God and Destiny

BY Argie Simonis

"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1Τιm. 2:4 

Here we see clearly that it is God's will for all people to be saved. Nevertheless, this does not happen, because it is our choice as to whether God's will comes to pass in our lives. The Lord does not exercise sovereign control over us. He has a plan for our lives,

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11 

but it is up to us to accept it or not. Although the Lord wants everyone to be saved, Jesus reveals to us that this will not happen:

"Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it." 

Μat. 7:13-14

God's will does not happen automatically and that is because there is the factor of "free will" that he has given to man. The Lord will not decide for you, but neither can the devil force you to go to hell. Its your choice:

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live" Deut. 30:19

Teachings that claim that God predetermines who will be saved and who will be lost are demonic and extremely dangerous! Peter tells us the same thing:

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2Pet. 3:9 

The reason the Lord delays His Second Coming is to give mankind the opportunity to repent. He wants everyone to be saved. He does not want anyone to be lost.

The Lord does not control everything. God is Allmighty, but He does not choose to use His power in a way that abolishes the right of free will given to us. It is not His will for anyone to be lost, but it happens. Why; Because of their choice, not God's.

Teachings like "nothing happens except what God wants or allows" are completely wrong. The fact that God "allows" things to happen in the world means that He has given mankind power over this earth and their own lives. So God allows what we allow.

We live in a fallen world with a roaming devil, who hates us deadly.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour" 1Pet. 5:8 

We need to learn to recognize whose fingerprints are at the scene of each crime. The Lord is in complete control and will fulfill all His promises, but we cannot blame Him for all evil that exists.

It is not only His will for all to be saved, but He also wants all to come to the knowledge of the truth. Your personal relationship with the Lord is more than just being saved. As a believer you must renew your mind through the truth of the Word of God, so that the salvation that exists within you may be seen on the outside and you can bear fruit.

Amen!