After I finished editing my book, I decided to let a friend who was in seminary, read my book and give me an educated opinion. I expected some heat over my stance against “dream” theology. This false teaching leads people to believe WHATEVER desire is in their heart, God will give it to them.
What caught me by surprise was, my friend had no problem with my stance. But, what he was concerned about caught me off guard and I was left SPEECHLESS and NUMB. I had never heard what my friend shared with me.
After working on my first book for nearly four years, I wasn’t prepared for what I learned. None of my research, doctrinal studies or personal beliefs confirmed what my friend told me—50% of Bible-believing, Christ followers don’t believe in free will.
I decided to seek the advice and opinions from other Christians whom I respect. Sure enough the results were about 50/50. All of a sudden the Christian worldview became unfamiliar to me and I slipped into a depression.
Then, I did what I should’ve done first; I spent time in prayer and meditating on God’s word. I decided to be still and listen to what God had to say. After all, He is the One Who is really in control, no matter how much we believe we have power—we are helpless without Him. Left to our own ways, we are just control freaks and that is what we’ll explore in this new series, our CONTROL ISSUES.
Control?
My original plan for this series was to write about how we are to surrender to God daily in our lives. My hope was that this series would one day become a book of daily devotionals to help others see the importance of spending time with God, in God’s word and learning how to walk with Him. My hope was to turn the LIGHTS ON for those lost and living in the darkness.
Then while biking through the countryside one weekend, God began to remind me through nature that He is in control of everything, He is SOVEREIGN (Genesis 18:14, Psalm 102:25, Jeremiah 32:17). He is on the throne and will be until the end of time.
That still small voice reminded me that God is still HERE WITH US, just like He was in the beginning, when the Maker walked in THE GARDEN with the first Adam. Whom He created in His own image and gave freedom to explore the creation and to decide. We are not mindless robots, per the image of God, we can decide for ourselves. Love is not forced, it’s chosen.
Unfortunately, the first Adam used his freedom selfishly and disobeyed God. Like us, he wanted to be somebody. The comedian Flip Wilson proclaimed, “The devil made me do it.” Hogwash! It is impossible to have NO CHOICE. We can decide to build on the solid rock or SAND CASTLES. Satan doesn’t control us.
The devil doesn’t have that much control, he isn’t sovereign. God’s creation willingly chose to disobey God. The depravity of man, or sin, is the direct result of that decision—not the cause. THE BIRTH of sin is the result of a bad decision in PARADISE and everything went berserk. This led God to regret making His prize masterpiece (Genesis 6:6).
Thus, God has been trying to fix things ever since, He’s not getting over you. First, He tried through Noah and the great flood, then through the prophets. For centuries the wickedness of man would rule and God would correct him through the prophets.
No, the prophets weren’t known for telling the people what they wanted to hear. The prophets were God’s way of lovingly nudging His people back to His plan, not theirs. About 800 years after the prophet Moses penned Genesis, the prophet Zephaniah blasted the nation of Israel for their corrupt and unrepentant decisions (Zephaniah 3:1-20).
Zephaniah talks about good things like: humility, justice and mercy. God again explains His plans to fix what was BROKEN in the garden.
The first Adam chose the tree of knowledge of good and evil, out of his love for himself. The second Adam chose the cross, out of His love for others.
Jesus explained what was once impossible, will be possible through God (Luke 18:27). I’m no great theologian, but I’m sure that was God’s plan from the beginning. I don’t think He planned for sin or evil—but love and good. He had a plan to help us escape the penalty of sin, death. That plan was Jesus and that’s why like millions, I have chosen, give me Jesus.
Plans?
Before I began writing this blog, I was planning on going for another half-century bike ride for more inspiration. I woke up the morning of my ride and a cold front had moved in causing severe weather.
I never lost my temper or questioned God. I knew there was a reason He didn’t want me riding that day. So I spent most of that weekend in my home office studying and writing.
There was an odd sense of peace in my heart as I sat in the silence and watched the rain pound against my window. I wondered why man hasn’t learned how to control the weather, yet.
Again, I turned to Scripture and I concur with King Solomon, man’s plans fail, but the Lord’s prevail. (Proverbs 16:1, 19:21). My will is to do God’s will. I am called to surrender to Him Who knows best.
Take for instance, my desire to move back to Colorado. It’s been a burning desire in my heart for over a half a decade. The moment I set foot atop Pikes Peak and looked out over four states I wanted to GIVE IN to my desire and take a LEAP OF FAITH, to move back there—it was the SIN IN ME. The sky was so blue, I felt like I could touch the sky.
It’s no wonder Katherine Bates was inspired to write America the Beautiful there. But I knew in my heart God was telling me to wait. Although I decided to die to myself, I knew God would revive me. Control is strongest when it is surrendered. However, when I look at the bride of Christ, I can’t help but think, SHE’S A FREAK, we’re control freax.
