“Repeat after me, there is no free will. There is only God’s will”
God is independent; he doesn’t actually need us or anything else in creation for anything.
God is unchangeable in his being, attributes, purposes, and promises.
God knows everything; in one simple and eternal act, he fully knows himself and all actual and possible things.
God all-wise; he always chooses the best possible goals and the best possible means to meet those goals
God is the final standard of good; all he is and does is good and worthy of approval. There is no higher standard of goodness than God’s own character and his approval of whatever is consistent with that character. In his goodness, God is love; he eternally gives himself for the good of others but he is that good.
God is holy; he is separated from sin and devoted to seeking his own honor.
God is righteous and just, he must treat people as they deserve. Therefore, he must punish that which is against him, that is, sin
God continually “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11). God’s will is the ultimate reason for everything that happens. It is the way God approves and determines to bring about every action necessary for the existence of and activity of himself and all his creation. God’s will is how he chooses to do what he does and doesn’t do.
God is omnipotent. He is all powerful. He is able to do all his holy will.
Col. 1:13-19, I was struck by the sovereignty and preeminence of God, Christ Jesus while doing research for a course I am teaching in Romans. From an early church hymn we learn that Jesus is God. He created all things, including man and is still creating the human spirit every time a child is conceived. He sustains that child throughout his life, and He creates everything that influences that child whether it be in heaven, in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. Everything that happens to and for that child is according to the purpose and plan of God for Jesus and tangentially for the child, but that is a far removed secondary goal, since King Jesus, the Lord, is to have the preeminence in all things.
Thank you all so much for sharing your testimonies!
Amen!
I remember the first time I read Colossians 1 and I was struck by the understanding that until that time I didn't really understand the "why" of anything.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." -- Col. 1:13-17"(God) who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
"All things."
Amen to your beautiful post b-d. For once I’m speechless. It’s a miracle!!!!