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Pmbulo
Starlite Member
Username: Pmbulo
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 12:32 am: | 
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Thanks Bubby
Shalom! Shalom! Ever-loving,
Potpher C. C. Mbulo. B.Eng (UNZA), MBA (ESAMI & MsM), R.Eng (IEEE)
+260-979-743434 and +260-955-996712
pmbulo@yahoo.com; pmbulo@zesco.co.zm
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Monday, October 11, 2010 - 07:52 am: |
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Pmbulo,here is a quick reference for you..http://www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm |
Pmbulo
Starlite Member
Username: Pmbulo
| | Posted on Monday, October 11, 2010 - 06:45 am: |
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Yes the bible is not a science text book. It cannot be used as such. Nevertheless, when the bible talks about science, it is very accurate. A point in passing is the here below:
ORDER OF CREATION
Notice the way the bible presents the order of creation. It is systematically the same way as reviewed by archeology and science in general.
1. Pre-Renovation Ere
In Genesis 1:1-2 you will read that heavens and Earth were created. The original earth in time was caused to be covered with water. I dealt with this topic in some detailed manner.
2. Renovation Ere
This is the ere during which God recreated life on earth. The days under this ere are not literal 24-hour days. They could have been equal within themselves. For example, for argument sake, lets say each such day is 6899.3834 years in our present time. In that case, it would make about 41396.3 years in total to cover the creation period. We as at now are about to finish the sixth part of the seventh day when God is still resting from creating. I know that He will destroy this present arrangement after the seventh day is over. This is again a huge topic and I don't want to discuss it here under this thread.
2.1 ON THE FIRST DAY Genesis 1:3-5
Illumination:
This was not light energy from the sun but perhaps from a large bright star. Undoubtedly there could have been thunderstorms.
2.2 ON THE SECOND DAY Genesis 1:3-5
The Earth's Atmosphere Genesis 1:6-8
Here it is clear that the earth atmosphere is the product of the water (solvents and solutes of the one sea that covered the entire earth's surface). The earth atmosphere in this regard was created to have the chemistry composition to support life. Prior to this, the earth's atmosphere was not able to support life.
2.3 ON THE THIRD DAY Genesis 1:9-13
2.3.1 Land Genesis 1:9
Land appeared as a result of the gathering of the waters into seas from one ocean. Remember that there was no land at first except water that covered the entire surface of the earth.
2.3.2 Vegetation Genesis 1:11
This is the land vegetation that first flourished under the light energy created on the first day. This energy was not from the sun.
2.4 ON THE FOURTH DAY Genesis 1:14-19
The sun, the moon, and all the visible stars were made and their light or reflection of light energy reached the earth's surface during this ere.
2.5 ON THE FIFTH DAY Genesis 1:20-23
2.5.1 Aquatic Animals Genesis 1:20a
These sea animals were first to be created among the animals
2.5.2 Birds Genesis 1:20b
These were second to be created.
2.6 ON THE SIXTH DAY Genesis 1:24-31
2.6.1 Land Animals Genesis 1:24
These were created before creation of Homo sapiens starting with crawling animals.
2.6.2 Homo Sapiens Genesis 1:20b
Man (both male & female) were the last species of animals that God created. This was about 6000 years ago. Again I do not need to go into detail to show this figure. Read Genesis 5: 1-32 and also Genesis 11: 10-26 then understand that Abraham lived about 2000BC to 1825BC during the Middle Bronze Age. Do your calculations and you will alive about 4000BC when man first walked on earth. Again notice that the bible does not say that humans were created from hominoids but from the soil and the breath (spirit) of God. Humans resembled God and not apes.
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This order above is honorific. Yes it deserves honour in this scientific age. It's imprudent to say anybody in the primitive age (2000BC to1200BC) could have possibly guessed and wrote such an order from the blues.
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PLANET EARTH
The bible does not talk about a mythical creation of a mystical earth and Disney life thereon and therein in a dysphasia fashion of presentation. On the contrary, it clearly states a literal Planet Earth. Indeed the Earth in question is the one that is somewhat oval in shape and is suspended in space unlike the Greek mythological pillar supported flat Earth. Lets have a look at Job 26:7
HE (God) SREADS OUT THE NOTHERN SKIES OVER EMPTY SPACE;
HE SUSPENDS THE OVAL OF THE EARTH OVER NOTHING.
The Hebrew word rendered here as oval also is translated as circle or sphere or oval. It is important to note that projecting upwards along the Earth's geographical axis is an empty space (no stars within some sort of designed"clearance" This has been recently discovered by scientists in the field of astrology. Guys let's face it: Could Job have guessed all this considering the primitive ere in which he lived?
Here are some more Scientific knowledge in the Bible:
Formation of continents by tectonic activity described
-Psalms 104:6-9, Proverbs 3:19
Water cycle described
-Ecclesiastes 1:7; Isaiah 55:10, Job 36:27-28
Valleys exist on the bottom of the sea
-2 Samuel 22:16
Vents exist on the bottom of the sea
-Job 38:16
Ocean currents in the sea
-Psalms 8:8
Winds blow in circular paths (Atmospheric Circulation)
-Ecclesiastes 1:6
Light is in motion
-Job 38:19-20
Pleiades and Orion as gravitationally bound star groups
-Job 38:31
Gravitational field
-Job 26:7
Shalom! Shalom! Ever-loving,
Potpher C. C. Mbulo. B.Eng (UNZA), MBA (ESAMI & MsM), R.Eng (IEEE)
+260-979-743434 and +260-955-996712
pmbulo@yahoo.com; pmbulo@zesco.co.zm
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Mik3y
Starlite Member
Username: Mik3y
| | Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2010 - 12:39 am: |
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Not sure what those links have to do with anything i said, but thank you anyways.
I keep an open mind to these sorts of scientific things. But i do not stand by with any confidence that the bible can be used as science text book. Interpreting the book of genesis this way may not be doing it justice. We know that inspired men wrote the book based on the stories which were told that had certain truths about what the people knew of God, mankind and the earth. Whilst being open minded i am very hesitant in creationists ideas.
Michael william James
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010 - 11:16 pm: |
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Mikey, here is a couple of great links to visit...Institute for Creation Research, http://www.icr.org/
Answers in Genesis, http://www.answersingenesis.org/
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Mik3y
Starlite Member
Username: Mik3y
| | Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2010 - 04:43 am: |
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lol@ you two  God Bless you.
Very informative article on free will i enjoyed it. It seemed as if you skipped over the idea that God may have many good plans for our lives and that he has given us a choice. If we become to calvinist in our thinking of God's will then we can miss the point that we have a choice. You Said Christ found you. But i think you really mean to say Christ created you, and like a teenager who tells his loving parents to f-off but then comes back to them when he is of age. So to did you come back to God.
