A Common Fallacy – Who has Resisted God’s Will?
A Common Fallacy – Who has Resisted God’s Will?
[Please do NOT read if you are weak hearted and not ready; it might change everything you believe. Read at your own risk, you have been WARNED]
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:12)
‘God Alone is Holy, God Alone is Good and I can see it with Holy Scripture’ – Anonymous
(1) A Lesson from the Job Case
How to understand evil with regards to Job in a simple way with regards to verses?
There is NOT one Scripture In Job where God’s Will is to bring that disaster upon Job (clearly written it is Satan’s own act under his authority Job 2:7)
God “allowed” it agreeing to 1 Corinthians 10:13 (not equivalent to God approving it).
And God did NOT DO it though Satan tried to make God to strike Job first (Job 2:5)
‘Where are your verses from Job 2 sir for each claim made?’
Are you going to say that God influenced Satan next sir, contradicting James 1:13?
And in the end just say that you didn’t blame God for it contradicting Job 1:22?
I am not buying it.
I will stick to Job truthfully meaning Job 1:22.
P/S:
Sorry 🙏 I had to be harsh on my point to stress it and it’s not directed toward you sir, but toward these thoughts which point to God being ‘indirectly’ the author of evil or such nonsensical claims or implications sugar coated with the popular term ‘God’s moral responsibility toward evil’ (discussed next).
Fact is, any evil is not God’s Will but an instance of a creature (or more)’s will acting against God’s Will (in this case due to Satan’s acts under his given authority agreeing to 2 Corinthians 4:4 too as he is given to be the ‘god of this age’, authority).
Please don’t misunderstand, peace
(2) The Moral Responsibility Fallacy
‘Don’t use Scripture? Says who? That man? So, you want to follow the opinions of that man who disrespects Scripture? That feeble man who is against God? Suit yourself; as for me, I rather believe God’s Holy Word over that man’s opinions’ – Unknown
I know that many of subscribe to the idea that ‘God is morally responsible for any evil done in creation in some way’ due to the influence of some well meaning Christian writers who argue that out. I disagree strongly because NO blame can be of God for ANY EVIL (due to Judgment or purposeless evil either) keeping the exegesis true to the verses below:
“Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” (Job 1:22)
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” (James 1:13)
Our exegesis must match all verses soundly for Scripture is our Guide and not the opinions of men where some of them later will discredit Scripture in some way (saying its not the final authority or that its not so clear, to many other such excuses when it does NOT agree to their opinions). I will choose Scripture over opinions or theories. I am not into defending traditions of men just because they are scholars.
Any fancy self-made explanation of scholars which does NOT explain out the initial Adam & Eve case with regards to “how evil works” as “God allows it” with “verses” testifying to ‘each claim’ made (the most ignored part in ‘their opinions/theories’) is most important and must NOT contradict the verse quoted above. At the end of their ‘analysis’, some of them often ‘blame God’ in a ‘little’ way’ calling it ‘His Moral responsibility’ in some way for the evil done to which I will NEVER subscribe due to the verses above (Job 1:22 & James 1:13) contradicting it and that I can see how without any contradiction as explained in this post and previous posts when seen together.
Good luck on Judgment Day with “such blaming God indirectly-theories” as such talk “against Him” (harshly, even in a little way) is warned in Scripture (my duty is to warn against such exegesis & traditions of men is why I write this, I know that some of you will attack for credentials and all that, which does NOT matter; just the ‘verses’ and ‘truth’ presented consistently; each man will bear his OWN words especially with regards to ‘what we say about God’, it is SERIOUS):
“to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (Jude 1:15)
Here is a “free” choice given ‘with respect to your words too’ especially those we say with regards to God:
“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:37)
To argue any exegesis soundly from Scripture, we must go back to the first occurrence and the creation if evil itself for man —> namely, the fall of Adam and Eve —> as “it is written” (using verses that exist and not analyzing using each other’s opinions).
Here are the facts:
(a) Existence of Free Choice in Creation’s Will
Choice to obey or not obey is given prior to even eating the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil with God ordering the steps & directing in advance by saying, ‘don’t eat of it’
“but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” (Genesis 3:3)
Please note the following:
(i) Choice to obey God’s command by not eating that fruit = God’s Will = Good
(ii) Choice not to obey God’s Command by eating that fruit = NOT God’s Will = Against God’s Will = Evil
Evil is Evil and not ‘God’s moral responsibility’.
