I hear that a lot. God is in control. It's usually said after some tragedy, big or small, has taken place. I think it's a bit of a strange thing to say at times like that. Tantamount to blaming God for the tragedy. Not just tantamount, but really and actually, if you take logic seriously. (Which some don't, I'm learning. )
So, what say you? Is God in control?
God has a plan, he is working his plan. Man was and is his plan, man's measure of freewill is his plan. This life is small in the scope of God's big picture. The fall was a part of the plan, man's exposure to sin and rebellion was his plan. The redemption of it all is his plan, Jesus paid for the redemption, how you say, He died, and he has defeated death for us all. If eternal torment was the price, then He didn't pay it, for He did not go to a man's interpretation of hell, a literal fire forever. We will all die physically, but because of His righteous act, we will not be held by death. "O death where is thy sting??? O grave, where is your victory???"
Romans 11:32 "For God has shut up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL."
All were exposed and caught up in sin, for some purpose in His plan. Otherwise, the great "freewill" of man, like Adam, could require a need for Plan C, or D and so on. Yes, God is very much in control, he has given you and me a measure of free will, but, NOT to determine the final destiny of the creation (including you and me), that HE has not delegated to anyone.
He is a great loving, and all powerful Father, he allows us to learn the truth by painful experience, the result of our being human. If we have ears to hear, we will learn righteousness, and will come to know Him as he really is, which is age abiding life!
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
I think that this life is a test, and we are purified through trials and suffering, ultimately death. There is much beauty in the world we inhabit, times of love, peace, and joy. But mostly there is suffering.
1 Peter 4
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
We walk by faith and seek a city whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38(Of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
God is Sovereign He as God has the right to intervene in the affairs of man. For a child of God all things work TOGETHER for good. It does not say all things are good but eventually the outcome will be for the benefit of the child of God. However Job 9:24 states the world is in the hands of the wicked. When Adam sinned he turned over the dominion of the earth to the Devil and he is the god of this world. When Jesus comes and judges the world then He will rule upon the earth and at the judgment the devil is cast into the lake of fire. But until then the wicked are in control of this earth.
I hear that a lot. God is in control. It's usually said after some tragedy, big or small, has taken place. I think it's a bit of a strange thing to say at times like that. Tantamount to blaming God for the tragedy. Not just tantamount, but really and actually, if you take logic seriously. (Which some don't, I'm learning. )
So, what say you? Is God in control?
I don't think anybody has the answer to this question. I too think it's strange to say "God is in control". I think a more accurate thing to say would be "I choose to have faith no matter."
__________________
Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
I don't think anybody has the answer to this question. I too think it's strange to say "God is in control". I think a more accurate thing to say would be "I choose to have faith no matter."
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Or, um...ok;
You Are Going To Die.
You. Personally.
This is going to be defined as a 'tragedy' by...someone, surely.
My sis is currently inconsolable ovr the tragedy
of a lost pet--after having spent...I dont know, a lot,
4 FIGURES, in the attemp to keep it alive...
boutique (= inbred) dog, 10 years old, poor health history.
Or, um...ok;
You Are Going To Die.
You. Personally.
This is going to be defined as a 'tragedy' by...someone, surely.
My sis is currently inconsolable ovr the tragedy
of a lost pet--after having spent...I dont know, a lot,
4 FIGURES, in the attemp to keep it alive...
boutique (= inbred) dog, 10 years old, poor health history.
Where is the 'tragedy' here? Ty
Oh, that's right. I forgot. We can't tell if something that happens is bad or good. We can't even tell right from wrong. Silly me.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I understand why you say this,
but I think it is bc of what...we choose
to ignore, and what we choose to define;
as I had hoped my little dog story might illuminate.
So, I agree that
"we cant tell if something that happens is bad or good-"
-what would it matter if we could? It has happened;
any label we place upon it now--"bad,""good," ("ordained")
is sure to be true-or not. See the Tao story "How do you know?"
While I must disagree that-
well, I disagree to the part II thing,
which this window will not provide below-
-for the same reason; it illuminates what one
might choose to ignore or not...
You dont need me to tell you that
the same action, carried out by the same person,
can at different times be heinous, or a blessing, surely?
Is that right? Or wrong? How do you know?
Your heart works fine! Trust it; with your life!
(your life depends upon it, btw--it is going to be your evidence)
Oh, and ps, expect that acting in this manner will
prolly be...'the death of you.'
God has a plan, he is working his plan. Man was and is his plan, man's measure of freewill is his plan. This life is small in the scope of God's big picture. The fall was a part of the plan, man's exposure to sin and rebellion was his plan. The redemption of it all is his plan, Jesus paid for the redemption, how you say, He died, and he has defeated death for us all. If eternal torment was the price, then He didn't pay it, for He did not go to a man's interpretation of hell, a literal fire forever. We will all die physically, but because of His righteous act, we will not be held by death. "O death where is thy sting??? O grave, where is your victory???"
Romans 11:32 "For God has shut up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL."
All were exposed and caught up in sin, for some purpose in His plan. Otherwise, the great "freewill" of man, like Adam, could require a need for Plan C, or D and so on. Yes, God is very much in control, he has given you and me a measure of free will, but, NOT to determine the final destiny of the creation (including you and me), that HE has not delegated to anyone.
He is a great loving, and all powerful Father, he allows us to learn the truth by painful experience, the result of our being human. If we have ears to hear, we will learn righteousness, and will come to know Him as he really is, which is age abiding life!
Oh, well, were are the deep thinkers that will real take on a subject??? Heh, Heh.
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
I understand why you say this,
but I think it is bc of what...we choose
to ignore, and what we choose to define;
as I had hoped my little dog story might illuminate.
So, I agree that
"we cant tell if something that happens is bad or good-"
-what would it matter if we could? It has happened;
any label we place upon it now--"bad,""good," ("ordained")
is sure to be true-or not. See the Tao story "How do you know?"
I was kidding.
Of course we can tell when something is good or bad. It's not always an objective thing (maybe never is), but we form an opinion on each event. The same event may be labeled good by some and bad by others. That's how opinions work. Some events get nearly unanimous labelings.
Now, to me, it doesn't help much (a little, maybe, in some cases) to say "all things work together for good". And the more unanimous a "tragedy" pronouncement is, the less it helps. How can the death of a toddler bring about good? Oh, sure, maybe somebody learns from it (maybe drives more carefully from then on --- at least for a while!), or any number of things may happen in a chain of events we don't even recognize (butterfly effect), but still: what's the point? Why not just console the grieving (without offering opinions on where the toddler's soul is now, since you don't know -- nobody does)? And opinions on God's plan, or God being in control can only make things worse. IMO.
Why not think of it as a tragedy, and leave it at that?
Quote:
While I must disagree that-
well, I disagree to the part II thing,
which this window will not provide below-
-for the same reason;
That we can't tell right from wrong? I was kidding again. You have said essentially that before, though. Glad you've changed your mind.
Quote:
it illuminates what one
might choose to ignore or not...
You dont need me to tell you that
the same action, carried out by the same person,
can at different times be heinous, or a blessing, surely?
Is that right? Or wrong? How do you know?
Your heart works fine! Trust it; with your life!
(your life depends upon it, btw--it is going to be your evidence)
Oh, and ps, expect that acting in this manner will
prolly be...'the death of you.'
Huh? Acting in what manner? Thinking that we can't tell right from wrong? Well, yes, if I were serious, it could be fatal. I suppose. And I don't need a book to tell me what's right and wrong, btw. Nobody does, really. Some think they do, but when they do, they pick and choose. Thank goodness!
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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