Sovereign God's Will

I started reading through a book recently titled Christ and Human Suffering by E. Stanley Jones, and there was an interesting chapter that compared various worldviews along with Christianity on the view of suffering.  I was particularly intrigued when the views described concerning other religions converged with the outlook of some Christians I have observed.  It is possible, despite our understanding or best efforts, for genuine believers to lean towards secular, humanistic or religious approaches to suffering rather than a biblical one that walks in step with Jesus by faith in Him.

For instance, Stanley wrote concerning the "Moslem" approach:

"The Moslem attitude toward suffering is perhaps simpler than any other attitude.  The Moslem is impressed with the sovereignty of God.  All that happens is his will.  He has predetermined and predestined all that happens.  The good and the evil that come upon us are alike his will.  The attitude of the faithful is to submit to that will.  Islam literally means submission to the will of God.  The Moslem view of suffering, therefore, is to the accept it as the will of God and submit to it...Islam, great and noble in many ways, has nevertheless sterilized the life of vast portions of the East, because its acceptance of inequalities and sufferings as the will of God lays a paralyzing hand on any civilization that adopts it.  It is an opiate." (Jones, E. Stanley. Christ and Human Suffering. 1933. New York, The Abingdon Press, pp. 60–61. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.‌)

I have observed Christians who, when awed by the omniscience and sovereignty of God, can adopt a fatalistic view of God's will that credits (or blames!) Him without consideration of human agency or God's redemptive power.  One can mistakenly assume everything that happens must be God's will when God allows human beings to act contrary to His will continually by sin (2 Peter 3:9).  The Bible says clearly it is not God's will any should perish, yet He sent His own Son Jesus to enter humanity and taste death for every sinner.  By paying the price atonement requires with a righteous sacrifice, by death God could swallow death forever and offer eternal life for all who trust in Him.

Christians ought to be impressed with the sovereignty of God, but we should never use His sovereignty as a cloak for our sin of doing what we please and assuming God approves of it, or to shirk our responsibilities when God has chosen us to do His will revealed to us in His word.  Because God is a Saviour and sovereign He is able to redeem what was intended by man or Satan for evil and use it to do great good.  God's sovereignty ought to move us to submission under His loving and gentle hand even when circumstances feel harsh and painful, for faith in our good God enables us to stand according to His will.  God is sovereign, and has also given people the freedom to choose how we will respond to the circumstances of life.  God has provided something infinitely greater than an opiate for our pains by His presence and promises, and He empowers us to be fruitful and spiritually prosperous by His grace with all He allows.

We are not made noble by suffering alone, but it is noble to suffer and continue to praise God with gratitude and thanksgiving of which He alone is worthy.  Pain can cloud our outlook and negatively colour our attitude, yet the love, grace and goodness of God provides comfort and peace beyond words for those who choose to entrust their lives into His hands.  By faith in Christ we know God, and knowing we are known and loved by Him shifts our perspective to seek Him and to do His will He helps us to do as 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says:  "Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The 4:15 Club

Exclusive clubs have conditions of membership and entry, and the cost can be so prohibited only the affluent can apply.  Only those deemed worthy are able to join such clubs.  Clubs for dancing and drinks are exclusive for people aged 21 and older.  There are clubs people would rather not be included in like the "27 Club," which is a list of musicians and celebrities who died at 27 years of age.

As I was mowing today, I thought of a "club" I was part of for about 7 years.  I don't remember how it came about, but me and a group of guys from church wanted to meet up regularly but evenings were too busy with work and family.  So my dad, myself, and 3 or 4 others from church remedied this by meeting at a Denny's Restaurant every Tuesday morning at 4:15am.  Christmas and New Year's Day were the only days we did not meet.  Men would come and go, usually because of moving away, and when one left another would show up.  The "4:15 club" continued to meet for years after I moved to Australia, and I saw many of those early risers at my dad's memorial service.

We didn't meet early in the morning to draw attention to ourselves or because it was a big sacrifice to prove our devotion to the LORD; it was simply the time that worked for a lot of us who worked in trades.  Meeting together in person allowed each us to positively impact one another as disciples of Jesus.  Sometimes my dad would provide a book for us to read and/or discuss and we talked about verses from the Bible as well as our present lives.  Everyone had the opportunity to share and contribute to the conversation.  We were able to be a godly witness to the waitresses, praying for them and one another as we enjoyed fellowship over Grand Slams and oatmeal.  Our humble gatherings, led by the Holy Spirit, were fruitful and an encouragement to all willing to attend.