(b) Whose fault is it?
Evil of disobedience done – The perpetrators of the fall:
“The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:3)
We can see that ‘Adam puts the blame on’:
God —> signified by the phrase ‘the woman You (God) gave to me’
Woman —> ‘she (Eve) gave me from the tree’
Adam is ‘blind’ to his OWN words accusing him —> ‘I ate’ —> to which he does NOT want to ‘admit to his mistake as his CHOICE’
The “God wired my brain that way” implication by Adam seen in his blaming others for his OWN sin by CHOICE-attitude is NOT a valid “opinion” to Scripture simply because God’s Response does NOT ‘relieve Adam from his responsibility for his own actions’ and God does NOT secretly ‘make Adam fall’ contradicting Job 1:22 and James 1:13 prior.
God made us FREE to CHOOSE between obeying God’s Will and not obeying God’s Will even BEFORE the Fall itself as Scripture testifies. God doesn’t change with regards to this either, right? (this is the Initial-first state as ‘how God created’ us to HAVE CHOICE; He will NOT eliminate it and make us into robots either, but PERFECT us into obeying Him with CHOICE assuring “no” Fall again in the future, Matthew 24:21, 1 Corinthians 15:25 – 28, Romans 8:20 – 21, Isaiah 41:18 -,19, Revelation 21:4 as He makes ‘ALL things New’, Revelation 21:5)
What was God’s Response to these ‘accusations’? (this determines TRUTH as only God Speaks TRUTH ABSOLUTELY):
*God Judges the Serpent, Devil (INFLUENCER of Evil) for his CHOICE & ACTION to deceive Eve in this as Genesis 3:14-15 details it
*God Judges Eve (for her role as the first DOER of evil among men & her role as INFLUENCER upon Adam and for LISTENING to Satan instead of God) in Genesis 3:15-16 details that (also agreeing to 1 Timothy 2:14)
*God Judges Adam (for his role as the second DOER of evil among men and LISTENING to his wife instead of God) in Genesis 3:17 – 19 mentions too.
So, the golden question to the “it is God’s Moral Responsibility Theory”, where is ‘God in Scripture or verses saying or implying that’? It does NOT exist. NO verse exists in Genesis where God ‘takes moral responsibility over it’ simply because it is NEVER His Fault but the Fault of ‘those who played a role in that evil only’ agreeing perfectly to Job 1:22 & James 1:13 as well.
We should NOT add to Holy Scripture in any way adding a “blame” no matter ‘how little or big it might be upon God’ who CREATED Evil (Isaiah 45:7) for Man in the Fall of Adam & Eve as described in verses above (Context, pertaining to the ‘creation’ of evil, literally) and we can see clearly “how” the EVIL ACTS was done by the CREATURE due to CHOICE ALLOWED (created by God) toward Evil. That’s all.
Conclusion regarding the “Evil is God’s Moral Responsibility too”:
There is NO way any moral responsibility ‘toward God’ for evil can be deduced from ANY VERSE in the Fall of Adam & Eve. NOT one verse describing the Fall of Adam and Eve puts ANY blame or moral responsibility on God in ANY way. So that’s how such theories are FALSE when there are NO verses blaming God in such LITTLE ways too.
Despite the evil done by creation during the Fall, God is Merciful as it is written:
“Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live to the age” (Genesis 3:22)
Why? Please consider this excellent explanation from ancient times:
”Wherefore also he drove him out of paradise and removed him far from the tree of life, not because He envied him the tree of life, as some dare assert, but because He pitied him and desired that he should not be immortal and the evil interminable and irremediable.” (St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Contr. Haer. iii. c. 23, § 6, Against Heresies).
(3) Creation’s Will and God’s Will – One Case or Many Cases?
Milk Doctrine & Meat Doctrine – Are we able to handle it? As apostle Paul echoes below with regards to ‘doctrine’:
“I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,” (1 Corinthians 3:2)
Not to mention we have modern day Christians completely “rejecting” New Testament Doctrine & “thinking” that they are “Spirit led” (contradicting 1 Corinthians 14:37, quoted below) under the pretext that ‘it’s too legalistic’ and that ‘we are not saved by it’. Truth is, we are ‘NOT saved by doctrine’ (only by Grace of God) but we can be “condemned” for NOT obeying His Doctrine (called “lawlessness” in Matthew 7:23 too, doctrine is vital to ‘continue’ with God 2 John 1:9) & miss out on ‘greater’ blessings in the ‘Kingdom of the Heavens’ (Matthew 5:19, Revelation 22:14)
“If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.” – apostle Paul’s New Testament writings & Laws for the Church are the Commands of the Lord and not his opinions or options but are to be obeyed “as it is written”, all of it (1 Corinthians 14:37)
“And then I will declare unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:23)
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” – apostle John (2 John 1:9)
“Whoever then shall break one of the least of these commandments and shall teach others the same, he will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whoever shall keep and shall teach them, he will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19)
“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14, KJV)
(a) Fallacy – The ‘God uses evil for good’ error
This is a dangerous idea. Truth is, God does Good DESPITE evil (the meaning of “overcoming evil” by Him through “doing GOOD ONLY” and not that He is ‘working hand in hand with evil’ in some hidden way) as the verse below implies too (His Unchangeable Perfect Way):
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
To Prove that fallacy above false absolutely, we need to find a case in Scripture (a counter example) where God could do the ‘same’ Good ‘despite’ that evil implying that He is NOT ‘working through any evil’. Here’s one, please consider:
Evil = David commits adultery with Bathsheba while Uriah (her husband) was still living (2 Samuel 11:2 – 5)
Evil = David causes the Murder of Uriah, a righteous man (2 Samuel 11:6 – 25)
Evil = David marries Bathsheba after the Murder of Uriah trying to make it look like he is marrying a widow, to try legalize everything (2 Samuel 11:26 – 27)
Beloved, these are NOT God’s Will but evil. It’s sad that some theologians still try to ‘make it look like it was God’s plan’ (thinking that they are humbly defending God whilst doing so) whilst actually causing His Holy Name to be Profaned:
“As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:24)
How do we know for certain that the Evil above is NOT God’s Will?
God did NOT command David to do any of the above (it was David’s OWN choice in his own will to do evil enticed by his OWN desire agreeing to James 1:14 – 15). Also, we know for certain that ‘those evil’ is NOT God’s Will because God sent Prophet Nathan to JUDGE (and not approve) David for that Evil done prior as “it is written” in 2 Samuel 12:1 – 18.
Highlight:
“‘Why have you (David) despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon” (2 Samuel 12:9)
Please notice that the “blame” for the Evil done is entirely on David as written in verse above.
Judgment = “… Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. “ (2 Samuel 12:15) —-> and the child died.
Does God use that Evil (of David marrying Bathsheba) to do Good?
No!
God brought forth Solomon (a “good”) through David & Bathsheba’s marriage “despite” that evil and NOT through that evil.
Because if the Fallacy that ‘God wanted to do Good through evil’ is ‘true’, then God could have caused the ‘first child’ (died earlier) of David & Bathsheba to be Solomon instead which did NOT happen. This means that God does NOT do Good thorough Evil but that God does Good “despite” evil as in this case of Solomon later and Judging the first child’s birth.
(b) Human Logic Time – Answering Atheists according to ‘their folly’
“For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.” (Psalm 14:1)
“Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” (Proverbs 26:5)
WARNING: This next section will be a bit harsh as I demonstrate answering “speaking in the flesh” as a ‘man’ (Galatians 5:17, Romans 6:19) —> due to “my” OWN human weaknesses too (NOTHING to do with God) —> God Will give His Own RIGHTEOUS Answer on that Day for each of our questions (you will get your chance to ask Him on Judgment Day)
Let’s Begin.
Atheist: How about that child that died in David’s case? Is it fair to that child?
Reply: You can have your problems with that as many do. I don’t have any problems with it. We can ask the baby whether he preferred to be in heaven or should have been given the right to be born under such circumstances of sin when you meet him one day. Our opinions (you and I or others) do NOT matter. Let that child alone answer on that Day
Also, God removed that child by His Power, I don’t think that child felt any pain. He just took its life away, He can do it that way.
Atheist: Didn’t he/she have free will to decide its existence? I rather not exist if I had the choice.
Reply: Your free will choice doesn’t decide your birth nor your end, only your decisions on earth to obey or disobey God knowingly or unknowingly.
Atheist: What is the definition of Evil then?
Reply: God Will define evil as anything against His Will —> Lawlessness which includes sin (Matthew 7:21). Judgment is different (it allows the same measure of evil done back to you, Isaiah 3:11).
Atheist: How about Rational Atheistic Logic to do things differently?
Reply: Rationality must explain reality correctly.
Reality consists of Good and Evil and God will judge the evil accordingly. So, let’s relax and not jump ahead of time.
Atheism doesn’t explain reality but yet people believe it (irrationality at its best).
How?
Your claims of ‘rationality’ of ‘how it should be done’ (as with other atheist opinions too) does NOT explain reality simply because ‘it’s not happening like that according to your logic’.
This means that empirical evidence around us proves atheism false. What we cannot see will be revealed later and God will be right (He keeps the best part explaining everything Perfectly One Day) and “each man will have the Praise of God” —> “Willingly too” (nobody will disagree) as ‘it is written’:
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)
Please don’t be deceived in this temporal vanity ‘whilst being not able to see’ (be wiser beyond your sight sir)
Atheist: What about my right if I want to choose not to exist. Will God honour that?
Here’s a gem of wisdom (rarely known):
Here’s Rationality with Reality:
For ‘your own existence’ to be continued on Judgment Day, “perhaps” you may be given the ‘choice’ to ‘eat your OWN words’ namely, you said that ‘if you had a choice, you would cease to exist’.
How?
Firstly, perhaps God will give you that “option” on that Day where you may “CHOOSE” to ‘continue existing or annihilate yourself’ & I will see (if God permits, for argument sake) whether you “CHOOSE” to ‘continue to exist or not’.
Next
God remains Good as He opens His Heaven even for those who “break” His Commands (Matthew 5:19) too and I want to see you “CHOOSE” not to go in. It will be fun & after your choice are you going to still blame God for it?
No Worries, if you make the WRONG CHOICE and continue to reject Him (God assures in His Foreknowledge that this is temporal for those choosing that) as Heaven’s gates are always open and He has assured you making that CHOICE to return to Him back too (Him influencing this GOOD). So, I will trust the Good God instead Willing all this. Peace to you sir
Atheist: How about these verses in Proverbs 19:21 and Romans 11:36 regarding His Will?
As discussed in earlier posts as well, these can be explained under the ‘simple logic’ that it refers to “God’s Acts ONLY” when “His Will” is mentioned anywhere in Scripture (sometimes He Acts His Will through chosen men but in other cases by Himself ONLY).
This means that in those cases, it talks about His Action ONLY either in aiding that creature to do GOOD ONLY (e.g. James 1:17) or in bringing about JUDGEMENT toward any Evil done in some cases (Ecclesiastes 3:17).
Here are the verses you quoted:
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)
“For from Him and through Him and unto Him are all things. To Him be the glory to the ages! Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
These verses talk about God’s Action ONLY (as His Will) and NOT say a ‘rape done by a man by his OWN will’.
Firstly, let’s briefly look at Romans 11:36 first.
From Him = All things created by His Action ONLY (Colossians 1:16)
Through Him = All things will be Saved by His Action ONLY (John14:6, Acts 4:12)
To Him = All things are Reconciled and return back to Him by His Action ONLY (Colossians 1:20, Romans 3:22, Revelation 21:5, Acts 3:21, Philippians 2:9 – 11, Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, Ephesians 1:8 – 11)
As it is written, Proverbs 19:21 speaks of God’s Counsel by His Will will stand AGAINST any DEVICES of man that men had chosen in his heart first & carried out some of it in their respective lives proving creation’s will to be ‘vanity’ (non absolute, non eternal effects, temporal evil only, Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 10, Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:14).
How? Ephesians 1:8 – 10 reveals this SECRET of HIS WILL where God ‘overcomes the evil will of creation’ by doing the Ultimate GOOD ONLY (James 1:17) toward the “ALL things” namely to ‘Gather them in as one in Christ’ (Ephesians 1:10) to RECONCILE them back (Colossians 1:20) DESPITE their worst sins (James 2:13) by setting them FREE (from their servitude of sin in their OWN evil choices of ‘vanity’, Romans 8:20 – 21, Acts 3:21) to become Children of God eventually when God finally becomes “ALL in ALL” (1 Corinthians 15:28) as these verses describe when seen together too.
