WILL IT
Every human has gone through trials and temptation, seasons of clarity and times when God seems utterly distant. The real test of anyone’s faith is the result of the decisions made as we make our way through this life. I spoke with a young, single mother recently about the issue of what truth is. Like many in our culture, she  expressed her inward beliefs outwardly with her multiple tattoos. She attempted to explain the two on either wrist – one read VERITAS (Latin for truth) and the other was AEQUITAS (Latin for justice). The woman also showed me a couple of images behind each ear that were Pagan symbols, and told me she had others on various bodily locations that she didn’t attempt to display for me (thankfully). Like a lot of people, she had bits and pieces of truth though her understanding was muddied with her collection of different world views blended into one. Two words trigger when someone is in essence making things up as they go… the phrase “to me”. She used these words repeatedly. The issue of Truth and Justice just isn’t that interchangeable. People toil with the concept of God’s plan and purpose for their life, or looking for God’s will. But how can we truly know what it is? I have heard more times than I care to remember the phrase something like, “I just know it in my heart.” That’s a dangerous position to hold. The problem enters as many believe that we’re good by nature, and that the answers can come from within. Consider Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (ESV) It doesn’t sound very trustworthy according to the ultimate source of Truth. So, yes, we each have a heart to discern God’s will, but  the problem… that very thing within us is tainted, sick, deceitful and self-centered by default. Romans 12:2 gives one of the clearest practice for understanding God’s will. It says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV) In the fallen world that we live in, it can sometimes seem like a bit of conflict when it comes to God’s will. One could wonder if it is God’s will that they are sick, that they were abused, or that they are having trouble in relationships. When we consider God’s will, it is important to note that there are really two simple forms. God’s sovereign will is one, being that He is in control over all things yet there are events that take place that He disapproves of. And then there is God’s will of command, which is basically the precept He has given to us which we choose to either obey or disobey. This one is up to us to live out or to fail.  On God’s sovereign will, is it God’s will that evil happens? Of course not, but that obviously doesn’t mean that He won’t allow it. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but God does still use these things for the good of those who love Him. He can glorify Himself with the most heinous of acts. The best example is to look back to the cross to discern how powerfully He can accomplish this. Remember also that Jesus actually prayed that the cup of suffering would be taken from Him, but submitted Himself to God’s will in the end. The men that crucified Christ sinned against God, yet He used it for our salvation and His glory. Regarding God’s will of command, we’ve already determined that our hearts or our feelings shouldn’t be used as a compass to navigate through life. The Word of God makes the will of God plain. The Bible gives us many answers to various questions we could ask. If anyone wonders whether or not they should take God’s name in vain, be sexually immoral, lie, steal, gossip… it isn’t something that needs to be prayed about to discover what should be acted upon. God has made known His view on such things, and when we act out in contrast then we are outside of God’s will at that point. When it comes to decisions like getting involved in a business venture, marrying someone, adopting a child, going on a mission trip, etc. – those would be good examples of items to come before the Lord in prayer and asking Christian friends for advice, all the while looking at life through the Biblical lens.  We need to follow the instruction of Romans 12:2, and live a life that is continually being renewed by Christ himself. We need to be done with this play acting Christian stuff already. The reality is if we were to live our lives truly being transformed by Christ rather than simply putting on an outward display, the questions that come up through this life would be quite easily discerned since God would be speaking clearly to us. When we live inside the will of God we don’t need to hear His voice tell us which TV show to watch or which entrée to order, as the new mind He gives already prepares us for the day to day decisions we will make. It’s important to be sure we haven’t done the work of searing our very own God-given conscience so that we’re unable to hear from Him. That sick and dying heart within every man needs the infused blood of the Savior constantly. It is terribly easy in our culture to become so engrossed in the worlds display of what is good and right when it is entirely contrary to God’s will. Determine in your hearts today to get rid of any unconfessed sin, put on the full armor of God and live in a way that honors Him regardless of the temporal cost.
