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For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
Is Our Life Really Presdestined?
By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services
Q: Is everything that happens already determined by God, and it's
going to happen no matter what we do? Or do we have the ability to
carry out plans on our own, regardless of what God hoped would happen?
I have a real struggle understanding this. -- G.N.
A: You aren't alone in your struggles about this question; theologians have struggled with it for centuries! Some have stressed God's absolute control over everything, while others have emphasized our freedom to act on our own.
The reason they haven't agreed is because the Bible teaches both God's sovereignty and our human responsibility. In other words, God is absolutely in control of everything -- but at the same time, we also are responsible for our actions. I know this sounds like a contradiction, and from our human viewpoint it is. But from God's viewpoint it isn't -- and someday God will make it clear to us when we get to heaven.
What difference does this make? First, never forget that because God is in control, He is working behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes -- and because He is, we can have hope. What if it were all left up to us? What hope would we have then? But God is at work -- and that should give us great comfort. The Bible says, "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). The last chapter of history will be written by God, not Satan!
Second, because we aren't puppets, we have a choice: to believe in Christ and serve Him, or to reject Him and go our own way. Which will it be for you? Submit your life to Jesus Christ and serve Him alone -- beginning today.
========
Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
(c)2008 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 09/25/2008
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Posted Comments:
09-29-2008 08:35
Betsy T wrote:
"Is our life really predestined?"
I rate this a 5. This is something my husband and I disagree over. I believe that God is 100% in control but that he also gave us free will so as not to do anything stupid......standing on a RR track when a train is coming, and saying if it's my time to die,I will. Not many people survive being hit full force by a train.
I read Dr Graham almost every day and have had the honor of seeing and hearing him in person. He is a gift from God.
I read Dr Graham almost every day and have had the honor of seeing and hearing him in person. He is a gift from God.
09-26-2008 11:50
normajun wrote:
predestination
yes, God has predestined us to live with Him, in His kingdom forever.However, he has given us the freedom of choice-so we can't be forced to know, love and serve Him.but if we obey Him, we will live with Him forever.like a child who listens and obeys his parents, good will happen to him, compaRED TO ONE WHO'S DISOBEDIENT, he will get lost, and will have a rough time.God is always with us, in our hearts.If we call on Him, He will answer us swiftly.Whatever we ask of Him, He will give, as long as we ask in true faith and in complete trust of HIM, in Jesus name.follow God's ways, He will direct you, and you will live, Amen.
09-25-2008 16:42
Kay Akharume wrote:
Is Our Lives Really Pre-destined
Well this is a very intricate subject in Christiandom, but my take on this is Yes and No as Pastor Graham said.
In the beginning when God created the earth and made man, He said that man shall dominate and rule the earth, also we were given a choice, and where there's a choice there're consequence following.
Also bible always says that yee shall reap what yee sow, and that means that for whatever decisions we make we must have repercusion.
Then finally, it's said in the bible that it is appointed unto a man to die once and after then judgement, so we have to choose between what's right and wrong.
But God's plans for our lives will stand, cos He'l make sure that whatever you're supposed to do keeps coming around you, till you do what you were destined to do, ever wondered why a person continues to get opportunity come their way more often that others, that's God.
King Hezekiah added 15yrs to his life even when God said he should die, but by his action of prayers God changed He verdict. So somehow our lives are in our hands.
In the beginning when God created the earth and made man, He said that man shall dominate and rule the earth, also we were given a choice, and where there's a choice there're consequence following.
Also bible always says that yee shall reap what yee sow, and that means that for whatever decisions we make we must have repercusion.
Then finally, it's said in the bible that it is appointed unto a man to die once and after then judgement, so we have to choose between what's right and wrong.
But God's plans for our lives will stand, cos He'l make sure that whatever you're supposed to do keeps coming around you, till you do what you were destined to do, ever wondered why a person continues to get opportunity come their way more often that others, that's God.
King Hezekiah added 15yrs to his life even when God said he should die, but by his action of prayers God changed He verdict. So somehow our lives are in our hands.
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