Atheist: How about Children Suffering across the earth? (Moral Compass please)
(Here’s even deeper wisdom – Here’s the Moral Compass)
If atheists are truly concerned for all those innocent children on earth being subjected to evil, please don’t marry and have kids simply because it could happen to them too due to another’s creation’s evil upon it.
God is ONLY to be blamed if He created those ‘suffering children directly’ and then placed them on earth which He did NOT do. The only human He created directly is Adam & Eve and when God said be ‘fruitful and multiply’ (Genesis 1:28) —> there was “NO” sin —> the choice to give birth later “after the fall in sin” is Adam & Eve’s OWN choice.
Likewise, the mistakes are done say by a parent in a famine struck land. That mother whilst having insufficient food for herself, still continues to bear a child into that suffering (so much for a mother’s love gibberish in such cases!). The mother has a CHOICE just like Adam & Eve or the rest in affecting Evil to the next generation. God “ALLOWS” us to make that CHOICE and NOT Influence us to make those CHOICES.
If we make that CHOICE, we are RESPONSIBLE for it. Simple as that. God stopped Creating DIRECTLY after the Fall. He gives CREATION the CHOICE to CHOOSE whether to have children or not. Unless in cases where He asked you to give birth to children, we cannot blame Him for ‘being born’. Our parents CHOSE that.
God is Perfectly Responsible and “despite” creation’s OWN will to CHOOSE to do whatever it wants as its power warrants in this temporal vanity, God still WORKS All things by the Counsel of HIS WILL (referring to HIS ACTIONS ONLY) by doing EVERY Good and Perfect thing among these imperfections (James 1:17) —> even willing the Salvation of the World eventually by HIS WILL (or HIS ACTION ALONE), Romans 8:20 – 21, 1 Corinthians 15:25 – 28.
Further, how is God excused from “ALL evil” done to innocent children? He did NOT do it to any of them. Read carefully: The ‘parents’ brought them into this world (via legitimate or illegitimate means such as rape too) and the evil which happens to them is due to “their OWN parents” bringing them into a world of suffering ‘knowingly’ and due to ‘other creation’s evil influence’ such as a ‘rapist’ (including the demons which influence them too).
Which ‘god’ to blame for NOT acting against Evil Immediately?
A role given to the ‘gods’ in Psalm 82:1 – 4 and 2 Corinthians 4:4.
God’s ONLY role in all this?
He “ALLOWED” evil (1 Corinthians 10:13) for a ‘limited time only’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 10) but will JUDGE ‘all their roles respectively’ for it (Ecclesiastes 3:17, Psalm 82:1). None shall escape on the Dreadful Day of the LORD.
“There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:30)
Blessed be His Holy Name!
(c) Judgment toward anyone against God and His Perfect Word
Remember, God is NOT mocked, each will reap what they have sown only (so if they didn’t do it, they won’t reap such Judgment, simple as that):
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7)
Regarding those enemies of God who are ‘misled’ purposely or unknowingly to be against God, good luck as it is written too that (they receive the just due for their ACTIONS and WORDS FALSELY against Him as well, trying to blame the Devil for it or stating that they didn’t know won’t quite work simply because ‘a wrong is a wrong even if you did it unknowingly):
God Laughs at His Enemies (be it you or I or anyone including those who FALSELY accuse Him of evil in any way):
“I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes,” (Proverbs 1:26)
“He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.” (Psalms 2:4)
(4) How about this verse which seems to imply that no one resists God’s Will?
“One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist His will?” (Romans 9:19)
Firstly, please note that the statement ‘who is able to resist His Will’ is made by “you” (not God). This does NOT mean that God is forcing you to do His Will (for example to believe in Him) simply because ‘you are still ABLE to NOT believe in Him’ (proving your ACCUSATION FALSE).
Though God can FORCE you to HONOUR HIM and He doesn’t as proven earlier by your words which dishonour Him or falsely ascribe evil to Him though truth is, He does NO evil (James 1:13) as we have discussed earlier in detail too.
So, His ACCUSATION of Evil toward you is VALID and merits judgment according to the role you played in your OWN evil (Isaiah 3:11, Matthew 5:26, Luke 12:47 – 48) and ‘knowing or not knowing’ with regards to obeying the ‘truth of the Gospel’ (His Will for Good ONLY) will merit vengeance in JUDGMENT according to the EVIL DONE by one’s OWN acts & choices against His Perfectly Good Ways (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
(5) But didn’t God cause them to be blind spiritually and how can He judge them then according to Romans 11:8?
