Mike,

I am glad that you are glad for me to help correct the scripture mistakes.

Your article, After the Counsel of His Own Will, while I was reading and meditating every day it came to my mind like pop- up; I understood [ that all is] of God’s will and nothing [ is of] men’s will [ alone]. What was in my mind, you know about Abraham, that God tests him to see if he is willing to obey or not obey God’s command for him to sacrifice his son Isaac.

Did God tempt Abraham’s faith? (Really, I learned men traditionally say that God tested Abraham’s faith, I found nothing came from scripture of what men said). But if it is true that God tempted Abraham’s faith, then is it possible to connect it to Tit 3:8 – “be careful to maintain good works?”

Does Tit 3:8 sound like when God chose man to reveal His secret to him and once received, then he has to be careful not to ignore or else his lack of careful will disappeared of God’s secret? If it is correct, it sounds like man has his own “choice” whether he keeps it or not?

And David in 2Sa 12, talking about David despised the commandment of Lord like he killed a man, stole a man’s wife to be his wife, etc. Does this relate to Tit 3:8 “be careful”, so he failed to maintain good works? Looks like David had his free choice?

Also in Num 22:27-33, God wanted Balaam to turn another way with riding his donkey and Balaam was stubborn and wanted his way (maybe he thought God told him of the way but he misunderstood), does this like Balaam had a struggle between his free choice and God’s will like in Eph 6:12?

Again, Paul (Saul) persecuted God’s people and Jesus came with a bright light and told Paul “Why are you persecuting (Gr. pursue) Me?” I understood well about God “predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” But I wondered why Jesus asked Paul “Why?” Is it possible something that teaches Paul of “why”? Jesus is not really questioning like weak humans, but really to wake Paul up; am I correct? The scripture said that God created evil, yes, I can see that, and I am sure He created Paul to persecute people (Jesus said, “Me”).

Another, in Col 3:5 looked like was their choice? I am not saying IT IS, but just concerning. Or is it possible that once we received God’s secret (only for mature spiritual) and now we have to be careful to maintain good works is our choice and nothing for babes in Christ and unbelievers’ free choice?

Yet, your article is very scriptural because you’re showing me verses that show obviously all is God’s will and nothing is man’s will/ free choice. I cannot deny your article, because I see the solid truth. I have somehow a conflict in my mind as you see above of my concerning. Sorry, if it looks like too many questions for you. I am really hungry, and I desperately am asking for God’s will to give me more understanding.

Thank you for your service to God’s people.

God bless you,

B____

Hi B____,

Thank you for your question. It is the same concerns that we all have on this subject. It is good to have these questions and to get them settled in your mind. As a matter of fact, we do indeed have choice. Look at how Joseph presented the subject of the sovereignty of God to his brothers. This is the second time he is telling them that selling him into Egypt was not their idea, even though they thought it was:

Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Joseph never tells his brothers that they did not choose to do “evil against me.” No, he does not. On the contrary, Joseph assures them “Ye thought evil against me.” So yes, every example you cite is the exact same. Abraham, Baalim, David, Paul and each and every one of us, decides and chooses to do evil. God’s Word never denies this. Like Joseph, God’s Word affirms this obvious Truth. We all obviously make many decisions every day of our lives. What God’s Word does deny is that these choices that we make are free of the influence of outside factors like “unclean spirits fom the Lord.” What God’s Word does deny is not that we have a will, but that we have a “free will.” Our will is about as free as “clay in the Potter’s hand.”

Believe me, when God asked Adam “where art thou,” God was not at all wondering exactly where Adam and Eve were. He knew already where Adam stood. That statement and that question, as are all of the statements and events which you reference, “happened unto them and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

From God’s point of view every example you cite is a rhetorical question or statement for our benefit. It demonstrates how far from God we are, that we fail to see His hand in all things.

I hope this helps you to see just how thorough the sovereignty of God is. Like politics, it is safe to say that “If it happened, you can bet that was planned “from before the foundation of the world” to happen. “All things” means what it says.

Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

I hope this helps to settle this struggle in your mind, B____.

Mike