This is a question that gets down to the matter of predestination versus free will. It’s not something that’s fully explained in the Bible; the two concepts sort of exist in tension.
Hello Readers, hope all’s well. Today I present another post.
As of now, I am on vacation until further notice … probably about a week and a half. I’ll be posting very short posts during my time off. It’s not my usual content, but I hope I’ll give you something worth reading every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Continuing on with my short vacation posts for the time being, in my last post I wrote that I’ve been dealing with some questions of theology and Faith. I mentioned that it’s a strange time right now in my relationship with God. Though I have Faith I’ll get through this time, I still have certain things heavy on my mind these days.
I make no secret of having these questions and doubts. Since God knows our heart and mind and all our inner thoughts, it would be pointless to even try to hide these concerns from the LORD. Experience has taught me that at times like these, it’s much better to openly voice these questions to the LORD instead of trying to deny or hide them. We aren’t guaranteed an answer by any means, as it’s the LORD’s prerogative whether He wants to give answers or not.
But, you never know. If we ask, we just might get an answer. Sometimes when we voice our doubts and speak them to the LORD, we get an answer about our exact specific question. And other times we get an answer that’s not exactly what we were looking for, but it’s “good enough.”
So today I’m giving voice to another question. Not only am I speaking it out loud to the LORD, I’m also putting it on my blog where you and others can read it. And if I’m lucky then an answer to this question will come along sometime. Alright well, here’s the question for today. And this time I’m going to let Scripture do most of the talking.
This is a question that gets down to the matter of predestination versus free will. It’s not something that’s fully explained in the Bible; the two concepts sort of exist in tension.
Does God create people who are predestined for damnation from birth?? In other words, does God create people He hates?? Does God create people He hates and damns to hell for all eternity?? Because if He does, then that means that God creates certain people so that He can damn them.
But why would God do this if He loves us?? Why would He do this if He loved the human race so much He sent His only Son to die for us?? Wouldn’t it be a waste of God’s time and counterproductive to His stated desires to create people He hates and are predestined for damnation??
I ask this because of a few passages in Scripture. The most concerning one for me is in Romans 9:18-23.
(18) So then, God has mercy on whomever he wants to, but he makes resistant whomever he wants to.
Romans 9:18-23 (CEB)
(19) So you are going to say to me, “Then why does he still blame people? Who has ever resisted his will?” (20) You are only a human being. Who do you think you are to talk back to God? “Does the clay say to the potter,” “Why did you make me like this?” (21) Doesn’t the potter have the power over the clay to make one pot for special purposes and another for garbage from the same lump of clay? (22) What if God very patiently puts up with pots made for wrath that were designed for destruction, because he wanted to show his wrath and to make his power known? (23) What if he did this to make the wealth of his glory known toward pots made for mercy, which he prepared in advance for glory?
What has bothered me a great deal about this passage is it basically says God creates certain people for destruction (damnation). Some people are destined for damnation, Spiritual death, from the day they’re born. And this passage implies there’s nothing they can do to avoid this fate. As verse 18 says, God can make stubborn, resistant, and rebellious anyone He wants to. Doesn’t that imply God Himself hardens their heart to the Truth of the Gospel?? If that’s the case they’re going to live a life of sin and be damned by God because God created them for that purpose!!
But why?? Why would God do this?? Why would God do this if He loves humanity??
Of course, according to that passage in Romans 9 I’m not even supposed to ask the question, “why??” Paul says it comes down to an Isaiah 55:8 type situation; that’s our answer. I’m sure I don’t need to explain why such an answer is so hard to accept for this question when human Souls are involved.
Another, more brief passage is Proverbs 16:4. This says that the LORD made everything, even the wicked for an evil day!! Which is huge in my mind because it basically says the LORD created evil or at least some evil things!!
(4) The LORD made everything for a purpose,
Proverbs 16:4 (CEB)
even the wicked for an evil day.
There are some more passages in the Bible implying the same thing, but for now I’m going to leave it here. This is one of my vacation posts after all. And at the end of the day, I have no answer to even theorize on this issue. The only answer is the Isaiah 55:8 type response that Paul gives in Romans 9:20, above. Need I even begin to explain why I want more than that??
Well, like I said, sometimes when we voice our questions and doubts to God we get an answer in return. Or at least some kind of explanation. I Pray and hope that’s the case for this question, because I really don’t like the implications of these Scripture passages I’ve quoted today. I’d really like to know why this is, and if it truly is the way I’ve interpreted it here.
But I can accept not ever knowing on this side of eternity. I have Faith it will be revealed to me one day.
But what do you think?? I welcome you to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Well that’s all for today. If you enjoyed today’s post, be sure to Subscribe using the link below. And please consider Supporting My Blog using the Tip Jar. Any amount is much appreciated!
Until next time, be strong and do good!
Your new best friend in Christ,
99:9
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