The Control of God – Part II

 

Many think that if God is in control, then why do untoward incidents occur? To understand this, we have to go back in time. God created a perfect, sinless world, but not a robotic world. Therefore, God made man who could exercise his choice and free will. For this purpose, a single law was laid down. Not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Thus, it was ensured that man would not be a robotic slave to his creator, but a being with free will to submit or otherwise to his Maker. Unfortunately, the law was broken, and sin reared its ugly head. Sin, therefore, was not created by God; it is an intruder, whose master and author is satan.

If the free will solution is accepted, then God remains all-knowing, all-good, and all-powerful because a free humanity is the cause of evil, not Him, and He cannot restrain evil without violating free will and eliminating the possibility of real relationships anchored on genuine love. The free will solution presupposes that God desires authentic relationships with humanity over a world without evil, and free will is necessary to initiate and cultivate such authentic relationships. Thus, God chose to create a world where the highest good of real love (Mathew 22:36-40) is possible through humanity’s free will, despite the risk of freedom resulting in evil. Therefore, while God determines evil, evil is not the end, as it results in greater good because God is all-knowing, all-good, and all-powerful. God’s omni-attributes, in other words, are the solution to evil, not the problem perse.

God works all things according to his will. Ephesians 1:11 “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinate according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” He works all things according to the counsel of his will. Thus, He always controls everything. “The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as I have purposed, so it shall stand’” (Isaiah 14:24). Nothing is random or comes by chance, especially not in the lives of believers. He “purposed” it. That means to resolve to do something deliberately. God has resolved to do what He will do, and nothing and no one stands in His way. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:10). This is our powerful, purposeful God who is in control of everything. That should bring us great comfort and help to alleviate our fears.

The Book of Job is a clear illustration of just who has the sovereign power and who doesn’t. Satan came to God and, in effect, said, “Job only serves you because you protect him.” So God permitted Satan to do certain things to Job, but no more (Job 1:6–22). God knows everything. He knew Job's faithfulness and knew that satan was fighting a losing battle. Could Satan do more than that? No. God is in control of Satan and his demons, who try to thwart God’s plans at every step. God is in control of everything. When we face temptations and trials, we need to submit to Him, the Great Controller who will rescue and deliver us.

 

Dr Ashwin Drummond

laddertoheaven.co.in