| Hi Bob,
A fascinating question! To what extent is God in control?
I've not much time now, but would like to start...
� Although I'm aware the Lord knows when a leaf falls and hits the ground,
� is He also in control of it's breaking off, before its descent?
During the fall, all the waste material absorbed by a tree is flushed by
the sap out towards the leaves. Some gives us the wonderful autumnal
colours we enjoy. It also changes the structure of a small piece of
cork-like substance which joins each leaf to the twig it's on.
Who designed each tree, twig and leaf, to work in this way?
God still maintains the operation of the universe, as recorded in Hebrews
1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation
of His Being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word.
- ie that Word which caused every detail to exist at creation is required
to make it continue to exist today, and every day.
In Genesis 8:22, after the flood, God assures Noah that seedtime and
harvest etc (all the necessities to sustain life will continue as long as
the earth endures. In Luke 12:6, Jesus assures us that God's care is
extended even to the 'extra' sparrow thrown in free, when you buy two
pairs, and the next verse stresses His detailed knowledge of the very hairs
of your head. Only a very few of us are concerned about the actual count,
and I doubt even they could count up the ones that remain, but not even
that - so insignificant to us - escapes God's knowledge.
� how much "in control" of *everything* is He? How much is left up to his
� creation, allowing for free will?
The heart of man has a breadth of unlimited scope, as God said at the
flood, and at babel, in Genesis 6:5, 8:21, 11:6. Man is unrestricted in
the evil he brings on the earth - until he reaches the point of judgement,
as indicated, for instance, in God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:16,
and in Daniel 7:25-27, Revelation 19:19-20...
Just a quickie. I hope to be back later ;-)
thanks ..
God bless
Andrew
|
| Hi Bob,
I believe that because God is love, He created such that
His creation has free will. And in that, it is clear that
in some respects, agape relinquishes control.
God did not design for Lucifer or any other created being
to sin even once.
Tony
|
| Yes, interesting one Bob.
I'm not convinced that "control" is the issue here, as I believe
that "ultimate responsibility" is inextricably linked to the
concept. Tony is right in his implication that God, the master
Creator and Designer of Heaven and Earth set the principles and
cycles in motion. Were it not for the fall, this earth would most
likely be in a vastly different state. As it is Man has meddled,
sometimes with the best of intentions - but sometimes, oftentimes
in fact, in either ignorance or blatant greed, with the Divinely
ordained principles.
Having said this though, God still holds and owns the ultimate
responsibility.
>>I doubt even they could count up the ones that remain,
minor divergence: I'm working on it &rew! :-)
Paul
|
| And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the
image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;
and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called,
these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also
glorified.
Romans 8:28-30
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved
us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor
height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39
Why do we have free will? Its because God has GIVEN us free will. He
is still in control.
Love in Him,
Bing
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