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"Who Is In Control Anyway?"
Karin Paparelli
If you ask most Christians who they believe is in control of life the
answer you'll hear is: God. It seems to be a point on which most will
agree. Oh, there may be a few out there who think Satan or even man is
in control, but I believe the majority would defend that God is ultimately
in control. So if God is in control, what is our role as Christians?
Before we continue I think it best to truly ascertain that God is in control,
since the rest of this column will be built upon that foundation. Let's
look to the Word of God, our source for godly wisdom. Well, if we begin
at the beginning we can see that before the earth and all that is in it
was created God existed. Not only did He exist but He created it all (
Genesis 1:1-31). So far so good. What about after the fall? Is God still
in control? Let's go back to the Word. Sin is introduced in the garden
of Eden and Adam and Eve fall into temptation. God banishes them and curses
the serpent. At His Word they are expelled from His presence and paradise
(Gen 3). Does God turn His face and leave man to fend for Himself? And
what about Satan? Is he in control now that Adam has lost his position
of authority? Throughout the Old Testament we can see the struggles of
the Israelites with sin, but just when it appears that all is lost God
steps in and spares the remnant. But, the best evidence for God's sovereignty
comes to us in the book of Job. Here we see a righteous man. A man who
feared God and shunned evil . Then Satan comes to God and challenges Him
to remove His covering from Job to test Him. However, only when the Lord
removes His hand of protection from Job, is Satan allowed to harm Job(Job
1:1-12). I ask you, who is in control? Once again we must consent that
God alone is in control. All through scripture, we see time after time
that it is God alone who calls the shots, not man, not Satan.
Okay, here come the hard questions. If God is in control then why do atrocities
happen? Why is evil allowed to prosper and the righteous seem to perish?
Why doesn't He order this world so that goodness prevails, kindness increases
and wickedness is eliminated? I'm not sure how to answer these except
to say that God's thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our
ways. He has chosen in His infinite wisdom to allow wickedness to run
it's course. He has created all things even the wicked for the day of
judgement. He has given mankind the right to choose his way; a free will.
We have been given the opportunity to live in darkness or light. It is
our choice yet God has not relinquished control. It almost seems paradoxical.
Is God controlling our choosing? No. Just orchestrating the events which
ultimately lead us to Christ. Ah, predestination? Perhaps in a manner
of speaking. The Word of God says that no one comes to the Son unless
the Father draws him. He even puts the desire within us to know Him. The
Word also says that God is not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to
come to repentance(2 Peter 3:9). He is drawing each of us. How we respond
is up to us. That brings us to the next question. If God is in control,
then what does He expect of me as a follower of Jesus?
Do we just throw our hands in the air and exclaim, "God is in control!"?
Does His sovereignty give us license to be passive in bringing forth the
Truth? Are we to believe that since God is in control, we are to be complacent?
To be deaf to injustices? Or callous to suffering? Are we to quit evangelism,
knowing that God Himself will draw men unto Himself? The answer is found
in knowing our role as His body. Yes God is in control of everything,
yet He has granted us the privilege of working with Him to bring His kingdom
to earth. His Word is very clear. We are to preach the Good News to all
creation. We are to look after the widows, the orphans and those who are
suffering. We are to loose the chains of injustice, set the oppressed
free, share our food with the hungry, clothe the naked ( Is 58:6-8). Even
more than that we are to preach the Word, being prepared in season and
out, correcting, rebuking, and encouraging with great patience and careful
instruction.(2 Tim 4:2) We should pray in the Spirit on all occasions,
with all kinds of prayers and requests ( Eph 6:18). And above all, love
each other deeply, for love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10).
According to scripture we have responsibilities as followers of Jesus.
Those who lead others have even greater responsibility regarding teaching,
exhorting, encouraging, praying and discerning in the body of Christ.
It is a common pitfall to say God is sovereign, what can I do? All too
often this phrase is used to justify our lack of initiative. These are
perilous times. Let us walk circumspect being cautious of the many dangers
of complacency. The Word of God says that the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom. I believe possessing a healthy fear of the Lord as
we acknowledge His sovereignty will help us all to stay alert. May you
walk in his grace. Thy kingdom come!
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