I asked this question in last week’s post, and came to the conclusion that no, God is not in control of everything that happens.
Jesus Himself helps substantiate this in His teachings. For example, let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding:
And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.’ But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them” (Matthew 22:1-6).
This parable first illustrates how God has called us to a relationship with Himself. But notice those who were invited had a choice. Jesus said they “were not willing to come.” In other words, not everything is the WILL of God because He’s given us the power to choose our own will.
Jesus also said the people made light of it and went their own way. Does that sound at all like people today? I think yes.
Even with good intentions, we often make light of God’s instructions for our lives based on how we feel at the moment. And if we’re not careful, these choices can give our enemy access where he should not have been able to attack. In fact the Apostle Paul said, “We don’t want to give Satan an opening for yet more mischief…” (2 Corinthians 2:11, MSG).
Another parable to illustrate our ability to choose is found in Matthew’s gospel:
[Jesus said] But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, “Son, go, work today in my vineyard.” He answered and said, “I will not” —but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, “I go, sir” —but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to Him, “The first.” (Matthew 21:28-31).
Did Jesus share this parable to illustrate God is in control of everything? Or to remind us we have a choice?
God is obviously not in control of everything. He cannot control the one who won’t listen and obey —and therefore He can’t control the consequences of that one either.
I was recently praying while the TV was on and saw a short segment on some work houses in India where young boys were acid-washing designer jeans for the United States. They were working in horrible conditions and the faces of these young people revealed their fatigue and emptiness.
In my spirit, I said, “Why Lord?” And very quickly, I heard in my spirit, “They live in a godless country.”
Without further explanation, I understood what God meant. How can we expect the world to be a “good” place when, in many parts of our world, God is not invited, much less recognized?
By itself, the earth is not a good place. But isn’t this why Jesus came? To restore the broken relationship between God and man, and retrieve the authority God gave man over the earth? Yes! So instead of asking why do bad things happen? Let’s take God to the “godless” areas (maybe our own neighborhoods) and help others find life in the God who saves, delivers, and sets free.
God isn’t in control of everything, but God is sovereign to His Word. What He says, He will do. Let’s look at this a little more next time.
