Bible Discussion Thread

Sins: Part 3.

A basic concept I would like to explore now is the difference between saints of God and unbelievers in regard to sin as well as the similarities in consequences. I would venture to say that the TRUST issue and lack thereof is a trap many true followers of the Lord often fall into. This causes self justification of actions as we can see from a cursury survey of the sins such as Abraham announcing that his wife was his sister and the same sort of behavior from Isaac if I remember correctly. This can be seen also with the Hagar incident; a repeated theme of someone heeding their wife's counsel rather than trusting God and the disasterous long term ramifications which we see even today in the fate of nations and their descendants. Again we can look to God's great disdain with David taking the census to see how great his army was in numbers; something earlier history in Israel should have warned against such as with Gideon winning battles with 300 men rather than many times that according to God's express wishes.

God disciplines His own and we are not going to have different results as to repercussions in this life with the consequences of sin. David was a man after God's own heart but he messed up big time with Bathsheeba; and this resulted in him being a man of war unnecessarily and ultimately not being allowed to build the Temple. Solomon his son did (ironically the child of Bathsheeba); but due to his own multiplication of riches and wives which God warned him against Israel would from there on be in decline and never have such a dynasty of kings again. It would seem Solomon in Ecclesiastes demonstrates he learned his lesson and indeed was saved although some argue about that. David was saved as well but as the Psalms indicate his sins weighed heavily on his mind; as it should for anyone who wants to please the Lord in humble service.

I will take time now to meditate on His lovingkindness until another day for saving a wretch-me.

Hello again Richard,

I am glad to read your postings on the sin nature.

I have completed the first part of what I wish to post concerning God's will and man's will. Hopefully our postings will complement one another.

Here is the first part.

I will be endeavoring to post as series concerning topics brought up between Chris and I in a conversation over a month ago when the topic of predestination and free choice was being discussed on this forum. I am hoping to approach this arena in a systematic and cohesive way. I welcome the responses of others along the way so we can enrich one another in our conversations on these important matters of our faith. To begin with, I wish to address this topic:

GOD'S DIVINE WILL AND FREEDOM AND MAN'S CREATURELY WILL AND FREEDOM

The Bible is clear that God has a will that is divine and sovereign in accordance with His nature. He is the only one who has such a will because He is the only divine Being that exists.

Because of His Divinity, His will is always:

1) Perfect

2) Righteous

3) Just

4) Good

5) Unconflicted

6) Unencumbered

7) Freely chosen

8) Carried out to completion

9) Unopposable

God's Sovereignty over all that He has made ensures that God's will is not dependent on anything outside of Himself. He is completely free to choose as He pleases without restriction or constriction by any outside forces. There is nothing that can thwart His will or overrule what He has chosen. Therefore, His will is without any contingencies that have influence over His freedom to choose as He pleases. He will never choose against His nature. He cannot be coerced into choosing anything. His choices do not depend nor are controlled by anything outside of Himself. His purposes and will is not determined along the way of history as things happen, being from eternity past, ordained before creation and all will come to pass by Him alone. His will will stand unaltered and unchallenged. It can never by thwarted or made to come to naught.