Author Topic: Some things God Does We Do not Understand (Read 3304 times)

gospel · « **on:** December 20, 2011, 12:49:51 PM »

All to often people boldly say, while if God did this and God did that it would mean it was God's fault people are not saved so this or that can't be true.

IMO this is the tragic mistake in judging God on the basis of human understanding of what is fair and what is not fair

IMO in the same way we have a finite limited understanding of God's Love, we probably have far less understanding of God's justice

Moreover, one would have to pretty bold to accuse God of anything contrary to Righteous, Just and Holy...personally I couldn't do it but that's just me!

I'm content in taking what the scriptures say, no matter what they say and concluding there are some things about God I simply do not understand

That stated lets explore some of the things God does because God wants to for reasons He does not have to justify to mere mortals... according to human standards

9that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
10and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
11For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
12in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
2 Thessalonians 2

God did what?

Romans 1:28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

God did what?

“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **on:** December 20, 2011, 12:49:51 PM »

candy · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:09:12 PM »

Gospel,
I also believe God has His reasons for doing things. His reasons are certainly good enough for my fallible human ears and eyes. I know God sees the end from the beginning and knows more about every single one of us than there is information in this world. He truly is the great I AM. He really IS. There are lots of things I don't understand either. The Lord knows there is a lot of evil in this world and He uses it for His own reasons. Our God is a God of order. There is no chaos in Him. When there's chaos, we know God knows about it and is using it for something for His own purpose. His purposes should be good enough for us. After all He is God and we're not. As far as Calvin, I don't know him either, but like you said if he reads the Gospel and comes to the same conclusions, all the more power to him. Another devoted brother in Christ. Our God is righteous, holy,loving, merciful,just, and much more to the maximum that we can receive. God knows we can't receive His utmost because it's too much for us. Like you said, who are we to judge God? I, too can not do it. My thoughts.
Candy

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:09:12 PM »

Loner · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:18:06 PM »

Its really quite simple:
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

fish153 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:21:30 PM »

gospel--

I would agree totally. "We see as through a glass darkly, but then face to face". It is as though we are looking at a Beautiful pciture of a landscape, but we can only see a tree here, or a rock there--the rest is a blur. We can say with certainty "that is a tree". but we cannot say with certainty what the FULL PICTURE shows.

We can see part of the picture, but much of it is still a mystery, which will be revealed one day. To try to interpret the mind of an INFINITE GOD using our limited logic is a very foolish error indeed.

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:21:30 PM »

Gomer · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:24:48 PM »

If God made faith necessary for me to be saved, yet the only way I can obtain faith is if God gives it to me, then whose fault is it if I die not ever having faith? It cannot be my fault for having faith was out of my control. If God did not give me the required faith, then God is causing me to sin the sin of unbelief. So we have God causing me to sin, then punishing me for the sin He casued me to commit. THis would not be merciful, loving or just in any sense. In Mt 25:24 the man with one talent went out and buried that talent, then when God returned he tried to blame God for his own action. It was God's fault for being a "hard man" that caused him to bury his one talent. He tried to blame God for a free will choice he made and was cast into outer darkness, v30.

In the three verses you posted you try and have God cause people to sin just so He can punish them and God does not do this, it is not in His character to do so. Do parents make their children disobey them just so they can punish their children? What would you think of parents that do such a thing? God does not do such a thing either. In the Hebrew language there is an idiom where an active verb is used to indicate that God actively did something when in reality God only allowed it to happen. For example, it is impossible for God to lie so He does not cause people to believe lies for a loving God would not do such, but if one is determined to believe lies then God will allow him to do so.

2 Thess 2:10,11 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:"

In verse 10 they already determined themselves to believe lies and in v11 God allows them to.

"Second, there is a common Hebrew idiom used throughout the Old Testament by which the permissive will of God is expressed in forceful, active jargon. The Lord is said to have “hardened Pharaoh’s heart

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:24:48 PM »

gospel · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:31:32 PM »

Quote

If God made faith necessary for me to be saved, yet the only way I can obtain faith is if God gives it to me, then whose fault is it if I die not ever having faith? It cannot be my fault for having faith was out of my control.

This the type of classic reasoning which caused me to start this thread and all I can tell you Gomer is this...

All I know is if God, for whatever reason hardens your heart...your heart will truly be hardened and one thing for sure....if He does harden it,

...He has His reasons and I for one would not question it.

Exodus 4:21 The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

God did what?