Pre-destination is partly right. But it needs to work in hand with freewill. And of coz it needs to take into account that even if you or I accept Jesus as our Lord and saviour we can just as easily disown God tomorrow. Whilst St Paul mentions the sacrifice that made our salvation possible he also goes to great lengths to say that we should live out our faith. In short we should do good deeds. Often the debate is over semantics and trivial words. The point is missed no one is stating salvation is possible without Christs death, but at the same time we are not saying man merely has to confess the Lord is his saviour and then disown him in deed.
The Lord God knows our hearts and it is true as you say no one can judge your salvation except God himself. Notice i put the word "salvation" there. Because we can absolutely and definitely should judge one another with love we are called many times in the bible to correct our brothers. It is Jesus Christ who asked his disciples to go and forgive peoples sins. Do you remember the log in the eye story? It was not saying do not judge. It was saying judge yourself first and judge others the same way, not in an unfair or biast way. The Golden rule here is Love. When Christ corrects the prostitute he says i will not condemn you but notice he also says go now and turn away from your sins.
Another point i might bring up before i end this.. Did Jesus setup the grounds to build his Church on earth before his death and resurection? If so, why do people have the mentality that the church has failed and thus we need to make a new one that will truly honour Christ. Only to find out that their own church is full of sinners and not imperfect either.
Michael william James
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 07:25 am: |
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Well,excusssssssssssse me.I thought you mentioned it in an earlier post.See? Sometimes I can even be wrong. |
Pmbulo
Starlite Member
Username: Pmbulo
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 05:49 am: |
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You thought wrongly. I can never be a Muslim and I will never be one. I was purchased with the blood of Jesus. No Muslim can confess what I have confessed here. I hope you know that.
Shalom! Shalom! Ever-loving,
Potpher C. C. Mbulo. B.Eng (UNZA), MBA (ESAMI & MsM), R.Eng (IEEE)
+260-979-743434 and +260-955-996712
pmbulo@yahoo.com; pmbulo@zesco.co.zm
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 11:05 am: |
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So you are a Pentecostal? I thought in previous messages that you were of the Muslim faith.Of course true Muslims are allowed to distort the message to any infidel.Otherwords...lie. I have attended a Pentecostal church where people spoke in tongues and exorcised demons from the afflicted.I even received a healing from a Pentecostal Preacher.So,I am very awre of our allmighty God and His amazing powers.We have both given readers a lot to analyze.You say I have submitted rubbish,which is your right to say,but it als sets you up as a judge by that statement.Only God can judge me.And even though you are made in His image,He is always the final judge. |
Pmbulo
Starlite Member
Username: Pmbulo
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 08:24 am: |
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But he also chastened them with brotherly love. Remember the whip and the turning upside down of the tables in the courtyard of the temple. Humility is not to forgo an evil but saying the truth. Don’t overlook evil, but look over it and say that is evil. Picck1, if you followed what bubby has been posting, you will notice that very few people are pointing it out that he is saying a lot of rubbish. I desire that he knows that he is writing a lot of garbage. Here I recommended him for posting something sensible.
Shalom! Shalom! Ever-loving,
Potpher C. C. Mbulo. B.Eng (UNZA), MBA (ESAMI & MsM), R.Eng (IEEE)
+260-979-743434 and +260-955-996712
pmbulo@yahoo.com; pmbulo@zesco.co.zm
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Picck1
Starlite Member
Username: Picck1
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 05:17 am: |
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Jesus set the perfect example in humility. Remember. |
Pmbulo
Starlite Member
Username: Pmbulo
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 02:11 am: |
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God’s will is predestinated. Whenever the terminology - "predestination" comes on the scene, a lot of people associate it with a staunch Southern Baptist. I know that the very mention of the subject, I mean the word in question, causes shivers and many refuse to analyze it. Oh yes, so passionate an animal is prejudice and how easily familiar is theological misconception. I understand the confusion with the issue of predestination though it is not something that is easy to understand. Again I know that this remark may cause some rising of eyebrows but hold it because I'm about to warrant it by scriptural facts and sound doctrine.
The Greek word for "predestinate" is "proorizo" {pro-or-id'-zo} meaning “decide upon beforehand”, and is used six times in the Authorized Version (AV/KJV). All the six times are seen here below, with the four using “predestine” and the two other renderings being "determine before" and "ordain before" but in original Greek all are proorizo i.e. predestinate. Lets see:
[Romans 8:29] “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
[Romans 8:30] “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
[Ephesians 1:5] “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”
[Ephesians 1:11] “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worked all things after the counsel of his own will”
[1 Corithians 2:27] “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.”
[Acts 4:27-28] “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hath anointed both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do what so ever thy hand and counsel determined before to be done.”
To begin with, let me briefly state how I was saved. I had an inner revelation through reading a book (Like A Gentle Breeze Of Jesus Christ) - an account on the Malaysia Great Revival. In conjunction with the bible, the book explained that Salvation is attained by accepting the Calvary’s offer contrary to works and the observance of Law. It came clear to me that my self-righteousness at best was like filthy garments before the eyes of God. I realised I was lost and that there was no other way to earn God's favour. Fortunately I realised too that Christ died to redeem me and I therefore cried out to him to save me. Oh what manner of peace filled my soul!!! Some of you are familiar with my experience. Slowly along my Christian walk, I came to comprehend the fact that it was God who found me and not that I found Him, and I gave and I continue to give all the glory to Him for having showed His mercy to my soul. Listen Christ did not die that I may be saved but that I be saved and thank God I'm saved!!! The same applies to you if you understand the plan of salvation. Be glad that you are His. He had the elect in mind when He executed the plan at the cross. There is no doubt in His work that He did at the cross. This is precisely what I want to prove in this discussion.
Regardless of the preaching as we may, and of which we have to, the intended objective of this thesis is to show that salvation does not depend on a man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy; and consequently show also that predestination precedes creation. Nevertheless, it is not to nullify the effort in our preaching of salvation to all human beings but to state the truth the way it is.
A number of questions have been asked of me on the World Wide Web and here now I address them:
1. AM I A PASTOR?
It depends what you mean. But definitely as per the biblical fact, I'm a royal priest and a king. (1 Peter 2:9) The fact that I've never been to any formal clergy training school does not demean my status. I'm not trying to be proud, but it is on the contrary to state the truth the way it is, is that I'm striving. All the knowledge that I have has been through self home study of bible over the many years. I'm an engineer by profession if at all that can be of meaning to that which you may be seeking of me.
2. AM I A MEMBER OF A BAPTIST CHURCH?
The answer is that I have never been into a Baptist church. True I had connections with some of the Calvinist Mainstream Churches but not anymore. I have a searching mind. In my opinion most Baptists are deeply rooted in Calvinism. But this is not to say I'm a Baptist. The truth is that I'm a Pentecostal. I know this comes as a surprise considering the main stream Pentecostal doctrine that is ant-predestination. The thing is that no single denomination has the full perfect doctrine. And to sum it up all, not all Pentecostal preachers are ant-predestination believers. Moreover believing or not believing predestination does not dilute salvation. A person can be saved regardless of inclination of doctrine on the issue at hand.
