I have had many occasions that have arisen where questions are asked that pose difficulty in giving an accurate, biblical, honest, and yet sensitive answer. Psalm 139:130 is clear that the Word of God giveth light. 1 Peter 3:15 teaches me that as I more and more am sanctified in that truth, I will know how to answer every man. Therefore, from God's perspective, and in a compassionate consideration of those posing the questions, I want to look at some of those human question and their biblical answers. I will address one question each week over the
next few weeks.
What Do I say When I am asked the question "Why would God allow this to happen?"
Ephesians 1:11 teaches me that God works all things after the counsel of His will. Thus, His
Sovereignty from eternity past throughout eternity future covers absolutely each and every
single aspect of my life. I may not fully understand His allowance or ordinance of any given
circumstance, but I can fully know His heart, in that His greatest desire is the conformity of His blood-bought children to the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Are my reactions to challenging situations of the flesh or of the Spirit?
- Is my basic life focus one of self-gratification or God-glorification?
- Are my words spoken primarily for self-glory or to exalt Christ and edify others?
In every situation, God will use those difficulties that cannot be handled from human resources to draw me to Himself. It is by HIS strength that I am able to reflect HIS joy. My former reactions of irritation or anger will progressively be transformed by the indwelling Spirit of God in that I begin to follow the admonition of James by being swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Additionally, I will comprehend the heart of God, taught in Galatians 6:2, as I bear the burdens of others, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. Both those who have never trusted Christ, as well as those who have, should see an accurate demonstration of the grace of God at work.
My basic life focus will begin to be far more about about sacrificially obeying God and serving others than
meeting my own selfish wants and desires. Others will see and know the spirit of Christ in my dealings with
them, and they will be drawn to Him, rather than to me, in both salvation and spiritual growth.
My words will be ones that consistently exalt the character and nature of Christ, as well as edify and build up fellow-believers. In endeavors of evangelism to unbelievers, there will be both clarity and sensitivity in evangelism.
So...in the light of these Truths, what a joy to receive God's answer to the question!
(C) 2014 N. A. Collins
Copy permission limited to one personal file copy
next few weeks.
What Do I say When I am asked the question "Why would God allow this to happen?"
Ephesians 1:11 teaches me that God works all things after the counsel of His will. Thus, His
Sovereignty from eternity past throughout eternity future covers absolutely each and every
single aspect of my life. I may not fully understand His allowance or ordinance of any given
circumstance, but I can fully know His heart, in that His greatest desire is the conformity of His blood-bought children to the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Are my reactions to challenging situations of the flesh or of the Spirit?
- Is my basic life focus one of self-gratification or God-glorification?
- Are my words spoken primarily for self-glory or to exalt Christ and edify others?
In every situation, God will use those difficulties that cannot be handled from human resources to draw me to Himself. It is by HIS strength that I am able to reflect HIS joy. My former reactions of irritation or anger will progressively be transformed by the indwelling Spirit of God in that I begin to follow the admonition of James by being swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Additionally, I will comprehend the heart of God, taught in Galatians 6:2, as I bear the burdens of others, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. Both those who have never trusted Christ, as well as those who have, should see an accurate demonstration of the grace of God at work.
My basic life focus will begin to be far more about about sacrificially obeying God and serving others than
meeting my own selfish wants and desires. Others will see and know the spirit of Christ in my dealings with
them, and they will be drawn to Him, rather than to me, in both salvation and spiritual growth.
My words will be ones that consistently exalt the character and nature of Christ, as well as edify and build up fellow-believers. In endeavors of evangelism to unbelievers, there will be both clarity and sensitivity in evangelism.
So...in the light of these Truths, what a joy to receive God's answer to the question!
(C) 2014 N. A. Collins
Copy permission limited to one personal file copy
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