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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Should we be thankful for Judas Iscariot | Eph 5:20 | DocTrinsograce | 151888 | ||
Dear WOS, I thought you might be interested in the Reformation thinking that distinguishes between primary causes and secondary cause. In a very simple example, if you set up a domino on a table, I can push it over with my finger. The fallen state of the domino was caused by my finger. That is, my finger was the primary cause of the domino falling. Now, you set up a whole series of dominoes, again, I can push the first over with my finger. The fallen state of the first domino has a primary cause of my finger pushing it. The rest of the dominoes are fallen by secondary causes. God is the primary cause of all things. He also is the primary cause for many things we see around us. However, He also makes use of secondary causes. Consequently, men and angels can do all sorts of things, and make all sorts of plans. But God sovereignly uses the results of their actions to accomplish His own eternal purposes. A classic Scriptural example of this is in the book of Job: The Sabeans' violence against Job and his household as recorded near the beginning of book. There are three levels of responsibility here: The Sabeans are responsible for the violence, motivated by whatever motivates vandals -- a desire for loot, perhaps. However, they are also acting as Satan's agents to test Job. So, in another sense, Satan is responsible. His goal is to show up Job. He somehow moved the Sabeans to attack Job's family. However, even Satan is acting accordance with God's plan. God's goal is to vindicate Job's character and God's own justice. The event makes sense on any of these three levels: human, Satan's plan, and God's plan. In fact all three accounts are true. After reading your post, I imagined that you might find this interesting. In Him, Doc |
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2 | Should we be thankful for Judas Iscariot | Eph 5:20 | Wild Olive Shoot | 151914 | ||
Interesting perspective Doc. It seems also to be apparent with what happened concerning the persecution of the early church. After the martyrdom of Stephen and the eruption of persecution, God used that persecution in part to further His purpose in broadening His church. It appears that persecution brought untold blessing to thousands as it forced the believers out of Jerusalem and into the Gentile world as the were scattered abroad like seeds and sown into new ground. It could be pointed out also, that Stephan’s death left a profound impact on Saul / Paul, who was yet to become the greatest missionary. God used the results of Satan’s persecution of Christ’s Church along with individual persecution and martyrdom to set off the exodus of believers from Jerusalem to the effect of expanding and broadening His church. John 12:24 (NIV)24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. WOS |
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3 | Should we be thankful for Judas Iscariot | Eph 5:20 | DocTrinsograce | 151918 | ||
Dear WOS, Well said. And to that point, I urge all who call upon the name of Christ to read "Foxe's Book of Martyrs." http://www.calvarychapel.org/library/foxe-john/text/bom.htm It is not easy to read, for it breaks one's heart. But it is a wonderful thing to see how the Lord used the deaths of the precious brothers and sisters for His glory. How clearly we see the grace of God, even to the last breath. In Him, Doc |
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