3. HOW MANY WILL BE SAVED? IS IT ONLY THE 144,000?
Even if they had to say that only one would be saved, the thing is that I say that that one would be me because I know what I have believed and I'm more that persuaded that the love of God upon me is too great to be measured. On the other hand the bible is nevertheless very clear on the issue. Look it up in:
3.1 The 144,000 Rev. 7:4-8
3.2 The Great Multitude In White Robes Rev. 7:9-10
Notice the wording that: ".......there before me was a great multitude that no one could possibly count......." So in this respect there will be countless people that will be saved. Who knows, these might out number the ones that will be hell. After all, ¾ of angels were preserved where as only ¼ are bound with everlasting chains in Tartarus - perhaps
the lowest region of hell. Notice that I did not say that hell would be outnumbered by paradise neither the other way round. Only God knows.
4. PREDESTINATION AND LOSS OF SALVATION?
May I say this in my preamble: God knows how to preserve those that are His, and above all, those that are saved (the elect) will never be comfortable to remain in a backslidden state.
Now lets go to the accusations and controversies:
The trouble is that those people who do not believe in predestination always quote half scriptures and build an inference false doctrine upon it. The example is Philippians 2:12: which reads:
"Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,....."
With the above, they claim that one earns his/her salvation and that can equally loose it if he/she does not work on it. However, believe me you that the next verse Philippians 2:13 reads:
"......for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
So you see that the bible is consistent in saying that faith is a gift from God and that it is God who causes us to believe in salvation and to hold on to that which we first believed (salvation). This comes out plain if you read the whole context instead of just verse 12.
Another argument used by anti-predestination people is that they quote that “God does not desire that any should perish but that all should come to the saving knowledge of Christ”
1Ti 2:4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of the truth.
But what we should know that the word “all” is used in reference to the elect. If it were not for so, God forbid, then the following verse should be deleted from the bible:
[Romans 11:25] “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved.”
Why don’t they extend the same argument of the usage of the word “all” to mean literally all of the Israelites. Are they afraid that Herod Antipas and Judas Iscariot would qualify to enter Paradise? “All” does not mean “everything”. You see that God has a specific people - a specific number called the elect (the chosen ones).
[Matthew 24:22] ”If those days had not been cut short, no-one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
“No one can come to me except the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.” [John 6:44]
See also John 13:18 and Luke 18:7
The initial faith of the elect is not of their own making. Look also at the following scriptures for further reference:
[Ephesians 2:8-9] “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no-one can boast.
[Phi. 1:29] “For it has been granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for Him”
[Heb. 8:10] “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
The most unfortunate thing is that the clergy refuse to conform to the bible teaching of predestination on account of presuming that it would be unfair for God to choose only the elect and send the rest to hell. Added on this is the failure to find out the basis on which God will judge all mankind considering that He favors only the elect. It is no doubt that the clergy are in a state of perplexity and unsettlement coupled with uncertainty as to the road ahead. They have designed their own theory on matter. But the substitute line of thought does not answer the ends for which the authenticity the bible was written and has been faithfully proving and serving all along its inception to date. Simply put it: The word of God is better by far, and so no substitute line of thought can deliver that which God intended to be transported to the souls of the elect. The bible is against us humans if we preach in a fashion that is not enshrined in the word of God. The fact that such practice has become a common standard, it is of great need among those of us who purpose to believe only what is written to urgently readdress the matter and review it in line with the word of God.
First let us establish the following truth:
It is sin that sends people to hell through the transgression of the law. Therefore even if God saves whom ever He chooses, He is by no means sending the rest to hell purposely.
Secondly, God will judge people in accordance to their deeds. See Rom. 2:11-16. If they will be found to have sin, they will proceed to hell. People are sinful by birth and as well as by choice and the conscious bears witness. So no one in hell will be able to defend his/her case.
Now having established the points above, please kindly answer the following multiple-choice question:
Christ died for…………..
(a) all the sins of all the people
(b) some of the sins of all the people
(c) all the sins of some of the people
CASE A
If Christ died for all the sins of all the people then all the people are all saved. But the reality is that not all people are all saved. Thus CASE A is not valid.
CASE B
If Christ died for some of the sins of all the people then all the people are not saved. But the reality is that not all people are all not saved. Thus CASE B is not valid.
CASE C
If Christ died for all of the sins of some of the people then some of the people are saved. And this is the reality that some people (the elect) are saved. Thus CASE C is valid.
Let us go back to CASE A. Many of you still think that Christ died for all the sins of all the people. Well then why are all people not saved since you suggest that Christ died for all their sins? You might say that because of unbelief. But is unbelief sin? Yes ofcourse it is sin. Now if Christ died for all the sins then unbelief is also included thus it follows logically that you are declaring that all are saved contrary to the truth. Lack of faith causes a person not to believe. If you have faith you will believe. If you don’t have faith you won’t believe. It’s not possible that you can have faith and yet fail to believe. So the notion that everyone is given a portion of the initial faith of Salvation is hereby declared null and void.
The bible puts it plain that we are saved not by works nor by observing the law but through faith in Christ Jesus, and this faith is not of our own making but it is a gift from God so that none can boast.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no-one can boast. [Ephesians 2:8-9]
Therefore principally, the initial faith to believe in Salvation is given by God only to the elect.
A sinner is dead in sins. He cannot by himself recognize that Jesus Christ died for the remission of a sinner’s sins. This calls for an initial inspiration by the Holy Spirit to understand the grace that comes from the cross. It is not by choice to fail to see the truth of God’s redemption power. Look at this:
[2 Cor. 4: 4] “The god of this age has blinded the eyes of the unbelievers, so that they can not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”
[1 Cor. 2: 14] “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
[John 8:44] "Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lusts (desires) of your father ye will do."
A sinner cannot do the things that he would as shown in Romans 7:14-24. So how can you say, “I choose to be born again”? The proper way to say it is that “I was called”.
“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you.” [1 Corinthians 1:26:]
I’m not saying that you are not born again. All I’m saying is that deep in your heart you know that it came as a revelation the way to be saved. You were so happy to understand it and you even wished you knew it back in time. In short God predestined you and called you at the appointed time and you entered the door and found your name already written down.
Well you may say that God has no right to punish the wicked since it is not of their choice to fail to see the salvation plan. However, we all ought to understand that God is the potter and we humans are clay. How can clay say or put a case before the almighty potter? Tell me, why are fallen angels not included in the plan of salvation? Again tell me why demons are not are part of it? Look, He is God and He saw it fit to redeem only the elect among the humans and none at all among the fallen angels and equally none among the demons. Well you may say that demons and fallen angels do not just want to believe? My question is are you sure? My bible tells me that they believe that Christ is the Son of God and they tremble. You might think that I'm off limits but the truth is some pots are for noble use while some are not - they are for common use. Suppose it was His idea to create objects of his wrath in order to make His objects of His grace (the elect) to see Gods grace?
