Subject: Searching for the truth |
Bible Note: Hello EdB You write the following: "How did sin come into being? Since God gave us the ability to rebel or not follow His desires He in effect created sin." I would say that God created sin, but sin is the opposite of going God's will. What would it mean to 'do God's will' if there were no alternative? So He gave us free will. God, in the way he created us--as well as the angels-- created the opportunity to do evil and good. Although it is His sovereign will that we obey, It is not by His Sovereign will that we obey: it is His love that constrains us (2 Cor. 5:14): God put all things in place at the very beginning for man to have fellowship with Him, but also to choose to disobey. I agree with you that love, faith, and hope would have no meaning if we were overtly guided/impelled to do these things. My love for God can only be defined as love if I by free will choose to love. I have seen all of the debates between the Works people and the Faith alone people. And I find that the Bible depicts something in between. The interplay between God's grace and man's faith (Eph.2:8,9), when properly stated, allows that God's soveriegn will prevails in the end, and it allows man's free will to be intact unto the day of judgment. Everyone will be held to give an account for the things he has done, and God will be righteous and merciful in His judgment. Good day. |