Featured What UNIQUELY sets apart a 'work of God' from every other common event in history?

BIG problem in this OP is that we are trying to reason how/why God works and does His things, and some of this we have to just accept by faith from the bible, and some of it is hidden from us at this time!

 

Okay Brothers, to clarify my statement that has been jostled about. The way I have come to understand the scriptures in regards to how God deals with eveil is this. God knew everything from the beginning, and everything that comes to pass was either directly decreed by Him, or He allowed it. IOW, He was the driving force behind everything, yet He stood aside and allowed evil to happen. IOW, nothing evil, wicked, sinful, etc comes from Him, being Holy, Just, Pure, Pristine, Immaculate, Impeccable, etc.


Now, let's look at Adolf Hitler for instance. The Jews, for almost 2,000 years had failed to believe their Messiah had come. They lived in rebellion and paid mightily for it. God allowed Hitler to have his way with the Jews, because of their rebellios ways. In no way was God the driving force behind Hitler's evil doings, but because the Jews failed to believe in the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, they were tortured. God left them to fend for themselves.

 

Did the sparrow fall after dying, did it jump, or was it pushed? LOL J/K :thumbs::thumbsup::thumbs::thumbsup:

 

As for you, ye devised against me evil -- God devised it for good, in order to do as [at] this day, to keep alive a numerous people; Gen 50:20 YLT

`Known from the ages to God are all His works; Acts 15:18 YLT

Was the evil done by the brothers of Joseph actually a work of God?

 

Skan,

I know this thread has matured, but I wonder if the question of what constitutes a work of God has been asked and answered. It would help to know what it is you consider to be a work of God.

 

What isn't a work of God?

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

 

I didn't create the thread. I want to make sure I understand how Skan defines a work of God.

 

God is the driving source in regards to sin in that He allows men to perform their wickedness. To say men have no choice but to do them because He desired them to perform them, is fringing on determinism.....and I can't, and won't, go that far.

 

Friend, as a dyed-in-the-wool believer in the Doctrines of Grace, let me state unequivocally that God is not the "driving force" behind man's wickedness. That said, a sinner has no choice but to sin; not because God causes him to sin, but because of his sinful nature. Even those things society considers good are done from a wicked, sinful heart. Not until that sin nature is transformed by the new birth can good be done. Determinism would teach that God causes man to sin.

 

The will of God is for man to repent and live. He does not desire the death of anyone to be destroyed but rather them to repent and live. If they do not repent and turn to God through Jesus Christ then they will not live.

God has chosen many to be the messengers of that and used them as His tool to bring many to repentance and life through Jesus Christ.

It is our curse to work the field not God, but God will work through us to accomplish this. I do believe God will is to bring people to repentance like He did Jonah. Nineveh needed a messenger to turn to God. Jonah had already turned to God, but did no want to bring the salvation to heathens whom he thought did not deserve it.

To say the work that He prepared for us is to just be saved is false it is to spread the will of God for mankind that they to repent and live. I do believe Jonah repented by his own free agency.

He wants mankind from the seed of Abraham those who believe God and He will credit to them as righteousness by the free agency He has given to all mankind.

There is not one of you that God will turn His back on, who turn to His Son Jesus Christ and everything He is.

 

Brother, maybe you need some new wool from a different sheep? Or maybe you need some new dye? LOL.....J/K

I understand the point you're making(as well as others on here), but if sinning is a choice, and they have no other choice than to choose said choice, then how's that a choice?

If I find a wallet with $10,000 in it, and I keep it for myself, that's stealing, and that's a sin. If I find that person's ID, and return it to him, then by y'alls definition, I sinned, because even a sinner doing the admirable and honest thing, is constututed as a sin, being a sinner can do nothing but sin. Again, how is sin a choice, if that's the only choice? How would it be a sin to keep a lost wallet, and a sin to give it back?......according to y'all, that sinner even sinned when he returned the wallet to its rightful owner.

 

This continues to be at the root of most disputes here on the BB,and continues to lead to all manner of wrong conclusions. To understand the fall and it's consequences as revealed is crucial to understand biblical salvation properly.:thumbsup:

 

Friend, it has to do with understanding the consequences and scope of the fall. Sinful man does have a will, but it has been corrupted by sin. Because sinful man is also in a state of sin, everything he does is tainted by his state. If you believe sinful man can actually do good, then you don't believe sinful man is completely fallen. You must believe that the sinner has a divine spark somewhere in his life, even if it is tucked down deep inside.

 

Sinfulness has everything to do with salvation, Jesus came to save sinners and I am the worst, it is to trust in God and not ourselves that matters. Salvation is for sinners, if you had no sin you would not need saving.

1 Timothy 1:15
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Luke 5:32
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Psalm 73:28
But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.

Romans 4:5
However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

There is none righteous praise God through Jesus there is salvation for them, no one seeks God so He sends us out to seek them.

 

And our side of the debate, can say the same thing to y'all as well....


a :thumbsup: back at you.....:laugh: :love2:......J/K

 

So explain how if a sinner keeps a wallet full of money it's a sin....and it is......an yet, if they return it to its rightful owner, it's sin.......there's really no choice in the matter.....even doing the rightful thing is a sin according to y'all......

 

Hello Willis,

4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

Even lawful activities not done to God's glory are sin.

Both sides can say The same thing..however...we know only one side is correct...y'all..:laugh: I am in the south tonight,,I can say Y'all also:thumbs: