There’s lots of dangerous doctrine. Most of which makes people feel condemned, afraid, worthless, bitter, helpless, or even trapped.
But there is no worse teaching than “selling” the idea that God is in 100% control.
This breeds 2 types of identities:
1. VICTIM:
When bad things happen - God allowed it. How dare God let this happen to me. I’m furious at Him. I’ve been so faithful and this is the thanks I get.
This God is PARTIAL, and plays favorites. This God chooses which sickness or despair to accidentally or whimsically “place” upon His kids. Cancer for Charlie, but health for Billy! This is not a God of righteousness, this is injustice at its worst.
2. MARTYR:
When bad things happen - oh well, this is God’s will for me. I’m here to suffer for God, and people will see Jesus in me. My faith hasn’t been that strong lately, and this must be to teach me a lesson - I need to be stronger.
This God uses pain to teach lessons, because His perfect love isn’t good enough for learning! This God is a bully, and uses fear to force people to submit and obey. This God is random and arbitrary, and cannot be trusted.
In both scenarios, if God were human - the local child enforcement agency would come take the kids away!
First. Sovereign Lord biblically means Lord, Lord. God is in charge of all, but not fully in control.
Why?
* There is a god in this earth.
* There are demonic principalities.
* There is free will.
* There are legal challenges at His throne.
* There are fallen world issues, like our aging bodies.
Check this. (FW) means free will.
Jimmy is a believer (FW), but is constantly angry and bitter (FW) because his mom abandoned (FW) him when he was 5. The anger and bitterness (FW) is causing his limbic system to be chemically out of whack (FW) - which has caused cancer (FW) to form in his body.
Because Jimmy has professed faith (FW) in Jesus - but holds such anger, resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness (FW) in his heart - Satan has charged him with unbelief (FW) at the throne. These legal charges (FW), have resulted in demonic entities entering his body causing fibromyalgia and brain fog (FW) thereby making things real tough at his job.
Because his body is aging normally, he can’t see as well - but refuses (FW) to wear glasses. Jimmy can’t see an order placed at the warehouse he works in, so Satan pokes at his anger and frustration (FW), causing Jimmy to lash out (FW) at his boss and get fired. Jimmy storms off from work (FW) and slams (FW) the car door - on his hand. In much pain, Jimmy decides to go to a bar and drink a few beers to feel better (FW). On the way home, driving drunk (FW) - he kills a 5 year old in another vehicle.
How much of this is God responsible for???
Zero.
How much could God have prevented???
Zero.
God will never, ever touch our free will - because love is predicated on free will. If we aren’t free to hate, we aren’t free to love. Love is a choice.
Look. We are in far more control than most people give us credit.
Honestly. Not all things are good, but God is good in all things. And all things will work out for our good, spiritually so that we can be mature and complete lacking nothing. James 1:4, Romans 8:28