Thankfulldad · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:32:20 PM »

Quote from: Gomer on December 20, 2011, 01:24:48 PM

If God made faith necessary for me to be saved, yet the only way I can obtain faith is if God gives it to me, then whose fault is it if I die not ever having faith? It cannot be my fault for having faith was out of my control.

God knocks...will you open the door of your heart?

When you hear...do you find that you believe?

You either believe; or you reject...

If you believe; God has come in...His faith was recieved by you...no more questions...just thank Him and give Him the glory...

Gomer · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:59:52 PM »

Quote from: gospel on December 20, 2011, 01:31:32 PM

Quote
If God made faith necessary for me to be saved, yet the only way I can obtain faith is if God gives it to me, then whose fault is it if I die not ever having faith? It cannot be my fault for having faith was out of my control.

This the type of classic reasoning which caused me to start this thread and all I can tell you Gomer is this...

All I know is if God, for whatever reason hardens your heart...your heart will truly be hardened and one thing for sure....if He does harden it,

...He has His reasons and I for one would not question it.

Exodus 4:21 The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

God did what?

You are putting God in a position where He is not loving, just or merciful. God does not cause people to sin against their will then punish them for the sin God forced them to do. If what you think is true it would make an atheist out of me.

Ex 8:15 "But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. "

If God hardened Pharaoh's heart then why does this verse tell us Pharaoh hardened his own heart?

Also note that the verse ends by saying "as the Lord had said". Where did the Lord say Pharaoh would harden his own heart?

-God hardened Pharaoh's heart
-Pharaoh hardened his own heart
-Moses hardened Pharaoh's heart
-the words 'let my people go' hardened Pharaoh's heart

There were several sources that hardened Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh of his own will hardened his own heart, God hardened his heart but not directly against Pharaoh's will. God created the circumstance by sending Moses to Pharaoh with the command to let my people go. This put Pharaoh in a position to have to choose to obey or disobey and Pharaoh chose of his own will to disobey, yet since God created the circumstance God is said to harden his heart. It's a common figure of speech. Suppose you are holding a vicious attack dog on a leash and you willingly let the dog loose and it attacks someone and injures them and puts them in the hospital. They may get an attorney and sue you for the injuries YOU caused. During the trial the injured person's attorney will accuse YOU of causing the injury even though you never laid a finger on the other person. You will be said to cause the injury for it was YOU that created the circumstance by letting the dog go that brought about the injury. Just as you did not directly injure the other person God did not harden Pharoah's heart directly against Pharaoh's will but God did it indirectly by creating the circumstance. Again, God put Pharaoh in a position where Pharaoh had to choose to obey or not, Pharaoh of his own will chose to harden his own heart and not obey but since God created the circumstance God is said to have hardened his heart.

Gomer · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2011, 02:05:33 PM »

Quote from: Thankfulldad on December 20, 2011, 01:32:20 PM

Quote from: Gomer on December 20, 2011, 01:24:48 PM
If God made faith necessary for me to be saved, yet the only way I can obtain faith is if God gives it to me, then whose fault is it if I die not ever having faith? It cannot be my fault for having faith was out of my control.

God knocks...will you open the door of your heart?

When you hear...do you find that you believe?

You either believe; or you reject...

If you believe; God has come in...His faith was recieved by you...no more questions...just thank Him and give Him the glory...

THe thoughts of some here is that God will not allow me to open the door just so He can punish me....God forces the door closed where I cannot ever open it even if I wanted to.

gospel · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2011, 02:07:53 PM »

Quote

You are putting God in a position where He is not loving, just or merciful. God does not cause people to sin against their will then punish them for the sin God forced them to do. If what you think is true it would make an atheist out of me.

I'm not big enough to put God in any position nor do I presume to explain His Ways...what I am doing is showing you what God has done and expressing my opinion that some things God does we DO NOT understand

Quote

Also note that the verse ends by saying "as the Lord had said". Where did the Lord say Pharaoh would harden his own heart?

That's for you to figure out Gomer meanwhile here's another one

Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, John 11:51

Caiaphas, the high priest THOUGHT what he was saying was of his own accord but he didn't realize God was simply using him to prophesy the Gospel of Christ

Gomer · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2011, 02:23:40 PM »

Quote from: gospel

I'm not big enough to put God in any position nor do I presume to explain His Ways...what I am doing is showing you what God has done and expressing my opinion that some things God does we DO NOT understand

Yes you are trying to put God in a position to do things that He does not do.

Quote from: gospel

Gomer: Also note that the verse ends by saying "as the Lord had said". Where did the Lord say Pharaoh would harden his own heart?