Rom 8:28 And we know that he works all things together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Am I saying the truth? Ofcause yes, for it was God who loved Jacob more than Esau. You might think that Jacob pleased God more than Esau in his deeds and thus you conclude that God was persuaded to favour Jacob over Esau. But the truth is that even before the kids could distinguish between right and wrong and even before they were born, God had already chosen Jacob. You can check out my line of argument in chapter 9 of the letter of Paul to the Romans.
Rom 9:10 Not only that, but Rebecca became pregnant by our ancestor Isaac.
Rom 9:11 Yet before their children had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's plan of election might continue to operate
Rom 9:12 according to his calling and not by works), Rebecca was told, "The older child will serve the younger one."
Rom 9:13 As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
Rom 9:14 What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of course not!
Rom 9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will be merciful to the person I want to be merciful to, and I will be kind to the person I want to be kind to."
Rom 9:16 Therefore, God's choice does not depend on a person's will or effort, but on God himself, who shows mercy. [ISV]
It is better to read the whole chapter 9. Read this chapter carefully and you will realise that our little minds are too imperfect to comprehend the ways of God. Please before you dismiss my argument, kindly read Romans chapter 9.
Oh yes you may ask about the possibility of loosing Salvation. May I in turn ask you what you make of this?
"For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable." [Rom. 11:29]
How about the handing over of an immoral brother to the devil so as only his soul will be saved on the Day of Judgment (The JUDGMENT CITY OF CHRIST)?
1Co 5:1 It is actually reported that sexual immorality exists among you, and of a kind that is not found even among the gentiles. A man is actually living with his father's wife!
1Co 5:2 And you are being arrogant instead of being filled with grief and seeing to it that the man who did this is removed from among you.
1Co 5:3 Even though I am away from you physically, I am with you in spirit. I have already passed judgment on the man who did this, as though I were present with you.
1Co 5:4 When you are gathered together in the name of our Lord Jesus and my spirit and the power of our Lord Jesus are present,
1Co 5:5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
Whether we want to believe it or not, the truth is that Christ died only for the elect. See Rom. 11:25. It is not true to say that predestination has a negative impact on the progression of Christianity. On the contrary, it is ant-predestination that purports the idea of willfully sinning and repenting and sinning deliberately while repenting as long as one lives or as long as the rapture is far off. However, with predestination, the issue is that if we sin deliberately, then the truth is not in us.
1Jo 1:6 If we claim that we have fellowship with him but keep living in the darkness, we are lying and the truth is not in us.
1Jo 2:4 The person who says, "I have come to know him," but does not continually keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
This in my opinion, and acts as a powerful remind on the hearts of all those that have been saved to hold on to the faith. Therefore it is folly to assume that one can live a careless life for as long as he or she is saved. If one does so then they are not saved - period!!!!
It is also my opinion that the anti-predestination belief denies to accredit all the glory to God for the redemption of a person because of its insistence on the condition. I did show that even the initial faith is also a gift from God. In this light I cannot be accused of using underhand methods to subvert the empirical. Listen, simply because anti-predestination is a popular belief does not warrant that it is not erroneous.
I do not desire to be misunderstood. Look, I did not attack anti-predestination in order to justify my belief in predestination. Before undertaking the discussion of the corns of advantage/disadvantage of the inference derived from anti-predestination in reference to
predestination, I had put my case very clearly: It was evident that my line of thought was in compliance with the authenticity of the bible as shown from the scriptures. Furthermore I believe and have by now accepted it as fact that it's not by confining one's own neighbor that one is convinced of one's own sanity. So humanly speaking too, I cannot sink so low in order to qualify and justify my statement. It is the scriptures that clearly state that before the foundation of the universe (before creation) God foreknew the elect and predestined them to be core-heirs with Christ. Why? Because it pleased him to do so. Dear friends you are not God to question His choice of doing things. God's word is immutable and so are his ways.
I think I have raised too much dust and I apologize to have discussed such in this forum. I say so because we are all slaves of other people’s consciences and pardon me if I did step on your toes. I don't know where the most ideal place could be so as to afford us an opportunity to share it. It has however been a deliberate effort on my part to come out so strong in argument so as to provoke you to join this discussion forum. We all want to learn and I believe this forum can present an ideal opportunity of a comprehensive bible study. So please join in any thread of discussion and you are free to differ with anyone’s views including my personal opinions. Iron sharpens iron. We need you.
Shalom! Shalom! Ever-loving,
Potpher C. C. Mbulo. B.Eng (UNZA), MBA (ESAMI & MsM), R.Eng (IEEE)
+260-979-743434 and +260-955-996712
pmbulo@yahoo.com; pmbulo@zesco.co.zm
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Pmbulo
Starlite Member
Username: Pmbulo
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 12:34 am: |
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This is one of the very few times when you have posted something that makes sense. Congratulations. Keep it up!
Shalom! Shalom! Ever-loving,
Potpher C. C. Mbulo. B.Eng (UNZA), MBA (ESAMI & MsM), R.Eng (IEEE)
+260-979-743434 and +260-955-996712
pmbulo@yahoo.com; pmbulo@zesco.co.zm
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Friday, July 16, 2010 - 11:18 am: |
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Written by my nephew,Blaine Robison...
The Will of God
Blaine Robison, M.A.
Published 16 July 2010
Note: This article draws from the basic critique of the traditional view of God's will and wisdom principles for decision-making found in Garry Friesen, Decision-Making and the Will of God (Multnomah Press, 1980), as a framework for offering my own analysis on this subject.
Introduction
What does the expression “God’s will” mean?
Those who believe in and seek to follow Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah (Christ) often speak of knowing God’s will, seeking God’s will, being in the center of God’s will or doing God’s will. Just what does this expression mean? Simply put “God’s will” refers to what God wants or desires in contrast to our own desires. The concept of God’s will is clearly expressed in three different ways in Scripture. (See the chart at the end of the article for a complete listing of passages.)
God’s sovereign will is His masterful omnipotent control of events and people to work everything for our good and His glory (Acts 17:26-28; Rom 8:27-28). This same power holds the universe together and subjects all things to immutable laws (Dan 4:35; Rom 1:20; Col 1:17; Heb 1:3).
God’s lifestyle will consists of His commands and instructions for worship and service to God and living in a manner pleasing to God. God’s lifestyle will is expressed in both Old Covenant and New Covenant Scriptures (Deut 10:12-13; Matt 5:17-19; 7:21; 1 Cor 7:19).
God’s special will is His supernaturally revealed guidance to certain individuals in biblical history (Ex 13:21; Matt 1:20; 2:12; 4:1; Luke 1:11-13, 26f; Acts 8:26-29), especially in cases of calls to divine service.
