Has God Predestined Sin?

Yes!

No way to avoid this fact.  The Bible presents God as completely sovereign and in control of the tiniest details. After all, would you not expect that from God who is infinite? But whether you do or not, the Bible teaches this infinite God to be absolutely and powerfully in control of ALL things – even sins that we deal with on a daily basis and read about in the news.

Let’s put our focus first on a passage in Proverbs 16:33: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”

Back during the Old Testament era and even in the beginning of the Book of Acts (cf. 1:26), before the Bible was completed, one way used to determining the will of God was to cast lots. To a casual observer, this may appear as a random act of chance, like the roll of dice.  But nothing is ever by chance with God.  Every decision is from the Lord!

Therefore, God is in control of the tiniest details of life. Remember what Jesus said about the hairs of your head? He said that the hairs on your head are all numbered by God (Luke 12:7).  Let me break this down even further. The hairs on your entire body are also all numbered by God.  There is no detail that God is not fully in control and completely aware of.

Now what about the issue of sin? Does God predetermine sin?

Acts 4:27-28:  For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, ²⁸ to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 

Don’t just casually read this verse while you miss the details.  Read it again and notice the details.

What is the most horrible sin ever committed in the history of mankind?  The crucifixion of the righteous Son of God.  Not only was Jesus unjustly killed, but placed on Him were the sins of the world. The passage above teaches that God predestined for it all to take place in the exact manner that it occurred. The people who were involved, the instruments of torture used, the timing the crucifixion occurred, the verbal assaults railed at Jesus, the length of time He was nailed to the cross, the amount of blood spilled from His body, and exact timing of His death, the pain and suffering He endured – all of it and so much more was all predetermined by the mind and heart of God.

Now catch this: If God had predestined the greatest sin in the history of mankind, would He not also as sovereign Lord predestined the lesser sins of mankind?   Remember, what we read in Proverbs? There is no detail outside of the will of God. 

When Satan crucified the Son of God, he did not know that he just committed a slow and sure road to suicide.  Satan is as good as done! And even the devil’s actions were all predetermined by God.

Now does this tend to make you go crazy? Then consider this:  Always center the predetermined purposes and control of God back to the cross. Why? Because, even though the cross was the one act of the greatest sin man committed which was all preordained by God, the cross was the one act of the greatest love of God for sinful man.  

At the cross, we have the revealing of the greatest sin, and we also have the revealing of the greatest love. So, even in God’s infinite and masterful plan and purpose of the greatest sin, comes dripping forth from it God’s infinite and masterful plan and purpose of His greatest love.

When you contemplate on these things, and you should, don’t be afraid, such things are in the Bible, always center such times of contemplation back to the time of the cross in order to keep you sane and centered.

Here, let me lay on you one more passage that relates to this. 

Acts 3:17-18:  “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.

Notice three things Peter points out:

First, whether you are aware of it or not, doing what God has predetermined to occur will occur exactly as God intends it to. The people and their leaders acted in ignorance when they crucified Jesus. But God’s intended plan marched on.

Second, we know that God intended and planned for the death and crucifixion of Christ, because the prophets foretold it. Once the prophets predicted it, the event itself had to occur, since God put it in the minds and hearts of the prophet to foretell it. God’s reputation demanded it.

Third, yes, even when the people and leaders do the predetermined will of God out of ignorance, they are still held responsible – “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”

No one can plead ignorance before God. The Lord in heaven plans and does whatever pleases Him and no one can advise Him on what to do or counsel Him on how to do it.  When we act either in ignorance or with full knowledge, in the end, we are all held accountable.

We serve an awesome God!

Diving Deep in the Sea of God’s Sovereignty, Part 6

Principle:   No plans of man succeeds but those which the Lord, in His unfathomable wisdom, permits.

“I bring the counsel of the nations to nothing; I frustrate the plans of the peoples.” (Psalm 33:10)

“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against me.” (Proverbs 21:30)

A Taste of God from Two Perspectives

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. . .You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good – Gen. 50:19-20

Devin Patrick Kelley walked into a small Texas church on Sunday morning (Nov. 5) and murdered twenty-six people.

How could God allow this to happen?

