The last blog that got this all started was just a spring board to get our thoughts into motion about the discussion of man's will and God's sovereignty; in the action of man in his ability to choose God or not, How much scripture says God steps into the action of mans life and the sustaining act of God post initial faith and repentance in Christ. I do believe that there are many mysteries as to how God acts in the lives of humans and exactly how much "free will" has in choosing God unto salvation (not a fan of the phrase "free will" when it comes man in a fallen/dead/sinful nature; you'll see why as I blog about this).
One thing that always blows my mind is God's glory and why his glory he shares with no one (Isa. 48:11). As sit in my hotel room and look out the window I can't help but stand in awe of the beauty of the sun as it sets and shines forth what the bible says that it proclaims the works of God's hands. This brings up a question that I want to ask; do we see things like a sunset and think I did that and it was about me? Or wow that sun is powerful and majestic? (yes, some do this) Or do we think about something greater then our selves? (aka a creator/God). I am moved to think through many conversations I have had, a survey Bill Bright the founder of Campus crusade for Christ did found out that 98% of Americans believe in God and we also see the many religions throughout the world that most believe in a god or many gods in some way shape or form. Don't worry I'm not out to prove a creator even though thats happened. I am wanting to show that God is all about himself and not about glorifying creation even though He uses it for his glory (Ps. 19:1-6, 66:1-4; Rom. 1:21-22) and to reveal his will (Ps. 92:4; Isa. 43:7; Rom. 9:22-24).
I always found it interesting that when people say God does what he does cause of his love for his creation. This always made me wonder, where is that in scripture?!?! I'm fully disagree with this as scripture says God has concern for his glory and his name (Ezk. 36:21). Think about humans, we aren't made in God's image and likeness for people to see humans but God's reigning glory within mankind (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8:1-9). Creation speaks and groans about and points to God (Rom. 1:20, 8:20) but man has "exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things" (Rom. 1:23), this is mans tendency in his mind and nature.
I say all this in light of God's glory His primary concern cause we tend to see God working for our good. Granted there is one scripture that says "God works for the good of those who love him" which most people point to like its the most important scripture according to God working in mans life post receiving Christ, but lets look at the whole text. It says "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified and those whom he justified he also glorified" (Rom 8:28-30). The whole text points not only the Jesus and the work done in the saints through God's providential work in predestination but brings glory to God alone with the glorification of man at the point of consummation and in the resurrection on the dead. Even in the book of revelation we see that all things point to the triune God and all the glory is due to him (1 Cor. 15:28; Rev. 20-22).
As you read these blogs please remember that I working through things so if you have thoughts please feel free to interact but remember that I am not fully laid out all my thoughts on this subject, but please I do want interaction with these blogs. Thanks!
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