Everything was planned by God down to the tiniest detail. We pray because God is sovereign and all powerful. It was the tech team, the web master, the secretary, or whoever posted my sermon on line. WebThe one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. We need to be reminded again and again that we are like grass disposable, temporary, fleeting, momentary. Verse Concepts. WebAnd then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will. Why? I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. His silence spoke more loudly than the foolish claims of his lying accusers. Do not lament your insufficiency. Though used by God for his purposes, the ungodly are still evil. But now, the grief of the Egyptians had subsided and was replaced with anger and regret. The Lord can never be blamed for evil, but evil does not take p. God never does evil Himself. In many cases without them even realizing that they were being used by God. The thing he values the most is dragging him down to eternal damnation. God chooses the custodian with a heavy accent to share the gospel and save lives. Comments? Our prayers do not alter Gods eternal decree. During our conversationwhich lasted two hours and was both cordial and very frankI told him that his religion could not save him. They do whatever they want. Here are some examples: I am not a rising star in any field, industry, or arena. and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. Our accomplishments do not justify our existence. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. In heaven, each mans praise will come to him from God, and God will be glorified for sovereignly using sinners for His good purposes (I Cor. God could have had the earth swallow up the Amalekites. Remember my imprisonment. Here are the two great texts to keep in mind regarding Gods providence and our own personal experience: The first is the famous statement by Joseph to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. The second comes from the familiar words of Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. These verses teach us that God is able to take the worst things that happen in life and turn them for our good and his glory. Those who turn in humble trust to the Lord, who rest in His work of redemption, who seek to walk in his ways, and who turn in humble repentance when they fail, will receive His righteousness, and blessing forever. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 13:17). Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; Immediately the boys father cried out and said, I do believe; help my unbelief.. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. This doesnt erase tragedy or transform heartache, but it gives us a divine perspective on the hard times of life that enables us to keep on going when wed rather give up and quit. We have one life to use, and the usefulness of that one life depends not on our rsum or even how much we know. They were afraid. So through his death, he can have everlasting life on earth. God calls the autistic man to give the most profound articulation of his simple faith. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Zechariah 11:13Judas would give the money back. God will surely judge all rebellion, secret and open. WebGod was about to turn to the Gentiles as He judged Israel as a nation for her unbelief. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. and be astounded! God didnt need to have Moses lift up his staff. As the persecution he inflicted was just the jump-start the early church needed to start taking the Gospel to the rest of the world. WebThe Scripture teaches that God achieves His purpose in unbelievers. And did not believe in His wonderful works. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. Their horses also are swifter than leopards, And more fierce than evening wolves. Literal Standard Version. It doesnt mean everything will also go perfectly or the way we hope. WebGod will never set man's will aside and use him for a good purpose without his being willing to be used. Here are some examples: 4:5). As Christians, we have nothing to fear or worry about because we know that God is in control. Paul, in writing to Corinth, corrected the Churchs misuse of speaking in foreign tongues. God doesnt need men, but God chooses to use men at times to accomplish His sovereign will. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. We see the same thing after the Israelites cross the Red Sea and are attacked by the Amalekites (Ex. The articles posted on this website are here to provide information about the Bible and specific topics related to the Reformed Faith along with it's application in our daily thoughts and activities. And goes on to say, How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? God may ordain to use their wickedness, but this does not make it morally right. He does this for obvious reasons. I sit on no boards. God answered him. His plan in doing so was to bless all people. But God did just that and used a sinning Gentile to begin the process of restoring Israel. Unbelievers Are blinded by the God of this world 2 Corinthians 4:4 Verse Concepts One of the most remarkable things about the Scriptures is how they preserve for us what we regard as our highest dignity, which is the right to exercise our own will. In spite of all this they still sinnedAnd did not believe in His wonderful works. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.. He is the preeminent insider who knew Jesus as well as anyone has ever known himyet in the end never really knew him at all. You will say to me then, Why does He still find fault? Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? God will use it even if you do not understand how. The Prophet Habakkuk wrote during the troubled times before Judahs captivity. You truly never know God could be doing something right that we wouldnt understand even if He told us. Your children, however, whom you said would become a preyI will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. Judas professed Christ but he did not possess him, which is why he is in hell today. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. Psalm 109:8Replaced by another manMatthias (see Acts 1:20). Israel as a nation had rejected the promises of Moses and the Prophets culminating in the demand for the death of Jesus, Gods Messiah. Today, the weapons of force have improved, yet all the more they take whatever they want, and give only when it serves their purpose. Literal Standard Version. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne ( Psalm 47:8 ). Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). WebJohn 3:16. I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12: 3). Prayer is one of the means God uses to accomplish His sovereign will and get glory for himself. There are so many amazing things in these few verses. Suggestions? If so, did he have a choice? Because God created all He can use anything in creation. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat. In spite of our slownessand even sinGod will bless and use us to fulfill His purpose of blessing all nations through Christ, because of our relationship to the Father through the Son. It is not our responsibility to determine how God will use us, but it is our responsibility to be faithful to obey the Word of God. But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now., but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the. God uses all those who humble themselves before the cross, boasting only in him his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness, his accomplishment. He was ready to die for his Master and intended to take a few of the bad guys with him. The fact that God ordains both the means and the ends should surely encourage us as we face our own trials. But they feared to do it during the Feast of Unleavened Bread because of the crowds that thronged Jerusalem. Jesus point is clear, The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.. Here is my answer: He allowed Judas to betray Jesus so that Jesus could become the Savior of the world. It is a mighty nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say. . Paul used this verse from Habakkuk to warn the foolish despisers of the gospel. How does this truth apply to Judas? When they offered him 30 pieces of silver, he readily accepted even though that was the going price for a slave. 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. They mock authority and law, and believe that might makes right. They still look to their own strength and ability as if they were divine and answer to no authority above their own. Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice. In Acts 2 God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who spoke on the streets of Jerusalem in the languages of the Gentiles who were present. Matthew 26:3-5 informs us that the leaders of the Jews were looking for an opportunity to arrest Jesus and put him to death. Are we becoming more like Jesus by the power of the Spirit? As a place to begin, consider three verses dealing with Judas. Romans 8:28 says, For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. All things includes both good and bad things. They heap judgment on themselves. But we need to grow in faith and obedience. Gods plan even extended to having Jesus buried in a borrowed tomb (see Isaiah 53:9). God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne ( Psalm 47:8 ). But if anyone says to you, This is meat sacrificed to idols, do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other mans; for why is my freedom judged by anothers conscience? Sign up to join over 20,000 subscribers receiving our weekly sermon email. God knew that Pharaoh would change his mind about letting the people of Israel go and that he would pursue them to bring them back to Egypt. Thus they plundered the Egyptians ( Exodus 12:36 ). We see this all the way through the Bible. He stands behind it indirectly, but He directly stands behind good. He uses believers and unbelievers. We are saved by living faith in the Son of Godnot by outward religious observance. The sheep representing believers who did Gods will and the goats representing unbelievers who do not do Gods will. Isaiah 28:11 warned, For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people. Jeremiah 5:15 said, Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel, says the LORD. 1:15-16), later to be thrown in the Nile (Ex. They move ahead as a determined army spreading violence. And Jesus said, For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind., Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, We are not blind too, are we?. He has but one endto make us like Jesus. Gods Ability To Use Unlikely People Even Unbelievers. This seems to be one of the reasons God had Moses lift up his staff and hands to divide the Red Sea. His words imply that all the torment will be tolerable. A most astonishing way of fulfilling that prophesy. WebGod never does evil Himself. 5:14). This truth about Judas illustrates Gods control of every event in the universe. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Lesson 7 The Interpretation of Scripture, Lesson 5a Boundaries of the Doctrine of Creation, Primeval Chronology by Dr. William Henry Green, Lesson 8 Gods Special Providence & Miracles, Lesson 10 Assurance of Grace and Salvation, Lesson 2 Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience, Lesson 3 The Regulative Principle of Worship, Lesson 4a The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 4b The Elements of Regulated Worship, Lesson 1 An Overview of Special Eschatology, Lesson 2 -The Great Tribulation of Matthew 24, Lesson 3 The Millennium of Revelation 20, A Guide for Small Group Bible Study Leaders, Defending the Biblical Faith by what God Shows Us, Lessons in the Westminster Shorter Catechsim, The Inspiration of the Treasured Word of God, Summary of the 45th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, The Holy Spirit In the Ministry of the Word, The Necessity of Biblical Love in the Believers Life, Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (part 2), Keep Your Bible Skills Sharp and Ready (Part 1). Jesus immediately restored the ear and told Peter to put down his sword. God could by-pass us and do everything himself, but He does not. 28:49, The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand. Which caused the church to grow rapidly. Scripture even points to the fact that God used Cyrus even though he didnt know God. God uses pathetic people for his glorious purposes to show his superior power. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. Though absolutely sovereign, all knowing, all wise, and everywhere present, God uses sinners to accomplish His will. I have an unimpressive family background and do not come from a long line of important people. The unbeliever has made an exchangethe truth for a lieand the devil is happy to facilitate the swap by presenting the sinner with a wide array of lies from which to choose. We know from the sowing and reaping principle that t here will be degrees of torment in the lake of fire. I believe that t he Lord is here suggesting that the eternal torment that unbelievers will experience will be on a scale from more tolerable to less tolerable. WebGod Can Use Unbelievers part 1: Cyrus 1. We see this all the way through the Bible. One swing of his sword whacked off the ear of Malchus, servant to the High Priest. Say to them, As I live, says the Lord, just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. Though used of God to complete his plan, those who crucified our Lord were still personally wicked and godless in what they did. God strengthened Cyrus so that he could conquer nations and overcome opposition Thus says the Lord God to His 2. But most of the time we wont see it fully until we finally arrive in heaven. The new king was deposed after three months. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. We need to remember that God uses the foolish. He could have rained fire and brimstone down on them. God sovereignly saves sinners, yet, He often uses sinners to accomplish His sovereign will. God was rejecting their national privilege, and turning to the Gentiles to populate his Covenant Nation on Earth. Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; He commits offense, Ascribing this power to his god.. When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, It is enough! They have heard that You, O. We return now to the original question: Why did God allow Judas to betray Jesus?