09/06/17 SELF DETERMINATION AND THE DETERMINATE COUNSEL OF GOD
(I remember staring with amazement at converging tide lines when I worked on fishing boats off the coast of North Carolina. I now watch in horror as the will of man tries to dominate the almighty power of God.)
The opposing tides of Self Determination and the Determinate Counsel of God clash for a short time, but ultimately the unstoppable will of God will be unleashed and His grace and mercy will be withdrawn, leaving the rebellious person under the mighty and terrible judgment of God.
One of the worst things we can do is seek to satisfy or please ourselves according to our own understanding and desires, because it will take us further and further from God
One of the best things that God can do is allow us to satisfy or please ourselves according to our own understanding and desires, because facing failure and emptiness may turn us around in repentance.
The problem is, when these two separate tides come together some folks persist in their stubbornness, as if their Self Determination will overcome the Determinate Counsel of God.
God wants to draw us to Himself thorough kindness and mercy and blessing. When we resist God's will, God takes the next step.
(I remember staring with amazement at converging tide lines when I worked on fishing boats off the coast of North Carolina. I now watch in horror as the will of man tries to dominate the almighty power of God.)
The opposing tides of Self Determination and the Determinate Counsel of God clash for a short time, but ultimately the unstoppable will of God will be unleashed and His grace and mercy will be withdrawn, leaving the rebellious person under the mighty and terrible judgment of God.
One of the worst things we can do is seek to satisfy or please ourselves according to our own understanding and desires, because it will take us further and further from God
One of the best things that God can do is allow us to satisfy or please ourselves according to our own understanding and desires, because facing failure and emptiness may turn us around in repentance.
The problem is, when these two separate tides come together some folks persist in their stubbornness, as if their Self Determination will overcome the Determinate Counsel of God.
God wants to draw us to Himself thorough kindness and mercy and blessing. When we resist God's will, God takes the next step.
God will drive us to repentance because He loves us enough to send suffering and heartache, in order bring us to repentance.
If we refuse, there is nothing left but the judgment of God.
Choosing Christ and His way early is the wisest choice.
Turning from pride and then abandoning self destruction is wiser than forcing the hand of God.
We cannot win if we oppose God and His will.
Choosing Christ and His way early is the wisest choice.
Turning from pride and then abandoning self destruction is wiser than forcing the hand of God.
We cannot win if we oppose God and His will.
STEPS OF RECONCILIATION
God delays His judgment because of His mercy and grace. This is true in the micro and the macro sense of the word.
God delays His judgment because of His mercy and grace. This is true in the micro and the macro sense of the word.
God extends mercy and grace to individuals, for a limited time, and,
God extends grace and mercy to cultures, societies and people groups, for a limited time, and.
God extends mercy and grace to the entire human race, for a limited time.
But the period of grace and opportunity to turn, to repent ends at some point and the judgment and wrath of God is unleashed.
DO NOT
Do not resist or reject or rebel against the leading of God and His word.
Do not resist or reject or rebel against the authority of God and His counsel.
Rebellion, Resistance, Rejection always ends in disaster.
2 Peter 3:4-18
(4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
(5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
(6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
(7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
(8) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
(9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
(11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
(12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
(13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
(15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
(16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
(17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
(18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Do not resist or reject or rebel against the leading of God and His word.
Do not resist or reject or rebel against the authority of God and His counsel.
Rebellion, Resistance, Rejection always ends in disaster.
2 Peter 3:4-18
(4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
(5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
(6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
(7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
(8) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
(9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
(11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
(12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
(13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
(15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
(16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
(17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
(18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
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