LIBERATED
Two weeks ago we started building the stage for our discussion on Election vs Free Will. As stated last time, too many people jump to talking points without actually evaluating and carefully articulating the facts surrounding the discussion. Our first fact that both sides must agree upon was over the characteristics of God. Two weeks ago, we reviewed that God was all powerful, all knowing, and all present. Our second fact is the characteristics of mankind.
I would not be honest if I did not tell you that I was tempted to list several Bible verses depicting how man is not all powerful, nor all knowing, and very much not all present. However, I believe the perfect verse to summarize mankind in comparison of God is actually, Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Mankind clearly does not have what God has. We are not capable of being what He is. What does this mean? It means that our relationship with Him is solely dependent on Him. Christ died for us, paying the penalty of our sin. Christ’s resurrection is our assurance. You can say in its simplicity that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is our policy number for our eternal insurance from what we deserve.
This builds on our paradoxical concern that we are trying to understand. The same question must be asked, how does God, who is all powerful, all knowing, and all present, rescue us from ourselves? From our sin?
I hinted that we could be reviewing the Calvinist arguments today. However, I thought it best we recognize man’s inability before we took on our first theory. To recap, God’s characteristics are things we cannot have. Even in perfection, man is a created being who is not able to expound our own limitations. Look at the angel Gabriel. Perfect without sin, he stands in the presence of God. However, he is limited in power, knowledge, and locality. Look at his interactions with Daniel.
Daniel 10:11-13 “And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. 12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.”
We see that even in perfection we will only be in one place at a time. We might have power, but we will never be all powerful. And knowledge-wise, I believe we will be like Gabriel and only be provided what God is willing to produce for us to know.
Nevertheless, mankind has sin. We are stricken in spiritual poverty and in doing so need someone outside of the dimensions of the construct we are in to act. God is outside of that construct and is capable of saving us. Next week we will finally start to examine the arguments!
If you ever have questions, please reach out to Mill House Ministries and we will be happy to help!
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL