responsibility exactly fit together, all we know is "that they fit together". We are to exercise ourselves in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, corporate worship and evangelism as prescribed to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. Thankfully, such activities are never in vain, since the goals of such efforts are designed by God, and the results are completely in His hands. We can have a greater level of spiritual health in the upcoming year when we focus on God by developing a greater sensitivity to Him and leaning on His Sovereignty. There is one more thought to consider before we close out today, namely.....

3. Look to the scriptures revealed        by God.    Titus 1:3-4

As Paul states to Titus in Titus 1:3-4,

"but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior."

       Paul reminds Titus, and us, that God's Word, the Bible, is the source of not only Christian salvation, but continued growth in sanctification. Put another way, the preaching of the Word of God, week after week, year after year, decade after decade, is aimed at saving the lost and feeding the saints. We read of the importance of looking to the scriptures for our spiritual health in other key passages. Romans 10:17 tells us: So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Or again, Romans 15:4 

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

    We also find Paul reminding another young pastor, Timothy, of the central place the Word of God is to occupy in the spiritual well-being of his life and the people to whom he serves in 1 Timothy 4:16, 

"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." 

     The Apostle Peter underscores the necessity of scripture for spiritual health in 1 Peter 1:23-25, 

"for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you."

Closing thoughts:

    As we close out today's post, we have expressed how important it is for spiritually healthy Christians and churches to focus on God. We suggested three practices to accomplish greater spiritual health in the upcoming new year:

1. Live a life sensitive to God.
2. Lean on the Sovereignty of God.
3. Look to the scripture revealed by          God.

P3: A Great Question: Did God Know Adam And Eve Were Going To Sin? If So, Why Did He Create Them? - Conclusions

Romans 8:18-21 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God."

Introduction:

In our last post, we covered five key Biblical concepts that can aid greatly in answering why it was that God created a world, wherein He knew about the fall? Those five concepts were:

1. God is good
2. God is Sovereign
3. God's Permissive Will
4. Man's free-will or responsibility
5. God's Morally Sufficient Reasons

In today's post, we are going to attempt to put everything discussed in the last two posts into a final summary. 

Putting it all together

We began this short series by asking the question: "Did God know Adam and Eve were going to sin? If so why did He create them?" If we utilize the five above terms that we introduced in the last post, we can offer the following response to this question. God is good, as plainly seen from the above passages and the fact He declared all that He had made "good" or "very good" some seven times in the Bible's opening chapter. The goodness of God is the basis for how He carries out that second concept, His Sovereignty. 

Passages such as Romans 8:28 tell us that God works together all things for the "good". The idea of "all things" in terms of the believer's Christian life includes blessings, trails, triumphs and testings. If this be true of the Christian life, then on a much broader scale we can include this understanding of life in general (see Genesis 50:20; Job 42:1-2; Romans 11:36). We then see the third concept, "God's permissive will", included in this scenario of Adam and Eve. God created them with the ability to choose, which is our fourth idea mentioned above. God did not create people to be machines, but persons endowed with freedom of the will. Adam and Eve concluded in their minds that the serpent's deception represented a "greater-good" than God's revelation. God permitted this to happen in order for Him to bring about His purposes for reconciling creation and redeemed human beings and His glory. Such purposes can be fleshed out in the fifth concept of God's morally sufficient reasons. Thus we return back to Romans 8:21 "that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God."
I close with a quote from Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll: "Although God's Sovereignty may not answer all of my questions, yet, God's Sovereignty calms all my fears." 

P2: A Great Question: Did God Know Adam And Eve Were Going To Sin? If So, Why Did He Create Them? Key Ideas To Consider

Romans 8:22-25 "For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."

Introduction:

In the last post we considered the following question: "Did God Know That Adam And Eve Were Going To Sin? If So, Why Did He Create Them?" After considering some scriptures and briefly expounding Romans 8:18-25, we arrived at the following answer: God did know that the fall was going to happen, and yet remained Sovereign. 

In today's post we want to flesh out further a response to this question by noting five Biblical concepts that can aid us in navigating through what can be deep waters on this subject.

Key Ideas Can Aid In Understanding How God Could Create The World While Knowing The Fall Would Occur

Both scripture and the history of Christian thought aids us in fleshing out how God could include the fall in His ultimate purposes and plans for creation. The following terms and ideas help us discuss these matters. 

a. God is Good

Throughout the centuries, theologians have rightly noted that God is not the author of evil and sin. Habakkuk 1:13 states - "Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor.
Why do You look with favor On those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up
Those more righteous than they?" God is a Holy God - meaning that He is by nature good in all He does and is (Exodus 33:17-18; 34:6-7; Psalm 136; Matthew 7:11; 19:17; James 1:17). God's goodness is necessarily good, meaning that God cannot be anything else other than the Good God. 

b. God is Sovereign

Psalm 103:19 states most plainly the fact of God's Sovereignty, as well as the definition of the term "sovereignty": "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all." 1 Timothy 6:15 sets God's Sovereignty in the center of a redounding series of praises: "which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords." God's sovereignty has to do with His will and declaration of whatsoever will come to pass as informed by His omniscience and fore-ordination. Included in God's Sovereign plan are the activities of free-moral agents, whether good or sinful (see Isaiah 45:7; Acts 2:23-24; 4:27-28); the rising and falling of godly and ungodly nations and kings (2 Samuel 7:13-16; Psalm 110; Daniel 4:35; John 19:10-11) and the overall guidance of the course of history (Acts 14:17; Acts 17:24-25).  The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 reminds us: 

"God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures."

And once more:

"God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise."

c. God's Permissive Will

Whenever Christian thinkers discuss God's will, they are referring to God's overall decision-making and decreeing process for how He will carry-out His intentions, plans and desires. Ephesians 1:11 states - "also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will". Within God's will there are important distinctions. There is what we call God's unrevealed will and revealed will (Deuteronomy 29:29), which respectively refer to what God has chosen to not reveal to us and what He has chosen to make know to us by His Word and the Lord Jesus Christ. The third distinction is that of God's permissive will. James 4:15 states on this topic of God's permissive will: "Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

This important sub-heading of God's "permissive-will" includes God's choice to use secondary causes (like physical laws, historical events) and free-will agents (such as angels, demons, human beings) that carry out His purposes. God's permissive will is an important concept to keep in mind when discussing matters of salvation or the problem of evil and suffering. Theologian Michael Horton notes:

"Thus, God only permissively decrees evil in such a way that the same decree simultaneously determines the triumph of God's just and gracious purposes in Jesus Christ."

This concept of "permissive will" is vital to grasping what God "wills to permit" in terms of the choices made by free-moral agents, since such choices and actions done by human beings are part-and-parcel of His overall purpose. 

d. Human Responsibility Or Free-will

We have looked at God's Goodness, Sovereignty and God's Permissive Will as key concepts in navigating through this question about His creation of the world despite the fact He knew that the fall would occur. Human free-will or responsibility is taught in the scripture along with the notion of God's Sovereignty. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 notes:

"....and His (God's) perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures."

and once more:

"By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race."

The idea of God decreeing history and man being a free-moral agent are not contradictory notions. The Bible teaches both and both are presented in scripture. Various models drawn up by theologians and Christian philosophers attempt to explain "how God's Sovereignty and man's free will and both function in the same world without cancelling out one another. 

We know for example that God is the one who works in bringing the sinner to their senses with the result of a genuine response to the Gospel - or what is called regeneration in saving faith (see John 3:3-5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). Yet we find in these chapters that unless the sinner trusts in Christ with genuine faith and repentance, there can be no application of His saving benefits won for them on the cross (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). 

We do know one thing for sure: man's free will operates upon that person's greatest desire and their nature. The will of a person is not neutral. Whatever a person deems to be the greatest good in their mind and in accords to their nature, the human-will follows suit. Thus, human beings freely reject God and knowingly so, since by nature, the sinner freely chooses to prefer sin over Christ and the Gospel, resulting in their blameworthiness (Acts 13:46; 18:6; 1 John 2:19). 

Conversely, for those sinners responding to the Gospel do so as a result of God's grace, the Spirit's working in their hearts and their efforts of resisting the Spirit's promptings stopped by their own accord, with the full credit going to God for their salvation (Acts 16:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Titus 3:4-5). 

Therefore when it comes to the matter of evil, all evil is chosen by the creature, whether Satan (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28; John 8:56); demons or Adam and his descendants. The matter of evil coming into our world is due to the creature concluding that creation, even good and unspoiled creation (including themselves) is preferable to God. God's will, with respect to His free-will creatures choosing to sin, is His permissive will. As theologian A.A Hodge notes: 

"In the case of every free act of a moral agent, the act shall be perfectly spontaneous and free on the part of the agent."

e. God's Morally Sufficient Reasons

When we consider God's goodness, sovereignty and permissive will, we find that in discussion about these attributes, the notion of God's morally sufficient reasons comes into view. This concept of God's "morally-sufficient reasons" is crucial when discussing how it could be that He permits evil and suffering while being Sovereign. In scripture we can note four such morally-sufficient reasons:

a. The greater good for His glory. John 9:5; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

b. Character development. James 1:3-4

c. Opportunities where people can respond to the Gospel. Acts 8:1ff

d. Development of faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Helpful illustrations, such as cardiologist performing open-heart surgery by "breaking" the ribs to access a diseased heart or the case in which parents allow little-ones learning to walk to fall on their bottoms to encourage them to get up and try to walk can show the plausibility of "morally sufficient reasons" in real-life.

Conclusions for today 

We introduced the reader to five key theological ideas that are derived from scripture and careful reflection on how to discuss God's creation of a world that included the fall, evil and human responsibility. Those five concepts were:

1. God is good
2. God is Sovereign
3. God's Permissive Will
4. Man's free-will or responsibility
5. God's Morally Sufficient Reasons

In the next post, we are going to attempt to put everything discussed in today's post and last post into a proposed model that summarizes this important but difficult discussion.

P1: A Great Question: Did God Know Adam And Eve Were Going To Sin? If So, Why Did He Create Them?

Romans 8:18-20 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope."

Introduction:
It always amazes me the range of questions people ask me from time to time. Some of the most penetrating questions derive from children. One young lady in our church recently asked me the question about whether God knew about the fall of Adam and Eve before He created them. Her concern was that if God knew such a fact, why then did He create Adam and Eve? Such questions touch upon a much discussed topic among thinkers that we call “the problem of pain” or “the problem of evil and suffering”. In today’s post, we want to see what scripture has to say to us about this question and the relationship between God’s plans and purposes for creating a world that included free-will beings such as ourselves, His allowance for evil in our world and His plan for bring about a solution to it.

God did know that the fall was going to happen, and yet remained Sovereign

In Romans 8:18-25, we find what is perhaps the clearest statement in scripture regarding the relationship between God's Sovereignty, the reality of evil in our world and His purposes for allowing such. Romans 8:18 begins with a blanket statement from Paul regarding his approach to this issue: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." 

Paul does not skirt the issue of evil and suffering, but rather indicates that it is included in God's purposes. We then see this statement in Romans 8:19-20 "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope."

The reader can note the underlined portion of Romans 8:20. When I first read what Paul writes in Romans 8:20 (namely: "because of Him who subjected it, in hope"), I found the clause to be quite startling. God is depicted as somehow including not just the possibility, but the actuality of the intrusion and entrance of sin into our world. With that fact acknowledged, God's willing of our world and His choice to permit evil and suffering as so perpetrated by free-moral agents takes nothing away from the fact that God is Sovereign. Psalm 103:19 defines for us God's Sovereignty: "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all."

In the next post, we will introduce the reader to some terms that can aid us in walking through the Bible's revelation of God's Sovereignty, the reality of evil and the reality of human responsibility. 

The Bible never dodges this subject of the fall, pain and suffering and God's Sovereignty in the midst of it all. Romans 8:22-23 describes the presence of evil and suffering in our world as "groaning" and "pain": "For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." 

Conclusions for today:

In short, God did know that in His purposes and plans for creating our world, the realities of evil, suffering and human responsibility would be included.1 


Endnotes:

1. To deny God's omniscience and decision to permit such details leads to a disastrous alternative: that evil and suffering were accidents, and that the cross of Christ was God's "plan-b" as it were. Thus, God's choice (or decree) to create this version of history included the fall, the cross of Christ and those persons who would choose Him by grace and those who would freely reject Him by by-passing God's overtures of grace to them. 

God's omniscience is defined as His knowledge of all the information contents of true statements and sentences that describe a given version of reality (also called "propositions"). For example, if I would choose to eat cereal for breakfast or a pop-tart, either choice could be freely made by me. God in His omniscience, and particularly His natural knowledge, knew before-hand every possible history, including those in which I eat cereal or a pop-tart. If I eat the cereal, then God already knew I would do so, and thus I would be the one eating it. 

However, if I decide on a pop-tart instead, again God knew what I would do, since my eating a pop-tart can be true or my eating cereal can be true. Either way, God knew all the possibilities, brought into being the particular version of history He wanted to before it happened, and included my ability to choose in the carrying forth of His ultimate ends. 

This aspect of God's omniscience, whereby He knew of every possible version of history or "world" is what theologians call God's "natural knowledge" (see Psalm 139:1-6; Psalm 145; Romans 11:33-36). God's "knowledge" of the future can be best described as part of the concepts He possessed in His mind from all eternity. As God knew of the future before it happened, He then made a decision or a decree to bring about that version of history that was most feasible and suitable in accomplishing His most-wise ends (what theologians call God's "free-knowledge"). God's free-knowledge, whereby He freely-chose to create this version of history, including the detail of human beings endowed with freedom of the will, means that His Sovereign decree does in no-way eliminate what are genuine human choices.

Two lenses through which we understand biblical salvation

1 Peter 1:1-2 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

Ezekiel 33:11 "Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I takeno pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?"

Ezekiel 32-33 and 1 Peter 1 are prime examples of two important truths presented in scripture concerning our salvation: God's Sovereignty to save and mankind's responsibility to believe in order to be saved. Whenever you read Ezekiel 32-33, the question to ask is: who is at fault for rejecting the Gospel? God or man? Answer: Man. 

God's judgment on the Egyptians and other nations in the land of Canaan, as well as His pronouncement of judgment on Jerusalem is due to her free and willing decision to reject Him. God plainly says in Ezekiel 33:11 that He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but actually urges them to turn from their choice of rejecting Him. God does not send anyone to hell, that is man's choice. This insight matches with what we read in 2 Peter 3:9, namely that God is not desiring or willing that anyone would perish, but all come to repentance. 

Whenever you turn to 1 Peter 1, you are still looking at the same Biblical salvation, however through a second lens - the lens of Sovereignty. If we were to ask the question: "who is to be credited for anyone believing the Gospel freely and willingly?" Answer: God. Peter opens His epistle by noting how his readers were those who, being scattered throughout the Roman world, were "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God". (1 Peter 1:1-2) 1 Peter 1 views our salvation through the lens of Sovereignty by the appearance of such words as "foreknowledge", "chosen" and "caused". (1 Peter 1:2,3) However Peter also presents this same salvation through a second lens - the lens of human response to salvation by such words as "to obtain" (1:4) and "faith" (1:5, 7 and 9). 

Peter reminds us that our salvation from beginning to end is bounded by God's Sovereign purposes of grace (1:2, 20) and is received by the gifting of faith and lived out by believers who obey the truths of scripture. (1 Peter 1:10-17) The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 notes concerning Sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation - "Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility."