The "4:15 club" illustrates the lasting, positive impact our lives as Christians can make on others for the glory of Jesus Christ by spending time with them in person.  The cost of sacrificing an hour of sleep was a bargain in exchange for the deeper friendship and fond memories of brothers in Christ who faithfully sharpened each other week after week.  Friends, what might you do to meet up with fellow Christians on a regular basis outside of church to encourage one another?  What keeps you from meeting up with Christians--not to create an exclusive group or impress people--but to join your life with others in Christian fellowship to bring God glory?  How enriched are the souls who give of their time and effort to love others by a simple act of buying and eating breakfast together!  As Psalm 133:1 exclaims, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

Gathered to Our People

At the memorial service for my dad yesterday, I was greeted by family and friends I had not seen for a long time, over two decades in some cases.  I also met people I had only seen in pictures.  It was like a family reunion of sorts, members of the Body of Christ regathered to honour the memory of Mark Grisez who was beloved and respected by many.  While the occasion was tinged with sadness, it was made overwhelmingly sweet by love and kindness of dear friends who attended.

The pastor mentioned Genesis 25:8 as evidence death of the body is not the end for people who fear God:  "Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people."  The assembly of people at the church was an illustration of how passing away for a believer provides an entrance to God's presence in heaven and joins us to believers gone before us.  Dad's departure from his frail and failed body meant a joyous union with Jesus and all of God's people in glorified in the eternal state.

Abraham was gathered to his people, not by virtue of blood relation, but that of shared spiritual heritage by faith in God.  Psalm 144:15 says, "Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"  By the Gospel Jesus has opened wide the gates of heaven for all who will trust in Him as written in Revelation 5:9-10:  "And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ¹⁰ and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."  God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

It is a marvelous thing God has promised the former things will be forgotten and not come into mind (Isaiah 65:17-18), yet we will know God as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12).  We will not lament who we do not see in the eternal state but rejoice in the LORD Jesus and all His redeemed forever. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 reads, "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  What a victorious and joyful entrance to heaven and existence it will be, to be with God and His people--our people--always!

Where the Carrot Leads

Most are familiar with the concept of dangling a carrot from a string in front of a person or animal to motivate them to walk forward.  Their hunger, coupled with the hope of satisfaction that hangs tantalisingly out of reach, will move them to action.  The problem for the one pursuing the carrot is he may never obtain it, and who knows where the efforts to gain that carrot will take them.  Their focus is so much on the carrot people can stray far from where they want to be or end up.  People do not want to end up in the gutter, but many have found themselves there.

The wise will not focus on the carrot but where the pursuit of the carrot will lead them.  The businessman may be pursuing elusive riches and early retirement, but it may lead to the breakdown of his physical health, marriage and family.  A young woman might desire to be a famous actress, but the pursuit may require her to cast aside her values and chastity.  To feel accepted or part of the "in" group ,dabbling in drugs may lead to crippling addiction and poverty.  In the movie Maleficent, an ambitious man who wanted the throne for himself stole the wings and broke the heart of the fairy who loved him.  Knowing the price in the end (which cost him his sanity and life), he may have chosen a different course entirely if he could start over.

The wisdom of thinking where temptation is leading us is true concerning addictions and sin.  People chase the carrot of fun by drinking to excess, but it can potentially lead to violence, sexual assault and a bad hangover.  Some pursue the carrot of lust and fornication that produces shame, emptiness and regret.  No one wants to feel ashamed, and if people would consider where their lusts would lead them they might have have had the resolve to reject temptation.  No one wants to explain to their spouse how they have been unfaithful or be told their partner is leaving them, but that is where straying leads.

Like a clever fisherman, the devil is very good at hiding the hook in attractive bait.  Having been snared by his lies and our own folly at times, one would think we would learn.  But forgetfulness of the sorrow, emptiness, guilt and shame for sin is part of the human condition when a fresh temptation is placed before us.  Having fallen for the ruse before and knowing where it will certainly lead us, by faith in God and by His wisdom we look beyond the temptation--where it is leading us--rather than thinking satisfaction could be found presently in sin or in worldly pursuits.  Our flesh longs for the carrot, but the wise ought to look beyond it to Jesus for guidance and inspiration.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Rather than looking to what the flesh desires and cries out for, we are to look to Jesus so we can lay aside weights and sins and run the race God has set before us.  In the middle of a race is not time to veer off course or to head to local shops for a snack.  Jesus does not dangle eternal rewards and blessings before us to tempt us to follow Him, but He gives us Himself and countless blessings for seeking Him today.  Why chase the carrot when He has us and we have him?  In Christ we are satisfied and find rest for our souls.