What about God’s will for me?
Many believers assume that God has a detailed plan for their lives. It only needs to be discovered. The belief in a detailed plan for each person’s life is grounded in simple theology. If God has a design for the planets would He not do the same for us? In addition, history abounds with Christian leaders who have witnessed to a personal plan. The Bible describes many biblical characters that received specific guidance from God. So, if it was true for them, is it not true for us? Moreover, Scripture says, "And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them" (Ps 138:16). Does that not mean that God has a will, a plan, for every day of my life?
How can I discover “God’s individual will?”
A variety of means are suggested to determine God’s individual will. The first method is the Bible. Many people testify to searching the Bible and a verse seems to stand out giving specific instruction for a decision that needed to be made. Some may do what I did in my youth of simply opening the Bible at random and putting my finger in to determine God's will. The second method is the presence of open or closed doors. The apostle Paul prayed for open doors and took advantage of those opportunities as they occurred. The third method is the inner witness of Holy Spirit. Yeshua promised that the Holy Spirit would dwell in our hearts and apostles affirmed the reality of being led by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 16:13-14; Rom 8:14).
The fourth method is mature godly counsel. There is safety in an abundance of counselors (Prov 24:6). Seeking wisdom from those more experienced is both prudent and biblical. The fifth method is one’s personal desires (cf. Psalm 37:4; Phil 2:13). The thing you want to do may in fact be God’s will for you. The last method is supernatural guidance, which may be received through an audible voice, an angel, a vision, a trance, a dream, a prophecy or a miracle. Many believers dispute that supernatural guidance occurs today, either declaring that the completion of the biblical canon makes supernatural guidance unnecessary or that it is so rare as to be irrelevant as a method to rely on. Yet some believers do testify to hearing God’s voice, seeing visions that offer guidance or receiving "words of knowledge" by supernatural impression.
How can I know God’s will for sure in a specific situation?
The conventional wisdom among believers is that the best way to know God’s individual will is agreement of the methods, especially the three main methods of Scripture, inner witness of the Holy Spirit and circumstances. The other methods add support, but are not necessary. When there is agreement between the methods then acceptance and doing God’s will brings peace and blessing. God may also close a door clearly and firmly and save us from disaster. Persistent prayer for the issue is very important. God will make it clear that the prayer is answered “yes” or “no.” Praying once is not sufficient. Communion with God is also vital to certainty since God speaks to those who are faithful to Him (John 10:27).
Analysis of the Belief in an Individual Plan
Common Fallacies
Misunderstanding God. The fact that God has a will for the planets does not prove He has an individual plan for every decision in my life. In reality God does not have an individual will for each of the planets; they all operate according to the laws of His sovereign will. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, the planet Uranus rotates on its axis in the opposite direction of the rest of the planets, and of the 31 planetary satellites (“moons”) in the solar system, eleven have orbits that move in the opposite direction to the others. But even these exceptions exist according to His sovereign creation. God created man in His image, not the image of a planet or the animals. What would a child think if his father was silent about what he wanted from the child and expected the child to ask him first? Or, does the good father teach his child wisdom principles that will help him make good decisions on his own?
Misrepresenting Reality. The view that God has an individual will for every detail of a person’s life largely relies on believing man-made myths instead of Scripture. Many young people expect to find the one mate in the whole world divinely selected for them and they will live happily ever after. They will also find a vocation that will provide a purposeful and prosperous life and, in short, have a perfect life. Unfortunately, life is never like that. After disappointments and heartaches many believers end up questioning whether they had actually found God’s will and even doubting God's care for them.
Mistaking Success. Many think that finding God’s perfect individual plan will assure success and that success is proof of having found God’s will. Those in the ministry can easily fall prey to this circular reasoning. If the minister is successful in his “calling,” then God’s individual will seems to be confirmed. Scripture does promise success in life, but to the one who will obey God’s lifestyle standards. For Joshua the promise of success was not based on following a predetermined life plan, but obeying God’s Torah commandments.
"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." (Josh 1:7-8)
Misreading Biblical Stories. Examples from Scripture have to be handled with care. Many events in the Bible are recorded because they are unique occurrences or at least highly unusual. What must be determined is whether the example or behavior was intended to illustrate normative behavior for God’s people. For example, should ministers go around naked for three years like Isaiah?
Basic Hermeneutic Principles
Examine the stories. The Bible does not have stories of the average man seeking God’s personal will. In the cases of the special people in the Bible, like prophets and apostles, God usually came to them first to give them guidance and that was by supernatural revelation. It is interesting that the first decision the apostles made after Yeshua left was done by casting lots, the normal practice for determining the rotation for priests in the temple. Never do you read about the apostles asking God, “well, what do we do now?”
Examine the grammar. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a good example where the translation makes the difference. The KJV is especially used to support the viewpoint of the individual plan, because it says “He will direct your paths.” However, the Hebrew means “make your paths straight, or smooth or successful. Proverbs 11:5 makes it clear that it is righteousness that will make one’s path smooth. The proverb also begins with the basic requirement to trust God and the context of chapter three indicates that only by trusting and obeying God will one’s paths be smooth. Proverbs 3:5-6 has nothing to say about individual guidance.
Examine the context. The verses that precede and follow the passage make it clear that the will of God is either God’s lifestyle will or His sovereign will. In the passages where Paul talks about God’s will, he means God’s will for one’s character and manner of life, not personal guidance for specific decisions.
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom 12:1-2)
The description of “good, acceptable and perfect” refers to the Torah, the Law of God. (cf. Rom 7:12; Col 1:9)
Examine the intent. Paul’s goal was to “present every man complete in the Messiah” (Col 1:28). Paul (or any of the other apostles) did not provide ten easy steps to find a personal road map for all your decisions. You can find hundreds of self-help books, but Paul was concerned about the development of character that would imitate the Messiah.
The Plague of Doubt
The Elusiveness of Certainty. A lot of believers are unsure of God’s individual will before making decisions. But, it’s not something we like to talk about. When someone claims to have found God’s will the rest of us generally feel good for the person, although in some instances we may be a bit suspicious. When godly teachers say that God always reveals His will to the sincere seeker, we assume they know what they are talking about. The truth is that an ideal individual will is not necessary for making good decisions. In fact, many believers have largely abandoned the traditional methods since the effort is so often like searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The problem is that believers want certainty and there just isn’t any, barring an angelic visitation. And, even then one may not be certain. Remember Zechariah, Luke 1:20?
Ordinary Decisions. It is understandable for one to expect that God has a perfect will for every single decision of your life. Yet, if you tried to follow the standard process for the hundreds of daily decisions, you would find it impossibly impractical. So, in practice people relegate finding God’s will to the really big decisions, such as finding a spouse, selecting a school, selecting a vocation, determining where to live, finding a worshipping fellowship and some lesser decisions. For the ordinary, day-to-day, decisions of life believers typically opt for what seems best to do at the time (cf. Heb 12:10). The sheer impracticality for the small decisions should make the whole system suspect even for the big decisions.
