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Commentary on "The Power of Choice"

MARTIN L. CAREY

 

Day 4: Tuesday, April 6, 2010

 

Review

This lesson repeats the assertion that regardless of the fall of Adam and Eve, we still have free will. Our choice to surrender to God is entirely up to us.

Two stories of Abraham are given as examples of choices with long term consequences. In the first, Abraham chose to obey God when he was called to leave his home in Haran. This is contrasted with his wrong choices in marrying Hagar and having a son with her. Ellen White is quoted, stating that Abraham violated the law of God with his polygamy, and ruined the sacredness and peace of his family. This marriage resulted in evil to his family, but also to future generations.

Daniel’s firm choice not to defile himself with the king’s food had consequences for his entire life, the lesson states, which caused the Lord to give him the special attention and blessings he later received. The lesson states the importance of having strong conviction, and asks how we can “program our minds” so that we are more likely to make good choices.

 

Observations

It is significant that this lesson again asserts our power of choice and free will, regardless of the effects of Adam’s sin. The previous page had stated, “Humans are enslaved by sin. We are not born free…God offers the only true freedom.” Rather than trying to disentangle the subtleties of these statements, we can look for clarity in how God is sovereign in history, working things out for the good of those who love Him. Paul is clear that God is able to bring about His purposes in all things:

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will…” Ephesians 1:11

Our sovereign God is able to work good out of any circumstances, according to His purposes, regardless of how sinful our choices have been. As we shall see, greatest sins can become God’s greatest demonstrations of His power and grace. We can begin with Abraham and Hagar. Abraham followed Sarah’s advice and married Hagar, who gave birth to Ishmael. There were no laws of God violated in this marriage, and Moses would not ever record any law against polygamy. Even though this showed a lack of faith by Abraham and Sarah, God repeatedly blessed both Hagar and Ishmael. When mother and son were dying in the desert, the “Angel of the Lord” (Christ Himself) came to rescue them, and made Ishmael into a great nation. Marrying Hagar was not God’s command, but neither is any child’s birth an evil accident. Every child is born by His will. Nor is the birth and success of any nation an accident, as we find in Acts 17. Paul told the Athenians,

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God…” Acts 17:26

The story of Joseph provides an excellent example of God’s power to use great sins to bring about great good. Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave to the Ishmaelites, who sold him in Egypt. Many years later, after he was reunited with his brothers, and after their father Jacob died, the brothers feared that Joseph would take revenge for their treatment of him many years before. They asked for his forgiveness, saying, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph wept, and reassured them with these remarkable words,

“Do not fear…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:19-20

What great comfort there is in those words for us when others mean evil against us! Whatever harm is intended by others, God means it for good. And guess who’s intentions will win out?

The death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus was predetermined by God, and prophesied in scriptures, such as Psalms 22 and Isaiah 53. No power in heaven or earth could prevent this from happening, as Acts 2:32 says, He was “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” Instrumental in His death was the disciple Judas, who betrayed Him. This is why Jesus called Judas a “son of perdition (John 17:12).” Judas exercised his own will and chose to betray Jesus. His actions were also predetermined by God, and fulfilled God’s “definite plan.” Jesus said of His betrayal,

“The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Matthew 26:24

Did Judas exercise his own powers of choice in betraying Jesus? Yes, he did. Was he also acting out God’s predetermined plan in his sin? Yes, he was. Was this a sin for which he is condemned by God? Yes, it is, as Jesus said. Even though Judas was acting out God’s definite plan as the chosen instrument, he was still culpable for his choices. And Judas’ choices also resulted in salvation for those who believe. Judas’ sin never was out of God’s loving control.

Paul confronts the anguished response that many Christians will have to God’s sovereignty in subverting and overruling human decisions:

“You will say to me then, ‘Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?’ But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?” Romans 9:19, 20

As Paul states in Romans 9, God is the Creator and owner of all things, including us. We are able to believe His promises because He has the authority and ability to carry them out, precisely as He said He would. No power on earth can stop His plans, not even our worst choices. Hallelujah!

“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

 

Summary

  1. God works all things according His will, bringing good out of all circumstances, regardless of bad human choices.
  2. Even though Abraham married Hagar and had Ishmael by her, God protected Hagar and Ishmael, personally caring for them and blessing them.
  3. No person’s birth, and no nation’s founding are ever against God’s wishes. He predetermines their times and boundaries (Acts 17).
  4. Judas sinned by betraying Jesus, and faces eternal consequences for his sin. Yet he was chosen by God to fulfill God’s predetermined plans to save mankind through Jesus’ death.
  5. Even our worst choices cannot stop God’s marvelous plans to bring about good for those He loves.

 

GO TO DAY 5

 

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