God Does NOT Take Sides
No matter what anybody says these days, the events of 2020 are not unprecedented in recorded history. Sickness in the land, riots in the street, racial divide, religious discrimination, class oppression, political upheaval, police brutality – time-traveling journalists would be reporting these same events from the streets of Jerusalem in the first century; from the town markets of Paris, France in 1793, from the winter palace steps in St. Petersburg, Russia on Bloody Sunday in 1905, from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in 1970, from Tiananmen Square of Beijing, China in 1989. ‘That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.’ Ecclesiastes 1:9
‘God is in control’ is a popular answer that many believers give when ‘why?’ or ‘for what purpose?’ questions are posed. However, by frequent (and often dismissive) use it loses its effectiveness to assure and comfort an already frightened and angered people. Without the Gospel of Jesus Christ and an understanding of the ultimate goal of God’s plan for His people, a God who is ‘in control’ of mayhem and brutality is inconceivable as a loving and protecting God. There must be a better understanding of that answer.
If you believe that the Holy Bible is God’s message translated to human language, then God created humankind. God gave it a choice between decision-making led by His infinite ability to understand the effect of every action on everything made by everybody for all time OR the free will of decision-making with a finite ability and a limited understanding of the effects of these actions on everything and everyone. Humankind chose free will and the evil perpetrated in this existence is the cumulative result of this often-misguided decision-making by every human being that ever lived since that moment (except Jesus Christ). You read that right…by a little bit or a lot, we are ALL responsible for the turmoil of the day - ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ Romans 3:23.
It follows that God does not ‘make’ us do anything – we have the free will to do as we choose – but He has the power to use our choices and the effect it has on our world to bring about His purposes. THAT is the ‘control’ of which we speak. There is trust in knowing that no matter how chaotic or brutal the circumstances in which we find ourselves, God is directing the effects of our decision-making throughout history to accomplish His plans for us all. According to Scripture, Egypt’s enslavement of Israel was used by God to bring about His purposes. Ramses was on the throne at God’s directive. The trials of Moses were harsh but turned to God’s use for the entire nation. After Jesus told His disciples what was going to happen to Him, Peter blurted out ‘Never!’ only to be rebuked by Jesus. Horrible, terrible, cruel treatment was in store for the Lord, at the free will choice of others, but God used it to save us all.
So, if we conclude that God is working out ALL things for ALL people for ALL time, then we are ALL connected in this ALL encompassing picture! His greatest desire is for ALL men to be reconciled to Him. He wants us ALL to make it with nobody left behind. So where in ALL of this can you say that God takes a side?
It’s time to focus NOT on the things that divide us, but that which unites us. Jesus Christ. He died for ALL of us. Just say no to employing the blessing of God to recruit followers to the ‘right’ side of human conflict. Enough of using God’s favor as a political power ploy. Stop it already with exploiting the justice of God while ignoring His mercy. Cease practicing ‘godliness’ while denying His power. As the prophet Micah exhorted the people of Israel when rebuked for dishonesty in the marketplace and corruption in the government – “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8. These are the things that God has shown us are GOOD.
Be GOOD today. Peace.