Equal Options. Insistence upon only one correct choice generates anxiety over missing God’s will rather than gratitude for more than one good opportunity. The believer may even elect the less desirable of the two choices because of false humility. Surely it would be presumptuous for a spiritual person to pursue what he really wants.
Immaturity. In some instances, the logic of the tried-and-true methods tends to promote immature approaches to decision-making. When a young person announces some sudden direction from God, an experienced person may know that not enough thought went into the decision or there is a lack of spiritual readiness for the choice, but it’s hard for mature believers to “argue with God.” However, the lesson of Scripture is that God typically announced His plans long before He did anything to bring them to pass. Biblical heroes had to learn to wait.
Other Issues
The Problem of Subjectivity. People can follow the sign-testing process and still end up with widely differing convictions or make decisions where there is no uniformity. The conventional process relies far too much on subjectivity to make decisions. The only objective source of information for God’s will is Scripture and supernatural revelation.
The Prejudice of Impressions. Many believers rely on impressions to be the final arbiter of God’s will in a matter. However, inner impressions are generally not a form of divine revelation and the Bible does not grant any authority to inner impressions. Impressions must be tested (1 John 4:1), because you can’t know for certain where they come from. Impressions can come from the devil, but they mostly come from your own mind and reflect your innate problem-solving ability. Impressions could be generated by guilt, by insomnia, by hormonal imbalance, by anxiety, medication or an upset stomach. They could come from a persuasive speaker, preacher or evangelist, which is actually a mild form of hypnosis. Ministers often don’t fully appreciate the power of their own words. Feelings cannot be a biblical basis for making decisions. Most of the time impressions are not of divine origin.
The Pragmatism of Peace. One of the tests for knowing God’s individual will is having “peace.” If you feel at peace over a decision, then you must have made the right choice. More likely, it could be simply relief that you finally made a decision. However, the biblical word for peace does not mean an inner tranquility or an absence of anxiety. Biblical peace is the absence of hostility between you and God or you and another person. The lack of emotional peace may not mean anything or like impressions come from a variety of sources.
The Proxy of Advice. Seeking counseling has become an American pastime and many people go to counselors to save themselves the pain of facing the truth and making biblical decisions. Unfortunately, too many believers and Christian counselors are unlearned in biblical standards of righteousness, biblical standards of justice and biblical principles for decision-making. Too many believers don’t even believe the commandments of Scripture are binding on them to obey. David said he was wiser than all his teachers and the aged because he followed God’s commandments (Ps 119:99).
The Pretense of Fleeces. Believers are not above resorting to the use of fleeces, which really is contrary to walking by faith. Gideon is held forth as the example, but Gideon’s fleece amounted to asking God for a creation miracle after God had already spoken by an angel. The fact that God provided the miracle twice is testament to His mercy, not His approval. Yeshua lamented that His countrymen insisted on more and more signs to believe Him and yet in the face of supernatural signs they persisted in their unbelief (John 4:48).
Supernatural Guidance
Biblical Experience. In the Scriptures supernatural guidance is commonplace and in biblical times God spoke in many and various ways (Heb 1:1), whether through angels, visions, dreams, and the direct voice of God, including the Holy Spirit. The apostles experienced all these means, and yet they cautioned early believers to carefully evaluate any message claimed to be direct from God (1 Cor 14:29; Col 2:18; 1 John 4:1). Supernatural guidance must be viewed with caution, because the source may not be God (2 Cor 11:14; 2 Thess 2:2). It is a dangerous thing to claim that God has spoken to you, because God knows the truth of the matter. He does not take kindly to lying and using His name falsely.
Ministry of the Holy Spirit. Everyone assumes that the job of the Holy Spirit is to give constant personal guidance to every believer, as if He had nothing else better to do. The Scriptures identify a variety of areas of the Holy Spirit’s supernatural ministry. The Spirit inspired the Scriptures (Acts 28:25; 1 Cor 2:10; 2 Peter 1:21), He convicts of sin (Heb 3:7), He enables understanding of Scripture (John 14:26; 16:13), He intercedes in our prayers (Rom 8:26f), He helps disciples to testify for Yeshua (Matt 10:20), He inspires prophesying (John 16:13; Acts 2:18), He gives direction for evangelism (Acts 8:29; 10:19; 11:12), He speaks to the congregation about its ministry and character (Acts 13:2; 15:28; Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22), He testifies of one’s suffering or death (Luke 2:25-26; Acts 20:23) and He regenerates and sanctifies believers to produce godly character that conforms to the Torah of God (John 6:63; Acts 1:8; Rom 7:6; 8:13f; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 5:22; 2 Thess 2:13).
Voice of the Spirit. Describing how the Spirit speaks, though, is difficult. People will refer to the Spirit’s voice as the still small voice, an inner voice or inner impression. There are anecdotes in Acts in which the “Spirit said” (Acts 8:29; 10:19; 11:12, 28; 13:2, 4; 15:28; 16:6f; 21:11), but no further description is offered as to the means of communication or just how people knew it was the Holy Spirit. There are two tests that may be applied to any perceived message from the Spirit. First, a message from the Spirit will be consistent with God’s will revealed in Scripture (John 16:13). Second, a message from the Spirit can be confirmed by its acceptance by other believers (Acts 13:1-3; 15:28; 20:23). Ask yourself: "if I were to post my message from the Spirit on the congregation's bulletin board how would people react?"
God’s Discretionary Will
Non-moral decisions. Perhaps too little considered by advocates of the traditional view is that in Scripture God gives individuals freedom to make their own plans within the boundaries of His lifestyle will. In other words, in those areas where the Bible gives no specific command, the believer is free and responsible to choose his own course of action. Any decision made within the lifestyle will of God is acceptable to God (Gen 2:16-17; Lev 22:18; Deut 18:6-7; 23:21-23; Matt 20:13-15; 1 Cor 7:39). For example, Adam was free to eat from any tree of the Garden, except one. For their daily meal planning Eve didn't need to ask God what to prepare.
Sin and Freedom. Sin is breaking God’s Law (1 John 3:4), whether done intentionally or unintentionally. If His lifestyle will has not been violated, there has been no sin (Rom 4:15; 5:13). If there has been no sin, there should be no guilt. In decisions where God’s Law does not restrict one’s conduct, the believer has freedom to decide. The failure to understand the privilege of discretion may result in false guilt on the assumption that one has missed God’s individual will. For example, Scripture says nothing about where a student should go to college, so that a choice of a school cannot in itself be sinful. Believers are also free to marry whom they will as long as the mate meets the biblical requirements of gender (Matt 19:4; Rom 7:2), consent (1 Cor 7:39), and relationship with the Lord (1 Cor 7:39; 2 Cor 6:14).
