God is Not in Control By Robert Ricciardelli
Presuppositions are not absolute truth
The title may shock you, but let me explain. There are many believers that have fallen into a deterministic world-view. This view presupposes that all things regarding His people have already been determined, and that He is in control of all things. This presupposition directly opposes the reality of what the Word of God actually teaches us about the Father. If we say that God is in control of all people, then we are saying that God causes all the suffering and pain in the world. If we suggest, as John Calvin did, that “Nothing happens except what is knowingly and willingly decreed by Him,” then we are implying that God is the cause of all things, including war and disease.
The reality is that God is not controlling all of His creation, all the time. According to the bible, God has all authority, and in Matthew 28:18, He has given that same authority to Jesus, who has the power to “subject all things to Himself” (Phil. 3:21). For now, Jesus reigns, but does not control all things, but there will be a day, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. There is an “open” view that sees that both God and man have choices yet to be determined. If that were not the case, then prayer could not move a God who had already made up his mind in all matters. We can see in scripture how God changes His mind at times because of the intercession or behavior of His people.
Providential Personal Intervention
While we understand that God does not control everything, we must also understand that He still has a will, as well as all authority to do as He wills for His purposes. Father in His love and desire for mankind will intervene in anyone’s life and for any reason of His choosing. So although He does not control all things, He has the choice and authority to control or change anything He desires.
Although He does not control us, we can say that He is always in control of our lives regardless of what we go through for “all things work together for good to those that love God.” God is certainly in control of specific situations, especially in the lives of His beloved who have received Him as Lord of their lives. However as an all- inclusive statement, it is wrong to say, “God is in control.” We can say however, “God is always in charge, and can use His authority and power whenever He chooses.” We have wonderful examples throughout the bible of God interrupting the lives of His chosen people, and some real notables in the lives of Paul, Moses, and Job.
Providential World Intervention
God does not control the world, for if He did, He would not ever need to intervene. People continue to choose to live their own way without acknowledging God, and yet the sun continues to rise and fall for them every day. Nevertheless you cannot read much of the bible without taking notice that God does in fact interact and intervene with the world and in the affairs of humanity. He also is preparing the world for His Kingdom glory that Jesus will rule and reign over for all eternity. This is why He taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, and thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.”
We pray for God’s will to be done on earth because presently His will is not being fully accomplished. So we pray and lead obedient lives as instruments of His mandate for all the earth, and for all creation. Until the fullness of His Kingdom in Christ, most of the world will continue to remain out of control, while God uses us in His providential will to bring many to the revelation of Himself. But when Christ arrives in all of His glory, He will command all things into submission to His will, and all of creation will bow to His Majesty.
Opposing Views Being Sorted
Deterministic and openness Christ followers do agree that God does have a predetermined plan that He will execute and accomplish. However, they disagree on how detailed that plan is, and how forceful He chooses to execute it. The deterministic Christian believes that God controls everything down to the smallest of details, while the openness believer sees God inspiring, guiding, directing and even forcefully intervening at times.
Our Life Choices Matter
We must realize our freedoms within the parameters that God sets, and truly have an open world-view. God continues to watch over us, respond to us, and desiring to work with us.
Exodus 33:5 For the LORD had told Moses to tell them, “You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you.”
God told the people to repent until he decided what to do with them. This scripture along with many throughout the bible proves that Father God has not predetermined all things, but wants our involvement. The above scripture alone is in direct opposition of the deterministic and classical view of God.
We are not simply pawns in the hands of God; we are sons and daughters of the Most High God. We are not left for chance or some predetermined outcome. We have a free will, Christ has set us free to be free, and we have an opportunity to partner with the Living God.
Our prayers matter, for our God listens, and the prayers of the righteous through Christ brings forth 4th dimension heaven to a 3rd dimension earth. You are essential to Father’s plan, the church is essential, and the gates of hell will not prevail against us. Let’s work with the Father together, transform the world, and forge the future now. Arise saints of God, for this life and for this day, and let’s live, move, and have our being in Him.