Romans 8:4-6
"...in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;"
(New International Version)
Street Report
by Ben Wiersma This past April I was blessed with the chance to attend an Ambassador’s Academy in LA. It was an amazing and encouraging experience. To see so many from different places with the same desire to better equip ourselves and share the whole gospel with the lost was awesome. I passed out many tracts, several one-to-ones, stoplight preached on several occasions and even a short open air at Huntington Beach. This was far more than I thought I was able to do but the Lord showed me yet again He can do great things through us all when we are willing. Looking back now I am still amazed how the Lord used all who were willing for His glory. It is truly amazing to see the positive response that is given when the truth is shared in love. One example of this was how a girl returned after hearing my brother  open air preach. She came back later to ask more about how to restore herself to God through Christ. Just a little more proof that even when people don’t stop to listen when they walk by, they still hear what you say. Whether it is overhearing a one to one you’re having with someone else, or you’re “on the box”. I would highly recommend attending the Ambassador’s Academy if you are able to (see www.ambassadorsalliance.com). If you don’t feel ready or capable of talking to strangers about your faith don’t be afraid to come out to the blues on Wednesday’s and just watch and listen. This was the route I took because on my own I am very quiet. Now I will at least talk to some knowing all that I really need to know is the gospel. Even though I have not mastered answering every question thrown out I know God’s word never returns void. Some are searching, others have been deceived, others yet think it doesn’t matter but all need to hear the truth. Note from Tom: I have to say that I have been greatly encouraged by Ben and his increasing boldness. He has been very consistent in coming out with us as a team since last year. He mentions above that he is quiet, and that is very true, though the Lord is continually giving him a voice to speak Truth. God will use each and every one of us; all we have to do is step out in obedience and out our trust in Him instead of our abilities.
Blues on the Mall is on... In last month’s newsletter, we reminded you of the annual Blues on the Mall event put on by WLAV every year in Grand Rapids on Wednesday nights. This Wednesday will be week 4, and we’re having a great time. This past week we set up our new Plinko game, and used it to transition into the Gospel. The last couple of weeks we have finished the night as people are leaving with open air preaching and really have been blessed. There is an incredible blend of different beliefs that make up the mixture of people there, and as usual at this event, there is a real openness to the Gospel. You never know how people will react especially with open air preaching, since it can have a negative appearance. God has been honoring our requests for what we are doing to not be a simple resonance of noise, but rather opening up a productive conversation within this culture that hates God. People are asking really good questions. Come out to take part in this thing God’s been doing. This week we plan to do video interviews, and next week are hoping to bring a magic “extravaganza”. Apparently Tom is going to escape from a tightly secured straight jacket. We shall see… We’re having a great time trying new things, and experiencing God moving powerfully.
Questions and Objections
"If God is a God of love, why hasn’t He dealt with evil?"
In Dr. Robert Morey’s book The New Atheism and the Erosion of Freedom, he talks with an atheist about this issue. The atheist assumes that everything is relative, and there are no absolutes (he is absolutely sure of that). Morey replies that the first thing an atheist must do is prove the existence of evil. By what process can an atheist identify evil? He must have a universal absolute to do so. Without an absolute reference point for "good" (which only God can provide), no one can identify what is good or evil. Thus without the existence of God, there is no "evil" or "good" in an absolute sense. Everything is relative. The problem of evil does not negate the existence of God. It actually requires it.
Many assume that because evil still exists today, God has not dealt with it. How can atheists assume that God has not already solved the problem of evil in such a way that neither His goodness nor omnipotence is limited? On what grounds do they limit what God can and cannot do to solve the problem? God has already solved the problem of evil. And He did it in a way in which He did not contradict His nature or the nature of man. We assume God will solve the problem of evil in one single act. But why can’t He deal with evil in a progressive way? Can’t He deal with it throughout time as we know it, and then bring it to the climax on the Day of Judgment? God sent His Son to die on the cross in order to solve the problem of evil. Christ atoned for evil and secured the eventual removal of all evil from the earth. One day evil will be quarantined in one spot called "hell." Then there will be a perfect world devoid of all evil. If God declared that all evil would, at this moment, cease to exist, you and I and all of humanity would go up in a puff of smoke. Divine judgment demands that sin be punished.
By Ron Meade
Excerpted from The Evidence Bible Wise Words "One of the great tragedies of contemporary Christendom is the preoccupation of so many Christians with the secret decretive will of God to the exclusion and neglect of the preceptive will. We want to peek behind the veil, to catch a glimpse of our personal future. We seem more concerned with our horoscope than with our disobedience, more concerned with what the stars in their courses are doing than with what we are doing."
R.C. Sproul |
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