An Act of Dependence

Scripture shows us that Jesus is always quick to identify those who are living for Him verses those who only claim to be. One of the best examples of this is found in Mark 12:41-44. In this passage, we see that Jesus is sitting and observing those who have come to give money to the synagogue. We see that there are those who are placing in large sums of money, who Jesus makes no remark towards. Until a elderly woman comes forward and places her last two coins in.

41 And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two lepta coins, which amount to a quadrans.43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Many will remark on this passage of scripture as a way to show that how much you donate to the church is inconsequential, it is the heart that matters. In this passage, Jesus makes the remark that the widow put in more than the others because she gave all that she owned while the others gave out of their excess. Many pastors today will teach on this passage to encourage individuals to donate to their church, no matter how much. While this isn’t a bad thing, I do not believe that this is all that the passage can teach us.

In fact, I think we need to look at the long term ramifications regarding the widow’s actions. Scripture states that she is elderly and a widow, therefore she has no husband to provide for her. We do not know if she had children who would be ensuring that she was taken care of, the only thing that scripture points out is that she gives all that she had told live on. Yes she is showing faith in God to provide for her, but it is more than that. By handing over all that she had to live on, with no identifiable way of earning more money, the widow is showing a complete dependence on God to provide. She would have no means to be able to afford food, shelter, clothing, or any necessities but this did not stop her from giving all she had to God. She was essentially saying “This is all that I have to offer, but I have no hesitation in giving it to You Lord. I know that you will provide for me, I am only giving You back what is already Yours.”

In today’s world where many rely upon savings accounts in order to feel confident to face the world, could you imagine having this kind of faith? To step out and know that God will provide with everything that you need? I pray that more Christians today take on the widow’s attitude, acknowledge that what we have is the Lord’s and He will provide for us. The Lord loves His children and will take care of them.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

LIBERATED

Today we come to our final post on the topic of predestination verse election. I hope this series has caused you to want to dive into your Bible and see what God has to say on the matter. However, for this last post my goal is to show you that there is actually an alternative to the Calvinism and Arminianism only groups. Nevertheless, I believe we should take a moment and examine that both of these groups fail to comprehend at their core who God truly is. When we take a step back, we will find one glaring and unforgettable truth that we can be very dogmatic on.

This truth is: God is fully in control.

There are countless Bible verses examining, expounding, and developing our study on this truth. However, I would venture to say not many of us take this into application in our lives or frankly in our study of topics within God’s Word. For instance, Calvinism at its core takes away the ability for God to be in control while giving mankind the liberty to choose. Arminianism fails to allow God to knowing choose. Both limit God, both fail to comprehend who He is!

When we take a step back and examine that God is fully in control, we will understand that He knows who will except Him and who will not, even before time began. Does this mean Calvinism is correct? Certainly not! Instead a pillar of truth has been used by Calvinist to distort their own view. If saved, you are the Lord’s period! Did this come by Him calling you? Certainly, the person or the material must have been placed in such a manner as to cause you to come to the realization of God and be called to Him. This is not Calvinism, but rather a loving Father calling His children to Him.

Now on the flip side, God has made it evidently clear based on scripture that His actions were to rescue all for their sins. Does this mean that Arminianism is right? Certainly not! But like Calvinism, Arminianism have built their understanding on a pillar of truth found in the Bible. This pillar, like the Calvinist, has been used for their own distorted argument. The simple truth is God’s actions are clearly for all. All of creation is there to declare Him! Romans 1:20 “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” And yet, there are still some people who do not connect what God has declared in His creation and are still called saved. Examine Proverbs 24:11-12 “Deliver [those who] are drawn toward death, And hold back [those] stumbling to the slaughter. 12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider [it?] He who keeps your soul, does He [not] know [it?] And will He [not] render to [each] man according to his deeds?”

We see what appears to be a contradiction? But is it? Not in the slightest. Let us go to King David and his son.

2 Samuel 12:15-23 “Then Nathan departed to his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. 16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 So the elders of his house arose [and went] to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!” 19 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” 20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What [is] this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child [while he was] alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell [whether] the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 “But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

Here something happens that is key for us to understand. This child had zero understanding of God, who God was, and what God did for Him. However, the Calvinist might say that the child is in Hell. But David, a man after God’s own heart, would go to Hell likewise? Certainly not. The Arminianist would argue that the Child was saved because of innocence. However, David clearly knows the child was going to Heaven. How?

When we start to see God’s interactions with a proper lens, we learn several things. His actions cannot be put into a box. He knows who will be saved before creation. There is an age of innocence that all children, no matter if they would later on shake their fist at God and curse Him, will be saved if they die beforehand. God is clearly in control of the situation. God knows the ancestry of those living at a certain time who might not be saved, but their decedents five generations later will call on Jesus and be saved. Do you see it yet? God is clearly in control and thus capable of declaring certain things that might appear from the surface one way or the other in regards to election or free will. This allows us to read passages like, 1 Samuel 15:3 with boldness knowing that God knew not one person in Amalek’s decedents would be saved. So when He says “Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey” we can be rest assured that God has a purpose for it. In this particular case, Amalek’s were not fully human and were Nephalem.

So now we come to the “So what”? What does this mean for you and I? First off, don’t argue with those who desire nothing more than to argue about election verse free will. For God is in control and we have a part to play, and that is not part of it. In fact, when we start to argue, we come very close to replacing God with a God in our own making, which is idolatry. Your homework is to examine the Apostiles and see that they were unaware of who would be saved, but they declared God’s word to all. Those who came up they treated in the faith. After a time, some continued in the faith while others fell away. Who are we to examine a person’s life and see the end of their journey on earth. Our orders have not changed in the realm of salvation to our fellowman, Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age.” Amen.” Let us be about His orders and tell the gospel to all, some will accept and others will not. Some are called and others are not. It is okay. I am okay with this, for I know that my God is bigger than man and the conundrum we think we have found ourselves in with how a person comes to the faith. I pray that you can come to grips and know that His word is truth and we can be assured that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all knowing, all powerful, and all present. I hope you have enjoyed this small series and seen the powerful but simple truth that we have attempted to cover. Personally, for this pilgrim who was called by God and who chose God, I can whole heartedly say to Him, “Thank you Jesus.”

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL