Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

To me, your question points out a certain tension that exists in the universe.

As a Christian, I believe that God is unquestionably sovereign; that He loves me; that nothing happens to me without at least His permissive will (for reasons that may not always be apparent to me); and that He is capable of making all things that happen to me work together for my good.

On the other hand, that also implies to me that God is not necessarily the 
cause of everything that happens to me, but that events may be brought about by the forces that oppose God, or even be random, but that God can still permit them and use them in carrying out His ultimate will or purposes.

The Biblical passages that occur to me in connection with this are Ecclesiastes 9:11 and Luke 13:1-5.

I will grant that Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes speaking from the perspective of one "under the sun" (that is, the natural man speaking without the benefit of spiritual insight or divine revelation). Nevertheless, I think that it still can't be denied that, as Solomon said, "time and chance happen to... all" to produce results that don't fit with a view that good or worthiness or wisdom are always rewarded.

Also, to me, Jesus (in the passage from Luke that I cited above) expressed the same idea that there is a certain amount of randomness to life when He was told of people from Galilee whom the Roman procurator Pilate had caused to be put to death while they were in the very act of offering sacrifices to God. He responded by saying, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

To me, this places our focus where it should be -- on maintaining a right relationship with God at all times by turning from sin and placing our faith in Christ for salvation and eternal life, so that, regardless of what happens to us during our lifespans here (which are an infinitesimal period of time in comparison with eternity), we will be able to live forever in God's presence.

April 08 2016 • 6 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Lena Wms Supporter Student @Christ Gospel Church, S.S.Teacher, Observer

I think it's very interesting to note that in all the comments and threads that no one has mentioned "My Servant, Job" You see, we all like to believe that the bad things in life befall us because Satan has done bad and dirty deeds to us. This is true. 

However, we tend to forget, Satan has a Boss! He must check-in and give account for his whereabouts and then be dispatched. Exactly like business executives do with their employees here on Earth. God is like an Executive, dispatching evil spirits, like the lying spirit that hit all the prophets that sent King Ahab into battle
1 Kings 22:22-23 (The whole chapter is very interesting!) 

We also tend to forget, what exactly did God wanted out of Job? Look at all the self-righteous dribble that spewed out of Job chapter after chapter until finally Elihu stood up and put an end to it by asking some real soul-searching questions that got Job to thinking about what he was really saying! Thank God for the Elihu's in our lives! When Job realized he was basically spitting in God's face, he abhorred himself and put his hand over his mouth to shut it. 
Now, God had his attention! He wasn't so self-righteous anymore. God and Job had a couple chapters conversation. Job repented! This was exactly what God was after all along! 
Job was restored to health, his wealth was doubled, he had more servants, cattle, even more children to the GLORY of GOD! Not to the glory of Job as it had been before. {remember Job had said "I make the widows hearts sing"? Where was God?}

It is amazing what a person must go through to give God All the Glory!

However, God is willing to use His servants, be they good or evil, to assist us in our journey, until we can willingly give Him All the GLORY!

Every Knee shall Bow and Every Tongue Shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the GLORY of God the FATHER!

Be Blessed,
Lena

April 14 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Gregory Tomlinson Supporter Minister, husband,father,grandfather,vet., college graduate

Why do some Christians believe that there are no such things as accidents?

They may think this way and make decisions based on it because of confirmation bias and the environmental influences that shaped the way they interpret and process information. This is known as framing and scripting events into scenarios that are familiar to us, often leaving out some information or aspect of an event. 

Another factor is that some people are reactive instead of proactive in managing what they can in their lives, and most are probably not aware of how these decisions and choices are made. But there is always a choice; making God your counselor allows Him to guide you into better decision making and choices. 

I have witnessed over the years this same ideology of fate or predetermination, people say things like "it was God's will that I be poor" or "this person died early, God took them for some unknown reason." While this is possible in some cases, in most cases, outcomes are predetermined by choices. E.g. My beloved nephew passed away at 16. He was speeding in his car, when he was not supposed to be driving, while his parents were out of town. He was not wearing a seatbelt, and he was distracted by his cell phone. He went into a curve too fast, and his car flipped and rolled over onto him after he was ejected. God did not do this, a series of choices were made against wiser advice that had a terrible consequence for Him and his loved ones. I do not mean this coldly but he shortened his days by his foolish choices. 

Some actions or events are predetermined, e.g: If you have a calling a predetermined purpose by God, an event to fulfill, then He will intervene. I have been in more than a dozen crashes and have not been hurt 66 times due to intervention from consequences to choices I foolishly made, so that I could tell you God is real, His word is real, and to turn from this world and sinful choices. God is a healer, a deliverer, a protector, and provider, and will provide counsel and guidance if you sincerely submit yourself to Him. 

The scripture states that no man can be saved unless the spirit draws him. Yet it is possible to perish after he calls you. In the book of Revelation, we see a warning that adding too or taking away from things written can lead to having your name removed from the book of life. 

You probably have not been predetermined to be alone, poor, lost or unhappy, but in the multitude of counselors are purpose's established. Seek Him while you can, get wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. 

Pro-activeness is direction and discretion in your choices. Reactiveness is allowing chance and circumstance to dictate the outcome of your purposes and trying to manage their outcome. For example, if you are poor analyze why, what determining factors influenced this outcome? Is it due to havijng no job, or to spending too much? Determine the reason and make informed decisions to change the determining factors. For example, the good paying jobs require higher education or training, so plan with prayer your steps to get training or further your education. 

Self-discipline is an earmark of believers we read in the scripture that God wants you to prosper as your soul prospers and reminds us that as wealth comes, and it will, if you apply yourself with diligence, be quick to communicate, be conscious of other needs around you, be ready to distribute, and do not put your trust in wealth but rather in Him that supplies your needs according to His love and riches. 

This applies to everything in your life. Redeem your time, put Him first, make Him and His word your counselor. Find your elders and those with His calling for advice. Use love, faith, and hope get wisdom, and prayerfully make your choices. There are very few predetermined outcomes and God wants you to be successful. Grace and mercy be yours in abundance. 
Maranatha

March 28 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ainsworth Henry Supporter

Christians who believe there is no such thing as accident probably have not yet read or understand Josuha 20.1-9. 

God gave instructions how to defend and protect some one who accidentally hurt or killed some one else's love one or property. 

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. 

Take note of "manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly"

This is irrevocably truth that God do forgive accident and accidents do happen.

April 14 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report