I haven’t watched the news since the election. I check the Internet each morning to see whether or not we are at war, which companies are going belly-up and laying off employees due to ObamaCare, and how far the stock market has plunged, but aside from that I have no interest.
Guess what?
I’m a WHOLE lot happier now. Geez that stuff is depressing. Worst of all there is nothing that can be done about any of it. It’s like getting mad because it rains. All that happens is the old blood pressure goes up and the rain just keeps on coming down.
I had some lady write me the other day to tell me that I was just mad because God’s will was not what I wanted. I responded by telling her that just because something happens doesn’t mean that it is “God’s will”. God allows us to screw up, but that does not mean that He wants us to do so. Was it “God’s will” that Hitler go on a rampage and murder 6 million Jews? Or that 53 million babies be aborted in the United States?
No, God allows evil to occur just as He does good things in life. He allows us to choose despicable immoral and evil leaders and also good, righteous, and moral ones. He allows us to either reject His Son Jesus Christ or to follow Him as our Savior. His communique with the world, (the Holy Bible), warns of consequences for sin and details the virtues and rewards of righteous living. The bottom line is that He allows us to choose our own path and ultimately our eternal destiny.
It is called “Free Will”. Perhaps the best example of it is when Jesus was on the cross. Do you think it is an accident that there were three crucified on that hill that day? Why not two, or just Jesus by Himself? Why three?
Hmmm… Everything in the Bible is there for a specific reason. God’s word is perfect. The crucifixion was the most important event of all time and I can assure you that there were three being crucified that day for a specific purpose and I believe I know what it is..
I believe it was done in that manner in order for Jesus to demonstrate first-hand how free will works. One of the men being crucified taunted Jesus, the other admonished him for it, telling him that they deserved what they were getting, but Jesus was innocent. He then asked Jesus to remember him when he entered His Father’s kingdom. Jesus told him, “This day you will join me in paradise”. The other guy did not attend that party.
Interestingly the man that got the free ticket to paradise didn’t have to do anything but believe and have faith in Jesus. That my friends is because Jesus wanted to demonstrate that it is what He did on the cross that is the key that unlocks the door to paradise, and not some earthly works. We need faith in Him and not in ourselves or society. Also we should note that he didn’t have to wait around on his salvation; it happened instantaneously.
Jesus stands at the door and knocks, open the door to your hearts and let Him on in. It doesn’t take much effort and the difference is being in paradise forever or banishment from all that is good forever.
I think the key to understanding God’s will is in 2 Peter when it states “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance”. His will is not that some go to hell. If it was He would simply judge the world and send everyone who does not know Jesus as their Savior there without further delay.
He wants us to find our peace and joy, but He will not force it upon us. His will in the matter is that we have the ability to choose darkness or light. Those of us who choose Him will join Him in paradise forever just like the thief on the cross who believed in Him.
One would think that it’s a no brainer to choose Jesus and eternal bliss instead of hell and eternal damnation, but then again so it was with the election of 2012, and look how that turned out… Obviously brains are in short supply these days.
Luke 23:40
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself–and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom. Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”