What if I told you that God is not in control? Too many members within the body of Christ think and say that God is in control. Being 'in control' means that a person actually makes people act against their will whether by domination, restraint, or force. That line of thinking and speaking contradicts His character and His word though.
He gave all people dominion over the whole earth including the creatures and land (See Genesis 1:26). Therefore, He put all people in charge so to speak. He also gave every person a choice or "free will" dating way back to the Garden of Eden, when both Adam and Eve chose to sin against Almighty God --- the Creator of the universe (Read Genesis 1-3).
Of course, He uses every person's "free will" or choices altogether for His purpose in the earth. It's known as His sovereignty which is totally different than Him being in control of everyone and everything. His children are led by His spirit within them (See Romans 8:14). As they surrender, submit, obey Him; He uses them and their choices according to His will for them. And, we know that all things work for the good of those who love Him which are called according to His purpose (See Romans 8:28).
Copyright 2020 by Dawn Freeman. All Rights Reserved.
Showing posts with label Adam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adam. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Friday, August 18, 2017
What God Has Joined...
"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (Mark 10:9, NIV)
Those are usually some of the words in wedding vows, when two people get married in this world. Many people including some Christians who attend wedding ceremonies assume, think, and/or believe that God must have been a part of the couple's dating and/or courtship beforehand. He must have placed the couples together. He must have joined them in holy matrimony. However, that is not always the case.
“So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27, NIV - emphasis added mine)
God only joins one man and one woman together in holy matrimony.
Let’s look again at Genesis 1.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28, NIV)
The first man, Adam, was all alone in the Garden of Eden. That was an issue or problem though.
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18, NIV)
God’s plans included making a specific woman for him.
“So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22, NIV - emphasis added mine)
Notice the way that God made the first woman, Eve, and brought her to Adam for His specific purpose.
The same is true today. God's plans normally include making specific, individual women for every man in this world. Additionally, He desires for them to be spiritually and physically brought together as one for His specific purpose and plan. (See Jeremiah 29:11-13; Matthew 19:4-6)
Copyright 2017 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Those are usually some of the words in wedding vows, when two people get married in this world. Many people including some Christians who attend wedding ceremonies assume, think, and/or believe that God must have been a part of the couple's dating and/or courtship beforehand. He must have placed the couples together. He must have joined them in holy matrimony. However, that is not always the case.
“So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27, NIV - emphasis added mine)
God only joins one man and one woman together in holy matrimony.
Let’s look again at Genesis 1.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28, NIV)
The first man, Adam, was all alone in the Garden of Eden. That was an issue or problem though.
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18, NIV)
God’s plans included making a specific woman for him.
“So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22, NIV - emphasis added mine)
Notice the way that God made the first woman, Eve, and brought her to Adam for His specific purpose.
The same is true today. God's plans normally include making specific, individual women for every man in this world. Additionally, He desires for them to be spiritually and physically brought together as one for His specific purpose and plan. (See Jeremiah 29:11-13; Matthew 19:4-6)
Copyright 2017 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Redeemed From the Curse
The very first man, Adam, and the very first woman, Eve, received the curse
from God. They both sinned, because they disobeyed Him in the Garden of Eden.
Therefore, He cursed them because of their sin. (Genesis 3)
Many Christians today believe that they are still under the curse. However, that is not true.
Once Jesus Christ came and took our place on the cross, we are no longer under the curse. In fact, He became the curse for us. He redeemed us from the curse of the law. (Galatians 3:13-14) We are now under the new covenant of grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)
The old covenant of the law was based on works or a person's performance. There are some still trying to live like they are under the law. For those believers, they are still under the curse because they are still trying to rely on the law.
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” (Galatians 3:10, NIV)
The Apostle Paul tells us that the righteous live by faith. "Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God..." (Galatians 3:11, NIV) We aren't made right with God by the law. We are made righteous with God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:8-9)
The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” (Galatians 3:12, NIV)
Therefore, we must live by faith in the Son of God. (Galatians 2:20) Then, know and remember we are not under the curse. We are redeemed from the curse.
Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Many Christians today believe that they are still under the curse. However, that is not true.
Once Jesus Christ came and took our place on the cross, we are no longer under the curse. In fact, He became the curse for us. He redeemed us from the curse of the law. (Galatians 3:13-14) We are now under the new covenant of grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)
The old covenant of the law was based on works or a person's performance. There are some still trying to live like they are under the law. For those believers, they are still under the curse because they are still trying to rely on the law.
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” (Galatians 3:10, NIV)
The Apostle Paul tells us that the righteous live by faith. "Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God..." (Galatians 3:11, NIV) We aren't made right with God by the law. We are made righteous with God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:8-9)
The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” (Galatians 3:12, NIV)
Therefore, we must live by faith in the Son of God. (Galatians 2:20) Then, know and remember we are not under the curse. We are redeemed from the curse.
Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
"Where are you?"
But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9)
God asked this question of the first man, Adam. Of course, He already knew the answer to the question. For God, it really was a rhetorical question. Afterall, God is all-knowing!
However, He asked Adam this question in order for him to think about the answer. It was to help Adam to acknowledge his physical location. It was also to assist Adam in seeing and knowing his sin.
He [Adam] answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
And He [God] said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
Since the beginning of time, man has pointed the finger or blamed another person for his predicament.
The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." (Genesis 3:10-13)
God has given every man his own will to make his own choices whether good or bad. Of course, also since the creation of humankind, there have been consequences of making our own choices without God’s leadership and guidance.
"For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit." (Galatians 6:7-8)
Therefore, the next time that God asks you this question, “Where are you?” Just be honest with Him and yourself! Acknowledge your location whether physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, or otherwise. Realize that He loves you, and He wants to help you! Please allow Him to assist you in whatever way and in whatever area of your life! He really does love you, and He wants the best for you!
Copyright 2010 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
God asked this question of the first man, Adam. Of course, He already knew the answer to the question. For God, it really was a rhetorical question. Afterall, God is all-knowing!
However, He asked Adam this question in order for him to think about the answer. It was to help Adam to acknowledge his physical location. It was also to assist Adam in seeing and knowing his sin.
He [Adam] answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
And He [God] said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
Since the beginning of time, man has pointed the finger or blamed another person for his predicament.
The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." (Genesis 3:10-13)
God has given every man his own will to make his own choices whether good or bad. Of course, also since the creation of humankind, there have been consequences of making our own choices without God’s leadership and guidance.
"For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit." (Galatians 6:7-8)
Therefore, the next time that God asks you this question, “Where are you?” Just be honest with Him and yourself! Acknowledge your location whether physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, or otherwise. Realize that He loves you, and He wants to help you! Please allow Him to assist you in whatever way and in whatever area of your life! He really does love you, and He wants the best for you!
Copyright 2010 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)