DID GOD GOOF?

HE DID KNOW THAT MAN WOULD FAIL
 
By Harold Smith
 
QUESTION: If God knew that the man He made would sin, why did He make him?

ANSWER: This is a question that comes up very often, and is sort of based on a logical deduction. If He knew this, why did He do that?

I suppose it is the same thing as Ford making a car. Why did the inventor make a car when he knew it would eventually break down, rust out, and perhaps kill someone in an accident?


God most certainly had a purpose in making man, even though He foreknew what man would do.


In Ephesians 1:5, we read about the "good pleasure of His will." In verse 9, we read about the "good pleasure which He has PURPOSED IN HIMSELF". ‘


In verse 11, we read about the "purpose of Him that worketh all things after the counsel of His will". So, I am very confident that God knows exactly what and why He does things.


In Isaiah 55:8,9, we read, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Now that is quite a contrast.


Romans.11:33 says, "O the depth of both the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out."


The next verse adds, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been His counsellor? God is so far superior in knowledge that we probably would not be able to grasp more than what is revealed in His Word if He told us.


The Apostle Paul deals with this same question in principle in Romans.9:20. He writes, "Nay, but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hath thou made me thus?"


It must be remembered that sin did not originate in man. Sin was around when man was first made. Satan was the first and originator of sin. It entered the world through Adam.(See Romans5:12.)  Maybe man is just another instrument in God’s dealing with sin in the heavens.

We are here. Where we came from, and why we are here, are not the big problems. More importantly is the question where do we go from here?


What about you?  Are you sure of eternity with God?  Only through faith in the blood of Christ can sin be taken away. Have you trusted Him?

THE JUDGMENT OF GOD

“Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” Romans 1:28 Many Christians prefer not to talk about God’s judgment. They rightly believe God is love, but have trouble reconciling the idea that the same God brings judgment on people and nations. One reason is because of an incorrect understanding of how God executes His judgment. God does not sit in Heaven with a fly swatter, swatting a city here or a nation there for their sin. Neither are people who have committed a grave sin suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning. God’s judgment is not arbitrary, nor contingent upon the gravity of sin, but is entirely rational in that it is the consequence of our own actions.  There is a natural law created by God, which is always seeking to correct ill and sin in this world. There is also a moral law as constant and real as the laws of physics, and the consequences for breaking either law can be equally devastating. If someone jumps off a building, hoping to break the law of gravity, that person, not gravity, will be the only thing broken. Similarly, we cannot break the moral law, which is sin, without consequences.  Romans 1 describes how sinful humanity traded truth for wickedness, worshipped other gods, and believed they were wiser than God. The result is that God gave these people over to their sinful desires, shameful lusts and depraved minds. Such is God’s judgment in action; not fire and brimstone from Heaven, but turning them over to the natural consequences of their sin. His judgment is saying, “If you persist in sin, I will leave you to it, but that sin will destroy you.” There is going to be a day when we stand before God’s throne and receive judgment for our deeds. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” As sinners, the judgment we deserve is death, but only by believing in Jesus Christ who received that judgment in our place, will we receive the gift of eternal life.  In the meantime, God’s judgment is expressed in allowing the corruption of sin to do its destructive work in our lives. This is true of believers and non-believers alike. Those who believe in Christ have their sins forgiven and eternal destinies secure, but God will still allow judgment in this life if we willfully and persistently engage in sin. The struggle with sin is a constant battle, but God’s judgment in allowing sin to take its toll in our lives demonstrates a loving God as He will use it as a means for believers to find their way back to Him and for non-believers to seek Him.   PRAYER: Almighty God, thank You for being equally loving and just. I cannot thank You enough for Your forgiveness and for drawing me away from sin and closer to You. Thank You, Lord.