Friday, February 23, 2018

Is God Controlling Everything?

I've wanted to blog for some time on the theology that God controls everything.  Yes, God is Sovereign - He is supreme in power and authority but he does not control everything. If this were so, we would not have a free will and the ability to exercise it in our Christian walk.   I am frustrated when I hear Christians say, "well God is in control", as their loved ones lay dying of disease, "God is in control", as they are without finances and struggling to put food on the table.  My heart gets so sad and I want to defend God's character and re-direct them as they are hurting and believing it is God.  God is supreme authority.  God is all-powerful!  But, He is not the one devouring health, finances, dreams, etc. If this were so, we would be bi-polar Christians.  Up one day and then down the next.  We would be so confused as to who are Father is and His character.  Is He good or is he bad?  Does he loves me or is he bringing this into my life to grow me?  Oh my gosh, when I used to believe this, I was Bi-Polar in my faith, because the up and down ride with God was exhausting. Of course, we can grow in hardships as we yield to Him, of course God works things for good as we allow Him to transform us and our circumstances, but to say that He is controlling everything . . . please reconsider that theology.  Andrew Wommack is one of my favorite Bible Teachers and  I love how he so clearly states this thoughts on this theology, so I have copied a bit of his dialogue . . .

Jesus hasn’t saved, healed, delivered, or prospered a single person in the last 2,000 years. What God provided by grace 2,000 years ago now becomes a reality when mixed with faith. Faith appropriates what God has already provided. Faith doesn’t move God; He isn’t the one who is stuck. Faith doesn’t make God do anything. Grace and faith work together, and our part is to accept what God has already done. Grace must be balanced with faith.
Many Christians believe that God moves sovereignly as He wills, when He wills. That is because religion teaches that God controls everything and that nothing can happen without His permission. However, it’s not true—everything isn’t up to God. I have a teaching called The Believer’s Authority that explains this in more detail.
For instance, when my father died, I was told God needed him in heaven more than I needed him here. Even at twelve years old, I knew better than that. Why would God need my dad in heaven? God didn’t kill my dad. That is not what the Word of God teaches. The Scripture makes it very clear that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (Heb. 2:14 and 1 John 3:8). Satan is the one who goes about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan is the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
God is being misrepresented. If He was guilty of all the things we blame Him for, there isn’t a civilized nation on the face of this earth that wouldn’t convict Him of crimes against humanity. I think the idea that God either causes or allows evil so that we will somehow grow spiritually is the worst heresy in the body of Christ. It renders people passive and takes away their hope.
If you really believe that God controls everything, what’s the use of doing anything? After all, it’s all up to God, right? If you believe that God is trying to teach you something through sickness or poverty, why see a doctor or look for a good job? Why not suffer as much as you can and really learn the lesson? I mean, how dumb can you be and still breathe?
Brothers and sisters, that is terrible doctrine. The Bible says that in the last days, people will call evil good and good evil (Is. 5:20). Denominations today are teaching that when you get sick or experience financial problems, God is causing it so He can teach you something or humble you. That is an example of calling evil good.
God is not responsible for killing babies, for rape, violence, poverty, or sickness. Satan is the author of evil, and the Bible clearly states that we are to resist the Enemy (James 4:7). Resist means to actively fight against something. If we aren’t fighting against sickness, for example, then we are submitting to it. To casually say to Satan “Please leave us alone” is not resisting the devil. We need to get angry at the devil, and we won’t get angry if we believe that God is the one causing or allowing the problem.
God’s will doesn’t automatically come to pass. Jesus said that not everybody will be saved (Matt. 7:13), yet Scripture says it is the will of God that none should perish (2 Pet. 3:9). God has provided salvation, healing, financial provision, and everything else we need, but if we don’t respond in faith to what has been provided by grace, we won’t receive. (http://www.awmi.net/reading/teaching-articles/living-in-the-balance-of-grace-and-faith/)
by Andrew Wommack