This is one of my pet peeves. I just heard someone on the radio say that with all the crazy things going on, we could rest in the fact that God is in control. My first thought was, if God is in control He’s doing a lousy job on earth. What??? You’re probably thinking, what kind of blasphemy is this? Hold on and let me explain.
To set the stage, let me ask you a few questions:
1. Does God want everyone to be saved and none to perish? The answer is YES. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” So, if it’s God’s will that no one should perish and everyone come to repentance and He is in control, why are there so many who are perishing in an unrepentant state?
2. Does God want people to get divorced? The answer is NO. Malachi 2:16 reads, “For I hate divorce!" says the LORD, the God of Israel.” If God hates divorce and He is in control, why do 50% of the marriages end up in divorce (yes, even the Christian marriages).
3. Does God want people murdering each other? The answer is NO. Exodus 20:13 says, “You must not murder.” This is one of the ten commandments given by God to Moses for mankind. If God commands that people not murder and He is in control, why is there so much murder, including murdering millions of innocent children through abortion?
I could continue on, but I think you get the point. So, with these thoughts in mind, let’s look at the situation on earth. In Genesis 1:26, we see that God created mankind in their image and likeness and then gave us dominion over the earth. In other words, God created the earth for us and then gave it to use to control.
God is still sovereign (supreme power). He is still the creator and ruler of the universe. He has just given authority over the earth to us and He won’t go against our will in order to control. He could, but He won’t.
A good worldly example would be the Founder and CEO of a large corporation. He or She is sovereign and has supreme power, but doesn’t get involved in controlling the everyday life of the employees. If they get out of line, he/she will discipline, but not control them.
It’s the same with God. When we get out of control, He will discipline those He loves, but He will never go against our will and control us. He didn’t create us to be robots who just do His will. Rather, He created god-like, thinking, creative beings to be in relationship with.
So, all that said. We live in a fallen world that is still feeling the impact of the sin that entered after Adam and Eve were disobedient. Everyone human being born (except Jesus) has been born with the sin nature, so we are sinful at the core, which is why people perish, divorce, and murder. The earth itself feels the effect of sin and is groaning – earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other crazy weather.
None of this is God’s fault. The blame must fall on mankind for all of it. The good news is that we still have authority over the earth, so we can control what goes on. Maybe not in the entire world, but you can control how things go in your part of the world. You can control your anger, the things you say (life and death in the tongue), how you act and react, and what you do each day to serve God and others. If we would all control ourselves, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there would be no one perishing, no divorce, and no murder.
Now, with all this said, the good news is that, as a believer, you have God living inside you (the Holy Spirit). He is there to teach, guide, comfort, and help you maneuver through life. You can give Him control over your thoughts and actions. He won’t control you like a robot; you always have the ability to do your will, rather than His, but that’s not a good decision. Let God guide you every day and life will go so much better.
So, stop saying that God is in control and blaming everything on Him. Take responsibility for what you can control and change the world.
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