Is God in Control???

“God is in control.” Yet, corrupt governments rise; injustice rises proportionally. The underprivileged are marginalized or simply cast aside. A worldwide pandemic persists. Natural disasters bring death and destruction to thousands upon thousands. Is God controlling all that? 

What does it mean to say that “God is in control?”

• Is God a controlling God?
• Does God orchestrate all matters related to mankind?
• Is everything in life destined?

Let me share a few passages that will guide our thinking.

Early in Scripture we read about the first sin. God had forbidden Adam and Eve from eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Yet, the serpent deceived Eve and she ate the fruit, and so did Adam. There were severe consequences for their sin. However, it is noteworthy that God did not keep them from disobeying. In other words, God’s relationship with created mankind is more like that of a parent and child instead of a puppeteer and puppet. God gave Adam and Eve direction, but he allowed them to choose. (See Genesis 3.)

In a somewhat parallel passage in the New Testament we learn that God’s fierce anger will be “revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men….” (Romans 1:18) Just like in the Garden of Eden, there are consequences for disobeying God. The Apostle Paul continued in Romans 1 by describing people who simply would not stop opposing God. And three times he stated that God would give them over.

• God gave them over to their desires;
• God gave them over to degrading passions;
• God gave them over to a depraved mind.

So, God does not make anyone submit to Him; he did not create puppets. I think that is the ultimate statement of liberty. Yet, it is not good. Whenever man is left to pursue his own desires he becomes immoral and violent. 

(That’s why God destroyed the world with a great flood. Check it out in Genesis 6.)

The Apostle John wrote:

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 

— 1 John 5:3

Many people see God as controlling and restrictive, blind to the Father-child relationship between Creator and created mankind. Good parents place restrictions on their children because they love them. The restrictions are for the good of the child. They want their children to grow into respectable human beings, not wild animals. God’s word is for our good so that we can enjoy this life and also inherit eternal life.

Finally, think about these verses:

The Lord is...not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
— 2 Peter 3:9

God...desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. 

— 1 Timothy 2:4

If we are all destined, then how is it that, against His desire, God destined some to be lost/perish? Jesus said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” God is not divided and we are not subject to destiny. God created us so that we can choose. 

• We are not puppets controlled by God as the divine puppet-master of life.
• God is not controlling; He has spoken to us through His word for our benefit.
• We are not locked in to destiny.

So...God is in control, yet...we can choose. 

Mark Stinnett

November 29, 2020