Weekly Devotional 7-13-15 Did God Plan?
Did God plan the chaos that grips our world today? When asked this question a short time ago, I sent my questioner to James 1:13. This verse validates that “God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone to evil.” The world is in the state that it is in because man in his natural condition has rejected God and is drawn away by what this natural state produces; namely, the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:17-21).
In truth, God’s wrath against the works of the flesh is presently being revealed against man’s total rejection of Him. God is allowing that rejection to run its course. The Apostle Paul writes of this in his letter to Christians of his day who lived in and around Rome. Consider Romans 1:18-32 NKJV. “18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, £unforgiving, unmerciful; 32who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”
The chaos of the world is attributable to man’s rejection of God. We should remember where God isn’t evil is. Conversely, where God is evil isn’t. God does have a plan in all of this and it is found in Jesus’ own words. We read from John’s gospel, “16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 NKJV).
Being omniscient (all knowing) even before He created man, God knew the course man would take and planned a course of action in which man could be forgiven of his sin and God could change his heart creating in him a desire to once again worship and honor God. This course of action caused God to become a man and sacrifice Himself for the satisfaction of His justice. Sin had to be paid for and, eradicated.
The writer of Hebrews addressed this well in his letter the Christian Jews of his day. We read, “1For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ 8Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), 9then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:1-14 NKJV).
So, no, God did not plan the chaos that grips our world today. He planned for its elimination.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
www.gbchurch.us