Subject: Why does God love the world (us)? |
Bible Note: Good Morning Brother John! So, my first question wasn’t hard enough huh? :) OK, I believe I understand where you are coming from so far. As for Acts 4:27-28, did God predestine Jesus’ dying (the lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world Rev 13:8) because: 1. He predestined Adam and Eve to disobey, thus the need for Jesus’ sacrifice or 2. He already knew from the beginning that Adam and Eve would disobey His commandment When you say, ‘His will will be done’, I think back to the beginning. In the Garden of Eden when God "commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die", I would say that it was God’s will that Adam eat freely, except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When "the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat", I would say they were going against what God told them i.e. going against His will. Adam and Eve had the ability to go against God’s commandment/will and they did. But they also suffered the consequences of going against Him. And in spite of their disobedience, God was ready with a plan (Jesus) to redeem man. I think of what Jesus said about Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me." Luke 13:34 God told Moses "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering." Exodus 25:2 I guess the best way I can express my view is this God wills for us to come to Him with a willing heart (whosoever will, let him come). At this point, I believe if we are not willing, He won’t override our will and control us to the point that we will come. Hope I wasn't confussing in my reply... :) Abba Father Bless Meredith |