That's for you to figure out Gomer meanwhile here's another one

NO, it a problem you have created that you will have to explain.

Quote from: gospel

Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, John 11:51

Caiaphas, the high priest THOUGHT what he was saying was of his own accord but he didn't realize God was simply using him to prophesy the Gospel of Christ

I never said God did not use people to accomplish His will, I am saying He does not force people to do things against their own will, that is, He does not force people to commit sins just so He can then punish them.

Here is what Barnes, a Calvinist (at least a quasi-Calvinist), has to say about Jn 11:51:

1st. God may fulfil the words of the wicked in a manner which they do not wish or intend.

2nd. He may make even their malice and wicked plots the very means of accomplishing his purposes. What they regard as the fulfillment of their plans God may make the fulfillment of his, yet so as directly to overthrow their designs, and prostrate them in ruin.

3rd. Sinners should tremble and be afraid when they lay plans against God, or seek to do unjustly to others.

Just as in Acts 2:23, God used the Jews to accomplish His own will. The Jews thought they were fulfilling their plan in murdering the Messiah when in reality they were fulling God's plan yet God never made the Jews commit murder against their own will.

fish153 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2011, 02:38:55 PM »

Gomer--you said:

>>>>In Mt 25:24 the man with one talent went out and buried that talent, then when God returned he tried to blame God for his own action. It was God's fault for being a "hard man" that caused him to bury his one talent. He tried to blame God for a free will choice he made and was cast into outer darkness, v30.<<<

Yes---he tried to blame God that there was no "increase". But the talent itself came from God! God made the decision whom to give his talents to didn't he?

Without first receiving the talent from God (which was HIS decision not the servant's) there would be no way to ever get an increase in the first place.

gospel · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2011, 02:39:07 PM »

Quote

Just as in Acts 2:23, God used the Jews to accomplish His own will. The Jews thought they were fulfilling their plan in murdering the Messiah when in reality they were fulling God's plan yet God never made the Jews commit murder against their own will.

You can call it whatever you want...
You can twist and bend it into any shape you want trying to explain it

I can't explain it and that is simply because I do not completely understand it

All I do know is what the bible says....

Here is another one

While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.John 17:12

God said what?

Seems to me
Before Judas betrayed Jesus,
Before the Last Supper,
Jesus already knew he would betray Him and worse yet,
Jesus already considered Judas doomed and worse
Jesus said Judas was doomed!

Now You explain it....admittedly I can't

I just know what it says....

JUDAS WAS DOOMED and to me that's a little like being destined except with dark consequences and a bad ending

What do you think?

Gomer · « **Reply #13 on:** December 20, 2011, 02:50:45 PM »

Quote from: fish153 on December 20, 2011, 02:38:55 PM

Gomer--you said:

>>>>In Mt 25:24 the man with one talent went out and buried that talent, then when God returned he tried to blame God for his own action. It was God's fault for being a "hard man" that caused him to bury his one talent. He tried to blame God for a free will choice he made and was cast into outer darkness, v30.<<<

Yes---he tried to blame God that there was no "increase". But the talent itself came from God! God made the decision whom to give his talents to didn't he?

Without first receiving the talent from God (which was HIS decision not the servant's) there would be no way to ever get an increase in the first place.

THe issue is why did he bury his talent. Was burying it a choice of his own or something God forced him to do?

Burying his talent was the wrong thing to do yet he buried it for he said God was a "hard man". This man was trying to blame God for burying his talent when in reality it was his own choice.

If God caused Pharaoh to harden his heart agaisnt his will, then Pharaoh has an excuse on judgment day. IF God causes people to sin agasint thier will then they will all have excuse. Rom 1:20, men are going to be without excuse so God does not casue men to sin agaisnt their will.

candy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 20, 2011, 02:53:42 PM »

All I know is whatever God wants God gets and rightfully. God chooses to do things that serve His own purpose. He may cause us to do or say something that determines an outcome for someone else. God, of course, knows the plan of all of us. His agenda is what we should strive to fulfill. If God tells us to do something, we should just do it with no questions asked. If it truly is from God, then why ask? We know God has a divine plan. Hopefully, through the resurrection of Jesus, we'll be a part of His plan. It seems so to me. All power and glory to Jesus Christ who made it all possible for us.
Candy

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Author Topic: Some things God Does We Do not Understand (Read 3304 times)

Christian Forums and Message Board

Christian Forums and Message Board

Christian Forums and Message Board

Christian Forums and Message Board