Law and Freedom. Many people think that freedom means being no longer under God's Law. Obeying God's commandments is not legalism. In the New Testament legalism is using God's Law in an unlawful manner (1 Tim 1:8). For example, some Pharisees used the Law unlawfully by pitting one commandment against another, by looking for loopholes around commandments and by giving their own rules equal authority to God’s commandments (cf. Matt 15:1-6; 22:37-40; 23:23; Luke 6:1-10; 18:11; John 15:10; Rom 14:1-10; Phil 3:6; Col 2:20-22; James 2:10-13). The New Covenant does not release believers from obedience to God’s commandments given to Adam, Noah and Moses, except in those areas specifically changed in the New Testament. (See my article Under the Law.)
Decision Making Principles
There is no normative pattern in Scripture of people believing in or seeking an “individual will.” Instead biblical characters lived by the wisdom principles as exemplified in the book of Proverbs.
Principle of Obedience
Definition. In those areas specifically addressed by Scripture, the revealed commands of God (His lifestyle will) are to be obeyed (1 Cor 7:19). God’s lifestyle will is the expression in behavioral terms of God’s character. It touches every aspect and moment of life: goals, attitudes and means (why, how, what). It is fully revealed in the Bible. It is able to equip believers for every good work. Obedience to God’s lifestyle will is impossible without knowledge. Thus, the disciple must regularly read and consider the Word of God.
Principle of Spiritual Expediency
Definition. In discretionary decisions, the objective is to make wise decisions on the basis of spiritual expediency. Spiritual means that the ends in view, as well as the means to those ends, are governed by a desire to glorify and please God and do not violate biblical standards. Expediency refers to the quality of being appropriate to the goal of the decision. Thus, spiritual expediency means what works best to accomplish the goal within God’s lifestyle will. The apostle Paul illustrates spiritual expediency.
“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor…. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.” (1 Cor 10:23-24, 31-32)
Apostolic Examples
• Priority – 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 “a door was opened… but taking my leave of them, I went” (postponing evangelism for a pressing situation).
• Practicality – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 “we thought it best” (to wait alone); 1 Corinthians 16:3-4 “if it is fitting for me” (to help deliver a gift).
• Necessity – Philippians 2:25-26 “I thought it necessary” (to send Epaphroditus).
• Desirability – Acts 6:2-4, “It is not desirable” (to give up prayer in order to organize food distribution).
Principle of Humility
Definition. Outside the Gospels the phrase, “if God wills” is primarily used in reference to making plans for the future. In all decisions, then, the believer should humbly submit, in advance, to the outworking of God’s sovereign will as it touches each decision.
God's Sovereignty. Humility recognizes that God is in control. The sovereign almighty God is at work in the world and in the lives of His people to accomplish those things that are for our good and His glory. God’s sovereignty does not operate just in the “macro,” i.e., the significant events of history involved in the great plan of salvation, but in what He wants to accomplish through each of His children. (See John 15:5; Romans 8:27-28; 1 Peter 4:19; Galatians 5:22: Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:20-21.)
Conversely, humility does not presume on God fulfilling what we believe is His will. God may have other plans. The apostle Paul always submitted his plans to God’s sovereign will (Acts 18:21; Romans 1:10; 15:32; 1 Corinthians 4:19).
Human Lifespan. Humility doesn’t presume on one’s lifetime. “If” is the motto of the humble. Even if you believe it’s God’s will to begin a plan, there is no guarantee that you will live to see its completion. A number of passages illustrate the uncertainty of life. (See Psalm 31:15; 139:16; Proverbs 19:21; 27:1; Hebrews 9:27; James 4:13-15.)
Human Ability. Humility recognizes one’s limitations. Our competence to do anything, whether spiritual or common, comes from God (Deuteronomy 8:18; Jeremiah 13:23; Acts 17:6; John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Peter 1:3).
Principle of Trusting Faithfulness
Definition. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor 5:7). The Hebrew concept of faith is not a creed or believing certain facts, but trusting God. In all decisions the believer must have confidence in God’s sovereign care and remain faithful no matter what the outcome of the decision-making.
Trust and Testing. If you make your decisions within the framework of His sovereign will, His lifestyle will and His discretionary will, there is no need to test God with fleeces and expectations of signs to direct our paths (Deut 6:16; Matt 4:7). To walk by sight would be to require perceptible proof of God’s presence and direct communication before believing or taking action. Relying on impressions, dreams, visions, “fleeces,” and other tests of God are contrary to walking by faith. Modern “fleeces” are nothing more than a form of divination.
Trust and Wisdom. If you want God’s wisdom to help in decision-making, you have to ask for it (James 1:5). James is not promising that God will grant you omniscience. Real life is not like television where hopelessly complex problems are resolved after one hour and ten commercials. God’s wisdom will be given in appropriate measure (Matt 7:7-8; James 1:5-6; 4:2-3).
Trust and Patience. Walking by faith means waiting and keeping confidence in the goodness of God. To walk by faith is to trust in the sovereign care and love of the Father and to remain faithful to Him during the waiting period (Psalm 27:13-14; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 4:20; Hebrews 11:6).
A Reality Check on God’s Sovereign Will
Perspective. God’s sovereign will cannot always be deduced from immediate circumstances, but only in the course of months, sometimes years. Be careful about using the phrase “the Lord led me.” Apart from direct supernatural revelation the raw data of circumstances is mysterious to say the least. Job’s friends were clearly wrong. Jewish believers were wrong when they assumed the gospel wasn’t for the Gentiles. The natives who saw Paul bitten by a snake were wrong in thinking he was a murderer (Acts 28:4). We are not as smart or as wise as God.
Potential. God’s sovereignty does open and shut doors. “Open door” is a natural term for access or opportunity. Yeshua is the “door” of the sheep (John 10:7). In the New Testament the concept of the “open door” is used to refer to opportunities to spread the gospel (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor 16:8-9; 2 Cor 2:12; Col 4:3; Rev 3:8). On the other hand, just because you have an opportunity to do something does not mean that it is a sign that it is God’s individual will for you. All open doors must be tested by biblical principles of wisdom. An open door may be an opportunity for service, but it does not necessarily constitute specific guidance requiring one to enter now (cf. 2 Cor 9:12-13). Also, an open door does not mean there won’t be problems.
Prayer. God’s sovereignty does not lessen the importance of prayer. The New Testament offers many principles for prayer.
• Pray specifically. The example of Scripture is to tell God specifically what you wish Him to do. On more than one occasion Yeshua asked people, “what do you want me to do for you.” You have to teach people to be open enough to state specifically what their prayer needs are. There may be a place for the “unspoken request” but if we want God to show Himself in power, then we must pray specifically.
