Knowing God part 8

The Decrees of God

We’ll get right to it. I know tomorrow is Thanksgiving and everyone is super busy, so let’s get in right away:

What is meant by God’s decrees?

The decrees of God involve His decisions about all things external to Himself, and include:

His eternal purposes according to the counsel of His own will

We say “His eternal counsel” because, He needs no one’s advice.

His decrees are:

Eternal

Holy

Wise

Sovereign

And they have to do with EVERYTHING that comes to pass.

That last statement, “They have to do with EVERYTHING that comes to pass” has led many to think that EVERYTHING that happens is in God’s will.

While God certainly knows everything that will happen -both good and evil, who will be saved and who will reject His grace, not everything that happens, certainly not everything that is done will be done in God’s will.

For instance: Does God know that there is a young lady today who is single, and has gotten pregnant? That she feels she cannot afford to carry this child to term and raise it to an adult? Does God know she has made an appointment with the clinic to have an abortion? Does God know whether or not she will be able to keep that appointment? Does God know the exact moment the baby will cease to live and be terminated? The only acceptable answer is “Yes”. Follow-up: Is here decision to have an abortion God’s will? Did God’s perfect knowledge of these events cause her to have entered into a sinful relationship? To have an abortion? Of course not!

How then do we reconcile our will with God’s will? That is where the decrees of God come in. I want to share three truths to consider regarding the decrees of God:

God’s Decrees or God’s Plan Concerning All Things is Singular

Some things happen according to God’s directive will.

By “Directive will” I mean the will that God has for us specifically.

Me personally, I knew in June of 2021 that my ministry at Grace Baptist Church had come to an end, and by September of the same year God had finally shown me the next step in my pastoral ministry. I know beyond any doubt that God directed me to PCCC.

Other things are according to His permissive will.

Consider the same scenario from the introduction

While it was not God’s will for the hypothetical young lady to be pregnant out of wedlock

While it is certainly not God’s will for her to have an abortion

God can, and often does, use those experiences to bring the young lady to Him in salvation - I was privileged to hear some of those stories on November 11th.

All things, however, are withing God’s decree:

Ephesians 1:10–11 KJV 1900

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Ephesians 3:11 KJV 1900

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

God’s Decrees Sometimes Differ from His Desire

He is not willing that any should perish

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

However, many will perish in hell (Matthew 7:13)

Matthew 7:13 KJV 1900

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

The reason for this difference is seen in the FACT that man is morally responsible and given the freedom toe choose. Sometimes/Often our choices are sinful choices

For this reason, we may conclude that sin ins by divine permission. God’s plan allows for sin, BUT He is not the blame for sin.

Need an Example?

An architect can draw the plans for a building perfectly, yet while it is being constructed, an irresponsible worker can be killed.

It is not the architect or his plan which is at fault…the worker, by acting irresponsibly, must take the responsibility.

Lastly...

God’s Decrees are for the Ultimate Purpose of Glorifying Himself

Ephesians 1:6 KJV 1900

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:12 KJV 1900

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:14 KJV 1900

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

To this extent we must believe that God’s plan is the best plan and that it will all harmonize one day for His glory

Closing Thought

There are many who disagree about the extent of which God’s control over our everyday lives. Is everything predetermined, or do we bear some responsibility? We will close with this thought:

Do bad things happen?

Yes, but God is not the cause.

Sin is the result of choices.

Did Adam and Eve truly have a choice in the Garden?

Some say no.

If that is the case then consider this possibility:

God said, “Do not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge.”

Then God made them eat the fruit, and then God punished them for doing something He made them do.

Here is a better question:

Did God know they would disobey?

Yes. But He gave them the chance to make the right choice.

Did they fail? Yes, but God did not make them fail, on the contrary, He made a way for them to be forgiven!

Sinful choices do not please God, but God has allowed space for them to occur in His plan.

Did you ever disobey your parents?

Whose fault was it for you breaking the rules?