The Scriptures declare an absolute
God who predestines all events, as well as the destinies of all
men, devils, and angels. There are those, actually the
vast majority, who cavil against this truth on the grounds that
unless a man has a sovereign free will, then he cannot be
held accountable for his actions. Such a notion is disproven time
and again in the pages of the Bible, even as the Lord declares
through the prophet, O Lord, I know that the way of man is
not in himself. It is not in man that walketh
to direct his steps. God has not only created all
things according to the good pleasure of His will, but He
has also decreed that men would be accountable for their every
action, and unable to bring any accusation against Him who declares
the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I
will do all my pleasure. By nature, men love their sin
and take delight in it at every opportunity, and are unable to
blame their sinful actions upon anyone but themselves. God alone
keeps men from total destruction, to which they gladly run apart
from His restraint. Surely the wrath of man shall
praise thee, the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. Yet
every sinful action and activity which occurs in the earth cannot
take place apart from the ordained purpose of God, who will have
glory in His creation and the order which it follows. The Lord
could have created the present world when there was no sin,
had it pleased Him to do so. But in order that he might magnify
the glory of his grace and exalt the wonders of his mercy, he
has directed all things to occur in the earth to that end, whether
it be light, darkness, peace, or evil. Only the wicked impudence
of men would cause them to balk at the revelation of this truth.
Paul understood the natural inclination of men to accuse God of unrighteousness. As he says, Therefore hath he
mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who
hath resisted his will? Nay, but, O man, who art thou
that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to
him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the
potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel
unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Thus we see the Lord
ordaining the sinfulness of men in order to accomplish His purpose
of the redemption of His elect bride through the suffering,
death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son. The clearest
example of His right to predestine the wickedness, greed, and malice
of men to accomplish His purpose while holding them completely
accountable for their despicable actions is seen in Judas Iscariot,
whose betrayal of the Lord Jesus set the stage for his subsequent
crucifixion and death as the sin offering of those whom he
loved. Yet he said Judas would have
been better off to have never been born. We see him direct
Hosea to take the whore, Gomer, for a wife, and to name his firstborn
son of that union, Jezreel. The name Jezreel literally means
God will sow. The Lord would make it known
that he is the sower of all things. Nothing can be planted, much
less come to fruition, apart from his purpose. He will hold
no man guiltless, nor can any of the obedience of man atone
or mitigate his sin. The Lord is pleased to demonstrate
His sovereign prerogative to do His will without hindrance
through the activity and actions of imperfect and sinful men who
by nature seek their own benefit. Yet quite in contrast to that
scenario, we see Him manifest His grandest purpose in the earth
through the actions and activity of one who knew no sin, neither
was guile found in his mouth. The Lord Jesus Christ is that
perfect man who came to do his Father's will, not only fulfilling
his law in every jot and tittle, but doing so with a perfect motive
and a joyful heart, who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. Men cannot resist the will of
God, yet not one sin which they commit shall go unpunished or
escape the gaze of his justice. This is demonstrated most clearly
as the only perfect and upright man to ever live upon the earth
is made a sin offering for those to whom the Lord would show mercy.
How just and true were his ways and how wide is his mercy to
all who call upon him, confessing their sins and bowing before
his sovereign rule. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at 4the4 at windstream dot net.