• Pray in trusting faithfulness. Those praying must pray in faith, i.e., trusting faithfulness (Mark 11:24; Heb 11:6). The prayer of faith is not based upon a special revelation. It is praying with a confident trust in the providential care of a loving God (Matt 8:5-10; Mark 5:28, 34). The prayer of faith is expressed in obedience. Many times Yeshua asked people to do some physical act to receive healing (Matt 8:13; Mark 2:11; John 9:6-7, 35-37). The prayer of faith is also grounded in the Word of God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26f; Eph 6:18; Jude 1:20).
• Pray with persistence. By definition the prayer of faith is also persistent prayer, that is, praying until the Lord answers (Matt 15:22-28; Mark 10:47-52).
• Pray in God’s will. Some believe that all petitions to God, particularly for healing, should always include the caveat “if God wills,” since Yeshua prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matt 26:39). However, Yeshua added the condition to His prayer precisely because He made a proposition directly contrary to the known will of the Father. While the apostles used the caveat in relation to their plans, they always prayed boldly without adding the conditional statement. Plans and prayers are two very different things. The promise of Scripture is that God answers prayers according to His will.
“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” (1 John 4:14-15)
We may well ask just what is God’s will to pray for, but we may safely follow the example of Yeshua and the apostles and make the same sorts of petitions to God as they did.
Planning. God’s sovereignty does not eliminate responsibility of planning. Paul planned to go to Rome (Rom 1:13) and to Thessalonica (1 Thess 2:18), but in the sovereign will of God he was prevented. Two contrasting proverbs illustrate the point: “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand” (Prov 19:21); “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” (Prov 16:3).
Conclusion
While there is no way to substantiate from Scripture that God has a detailed plan for every individual decision, we can make biblically faithful decisions that will honor God.
Power of Love. The disciple's life may be summed up in the two great commandments, to love God and to love one's neighbor (Matt 22:36-39). All our important decisions (and some of the unimportant ones) should reflect these divine imperatives. If we live a life of love, we are living in God's will.
Plan of God. We don't often reflect on the fact that God has a vested interest in making our lives fruitful for him. We may want God's will in buying a car, but the Spirit is more concerned about developing godly character in us (Gal 5:22-23). The distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:4-11) functions as divine calling. What are you doing with your gift? God certainly has a plan, but it's more like a blueprint for the kind of house he wants to make of your life.
Paul’s Decision-Making. Paul is a great example of biblical decision-making. He adopted spiritual goals that were based on divine revelation. He then arranged his goals into wise priorities determining what should be done first, second, third, etc. Next he devised plans that gave him a strategy for accomplishing his objectives. Through prayer, he submitted himself and his plans to the sovereign will of God. When providentially hindered from accomplishing his plans, he assumed that the delay was God’s sovereign will, which freed him from discouragement. Since the plans were sound, the only thing he adjusted was the timetable. Paul explained his decisions on the basis of God’s lifestyle will and his own personal application of wisdom.
Personal Convictions. Learn to distinguish between matters of command and matters of freedom (Rom 14:1-15:13). On debatable issues, develop your own convictions--“be fully convinced in your mind” (Rom 14:5). Allow your brother the freedom to determine his own convictions – even when they differ from yours. Let your liberty be limited, when necessary, by love so as not to put a stumbling-block before others (Matt 18:6; Mark 9:50; Gal 5:13; 1 Cor 8:10).
Perfect Care. There is, of course, no such thing as a perfect life, largely because we have no control over the decisions of others or of God. However, believers can be assured of the perfect sovereign care of God who "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28) Our part is to walk the life of faithfulness in accordance with His lifestyle will and give God the freedom to exercise His sovereign will as He deems best.
Y
The Will of God in Scripture
Type
Scripture Mention
Principle Illustrated
Sovereign
Will
Daniel 4:35; Matthew 11:27; 26:42; Acts 18:21; 21:14; Romans 1:10; 8:27-28; 9:16, 19; 15:32; 1 Corinthians 4:19; 12:11; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Ephesians 1:5, 9, 11; Hebrews 10:7, 9; James 1:18; 4:15; 1 Peter 4:19; Revelation 4:11
Genesis 24:12-14; Psalm 31:15; 139:16; Proverbs 3:5-6; 19:21; 27:1; Jeremiah 13:23; 29:11; Matthew 6:10; Luke 22:42; John 15:5; Acts 1:15-26; 16:6f;17:6; 18:21; 20:23; 21:10f; 27:23f; Romans 2:18; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 16:8f; 2 Corinthians 2:12f; 3:5; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 4:3; Hebrews 9:27; 13:20-21; James 4:13-15; 2 Peter 3:9
Lifestyle
Will
Psalm 40:8; 103:21; 143:10; Ezra 10:11; Matthew 6:10; Mark 3:35; Luke 11:2; 12:47; John 7:17; 9:31; Acts 13:22; 22:14; Romans 2:18; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Ephesians 5:17; 6:6; Colossians 1:9; 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6; 5:18; Hebrews 10:36; 13:20-21; James 4:15; 1 Peter 2:15; 4:2, 6; 5:2; 1 John 2:17; 5:14
Genesis 2:17; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Joshua 1:7-8; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 5:17; 7:21; John 16:12-14; Acts 21:20; Romans 2:18; 3:31; 7:12; 8:14, 27; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Galatians 5:18; Ephesians 2:10; 5:15-16; 1 Timothy 2:4; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 4:19; 1 John 2:3-4.
Special
Will
1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1
Genesis 15:1-6; 16:7-11; 19:1; 20:3; 24:7; 28:12-15; 31:10-13, 24; 37:5-10; 40:5; 41:1; 46:2; Exodus 3:2; 13:21; 25:9, 40; Numbers 12:6-8; Joshua 1:1; Judges 6:36-40; 13:3-7; 1 Samuel 3:10; 2 Samuel 7:17; 1 Kings 3:5-9; Isaiah 1:1; 6:1; Ezekiel 1:1-3; Daniel 2:1; 4:5; 7:1; 8:1; Matthew 1:20; 2:12; 4:1; 27:19; Luke 1:11-13; Acts 8:26, 29; 9:10; 10:3-5; 13:2; 16:9; 18:9; Revelation 1:1
Discretionary
Will
Romans 10:13; Philemon 1:14
Genesis 2:16-17; Exodus 35:29; Leviticus 11:2; 22:18-25; Deuteronomy 23:21-23; 1 Chronicles 28:2; Psalm 37:4; Matthew 20:13-15; Acts 6:2-4; 18:6, 21; 19:21; 20:7, 13; Romans 1:13; 4:15; 14:14, 20; 15:20-29; 1 Corinthians 4:19; 7:25, 28, 36, 39; 8:9; 9:17; 10:23-24; 16:3f, 8f, 12; 2 Corinthians 1:15-17; 8:3; 9:7; 12:14; Philippians 2:25f; Colossians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:1f; 1 Timothy 3:1; Philemon 1:14; 1 Peter 5:2
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