“as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” (Romans 11:8)
God did NOT DO the Act of blinding them DIRECTLY (the rest of Scripture which discuses similar cases may be understood in like manner because God works along the SAME Principles each time being Perfect).
Here’s a Great Secret regarding this:
The answer lies in this verse below:
“In their case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Just like in Job’s case or in Adam & Eve’s case, as God’s Action must be Consistent in that Perfect Principle, we see that ‘evil’ is done by the Spiritual wicked being in the heavenlies (Satan and his host by their OWN choice too according to the authority given to them to say a ‘yes or no’, Psalms 82:1 – 4, Ephesians 6:12) —-> they CHOSE to BLIND the unbelievers who ‘obey them knowingly or unknowingly’ but ‘willingly’ certainly unaware of this being “bound in their OWN disobedience” by their OWN sins & actions against God causing this (Romans 11:32), sadly.
That is, just like the ACT of BLINDING them is DONE DIRECTLY by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4, and NOT by God) as Holy Scripture clearly testifies —> This is the explanation (as Let Scripture interpret Scripture) —-> for understanding Romans 11:8 correctly in that God is NOT doing evil but ALLOWING Evil (1 Corinthians 10:13) INDIRECTLY according to the reason of their OWN sins & the will of the ‘gods’ whom they follow after mostly unknowingly which has thus ‘bound’ them accordingly (the correct analogically same way of understanding Romans 11:32 or other equivalent Scripture likewise!).
For example, the “hardening” Scripture below may be understood likewise in analogy simply because God does NOT change and these are all speaking of the ‘SAME’ topic of EVIL vs Good (context):
“So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens (ALLOWS the Hardening by their OWN sin and OWN gods – 1 Corinthians 10:13, added for emphasis, Context) whom He desires.” (Romans 9:18)
To Whom God has Mercy to release them from their “OWN hardening” caused by their OWN sins and Choice (Hebrews 3:8) & through their ‘own gods’ (Psalm 82:1 – 4) whom they chose to serve via their thoughts, actions and words (mostly unknown to them due to lack of wisdom)? As “God Wills” (His Free Will Choice).
“So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” (Romans 9:16)
“For He says to Moses: “I will show mercy to whom I may show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I may have compassion.” (Romans 9:15)
“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:36)
Conclusion
Men hate being Judged for their OWN sins and thus want to Blame it on God from the Fall itself (John 7:7, John 16:8).
Despite Creation being Evil in some way (falling short of the Perfection of God, relatively in some cases, Romans 3:23) —> causing “ALL the WORLD” to become GUILTY on that Great Day of Judgment when He Reveals Every detail (Romans 3:19) —-> God is GOOD PERFECTLY that He allows ALL to be Justified FREELY by His Righteousness (Romans 3:22, Isaiah 45:24, Romans 4:5) —> through His Act ALONE by the Faith of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22, 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 John 2:2) —-> proving God ALONE is GOOD in the END (1 John 4:14, John 4:42)
The best part is that in His Foreknowledge beyond your temporal misunderstanding of Him being subject to the VANITY of your OWN evil & creation’s evil causing that, it will END due to His Act only of liberating you too one day as part of creation as promised Gloriously in Romans 8:20 – 21 where you will WILLINGLY (1 Corinthians 4:5) & swear allegiance back to Him (Philippians 2:9 – 11) subjecting yourself to Him in LOVE (1 Corinthians 15:25 – 28) and finally God being “ALL in ALL” (1 Corinthians 15:28) bringing ‘Glory to God the Father’ (Philippians 2:11) all ‘as it is beautifully written’ in Holy Scripture (Psalm 50:15, Hosea 14:4, 2 Samuel 14:14, Romans 11:32).
He is Beautifully Unknown (John 1:10) and Hated for Willing to Save them (John 3:17, John 15:25) & Giving back Judgment for their OWN sins back to them (John 7:7, Isaiah 3:11), a Beautiful Irony indeed.
“Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13:7)
“and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:32)
Blessed be Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the World!
Maranatha, even so come, Lord Jesus!
