To be Or Not To Be

 

Now, looking at them, Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, yet with God all is possible."

Matthew 19: 26, Concordant New Testament 

There is a scene from film The Wizard of Oz where the great and mighty wizard which has been the focus of the quest of the lion, tin man and scarecrow for the entire film is finally revealed for all to see.  As it turns out, the mighty wizard is nothing more than a man behind a curtain at the controls of the electronics controlling the show.  I was thinking of this as I contemplated a good lead in to a question posed by a friend a few days ago.  Do we, as Gods children, have free will to do as we please?  Now, I want you to keep the story of the wizard in mind as you answer this question.  Some may pound the table and yell...Absolutely!  Meanwhile, others may recognize the authority of the Lord, realizing that they cannot do anything that is outside of His intentions.  So, which is it?  Well, consider this, if I do have the free will to do as I choose, how is it that God can be sovereign?  The very definition of a sovereign God is a God who is absolute in His authority and supremacy.  This means that God is in control of all He has created, which pretty much means everything.  God not only controls the winds and the weather, but He controls me as well?  Many Christians would bristle at this suggestion, not wanting to give up what they perceive as their freedom.  But where is this freedom in the context of an all sovereign God.  Remember, the lion, tin man and scarecrow all perceived the wizard to be all powerful.  Is our Lords sovereignty just another case of another behind the scenes controlling things?  I doubt it

.  In fact, I believe that such thoughts are border line blasphemy.  No, it is my belief that God is in complete control of all that surrounds Him.  For those who love their freedom, that includes us as well.  

Or has not the potter the right over the clay, out of the same kneading to make one vessel, indeed, for honor, yet one for dishonor? 

Romans 9: 21, Concordant New Testament 

For those who love their freedom, tell me again why it is that you continue to call upon the Lord when things get tough in your so called free life?  Is our freedom based on the circumstances we face?  If things get tough is it therefore Gods turn to once again be sovereign?  And what of our salvation, provided for by the death of Christ on the cross?  Why is it that God didn't simply save everyone...no questions asked?  Instead, He provided us the opportunity to choose our eternity.  Either a future with Him, or a future without Him.  Doesn't sound like a sovereign God to me.  What is does sound like is a loving Father wanting to provide His children the choice on how they want to spend their eternity.  So, on the one hand, God is ultimately in control of all His creation, while on the other hand, He offers that crown of His creation the ability to choose their future.  I realize that this does not bring an answer into the question of whether our heavenly Father is indeed ultimately sovereign, but hopefully it will create a better understanding of who He is.  Are we comfortable with the fact that God has created both good and evil {Romans 9:21}?  Does the wicked person ever ask this very question?  It is God who cause the sun to rise on the good and evil each day {Matthew 5:45}.  It is God who brings the weather upon the good and the evil as well.  Yet, in a act of loving mercy, it is God who presents to us the choice...His Son or a future without Him.  Choose wisely.  

You will be protesting to me, then, "Why, then, is He still blaming?  for who has withstood His intention?  O man!  who are you, to be sure, who are answering again to God?  That which is molded will not protest to the molder, "Why do you make me this?"  Or has not the potter the right over the clay, out of the same kneading to make one vessel, indeed, for honor, yet one for dishonor? 

Romans 9: 19-21, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~