God has His reasons for allowing bad things to happen. Joseph’s response to his brothers who had thrown him into a pit and had him eventually taken to Egypt where he also spent time in prison and living in harsh conditions was, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”

I would like for us to look at this tragedy from two perspectives.

First, from a human perspective.

The lost of a loved one through death is a human tragedy because of the apparent separation that will be the outcome. When Jesus came to the funeral of His good friend, Lazarus (John 11), the Bible says that “Jesus wept” (v. 35). Shortly after, Jesus did raised Lazarus back to life (vv. 43-44), but the apparent separation and loss of life is always felt as a human tragedy.

Second, from God’s perspective.

For God, the loss of physical life is the entrance to eternal life and therefore, it is precious in His sight. The bible says that it is “precious in the sight of God when His godly ones die” (Psalm 116:15). This is another way of saying that God is concerned over such matters, but knows also that through death, they will be with Him in eternity forever.

Over in the last book of the Bible, we read, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (Rev. 14:13). Those who die as Christians because they know Jesus as their Lord and Savior are blessed!

Paul felt so strongly about this blessedness that he said, “To die is gain” (Philip. 1:21). What is there to gain, Paul? Answer: The presence of God – “To be absent from the body (dead) is to be at home with the Lord (His presence) – 2 Cor. 5:8.

No wonder Jesus made this powerful statement: “Do not fear those who can kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear God who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell” (Matt. 10:28).

Twenty-six people are in heaven since Sunday because God allowed a mad-man to kill their bodies. What he meant for evil, God orchestrated for the victims something greater and better.

But never ever forget this: Devin Patrick Kelley is in hell in extreme torment where he will remain forever.

Listen, never ever think of hell as a mere place of fire and therefore that’s why it is a bad place to be. Hell is hell because of God’s presence, not absence. “Fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.”

Is hell a place of fire? Yes, but also a place of God’s presence, especially His wrath. Concerning the presence of God the Bible teaches that “our God is a consuming fire!” (Heb. 12:29). Therefore, “it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

While heaven is place where God presence is revealed through His love, hell is a place where God’s presence is revealed through His wrath.

We often hear that hell is eternal separation from God. Nothing could be further from the truth. In hell, no one is separated from God’s presence. Instead, they are separated from God’s redemptive love and forgiveness and now are destined to experience His eternal wrath and anger forever.

Psalm 139:7-8: Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in hell, YOU ARE THERE!

How about this one – Rev. 14:9-10: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the PRESENCE OF THE LAMB.”

Don’t ever think that hell is eternal separation from God. It would be better for people such as Devin Patrick Kelley if that were only true! But hell is the outpouring of the wrath of God – His personal presence -- upon the sinner forever!

What did you say, Jesus? “Fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.”

For the victims of the church shooting – peace and rest in the presence of God; for the perpetrator – torment and unrest in the presence of God. Therefore, you have in this case – a taste of God from two perspectives.

Devin Patrick Kelley walked into a church and shot twenty-six people intending to do them harm. But God always has the final word over anything that man does or thinks. What he intended for harm, God intended for something better – for the victims. And what about for Devin Patrick Kelley? A side of God’s presence that will consume him with pain and agony for all eternity. Sinners do not get the last word – God does.

Who do you want to align your soul with in these last and troubling days?

“I’m Sorry, You Are No Longer Welcome Here,” Part 3C

According to Jesus, the steps of restoring a wayward brother or sister are threefold:

1.   Private rebuke – Matt. 18:15

2.   Plural rebuke – Matt. 18:16

3.   Public rebuke – Matt. 18:17

All these steps are designed to restore the brother of sister who has chosen to walk away from the Lord. These are divine God-given steps. We are not to come up with any of our own. God does not need our help or suggestions. We are to follow Him and be obedient to Him and what He prescribes as the best possible remedy.  Father God knows best.

Now if after the third step – public rebuke – takes place and still the wayward brother or sister does not see the light and repent, then Jesus said, “let him be to you as a Gentile and tax-collector” (v. 17).

What does Jesus mean by this?

The meaning of this expression is that he should be looked upon as being outside the sphere of the church. Though he may be a true believer, he is not living as one, and should therefore be treated accordingly. Though still in the universal church, the body of Christ, he should be barred from the privileges of the local church. Such discipline is a serious action; it temporarily delivers a believer to the power of Satan "for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (cf. 1 Cor. 5:5).

It is also important to notice that the local assembly (the church) is the body responsible to hear the case, not a civil court. The Christian is forbidden to go to law against another believer (cf. 1 Cor. 6).

If the defendant refuses to admit his wrong before the church, then he is to be considered and treated as if he is an unbeliever.

The purpose of this is to bring him to his senses and cause him to confess his sin. Until that point is reached, believers should treat him with kindness, but should also show by their attitude that they do not condone his sin and cannot have fellowship with him as one would a fellow believer.

If confession does occur on the part of the believer who went astray, the assembly should be quick to receive him back, but only as soon as there is evidence of godly repentance.

You say, “Wow, Pastor Rich, by what authority gives anyone the right to do this?”

By the authority of heaven itself.  Look at what Jesus said in verse 18:  “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” 

In other words, when you follow these steps in their logical and prescribed order, prayerfully, carefully and “looking to yourself, lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1), Jesus said, “Heaven will back you up!”

When you forbid someone from fellowship, heaven is right behind you.  When you permit someone to re-enter the fellowship, heaven is right behind you.  How’s that for authority?

And if that wasn’t enough to cause us to follow what the Bible says, check out what Jesus further adds: Verse 19:   “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.”

When the leaders come together in prayer and are led by God having followed the above steps to ask a person to leave the assembly, Jesus said, “My Father in heaven will do it for you.”  In other words, God will equip and empower you to do His will.

And if the two above was still not enough, Jesus adds this – Verse 20: “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Jesus says that my very presence is a sure sign I am with, for and helping you all the way. You can count on me to be there for you when you exercise proper church discipline.

Yes, sometimes it is necessary to lovingly tell someone, “I’m sorry, you are no longer welcome here” only after the proper steps to restore and win them have been exhausted.  It is the biblical way to show the person you are trying to win back to the Lord that you truly do care.

End of Series 

“I’m Sorry, You Are No Longer Welcome Here,” Part 3B

The purpose of church discipline is the spiritual restoration of fallen members and the consequent strengthening of the church and glorifying of the Lord. When a sinning believer is rebuked and he turns from his sin and is forgiven, he is won back to fellowship with the body and with its head, Jesus Christ.

The goal of church discipline, then, is not to throw people out of the church or to feed the self-righteous pride of those who administer the discipline. It is not to embarrass people or to exercise authority and power in some unbiblical manner. The purpose is to restore a sinning believer to holiness and bring him back into a pure relationship within the assembly. – Grace Church

In Matthew 18:15-17:  “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

There are proper steps to take to make the restoration of a rebellious sinner a successful encounter.

Step 1 – PRIVATE Encounter – Go to him or her in private (v. 15).

If that works, you have won your brother or sister back. If it does not work, then move up to –

Step 2 – PLURAL Encounter – Take with you two or more that will become witnesses (v. 16).

Here the witnesses will to three things:

A.    Verbally assist you in trying to win the brother or sister back.

B.    Pray silently for you as you speak to the wayward brother or sister again.

C.   Witness the response of the rebellious brother or sister. If repentance occurs, the people you bring with you will witness that awesome event and report it accordingly. If he or she refuses to repent, those you brought with you will also be witnesses of that as well and become instrumental in third step –

Step 3 – PUBLIC Encounter – Tell it to the church (v. 17).

Here the witnesses and the Christian whom chose them to become part of the process now take the matter to the leadership and the leaders bring it to the rest of the body (membership) and now – EVERYONE becomes a means to try to win the sinning brother or sister back.  Remember, the goal is always to restore the sinning saint, not to kick him or her out or to embarrass.  Now kicking a person out or embarrassment maybe used as a means toward restoration, but the means are simply the tools God uses to light a fire under the sinner to help him or her to wake up!

Remember this:  The goal of all preaching, teaching, counseling and yes, even church discipline is this:

To Comfort the Afflicted.

To Afflict the Comfortable.

The means that God afflicts the comfortable sinning saint with are embracement (as more and more people become aware of the situation in steps 2 and 3), and dejection (where a person is asked to leave) and no close association as once was when the person was in true fellowship with the body is maintained). 

So both –

1.   Embarrassment – where Paul says that a lazy unrepentant sinner may be “put to shame” (cf. 2 Thess. 3:14).

2.   Disassociation – Where Paul said, “remove the wicked man from among yourselves” (cf. 1 Cor. 5:13). 

Again, these are only the means God uses to add holy pressure to the sinner, not the goal. The goal is always repentance and restoration. But in order to achieve the goal, you need the proper means in place for the Holy Spirit to successfully use.

Here, let me give you an example.

Remember the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15? A certain father had two sons and one of them decides to rebel and leave the protective and loving care of his father?

So the rebellious son demands his share of his wealth (v. 12) and goes to a distant country where he lives loosely and squandered his money (v. 13).

Now watch this – verse 14: “And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.”

Notice the sequence:

Spent everything – Ran out of money  

Severe famine – Uncontrollable circumstances  

Began to be in need – Personal affliction and stress

Do you see that past phrase, “he began to be in need?” That is where you want the sinning saint to be – IN NEED!

Now let’s follow the story and watch carefully what God uses to bring restoration to this wayward son.

v. 15: “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.”

He ran out of money so he went to find a job. He found one that forced him to feed PIGS!  You know what the irony of this was? This boy was Jewish.  Jews wanted nothing to do with pigs. But when you are desperate and in need, you will do anything to survive – even compromising your own convictions.  This Jewish boy is working for a Gentile who gives him a job to feed the pigs!  This was all from the Lord!  God is not making this easy for him, is he?

v. 16:  “And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.”

God had created such a need in this boy’s life that he noticed that the pigs were doing better than he was. That was embarrassing and humbling to him. Furthermore, no one helped him and gave him anything. Do you think that was cruel? No, that was God.

“How can you say that, Pastor Rich?”

Look at verse 17-19: “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

Notice the beginning of verse 17, “when he came to himself.”  He woke up! He saw the light! He began to see the truth!

And it was then that he started to think seriously about repenting from his sin and going back to his father to make things right.

Now notice what God used –

Spent everything – Ran out of money  

Severe famine – Uncontrollable circumstances  

Began to be in need – Personal affliction and stress

Fed (became a servant to) pigs

Embarrassment – saw that the pigs were better off than he was

Afflicted – No one helped him in his time of need

It was only after the above things that “he came to himself” and started mentally on the road to repentance.

I am going to say this again and this needs to be stressed:  When we use our emotions and step in to try to help, we often times do more harm than good. We must allow the sin of the sinner to RUN ITS COURSE! This means, we step back, pray for the person, and let God create the environment needed for repentance and restoration to occur.

If we try to step in and become a rescuer and an enabler – we will royally mess things up and the sinning brother or sister is doomed to remain wallowing in their rebellion a lot longer than needed. We will do so much better to let God be God and let Him work in the heart of the sinner, while we stay out of the way.

Listen, God uses extreme means (suffering, needs, affliction, embarrassment, etc.) to bring extreme repentance, because for some it requires extreme measures.

When the bible says that the boy “came to himself,” what was he before this? He was out of his mind! He wasn’t thinking right. He wasn’t walking in the truth. He was operating in the realm of spiritual insanity. That’s the realm of rebellion.

It is only when God turns up the heat on the sinning saint, that the sinner becomes closer to coming out of his state of spiritual insanity and into his right mind, which then leads to making the right choices in coming home.

If you finish the story of the Prodigal Son, you will notice that he does go home, repents to his father and the father, who has been looking for him, with open arms and heart receives his son back (vv. 22-24). 

But here is one more thing I want to bring home regarding this story.

When the son decided to leave his father to go on his own in rebellion, the father NEVER chased after the son and tried to appease him (vv. 12-13). The father sadly let him go, entrusted God to his care, and let God create the necessary environment (affliction) as a means to bring his son back home.

Do not chase the sinner in order to enable him or her so they can only continue longer in their sin. Step back, pray and watch with a concern heart for signs that God is moving in the person’s life in bringing them home.

Do not play the role of God.

End of Part 3B