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Bible Question: Does the providence of God preclude any decisions/purpose on our part? If God has preordained our "existence," what good are our prayers and our Christian life? If we have been ordained to go to hell or heaven, why does it matter what we believe or how we live?
Bible Answer: Scripture is clear that God is in absolute control. He has either decided in eternity past or on a day-to-day basis what He wills to permit or wills to force to happen in our lives. The desire of every Christian should be that the Holy Spirit completely control us. That is what it means to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) or to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). When this happens, the Holy Spirit will control our emotions, thoughts, attitudes, desires, words and steps. It is amazing how many Christians want to be Spirit filled but object to the thought of not having free choice. God is in control of our lives and desires His Holy Spirit to be in even more control.
God's Control. God has been in control since the beginning of the world and the universe, and He continues to be in control according to Colossians.
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For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (NASB) Colossians 1:16-17 |
He made the world and He continues to hold everything together. Sometimes I have wondered what would happen if He "let go." Is it possible that 2 Peter really describes what happens when God releases control?
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But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. (NASB) 2 Peter 3:10 |
God controls more than just the big picture. Listen to a few verses,
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Passage |
Area of Control (NASB) |
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Psalm 139:16 |
Our Days Are Determined.
And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. |
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Job 12:10 |
Our Lives Are In His Hand.
In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? |
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Acts 14:17 |
He Gives Rain & Seasons.
He . . . gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness. |
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Daniel 2:21 |
He Controls Times, Epochs & Nations.
And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding. |
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Proverbs 21:1 |
He Controls Our Heart.
The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. |
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Ezra 1:1 |
An Example of Control.
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation . . . |
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