Only God could design a salvation wherein there is no conflict between God's Sovereign intention to save and whosoever believes as being saved. As the late pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Dr. W.A Criswell stated about these truths, one cannot look upon the mountain of truth and comprehend how God Sovereignly elects sinners and yet it is those sinners who truly believe and are saved. We cannot see all the sides all at once. However we do know that God's Word and the eye of faith affirms both truths, and thus we must go to all men with the Gospel with the confidence that salvation comes not from man, but from the Lord. (Jonah 2:9-10)

God's Sovereignty, Providence and the Eternal Glory of Jesus Christ

Daniel 2:20-21 “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. 21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding." 

Introduction:

In the above two verses we see two key concepts: God's Sovereignty or right to reign in 2:20 and then God's Providence or ruling reign in 2:21. As the Lord prophesies through Jeremiah, we discover that not only was Jeremiah a prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, but to the nations. God's Providential and Sovereign control over nations and history is uncontested in these chapters. The Ammonites were the descendants of the vile union between Lot and one of his daughters in Genesis 19:38 and had caused much trouble for Israel in her history. Clearly God was going to judge them, as well as the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, for their failure to help Israel at key points in her journeys. The prophecy of Jeremiah and the older book of Obadiah share this judgment against Edom. 

As other nations are mentioned, we come to the Elamites, whom God will use in the Book of Daniel to take over the Babylonians, the empire that he pronounces judgment upon in Jeremiah 50. Jeremiah's prophecy against Babylon is remarkable not only because of its accuracy of prediction, but also in Revelation 16-19 we see the predicted the fall of another Babylonian-like empire prior to Christ's return. 

History's repeated patterns are one of the many ways we see God's Providence at work. Concerning His program for the nations, all of His efforts are focused upon Israel, His chosen people whom He promises to save and restore upon His return and Millennial reign. (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:25-26; Revelation 19-20) 

The Sovereign and Providential control of the Father as Almighty God is shared by the Son in equal measure. According to Hebrews 5:1-6, the Person of the Son is the "only Begotten" of the Father, meaning He shares the same qualities and One eternal nature with the Father. Touching His Deity, Jesus Christ is the Son of the Father. Then in Hebrews 5:7-10 we see a second truth about the Son, namely that He came to take on a human nature through which He learned obedience and achieved our salvation, being deemed the Mediator or Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Third and finally, Hebrews 5:11-14 tells the reader that understanding Christ's Undiminished Deity and real humanity may be hard but necessary for spiritual maturity. As God, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Eternal source of salvation and as man, He is able to administer such salvation to all who by faith truth in Him.   

The Comfort of God's Sovereignty in the midst of troubling circumstances

Job 12:13 “With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding."

Introduction:

One of the greatest studies to do is to explore the theme of the sustaining of faith by God's Sovereignty. In Job 12:13-25 there is a brilliant star of hope that shines in the darkened sky of the conversation between suffering Job and his so-called friends - namely God's Sovereignty.  Why is God's Sovereignty the brilliant star of hope in Job's life? Simply put - peace is gained in knowing that God is in control.  Below I want to lay out a few thoughts regarding the comfort of God's Sovereignty in the midst of troubling circumstances. 

God's Sovereignty in the midst of troubling circumstances is understood by His wisdom and power
What does Job tell us about God's control in the middle of troubling circumstances in Job 12? We begin with two truths: that God is all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-wise (omni-sapient). God is powerful enough to control all things and wise enough to regulate all secondary matters (events, human decisions, seasons) to their proper and best ends (Job 12:14-15)  Job then describes God's power and wisdom in terms of rendering justice on the evil and suffering caused by people (Job 12:16).  As the all-powerful and all-wise God, we discover that all spiritual and human authority is delegated authority from Him (Job 12:17-21; Romans 13).

God's Sovereign guidance by His word in the midst of troubling circumstances
Not only does God's Sovereignty exercise and grant authority, but He also gives direction to His people. God's omni-potence (God's all-powerfulness) and omni-sapience (God being all-wise) enables Him to reveal previously hidden truths - a process we call revelation (Job 12:22; 2 Peter 1:21)  Job then concludes his speech in Job 12 with the reminder of mankind's frailty apart from God's word and grace (Job 12:23-25).  Unless God is at the center of your line of vision, life's difficulties and disappointments will overwhelm you.  

God's Sovereignty sustains in the midst of troubling circumstances

Job was sustained by His relationship with the Lord.  As we turn to Acts 8, we discover the true backbone of the early church following Stephen's martyrdom.  Despite the increased persecution and heresies of men such as Simon Magus (the Magician), the people of God were sustained by the preaching and demonstration of God's word (Acts 8:6).  The darkened sky of the sufferings of God's people was pierced through by a God-based, Gospel centered, Spirit empowered message.  

I remember a statement made by radio-preacher, pastor and author Dr. Chuck Swindoll on the matter of God's Sovereignty: "Knowing that God's is Sovereign may not answer all of my questions, but knowing He is Sovereign certainly calms all of my fears."  May you and I be God based, Gospel centered and Spirit-enabled.   May we find comfort in God's Sovereignty in the midst of troubling circumstances. 

The Practical Considerations of The Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ

Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Introduction

When we speak of Sovereignty, we are referring to God's comprehensive control over all peoples, places and times. God exercises His Sovereign authority both directly and secondarily through the wills of his creatures, historical events and the course of creation itself. As theologian Abraham Kuyper once noted: "there is not one square inch of creation that Christ does not pronounce: 'mine'!" Jesus Christ repeated states that He is equal in authority and being to the Father who is God (John 8:58; 17:3). Scripture affirms such statements. The Son, Jesus Christ, is the visible expression of the invisible Father and is One with Him in nature and essence. Hence Jesus Christ the Son is eternal, God in human flesh, forever praised with the Father and the Spirit (Romans 9:5; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-4) 

The Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ over this creation is affirmed and uncontested (Colossians 1:16-18). Moreover, that Sovereign authority is specifically concentrated over the progress and victory of His church in fulfilling her mission prior to His return (Matthew 24:35). Whenever we read of Jesus being the Head of the church, that is another way of expressing His Sovereignty over her (Ephesians 5:22-25). Such power wielded by Jesus Christ gives authority to whatever commands He gave to His apostles for the church throughout the ages. 

Whenever we consider the foundations laid down by Jesus Christ for the church and the Christian, we typically look to three main chapters in Matthew that outline the church's mission. Without the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ behind each one of these chapters, there would be no way the church could exist and function. 

1. The Great Concern Jesus has for the holiness of His church. Matthew 18

2. The Great Commandment or Jesus' command for Christians to love God and their neighbor. Matthew 22:37-39

3. The Great Commission or the mission of the church to go into all the world and make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20

Practical considerations of the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ

None of these three great chapters would be possible to carry out apart from Christ's Sovereignty working in and through the church by the Spirit and the Word. These observations underscore the practical realities of the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ. Apart from the credited righteousness of Jesus Christ, there would be no way believers could be declared holy nor have the power source to live holy lives. In like manner, without the love of Jesus Christ Sovereignly given to his church, the people of God could not be a loving people. Then finally, apart from Jesus Christ's Sovereign Lordship over the Great commission, evangelism would have no guarantee of success. By the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ's Sovereign Lordship makes holiness, love and missions not only a possibility, but a robust reality for the Christian today. May we enjoy and rejoice in the Sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ!

The story of the Kingdom told by Jesus' parables in Matthew 13

Matthew 13:47-50 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Introduction:

In past posts we have looked at the kingdom parables of Matthew 13, noting their interpretation and relationship to one another in describing the Kingdom of God. For today I would like to list for the reader what we can learn from Jesus' Kingdom parables, including his final one in Matthew 13:47-52, which we have not yet studied. We will then close out today's post with some final thoughts for our application.

Point of application: I gain the following main point from Jesus' statements in Matthew 13:51, namely: It is important for you and me to understand the story of the Kingdom so that we can communicate the Gospel. 

1. Responses to the Kingdom. Mt 13:1-9; 10-23

How do people respond to the Gospel and to the things of God? Four typical responses are illustrated in Jesus' parable of the soils: Unbelieving professors of faith who have had the word plucked away, who have sprouted up and died quickly or who have chosen the world over Christ. Only the true believer who possesses saving faith evidences good soil that sprouts forth fruit that abides. The key point of this parable is in 13:9 and 13:23 with the idea: "he who has ears, let him hear".

2. The King's Kingdom. Mt 13:24-30; 36-43

In Jesus' second parable of Matthew 13 we considered this second important aspect of the Kingdom - namely it is the King's Kingdom. How one is related to the King (wheat for the King's seed, tares for the enemy) will determine the destiny. All born into this world are born outside the King's redemptive Kingdom, and only by a miracle of saving grace, communicate in the scripture by means of planted wheat (sons of the kingdom), can tares be turned into wheat.

3. The immensity of the Kingdom. Mt 13:31-32

In dealing with the people who are related or not related to the Kingdom, as well as the King of Kings and his much lesser rival, Satan - Jesus tells other parables describing characteristics of the Kingdom itself. In the parable of the Mustard seed in Mt 13:31-32 we see Him dealing with the size of the kingdom.

4. The influence of the Kingdom. Mt 13:33-34

As immense as the kingdom is, the size of the kingdom in this age does not necessarily determine its influence. Right now in this present church age the kingdom exists in a relatively small form, with areas of our world manifesting it more than others. Whether manifesting itself as something small or in its final form, the Kingdom of God wields influence over the hearts of people because of God's Sovereign will working through the Gospel and evangelistic efforts of the church. The scriptures are the vehicle by which the Spirit draws and converts sinners to saving faith. (Psalm 19:7; Romans 10:17)

5. The joy of the kingdom. Mt 13:44

Jesus moves on by describing another aspect of Kingdom life - the joy of it. Like looking at a house from different sides, Jesus is walking us around the Kingdom, giving us various vantage points from which to look. Knowing that God is both at the center and circumference of the Kingdom ought to cause us joy. In other words, wherever Jesus is ruling and reigning, there is joy!

6. The value of the kingdom. Mt 13:45-46

Whether speaking about the Kingdom, the Gospel or the Christian life, all three are cut from the same cloth - namely God's Sovereign and redemptive will being worked out in the lives of those in and through Whom He is working. How much do you and I value the Kingdom, the Gospel and the Christian life? Is Jesus truly worth living for? These first six parables individually drive home a point.  Nonetheless they are logically and theologically connected to one another to deliver a collective story about what the Kingdom of God is all about, which leads to the seventh parable of Matthew 13:1-52....

7. Finality of the Kingdom. Mt 13:47-52

When we look at this final "Kingdom parable", what is its main point? Jesus tells us in vss 49: "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous." Simon J. Kistemaker in his book "The Parables", page 64, writes: "Followers of Jesus, go about your daily task: witness to your fellowmen, whoever they may be; bring them together at the church; constantly remind them of the need for faith and repentance; and direct their attention to the judgment day, at which time the final separation of the wicked and the righteous will take place."

Closing thoughts

The kingdom of Jesus Christ will become a visible, manifested reality when He comes back to earth. The details and ordering of events are not the focus of this final parable, and so we won't pursue such details here. However the importance of understanding Jesus' overall teaching in Matthew 13 is underscored by Jesus Himself when he asks in Matthew 13:51-52 "Have you understood all these things?" That is the question you and I must labor and prayerfully answer as we consider Jesus' words. If we can answer Jesus' question in the affirmative, then we will be as those bring forth treasure, having something to tell to those needing to hear.  He who has ears, let Him hear!